Reducing the Incidence of Breast Cancer in African American Women

Background and Issues: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. “An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer occurred among African American women in 2009” (Takakuma et al., 2008. P. 1393). Women who follow breast cancer screening recommendations are more likely to have their cancer treated and detected at and very early stage thus leading to a decrease in breast cancer mortality rates. Description: Women of Faith and Hope (WOFAH) is a breast cancer support group located in Philadelphia that helps to increase cancer awareness and decrease breast cancer deaths through education, bridges to mammograms and other forms of breast cancer screening. Assessment of WOFAH began September 2010. The Precede Proceed Model was utilized. Assessment of WOFAH showed a need for initiating bridges from the female consumer to diagnostic testing sites. While there are various diagnostic testing sites in Philadelphia offering free mammograms, there are no programs in place to bridge the female consumer to diagnostic facilities. Implementation of the project began January 2011. Two seminars were developed to educate WOFAH participants, and females in the community about breast cancer and programs such as Women in Need (WIN). WIN is a program that offers free mammograms and other resources to women of low socioeconomic status. Lesson learned: While needed resources may exist, if there is a lack of community education of the resources, they are ineffective. Recommendations: The education of WOFAH participants and the community can help to disperse information regarding diagnostic testing sites.