207269 Upstate Witness Project: Addressing breast and cervical cancer disparities in African American churches

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 9:10 AM

Rachel Mayo, PhD , Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Dolores B. Scott, MEd , Woman's Baptist Education and Missionary Convention of SC, State Baptist Young Woman's Auxiliary, Columbia, SC
Deloris Williams, RN, MSN, PhD , Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks, Columbia, SC
  
Background/significance. African American women in SC suffer disproportionately from cancer disparities. The breast cancer mortality rate observed in AA women is about 45% higher than in White women. Cervical cancer mortality is almost 2.5 times higher in AA women than White women in SC. Objective: This pilot project served to determine if the Witness Project model is appropriate for replication and dissemination in South Carolina. Methods: By utilizing the national Witness Project model developed for African American cancer survivors, the team conducted a pilot project in the Upstate for implementation phase of this project. Cancer survivors were recruited from Upstate counties in each location through the State Baptist Young Woman's Auxiliary. Results: A cohort of 22 Witnesses was trained in the Witness Model to provide outreach through their local churches. Nine hundred women in 14 African American Churches have been reached through Witness presentations. Participants showed a 19% increase in knowledge of breast cancer at completion of the training. 38.6% of women requested some type of assistance. To date, 23% have been referred for breast and cervical screening services.

Conclusion: The Witness model has proven effective in moving women into referral for cervical and breast screening. Plans are to use this as a statewide/regional model utilizing cancer survivors. Implications for the public health community include the types and nature of successful partnerships with African American churches, research universities and the future role of Witness Role Models and Lay Health Advisors in augmenting NBCCEDP screening programs.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe three replication methods, types and nature of successful partnerships with African American churches, research universities and the future role of Witness Role Models and Lay Health Advisors in augmenting NBCCEDP programs; and 2. Cite three successful replication and dissemination techniques for the Witness Project in rural African American communities (including appropriate recruitment, training, screening and follow-up for breast and cervical cancer screening services).

Keywords: Breast Cancer Programs, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD in public health and have worked for the past 12 years in the field. My research focus in women's health with a special emphasis in cancer disparities in rural, African American communities and role as Upstate Witness project coordinator qualifies me as an abstract author for this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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