University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers have teamed with Sisters Network, Inc., a national African-American breast cancer survivorship organization, to create a patient education video to help African-American women not only survive but thrive following their breast cancer diagnosis.
The 30-minute educational video was produced to address the special challenges African-American breast cancer survivors face. It presents evidence-based guidelines developed by the Institute of Medicine in 2006 to help cancer survivors make a plan of follow-up care that promotes a healthy lifestyle and help prevent the recurrence of their cancer.
The video was produced as part of a research study led by Renee Royak-Schaler, Ph.D., funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
"Developing feasible plans for self-care after breast cancer can be a daunting task, and this is particularly true for African-Americans, whose risk of recurrence and poor health outcomes is greater than for Caucasian patients. Many women don't have a clear plan for follow-up care after their initial treatment, which can seriously affect their overall health and well-being," says Dr. Royak-Schaler, an associate professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine.
Breast cancer deaths are 38 percent higher in African-American women than in white women. This disparity has been linked to lack of access to primary health care and being diagnosed at a later stage when the disease is less treatable. Many African-American women also have what is known as "triple-negative" breast cancer, which doesn't respond as well to therapy.
"Sisters Network is pleased to collaborate with University of Maryland School of Medicine to increase breast cancer survivorship awareness," says Karen Jackson, founder and chief executive officer of Sisters Network, Inc. "Women need to know that survivorship is not only about defeating cancer, but adopting a healthy, active lifestyle that hopefully will prevent the cancer from returning."
The video features African-American breast cancer survivors talking about their experiences Stacy D. Garrett-Ray, M.D., a family medicine physician and clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine, and Cynthia L. Drogula, M.D., a breast surgeon and assistant professor of surgery.
"It's imperative that breast cancer survivors communicate with their doctors and understand what they need to do to take good care of themselves. Eating a healthy diet and exercising are very important. Taking part in a support group can also be very helpful in dealing with all the unique challenges of life after cancer," Dr. Garrett-Ray says. She is also medical director of the Baltimore City Cancer Program at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, which provides free cervical and breast cancer screening for uninsured women in Baltimore.
"We hope that this video will prove to be a useful educational tool not only for African-American breast cancer survivors but also the doctors who care for them," Dr. Garrett-Ray says.
Source: Dr. Renee Royak-Schaler, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Writer: Walaika Haskins