African American women and their breast health: A communication study

As the number of Americans diagnosed with cancer increases each year, researchers focus on methods to increase cancer awareness. This current study focuses on African American women and the growing need to study breast health communication to increase breast health awareness. Currently African American women experience a higher death rate from breast cancer compared to their white counterparts. According to the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts and Figures for African Americans Report published in 2007, African American women are 77% likely to survive five years after a breast cancer diagnosis as compared to 90% of their white counterparts. Among the factors that contribute to this disparity include socioeconomics and fear of breast cancer. The researcher has discovered a communication model that is not hindered by the aforementioned factors and allows ideal breast health messages to be disseminated among African American women. The communication model was created from the decentralization and centralization processes of the diffusion of innovation model, which allows for the use of interpersonal communication. The study found that interpersonal communication produces change and builds trust and respect. The researcher anticipates that future researchers will reproduce this model in other areas to tailor to specific health communication needs.