Ann Marie P. March
Published: 2010
Total Pages: 0
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"Breast cancer mortality rates differ among racial/ethnic groups in the United States and currently are about 16% higher in black women than in white women. The reason for this racial/ethnic difference is unknown. Due to the low rate of breast cancer screening practices in this population, an educational program was developed to increase the participants' knowledge about breast cancer, including the need for breast self-examination (BSE) and mammograms. The plan is to increase the awareness of breast cancer in African American women, and access of routine breast screening in collaboration with community-based organizations such as churches, among low-income and uninsured women. This educational program consists of African American women watching a seven minute educational video. The movie is about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, clinical breast examinations by professionals, yearly mammograms, and demonstrates how to perform breast self examination. This educational program will be guided by a systematic process for the change to evidence-based practice. The program will increase the participant's knowledge of breast cancer risks and screening practices among middle-aged African American women. Breast cancer screening offers the greatest potential for reducing deaths in the African American population. Increased knowledge and changing beliefs associated with breast cancer screening are important when attempting to increase mammography and BSE among African American women. Nurses can make a difference in the education and decrease in mortality rate of these women if they recognize how a woman's cultural beliefs and attitudes can adversely affect health promotion and disease prevention behaviors." -- from Introduction.