Prevent Cancer Foundation is in the middle of a two-year in-depth evaluation of our new Campeonas contra el cáncer de seno (Champions against Breast Cancer) project. The project includes training that prepares Latinas, age 40 or older, who have been screened for breast cancer and are committed to advocating for women’s health, to encourage their friends and family to be screened. The evaluation project will answer this important question: How effective are the community conversations Campeonas have with their friends and family members to encourage them to be screened for breast cancer?
In collaboration with Mary’s Center, a DC based nonprofit, we held a Campeonas training in mid-June for 10 enthusiastic Latina women. Over the next month, they will each speak with 12 friends and family members, to encourage them to get screened. The goal is for Campeonas to increase the screening rate among Latinas in the DC metro area.
One participant said (in Spanish), “This work is so important and can save so many lives!”
Campeonas participants talk about breast health
During the half-day training, the women participated in activities such as role play to practice talking about screening, exercises to encourage effective communication and to distinguish between breast cancer myths and facts. During the training, we enjoyed learning more about each other and what motivated each woman to be at the training. For example, one participant shared that she decided to become a Campeona because she is a breast cancer survivor.
The evaluation project has two passionate and dynamic liaisons from the Latino community who are in regular contact with the Campeonas. Their role is to encourage the Campeonas, troubleshoot any challenges and enroll the Campeonas’ friends and family members into the evaluation project. The final evaluation activities are scheduled for December, and the results will be out in the beginning of 2015.
“What I like about this (training) is that I can be very comfortable in my house and share important messages about breast cancer screening with my friends.” (Participant, translated)
The easy-to-use, step-by-step training guide and free-standing community-level materials are now available to download for FREE, in Spanish and English, to community health organizations.
We would like thank Mary’s Center for helping to make this training and evaluation project possible. Founded in 1988, Mary’s Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides health care, family literacy and social services to individuals whose needs too often go unmet by the public and private systems. For more information, please visit www.maryscenter.org.
Funding for Campeonas project is provided by Susan G. Komen®.
Answer: Myth – Only 5 to 10 percent of all breast cancers in the U.S. occur because of inherited mutations. Check out our Breast Cancer fact sheet for more interesting facts.
No Comments