ONC4 The beaded necklace model: Increasing early detection practices in breast cancer. (Oncology).

ONC4 THE BEADED NECKLACE MODEL: INCREASING EARLY DETECTION PRACTICES IN BREAST CANCER. Chloe Rowe, BA, and Brian Emerson, BA. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn.

Breast cancer education, screening, and treatment are a critical need for senior women. Many, especially in rural areas, do not have access to a health care provider who recommends an annual mammogram or have not been exposed to the current information regarding the importance of early detection. We recently implemented a new teaching strategy, the Beaded Necklace Model, which is designed to help women understand the effectiveness of different breast cancer early detection methods. Developed in North Carolina in 1995, the beaded necklace features wooden beads in the size of breast lumps. Each bead on the necklace represents the size of a lump that can be found during a self-breast exam, a clinical breast exam, a mammogram, or when left unchecked. Breast Health Advocates, senior women who are educated about breast cancer and committed to educating their peers about the importance of early detection practices, attend a workshop to learn how to effectively use the beaded necklace. The Breast Health Advocates the n go out into their communities and utilize the necklace as a peer education tool. Advocates record the name, phone number, and address of each woman they speak to about the necklace. Our study was designed to examine the effectiveness of the Beaded Necklace Model. Women can be educated about early detection, but how many actually change their personal health care practices as a result of this knowledge? Via the return of postcard questionnaires, women who receive the necklace provide information regarding their mammogram history and self-exam practices. They also indicate whether their early detection practices have changed as a result of seeing the necklace. As of January 2001, approximately 1050 women have attended a workshop or information session about the beaded necklace. Preliminary data has been collected from follow-up postcards received to date. Of the group that reported having mammograms "never" or "every few years," 22% got a mammogram as a result of seeing the necklace. Of the group that previou sly practiced self-breast exams "every few months" or "never," 69% began practicing regular self-breast exams as a result of seeing the beaded necklace. The beaded necklace is a powerful teaching tool. Its visual and tactile approach to breast health education has been effective in changing personal healthcare practices. Prior studies have shown that early detection is the key to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with breast cancer. The Beaded Necklace Model is putting education into action and encouraging increasing numbers of women to practice early detection techniques.