141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

276319
From gray to pink: Educating senior breast cancer survivors and those at risk

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Brian Fink, PhD, MPH, CHES , Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Toledo - Health Science Campus, Toledo, OH
Breast cancer education programs while abundant tend to focus on young and middle age women. However, the median age of breast cancer diagnosis is 61 years of age. As the senior breast cancer survivor and at-risk population grow, the need for breast cancer education is critical. This pilot was designed to educate seniors about breast cancer topics including screening and diagnosis; genetic testing; surgery, reconstruction, occupational and physical therapy; and nutrition-related prevention and survival. The intent was to improve senior confidence and knowledge regarding these issues so they could improve their health and well-being and share what they learned with family and friends. Two senior centers in Northwest Ohio agreed to host the four educational workshops during June and July 2012, respectively. Senior breast cancer survivors (age 60 and older), their family and friends, and at-risk women attended. Knowledge and confidence were assessed using pre- and post-surveys and the Student's paired t-test compared mean pre- and post-test knowledge and confidence scores. There were statistically significant differences between pre- and post-test knowledge and confidence for the screening and diagnosis, and nutrition workshops, (p=0.05), and knowledge for the surgery and therapy workshop (p=0.03). Senior breast cancer education is much needed. The knowledge and confidence gained can be shared and provide an ever-growing network of people who can educate and help each other improve their quality of life. This program will be combined with direct services including mammography and ultrasound, genetic testing, and mobile meal delivery to provide a rich spectrum of care.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Discuss breast cancer-specific topics in a clear and understandable manner to fellow senior breast cancer survivors and those at risk. Demonstrate an increase in knowledge among breast cancer-specific topics following the educational workshops. Demonstrate an increase in confidence among breast cancer-specific topics following the educational workshops.

Keywords: Education, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conducted a prior educational program for seniors related to issues of aging in 2011. I designed this program from scratch and was the principal investigator involved in its implementation at the senior centers. I also teach aging-related issues in my public health and epidemiology courses.
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.