Abstract B49: Eliminating cancer disparities through support services for young breast cancer survivors: Evaluation of a cooperative agreement
Authors: Schlueter Dara , O'Dell Sarah , House Marnie 
Published: October 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this evaluation was to determine effective and appropriate communication strategies for addressing the unique psychosocial needs of young breast cancer survivors (YBCS). YBCS (defined as women diagnosed at age 45 or younger) may experience more difficulties in adapting to treatment and aftercare when compared to older women – the disease can be more serious, with multimodal treatments, and severe side effects. YBCS also experience more psychological morbidities and emotional distress, and experience different types of fears and anxieties than older survivors. There is limited evidence to support the use of any specific strategies to effectively mitigate the short- and long-term effects of breast cancer in the YBCS population.

In 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established a cooperative agreement with organizations offering tailored support and education services to YBCS. This process evaluation of the cooperative agreement aimed to document program implementation and the extent to which the cooperative agreement relationship (i.e., funding, subject matter expert support, technical assistance, and training) facilitates organizations' delivery of programs to YBCS.

Procedures: The evaluation utilized a multiple case study design, entailing document review, site visits, program observation, and in-depth interviews with relevant program staff and partner organizations to document and describe program implementation and perceptions related to program effectiveness. Thematic analysis was used to analyze all qualitative data collected.

Data Findings: Organizations offered a range of services, including psychosocial support and education to YBCS, YBCS caregivers, and health care providers. Services offered covered the cancer care continuum, ranging from the provision of community outreach and education via multiple platforms (e.g., partnership development, social media), to the offering of structured support services (e.g., patient navigation, structured support plans) to relevant YBCS audiences. Overall, program staff reported that cooperative agreement funding helped to expand and strengthen their organization's efforts in reaching and providing much-needed information and support to YBCS.

Conclusions: Findings from this evaluation support the use of tailored interventions as a promising strategy to improve YBCS communication and education efforts, thereby supporting a reduction of cancer disparities among this and other populations. Furthermore, findings demonstrated the use of federal funds to help organizations augment existing or create new resources and services for YBCS populations.

Citation Format: Dara Schlueter, Sarah O'Dell, Marnie House. Eliminating cancer disparities through support services for young breast cancer survivors: Evaluation of a cooperative agreement. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B49.