TUCSON LEADERSHIP SUMMIT--THE CHALLENGE OF BREAST CANCER

DESCRIPTION: The National Cancer
Institute and 12 other leading national health organizations endorse and
publicize a recommended schedule of repeated cancer screening by
mammography. Researchers have calculated that breast cancer deaths would
decrease by at least if these guidelines were followed. Yet, for a
multitude of reasons (e.g., cost, perceptions of low risk, lack of
physician referral, others unknown), compliance with mammography screening
among American Women is low. In addition, there is a desperate need for
research and interventions in the area of cancer prevention and control
for Hispanic populations. Given (a) the cancer burden and the lack of
appropriate interventions among Hispanic groups and (b) the promise of
mammography as an effective screening strategy, special attention is
needed to reach the Hispanic population with breast cancer information and
screening opportunities. This outreach will further our ability to reach
the National Cancer Institute's goal of reducing the national cancer
mortality rate by the year 2000. The worksite provides a channel for implementing cancer prevention
interventions which have the potential to significantly influence the
health habits of employees and their families. Through the dissemination
of information and persuasive messages, instruction in skills development,
and distribution of cues-to-action, grassroots community level education
programs and worksite interventions can play a significant role in
increasing women's awareness and proper practice of breast cancer
screening strategies. The primary objective of this project is the design, implementation and
evaluation of a Regional Breast Cancer Education Summit in Tucson,
Arizona, as an extension of the National Cancer Institute's National
Breast Cancer Summit Program. The proposed Tucson Leadership Summit will
have two effects. First, it will provide a catalyst for activating the
Southern Arizona community especially the business community, community
leaders, and community organizations. Second, it will provide a forum for
the dissemination of state-of-the-art information about the early
detection and treatment of breast cancer to these groups. This will be
done in a effort to motivate these networks, especially businesses, to
generate and implement lasting worksite breast cancer education and
screening programs for women, especially minorities, in Southern Arizona.