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

Abstract #114868

Amal J. Khoury, PhD, MPH, Health Svcs Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, Po Box 100195, Gainesville, FL 32610-0195, 352-273-6079, akhoury@phhp.ufl.edu, Nedra F. Lisovicz, PhD, MPH, CHES, Center for Sustainable Health Outreach, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #10015, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, and Amanda Avis, MPH, Center for Community Health, University of Southern Mississippi, P.O. Box 5122, Hattiesburg, MS 39406.

Research Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women. Breast cancer awareness has increased in recent years, with the expansion of educational programs and funding opportunities. However, levels of awareness vary among subgroups of women. This study examines breast cancer awareness among women in the rural south, including African American and White, non-Hispanic women.

Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey of a representative sample of households in the state of Mississippi with at least one woman 40 years of age and older. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) was used. An extensive literature review established face validity of the questionnaire. Content validity was established by breast cancer experts. The survey was pilot tested with a sample of 30 women. The survey collected data about 1) awareness of breast cancer risk factors; 2) awareness of signs and symptoms of breast cancer; and 3) awareness of screening benefits.

Principal Findings: We surveyed 1,027 women 40 years of age and older, including 299 African American and 728 White women. The response rate exceeded 60%. The majority of women were aware of 3 risk factors for breast cancer: being female, with or without family history (91%), hormones (79%), and obesity (52%). However, fewer than half of the women were aware of the other risk factors: not breastfeeding (44%), not having children (34%), aging (29%), and alcohol use (26%). Sizeable proportions of participants believed in medically not recognizable risk factors, including: environmental pollutants (76%), injury to the breast (55%), and anger/stress (36%). The majority of women were aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, as well as of the benefits of breast exams, including clinical and self-exams. Three (3) out of 4 women agreed that the mammogram is the best way to find a small lump. White women were more knowledgeable about the risk factors and the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. However, no difference between the two groups emerged in their awareness of the benefits of screening.

Conclusions: Sizeable proportions of women in the rural south are not aware of the risk factors of breast cancer, and misperceptions are common. In addition, 1 out of 4 women are not aware of the benefits of screening mammography. There is a need for educating and empowering women. Community-based interventions, involving the church or other trusted institutions, as well as healthcare counseling are key for educating rural women.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to

• assess the awareness of women in the rural south of risk factors for breast cancer, signs and symptoms of the disease, and benefits of screening; and
• describe appropriate interventions for health education in rural communities.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Community Health Programs

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.