Breast Health Belief Systems Study

Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) conducts the Breast Health Belief Systems Study that seeks to accomplish three specific goals: (1) qualitatively analyze intracultural variations in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding breast disease among 73 low-SE S, African American rural women who have received a diagnosis of breast cancer, (2) provide breast health information on an interpersonal level to a total of 600 demographically similar women (200 at each of 3 sites) who have not received a diagnosis of breast cancer, and (3) quantitatively test the effectiveness of an educational approach that utilizes an existing network of lay workers who are indigenous to the target communities. The study targets three different rural communities-an isolated area of extreme poverty, a poor rural area that provides access to a metropolitan center, and a poor rural coastal area that features a wide range of intercultural variations. The in-depth ethnographic analysis will form the basis for the development of breast health information that will be delivered by lay health workers. Georgia State, Savannah State, Fort Valley, and Albany State Universities are collaborators. The research tests the hypothesis that a breast health promotion approach that proceeds from, and responds to specific belief systems among low-SES, African American, rural populations will motivate increases compliance to recommended cancer screening schedules, and positive shifts in knowledge and attitudes.