Empowering black women's breast cancer treatment decisions

B45

Despite an overall lower incidence of breast cancer, black women are more likely to die of the disease than white women. Most interventions center on screening which is important yet, stage for stage, black women have higher mortality rates. Thus, interventions which focus on women in treatment are needed. The objective of this descriptive study was to identify key intervention targets and messages for a communication decision support intervention. Thirty-four in-depth interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients, survivor advocates and cancer providers. Data were organized and summarized using a culturally driven theoretical framework. Few women reported fatalistic beliefs about breast cancer. Most women relied on their providers for treatment recommendations. However, several women reported problems communicating with providers about their care. Likewise decisions to initiate or forgo treatment were largely based on perceived communication from providers. Women expressed the benefit and value of talking to other survivors. Formative data were used to develop a communication and decision support intervention, Sisters Informing Sisters^SM, that can be used with newly diagnosed Black breast cancer patients. Findings of the study suggest the importance of providing information in an appropriate cultural context, patient-provider interaction, and the benefit of talking to informed breast cancer survivors.