Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103906

Jodi Olson, MPH, Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program, Public Health: Seattle and King County, 999 3rd Ave. , 5th floor, Seattle, WA 98104, 2062053914, jodi.olson@metrokc.gov

African American women have higher mortality rates from breast cancer in Washington State. The Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program's (WBCHP) goal is to reduce breast and cervical cancer mortality among uninsured women with limited incomes. Literature describes barriers to mammogram screening for African-American women who decided to have the screening. The study used in this project is the first to identify beliefs of women who decided not to have a mammogram. This is a population-based study of African-American women reached through outreach who did not have a mammogram. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 43 women. Data were processed using methods described by Glaser and Strauss: establish units of analysis, group by category and develop explanatory theory. Interviewees offered rich text describing beliefs about breast cancer and mammography that formed the bases for their decisions to not be screened. Their beliefs ran counter to many assumptions of breast cancer screening programs. An education module including videotapes was designed to address key issues distilled from the study and confirmed by discussion groups. The video represents different backgrounds, giving a voice to all African American women. New outreach methods use staging techniques from the transtheoretical model and motivational interviewing are used. Training for health care providers was designed to identify practice improvements. The communication plan will be evaluated over 18 months for impact on screening. Using education messages designed to address the beliefs of this sub-group of women will increase and improve screening and earlier stage diagnoses.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, the participant will be able to (
• list at least five reasons why assumptions used in promoting breast cancer screening don't work for motivating African American women to access screening mammograms; (
• articulate strategies to decrease service barriers while increasing breast cancer screening rates in fiscally challenged African American women; and (
• develop a commuication/education plan using these strategies to more effectively work with the hard to reach patient.

Keywords: Cancer Screening, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.