Breast cancer mortality rates among African American women are twice as high as rates among white women. Tillery, North Carolina is a small, rural, poor, isolated, predominately African American community which has recently experienced two breast cancer deaths in young women. This inspired East Carolina University (ECU) students to partner with Sistahs United for Breast Cancer Awareness of Tillery, with funding from a Learn and Serve America grant, to create awareness of breast cancer early detection. Awareness presentations were conducted throughout the community and on ECU’s campus. In addition to presentations, students took responsibility for other awareness activities including, brochures, flyers, invitations, fact sheets, public service announcements, newspaper stories, radio interviews, and television advertisement. Since access to health care is an issue for rural, low-income women, information on how and where to get low cost or free services was also provided. Surveys on breast cancer knowledge and prevention behaviors were distributed to all participants. The first round of presentations resulted in requests for more presentations and for the development of similar programs on other health issues. This project not only benefited the Tillery community, but also provided undergraduate students an opportunity to gain first hand experience in community health.
Learning Objectives: 1. To recognize the challenges inherent in conducting breast cancer awareness programs in rural, isolated, poor communities 2. To discuss program planning issues for rural, isolated, poor communities.
Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Breast Cancer Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.