Breast cancer mortality disparities are considerable in South Dallas, where residents experience a higher proportion of initial Stage III and IV diagnoses (13.1 per 1000,000 women for 75210 and 13.6 for 75215, compared to the Texas average of 8.0) compared to Dallas County averages. This is an area in urgent need of breast cancer prevention and early detection interventions.

Because successful approaches to eliminating health disparities require participation on the part of the affected communities, the UNT Health Science Center and community partners are collaborating through the Dallas Cancer Disparities Community Coalition with the goal of reducing breast cancer disparities in South Dal...

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Breast cancer mortality disparities are considerable in South Dallas, where residents experience a higher proportion of initial Stage III and IV diagnoses (13.1 per 1000,000 women for 75210 and 13.6 for 75215, compared to the Texas average of 8.0) compared to Dallas County averages. This is an area in urgent need of breast cancer prevention and early detection interventions.

Because successful approaches to eliminating health disparities require participation on the part of the affected communities, the UNT Health Science Center and community partners are collaborating through the Dallas Cancer Disparities Community Coalition with the goal of reducing breast cancer disparities in South Dallas. This goal will be accomplished using a community-based participatory approach, which aims to bridge the gap between knowledge produced through research and community health practices.

The purpose of this project is to implement a community-based breast cancer prevention education intervention to reduce and eliminate breast cancer disparities in the South Dallas/Fair Park area, based on the work to date by the Coalition. Women living in zip codes 75210, 75215, and 75223 will be targeted to participate in an intensive breast health education program intended to increase knowledge regarding early detection and to increase breast cancer screening uptake. Through the program, 280 women will receive comprehensive health education through group classes and in-home visits, and 200 women will receive a mammogram. Additionally, the Health Coordinator will act as a navigator for those who need follow-up care.

The project will be evaluated through a survey that measures breast cancer knowledge and perceptions before and after the program, through satisfaction surveys to those who have participated in the program, and by measuring breast cancer screening uptake. This project is innovative insofar as it is an interdisciplinary collaboration that involves members of the affected community in every step of the project.

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