New film by African-American women explores overcoming barriers to mammogram screenings

Friday, March 4, 2005

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - On March 9, the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program at Public Health - Seattle & King County will premiere a new film made by and for African American women, “Mammogram screening: Taking care of ourselves and each other.” The film explores some of the barriers and lessons learned in mammogram screenings among African-American women.

“Our goal is to reduce deaths from breast cancer, and we are making progress in addressing the barriers to mammogram screenings,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “African-American women have lower incidence of breast cancer, but their mortality rates are higher than other populations.”

“Mammograms are the best available screening tool for early detection of breast cancer, and I make sure to get one every year,” said King County Councilmember and Board of Health Chair Carolyn Edmonds. “For women, healthy living includes physical activity, good nutrition and a yearly mammogram if you’re 40 years of age or older.”

The premiere screening and discussion of the new film is March 9, 2005, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Reception Room. If interested in attending, please call 206-205-5809.

The film, “Mammogram screening: Taking care of ourselves and each other,” is part of a research project to explore what education activities are most effective locally. Thus far the research has found that many of the assumptions in mammogram education, such as that a mammogram is a consumer-friendly experience, are not credible for African-American women. As part of this project, community outreach workers will be trained to further understand African-American women’s beliefs and viewpoints on mammogram screenings.

The film, funded by the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to address findings from the “Taking care of yourself” community research grant, will be used in new outreach education.

For more information on mammograms and Breast and Cervical Health Program, please visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/women/mammogram.htm.