Recent work by the UIC Midwest Roybal Center for Health Promotion and Translation
Even though the incidence of breast cancer is lower in African Americans, in Chicago the mortality rate is twice that of Caucasian women, making it one of the highest in the nation (Ansell, Grabler, Whitman, Ferrans, et al. in review). Dr. Ferran’s data from 949 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer demonstrated that cultural myths are prevalent in Chicago and are significantly associated with delay in breast cancer detection in African American women (Ferrans et al., 2007). With Roybal pilot funding, Dr. Ferrans produced an award winning DVD designed to dispel cultural myths that act as barriers to early detection of breast cancer among older African American women who are at highest risk for breast cancer. Her DVD– “Beating Breast Cancer”– can be viewed on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRTWd6dPQc8 (or below). The DVD is being distributed to women in four Chicago communities (Roseland, Pullman, West Pullman, and Riverside) through partnerships with community beauty shops, churches, food pantries and other venues.