Information Sharing in Social Networks of African American Women and Uptake of Breast Cancer Prevention

Introduction: Three studies were conducted to assess the potential of approaches that leverage African American participants in evidence-based information sharing on breast cancer among their social networks. The purpose of the first study was to examine if healthcare navigation among breast cancer survivors in the Offering African American Survivors Increased Support study was predictive of less sharing of breast cancer cultural beliefs and negative experiences. The purpose of the second study, was to assess the impact of the MedDiet-Social Networks intervention among study participants trained as change agents on obesity-related breast cancer risk reduction behaviors and evidence-based information sharing. The purpose of the third study was to measure study participant evidence-based information sharing on healthy eating in the MedDiet-Social Networks intervention on the uptake of obesity-related breast cancer risk reduction behaviors among their network members. Methods: In the first study, 100 breast cancer survivors, half who experienced navigation, participated. Navigation was the predictor and breast cancer cultural beliefs and negative experiences were outcomes. In the second study, 16 older women who were overweight or obese participated. Time from pre- to post-study and intervention dosage were predictors and knowledge, attitude, and dietary behavior change factors were outcomes. In the third aim, 30 network members referred by study participants participated. Study participant evidence-based information sharing on healthy eating was the predictor and network member knowledge, attitude, and dietary behavior change factors were outcomes. Descriptives, bivariate analysis, and multivariate analysis were performed across all aims. Results: Results from the first study showed no significant associations between navigation and study outcomes. Results from the second study showed significant improvements in study outcomes from pre- to post-study and based on dosage. Results from the third study showed participant evidence-based information sharing on healthy eating was significantly associated with greater network member self-efficacy and improvement in diet. Conclusion: Across aims, outcomes supported the value of interventions promoting culturally informed breast cancer education and evidence-based breast cancer information sharing for improved breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among African American women.