Abstract A16: Dissemination and end-user evaluation of a culturally targeted brochure about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer for black women

Abstract

Abstract Background: Using a multistep iterative process, our community-academic team developed a culturally tailored brochure for black women to increase awareness about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). Objective: To disseminate a culturally targeted brochure in the black community and collect feedback from the end users. Methods: Upon finalization of the brochure, several strategies were used to disseminate the brochure. With respect to evaluation, a self-addressed postage-paid postcard was inserted within the brochure in order to collect demographic and clinical information, as well as feedback about the brochure, from its end users. As an incentive for participation, those who returned the postcard were eligible for a $100 gift card drawing. Results: Dissemination channels included community partners and attendance at local community-based health education events. Since the brochure has been made available for general dissemination, approximately 3000 have been provided to 17 requestors. Of the 34 respondents who have returned the postcard, 27% were younger than age 50,12% reported a personal history, and 47% a family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. The majority (67.6%) indicated that the brochure was very useful in helping them understand more about inherited breast cancer. Moreover, the majority (94.2%) indicated that after reading the brochure, they were likely to share the information with others and all indicated that they were likely to discuss their own personal and/or family history of cancer with their healthcare provider. Finally, the majority (57.1 %) were willing to be contacted by the study team to consider participation in future research opportunities. Conclusion: Through an academic-community partnership, a culturally tailored brochure to improve awareness about HBOC is actively being disseminated to black women of varied sociodemographic characteristics and cancer histories. The majority of women who returned the postcard provided positive feedback about the brochure. The procedures implemented and information gathered through these efforts will inform future dissemination efforts related to the current brochure as well as that of other targeted and nontargeted educational materials. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A16.