Young Women’s Education program
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer and the leading cause of death among young women.
Oklahoma Project Woman has a new program specifically designed for young women.
Typically defined as those between the ages of 18 and 45, about 10% of new breast cancer cases in the United States are found in women in this age group. This can be attributed to a lack of routine screenings, as mammograms are generally not recommended for women under 40 unless they have increased risk factors. These young women face distinct challenges including more aggressive forms of cancer and potential emotional and psychological impacts.
The goal: to provide interactive group-based learning experiences to increase knowledge about breast cancer and encourage commitment to lifelong breast health.
The hope: participants will also educate their female relatives and encourage them to have routine screenings for breast cancer.
Breast Health Education for Young Women is designed with a foundation in breast health and breast cancer facts. Below are brief descriptions of activities for the basic session and additional activities.
Basic Session: Create a foundation in basic breast health and breast cancer facts and provide an opportunity for participants to hear stories of young breast cancer survivors. It can be conducted over one or two class/group meetings and includes:
• Myths and Facts
• My Story – young survivors’ personal stories
• One in Eight – risks, family history and healthy habits
Additional activities: Options are designed to build skills related to communication and screening behavior and encourage critical thinking. Choices will depend on available time and the preferences of participants and schools/ organizations and include:
- Role-play: Talking about breast health (30 minutes) scenarios for participants to act out to practice talking about breast health with family, friends, and health care providers.
- Critical thinking collage (45 minutes) An art project to help participants connect media with perceptions of their body and how they talk about breast health.
- Extension activities (Varied times) – research a famous person who has had breast cancer, interview member(s) of young survivor’s group, write a report and share with class; research new technology; create an awareness campaign.
OPW is training facilitators using a guide created by Howard University Cancer Center with funding from Prevent Cancer Foundation®. It is designed for use in high schools and out-of-school settings including community centers, clubs, youth groups and group homes among others. The program can also be used with college-aged women. The easy-to-use guide provides activities that may be used with in-person or virtual groups.
Interested in volunteering or hosting sessions?
We need facilitators, partner site coordinators, and administrators. Contact Kelli: kelli@okahomaprojectwoman.org
OPW Young Women’s Education Program is made possible through the generosity of
American Cancer Society Recommended Screening Guidelines:
American Cancer Society recommends:
- Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of periodic health exams, about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Women know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
- Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) get an MRI and a mammogram every year.
- Women at moderately increased risk (15% to 20% lifetime risk) talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram; yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15%.