Successful Breast Cancer Health Education Program for Deaf Women over 40

Cumberland et al. conducted a health education program designed to increase the knowledge of breast cancer and rate of obtaining a mammogram among a group of Deaf women over the age of 40. An intense effort was undertaken to make the educational materials and outcome measures culturally appropriate for the study participants.  The intervention group received training specific for breast cancer, while the control group received more general cancer education. 197 women went through the program and 182 completed the 12-month follow-up outcomes. The program materials were well-received by the participants and intention to obtain a mammogram significantly increased in the intervention group. The percentage of women who had received a mammogram during the previous 12 months increased in both groups at the 12-month follow-up.



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Cumberland, W. G., Berman, B. A., Zazove, P., Sadler, G. R., Jo, A., Booth, H., et al. (2018). A breast cancer education program for D/deaf women. American Annals of the Deaf, 163(2), 90–115.

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