Promoting physical and psychosocial health behavior changes in breast cancer survivors through a communitybased workshop: Process and impact evaluation

Abstract

This article examines the feasibility and effectiveness of delivering a community-based health education workshop to promote positive health behaviors for breast cancer survivors in a predominately rural 13-county region in North Carolina. Curriculum was based on an existing 20-week center-based exercise and recreation therapy program for breast cancer survivors, and it relied on interagency cooperation for promotion and delivery of the intervention. Evaluation of success was based on attendance, ability of participants to demonstrate appropriate health behaviors, and self-reported changes in health behaviors. Challenges and strategies related to partnering with community agencies and generating attendance are discussed. The authors contend that a community-based workshop supported by multiple agencies can be effective in enhancing health-related knowledge and behaviors for breast cancer survivors.