Increasing survivorship rates in Mississippi through capacity building

Building capacity to increase breast cancer survivorship rate in Mississippi can be a challenge. A unique partnership between the Mississippi State Department of Health, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Monmouth Plantation provided the “Woman of Monmouth” educational seminar, November 10, 2010. The authors applied some of the principles of community capacity enhancement to give cancer survivors a platform to support and educate their peers about screening and prevention. The idea of the community capacity enhancement approach is building capacity for local information transfer and sharing lessons learned. Twenty-five (25) women formerly treated for breast cancer were recruited by oncologists, cancer support groups, or other local organizations throughout the state to participate in an overnight retreat with workshops that not only restored, but educated participants from a holistic approach. The owner of the bed and breakfast donated the entire property for three days at no cost to participants. An online social network was formed for the participants, empowered to go back to their respective communities to educate women (at least 5) on the benefits of early detection and life after breast cancer treatment. The educational sessions included topics such as breast cancer survivorship, the importance of proper nutrition and exercise, life after chemotherapy, stress management, meditation, and the psychosocial aspect of cancer treatment. The website will serve as the venue to encourage continual communication amongst participants and future participants in a secure and safe environment. Evaluation results demonstrated the need of a statewide cancer survivor support social network.