Keep ABREAST: A University/Community Partnership

The goal of the KEEP ABREAST (Keep Advocating for BReast cancer Education And Screening Tests) project is to reach at least 200 underserved women in Portage County, Ohio with outreach, education, prevention, screening, and treatment and support as needed. This innovative program promotes primary prevention, specifically modifiable lifestyle risk factors (improved nutrition and exercise, reduction of alcohol intake or smoking cessation, screening mammograms, BSE, etc.) which is discussed with women during either group session pre-mammogram or one-on-one sessions post-mammogram. One-on-one education is a recommended intervention by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services of the CDC. This project, funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Northeast Ohio, also provides education on BSE supplemented by brochures and demonstrations on breast models or on the internet. The KEEP ABREAST program refers women to local programs if they indicate a desire to stop smoking or drinking. In terms of prevention, participants are asked to modify at least one risk factor and program educators do a 3-6 month follow up call to determine their progress. Second year funding has been requested to provide a support group and walking program for survivors and, if funded, membership to the Kent State University Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC). There they will receive fitness assessments and take part in a Survive HERS (Helping Everyone Remain Strong) Walking Program. Evaluation data from year one will be presented along with information about program replication.