LEARN, SHARE, AND LIVE - BREAST-CANCER EDUCATION FOR OLDER, URBAN MINORITY WOMEN

Among older urban minority women for whom breast cancer risk is high a nd the propensity to be screened is low both social support and breast cancer knowledge have been linked to mammography use. The authors des cribe a theory-based breast cancer education program implemented via a n existing informal network for low-income urban elderly coordinated b y a social service agency. The program is both structured and flexible . Core education sessions include delineated content and methods and a re led by health professionals. Participants choose from a variety of follow-up activities to promote screening within their community. Pre- and posttests administered among 80 program attendees in two sites ind icate significant improvement in knowledge (p < .001). Program attende es in each site also planned and participated in follow-up activities to promote screening among their peers. Learn, Share, and Live seems t o be an effective program for promoting breast cancer screening among older, urban, primarily minority women.