The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42853

Ellen D Smolker, MPH¹, Eugenia Eng, DrPH¹, Bernice McElrath, BA², and Naomi Robinson, BA². (1) Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, 2020 Wa Wa Avenue, Durham, NC 27707, (919) 489-1379, smolker@email.unc.edu, (2) Surviving Angels Inspirational Images Project, P.O Box 962, Robersonville, NC 27871

From March 2001 through April 2002 13 African American breast cancer survivors from rural eastern North Carolina (self-named, Surviving Angels) used the participatory action research method, photovoice, as a means to voice their survivorship needs to influential people in their community. Specifically, the Surviving Angels took photographs that represented the specific aspects of their survivorship experience that they chose to explore. During monthly meetings the Angels used these photographs to trigger in-depth discussions about their needs as survivors and how these needs can be addressed within their communities. During their meetings an inductive questioning technique was used to move their discussions from personal perspectives to social analysis. This questioning prompted the women to think critically about the quality of life needs of African American breast cancer survivors and set the stage for them to: 1) identify themes that emerged from their photos and discussions; and 2) brainstorm potential action steps to address identified survivorship needs. Here we share photos and specific themes that emerged during a content analysis of the photo-discussions. We will also present a theoretical framework of survivorship that was developed while using techniques of grounded theory analysis, and discuss where within this framework lie the opportunities to address the quality of life needs of African American breast cancer survivors in rural eastern North Carolina communities.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a particular participatory action research strategy that provides the means for survivors to voice their needs to influential people in their communities;
• List specific identified needs of African American breast cancer survivors in rural eastern North Carolina;
• Identify where within a survivorship framework lie opportunities to address the needs of survivors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.