The purpose of this study is to evaluate in a randomized controlled trail, an innovative cancer communication strategy to help African American breast cancer patients cope with a variety of challenges during and after treatment and to better adhere to recommended treatment guidelines and follow-up care.
Disparities in incidence and mortality between African Americans and Caucasians for a number of cancers have been well documented. This study builds on previous work in St. Louis to overcome barriers to access to breast screening, identifying and addressing factors associated with access to care once diagnosed, and factors contributing to delay in diagnosis and completion of therapy. African American breast cancer patients randomly assigned to the intervention arm of the trial will have access to the Survivor Stories Tablet, a tablet computer, on which they will browse an archive of 1-3 minute videotaped survivor stories about five topics: coping, relationships, experiences with the health care system, follow-up care, and quality of life (QOL) living with breast cancer. Patients will have the tablet for two weeks after enrollment in the study, and again at 6 and 12 months. Patients in the control arm will receive usual care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
228
The Survivor Stories Tablet is a tablet computer where participants can browse an archive of 1-3 minute videotaped survivor stories told by African American Breast Cancer Survivors. Stories contain five main topics: coping, relationships, experiences with the health care system, follow-up care, and quality of life (QOL) living with breast cancer.
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Determine to what extent African American breast cancer survivor stories affect various aspects of QOL, including depressed mood and concern about recurrence, among African American breast cancer patients following primary treatment.
Time frame: Outcome measures are assessed at five time points: baseline, one month following primary treatment surgery, 6 months, one year, and two years post surgery.
Determine whether and to what extent African American breast cancer survivor stories affect African American breast cancer patients' adherence to recommended surveillance mammography and prescribed hormone therapy
Time frame: Outcome measures are assessed at five time points: baseline, one month following primary treatment surgery, 6 months, one year, and two years post surgery.
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