Mammography Screening Among African American Women With A Family History Of Breast Cancer

130 AND 136 African-American Women with and without a family history, respectively, were given educational brochures that framed messages about mammography as gains (i.e., how a woman benefits by getting mammograms), losses (i.e., the costs of not getting mammograms), or as neither (control), to assess their effects on intentions to get mammograms and screening. At three and seven month post-intervention follow-ups, message framing did not affect intentions or mammography screening. The majority of women in both groups were on schedule (e.g.,> 68%). Nor did the educational brochures affect knowledge of breast cancer risk factors, perceptions of risk, or concerns about getting breast cancer. Though well-received, the lack of significant findings is likely due to failure of the gain, loss, and control brochures to be viewed as intended. Women with a family history consistently expressed higher perceptions of risk and breast cancer concerns than women without a family history. Moreover, both groups expressed equally favorable attitudes towards mammography screening. Overall, knowledge of breast cancer risk factors was poor and did not improve. These results suggest that continued efforts are needed to create persuasively framed messages as well as education materials targeting African-American women with and without a family history of breast cancer.