"Talk About Cancer and Build Healthy Communities": How Visuals Are Starting the Conversation About Breast Cancer Within African-American Communities. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yelton, Brooks; Brandt, Heather M.; Adams, Swann Arp; Ureda, John R.; Lead, Jamie R.; Fedrick, Delores; Lewis, Kaleea; Kulkarni, Shibani; Friedman, Daniela B.
• Is Part Of: International quarterly of community health education. Volume 41:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 267
• Page End: 274
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: environmental health -- breast cancer -- focus groups -- community engagement -- health communication -- visual communication; Health education -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; 613.071
• DOI: 10.1177/0272684X20942076
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-684X

Abstract

African-American (AA) women are at higher risk of breast cancer mortality than women of other races. Factors influencing breast cancer risk, including exogenous environmental exposures, and debate around timing of exposure and dose-response relationship, can cause misunderstanding. Collaboration with priority populations encourages culturally relevant health messaging that imparts source reliability, influences message adoption, and improves understanding. Through six focus groups with AA individuals in rural and urban counties in the southeastern United States, this study used a community-engaged participatory approach to design an innovative visual tool for disseminating breast cancer information. Results demonstrated that participants were generally aware of environmental breast cancer risks and were willing to share new knowledge with families and community members. Recommended communication channels included pastors, healthcare providers, social media, and the Internet. Participants agreed that a collaboratively designed visual tool serves as a tangible, focused "conversation starter" to promote community prevention and education efforts.