Breast cancer affects approximately 240,000 women each year in the United States (ACS, 2016). In the rural population, the mortality is much higher than in urban populations. African American, under-served women have a 28% higher mortality from breast cancer than Caucasian women (Health, United States, 2016), likely due to being diagnosed at later stages of cancer (Chatterjee, He, & Keating, 2013). In an effort to address these disparities and promote health promotion and prevention in a rural community, a collaborative initiative focused on breast cancer awareness was developed. The purpose of this project was to implement church-based, nurse-led educational sessions, regarding breast cancer awareness and early detection among rural, African American women. Community health workers (CHWs) and undergraduate pre-nursing/nursing students were also trained to lead future sessions. Research has supported the efficiency of CHWs spreading knowledge of healthy lifestyles (Martinez, Turner, & Pratt-Chapman, 2016).
Methods:
This evidence-based, educational intervention is being conducted in the form of Women Wellness Workshops for Breast Cancer Awareness (WWWs) for rural, under-served, African American women with follow-up at 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months. Following the in-person follow-ups, focus groups to measure milestones will be implemented.
Results:
To date, in collaboration with community agencies, local churches, CHWs, and an inter-professional research team, 20 under-served women have been reached with additional participants expected. Along with utilizing church groups for recruitment and sustainability, spirituality will also be measured. This feasibility study has addressed prevailing risk factors for breast cancer, proper technique for breast self-examination (BSE), the importance of clinical breast examination (CBE), the importance of mammography screening, and health promotion and disease prevention (i.e., proper diet and exercise).
Conclusion:
Continued sustainability of this program is being promoted through continued training and collaboration with churches and community health workers from within rural communities. Implications for future research include expansion to larger populations, other rural communities throughout the United States, and global communities.