The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41401

Carol M. Devine, PhD, RD¹, Juliette Ramirez, MPH², Mary Maley², and Carmi Orenstein, MPH². (1) Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401, (607) 255-2142, cmd10@cornell.edu, (2) Cornell University Program on Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factors, Cornell University, 112 Rice Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853

The role that environmental factors may play in breast cancer is of concern to consumers, educators, policy makers, advocates and community leaders. We developed and field tested a modular set of teaching tools "Environment and Breast Cancer: Teaching Tools for Change" to enable health and environmental educators to build capacity for personal, family and community risk reduction in multiple community settings. The kit includes: "Pieces of the Puzzle," risk reduction for women in community organizations and workplaces; "Making the Connection: Breast Cancer Risk Reduction in Health Settings" for integration of risk reduction into health and mammography settings; "Growing Healthy Girls" for adult youth leaders who serve as role models for girls; "Talking Around the Table: Chemicals in the Home" for reduction of the need for home and garden chemicals; and "Talking About Pesticides at Home and in the Neighborhood" for home and community pest management and communications. 630 people at 57 sites participated in the field tests. 91% knew more about the topics as a result of the program. 90% had a better understanding of their role in reducing breast cancer risk. 82% of facilitators would offer their program again. Funding was provided by the New York State Dept. of Health and USDA - CSREES.

Learning Objectives: Participants will describe

• the justification for an integrated community approach to breast cancer and environmental risk reduction, and
• how modular teaching tools can be used in different community settings to build capacity for environmental risk reduction.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Environmental Health

Related Web page: www.breastcancer.cornell.edu/bcerf

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: U.S. Dept of Agriculture, CSREES - grant New York State Dept. of Health - grant