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

Abstract #109164

Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Sandra L. San Miguel de Majors, MS, Dani Presswood, and Kipling Gallion, MA. Dept. of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 8207 Callaghan Rd., Suite 110, San Antonio, TX 78230, 210-348-0255, sandras@bcm.tmc.edu

Purpose: Increase the awareness of breast cancer among the Hispanic community by developing a bilingual, culturally sensitive book of Latina breast cancer survivor stories. Methods: Hispanic breast cancer survivors from South Texas were invited to write a story about their breast cancer experience. A Selection Committee reviewed and selected the stories that were to be published in the book. Each of the stories was scored based on an evaluation criterion (stories' insightfulness, inspirational value, educational message, evidence of coping skills and social support, likelihood that most Hispanic women will relate to the story and ability to overcome major challenges. A total of 45 stories were received and 26 stories were selected. Results: With the support of various grants, a total of 3000 copies of the book Nuestras Historias: Mujeres Hispanas Sobreviviendo el Cáncer del Seno/Our Stories: Hispanic Women Surviving Breast Cancer (Nuestras Historias) were made. Nuestras Historias is a 114-page, full-color educational and inspirational publication presented in English and Spanish. Besides the stories, the book contains recommendations regarding screening, diagnosis, treatment and support and national resources. It relates the influence of the Hispanic culture on the breast cancer experience and on the coping skills used by Hispanic women battling the disease. Conclusions: The book is the first of its kind and represents a fine example of a culturally sensitive educational material with replication potential. Book copies are being distributed free of charge nationwide. Next steps include reprinting additional copies and possibly developing a second edition.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the book development process as an educational material from the grant development process to the book distribution process.
• Articulate the procedure for selecting culturally appropriate stories with educational and inspirational value.
• Develop much needed culturally sensitive educational materials for minorities.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Education

Related Web page: www.redesenaccion.org

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.