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Education Program Leads to Lasting Improvement of Cancer Knowledge in African-Americans |
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From EurekAlert! - Breaking News: Disparities in access to health care and education hinder minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations from receiving needed cancer services and often lead to delayed cancer diagnoses. To determine the lasting impact of cancer education geared toward African-Americans, researchers with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), in partnership with The Centers for Healthy Hearts and Souls, a Pittsburgh-based community health promotion organization, designed an outreach program that consisted of three education sessions. "Improved knowledge about cancer prevention and treatment can help us better reach patients and communities with the greatest needs, and address and overcome cultural and socioeconomic factors that often limit access to cancer services. This study points to the crucial influence an education program can have on cancer knowledge and attitudes, and is an important first step in breaking down barriers related to cancer disparities," said Dr. Heron. Study investigators presented three education sessions: a culturally-adapted version of Cancer 101, a program on clinical trials developed by the National Cancer Institute and a scenario-based discussion of cancer-related subjects using the Cancer Knowledge Assessment Tool (CKAT). Pre-test results indicated that both the younger and older participants understood the importance of early detection and treatment for cancer, yet both groups appeared to have difficulty with the concept of cancer cell growth and hereditary risk factors. While younger participants scored better on scenarios related to radiation therapy concerns, health insurance and worries about biopsies, older participants scored better on a scenario related to the contribution of smoking to cancer. The study was conducted by The Centers for Healthy Hearts and Souls and UPMC McKeesport Radiation Oncology Community Outreach Group, funded through the National Cancer Institute Cancer Disparities Research Partnership.
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