270737 Spreading the knowledge: Strengthening survival rates for American Indian women with breast cancer through culturally tailored brochures

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Joseph Pacheco , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Tara Hammer , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Melissa Filippi, PhD , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Christina Pacheco, Esq , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Won S. Choi, PhD, MPH , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
K. Allen Greiner, MD, MPH , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Christine Makosky Daley, PhD, MA, SM , Center for American Indian Community Health, and Department of Family Medicine, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
Introduction: American Indian (AI) women have shown greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer at a late-stage leading to lower survival rates compared to Non-Hispanic Whites. The Center for American Indian Community Health (CAICH) conducted focus groups to better understand screening attitudes and behaviors concerning breast cancer among AI living in Kansas and Missouri. Participants requested brochures that target AI needs and highlight local resources. CAICH's Susan G. Komen for the Cure scholars and community team members developed a series of brochures about breast cancer knowledge and screening barriers to meet community needs. Methods: Using CBPR, our diverse team created a set of culturally tailored brochures for local AI communities. CAICH incorporated suggestions from focus groups (n=45) and used resources at local health centers. Each scholar was assigned a specific brochure (i.e., facts, screening, what to do if you have a positive screen, and what to do if someone you love is diagnosed). Team members came to a consensus concerning appropriate information, local resources, images, and literacy levels to include in the brochures. Results: Four informational breast cancer brochures have been created for local AI communities. Our Community Advisory Board members and the AIHREA Health and Wellness Powwow attendees reviewed drafts of the brochures. CAICH is in the process of refining the brochures based on community input. Conclusion: CAICH plans to distribute these brochures after additional tailoring. CAICH plans to use the breast cancer brochures as a model for other pertinent health concerns in our AI communities.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
Identify the benefits of culturally tailoring cancer screening and prevention brochures for American Indian communities.

Keywords: American Indians, Breast Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a Master of Public Health Student and I was involved in every aspect of the creation of these brochures.
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.