Testing and evaluating health promotion materials to increase breast cancer screening among women with physical disabilities: An evaluation of the Right to Know campaign

Breast cancer has been the focus of nationwide campaigns to inform the public that the risk of breast cancer can be significantly reduced when preventive measures are taken. Women with disabilities, however, have not been the target audience for these messages. To address this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed and tested a set of health promotion materials (posters, MP3 recordings, flyers, ads, and tip sheet) designed to increase awareness among women with disabilities and encourage them to get screened. The materials, featuring four women with physical disabilities who have survived breast cancer, were disseminated over a 6-month period in three communities through partnerships with a Center for Independent Living, a rehabilitation hospital, and a state health department. The experiences of each site were documented through case studies to: (1) identify successful strategies for product dissemination, (2) distribute and track materials, (3) promote community capacity building, and (4) examine the effect these materials have on awareness, perceived susceptibility, and/or self efficacy. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected via interviews with key informants, target audiences, partner focus groups, and mammography technologists and schedulers; dissemination activities and information requests were also tracked. Findings suggest the materials had a positive effect on awareness and capacity building. Successful partnering strategies, effective communication channels, and strategies for dissemination will be discussed. Information from this study is being used to develop a national health promotion campaign to educate women with disabilities about their risk for breast cancer and encourage them to be screened.