Engaging African Americans in Developing an Intervention to Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence: A Brief Report

• Main Authors: Selina Smith (Author), Mary Whitehead (Author), Joyce Sheats (Author), Brittney Fontenot (Author), Ernest Alema-Mensah (Author), Benjamin Ansa (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Georgia Southern University, 2016-07-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2471-9773; 10.21633/jgpha.6.120
• Keywords: community engagement; african americans; breast cancer survivors; lifestyle intervention; cancer prevention guidelines; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: Journal of the Georgia Public Health Association, Vol 6, Iss 1 (2016)

<strong>Background:</strong> To develop a culturally appropriate lifestyle intervention, involvement of its intended users is needed. <strong>Methods:</strong> Members of an African American (AA) breast cancer support group participated in two 4-hour guided discussions, which were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed to guide the content. <strong>Results:</strong> The support group collaborated with researchers to develop 24 experiential nutrition education sessions using a social cognitive framework and incorporating self-regulation skills (goal-setting, self-monitoring, problem-solving, stimulus control) and social support to enhance self-efficacy for changes in dietary intake. <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Community engagement fostered autonomy, built collaboration, and enhanced the capacity of AA breast cancer survivors to participate in developing a lifestyle intervention.