Research Symposium

BIO

A motivated student with a strong work ethic and a commitment to engage in learning and research activities to improve health care for medically underserved populations. Experienced in behavioral research with caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, and community church-based breast cancer prevention education for African American women. Dedicated to continuing academic pursuits at the college level in preparation for a career in health care and research. Pursuing a bachelors degree in Psychology with plans to attend medical school.

Breast Cancer Prevention Education Needs of Church-based African American Women

Abstract

Breast cancer continues to be a critical health issue for U.S. women in general and for African American women in particular. The purpose of this study was to determine breast cancer prevention needs of African American women, focusing on nutrition, physical activity, and healthcare use needs. This study investigated African American females (n=323, >18 years of age) who were recruited from six churches in a North Florida county as a part of the broader Breast Cancer Education and Wellness (BE Well) Project. The results showed that the majority of the African American women were between the ages 18-42 (64.8%) and had at least some college (42.3%). The highest expressed needs to learn about nutrition were through hands-on activities (63.5%) and through organized physical activity (66.6%). Additionally, the majority regularly conducted breast self-exams (68.6 %), yet mammogram screenings were equally split between never (44.1%) and regularly (46.5%). These results suggest that further analyses are needed to determine possible differences between age groups (younger, mid-life and older) and to examine possible confounding factors. The next steps of this research will delve deeper into understanding these potential differences.

Keywords: breast cancer, african american, church-based, women