One-on-one peer coaching/support programs hold promise in promoting healthy outcomes among women at risk for and surviving with breast cancer, with the potential to bridge gaps in “whole person care.” Although popularly cited for their benefits, emerging evidence is mixed and suggests that peer support program impacts may be attenuated by individual- and community-specific factors. We evaluated a national not-for-profit breast cancer organization’s peer support program outcomes (2015–2018) serving women from predominantly Jewish backgrounds to examine program engagement, facilitation, and satisfaction. Of the N = 392 women sampled, 37% utilized the peer support program: the majority were referred by a family member/friend (40%) or had connected with the program online (34%). Logistic regression modeling revealed that mothers (odds ratio [OR] = 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 3.19), women at increased genetic risk for breast cancer (OR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.08 to 3.94), and those who connected with the organization through a family member/friend (OR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.23 to 3.15) were significantly more likely to utilize peer support (all p’s < .05). Satisfaction with peer support was high and reliably measured (M = 42.8 out of possible 50; α = .95). These findings emphasize opportunities for peer support programs to serve a range of needs among breast cancer previvors and survivors and increase health care’s organizational capacity to reach and impact this community through trusted and well-trained lay coaches.

Approximately 12% of women living in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes. While all women face formidable challenges posed by the threat of living with or at increased risk for breast cancer, those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent face additional challenges owing to higher BRCA1/2 mutation prevalence in this population. Amidst calls for population-based screening for hereditary breast cancer risk, much can be learned from the experiences of Jewish women about their needs. The present study is a secondary analysis of psychoeducational program satisfaction and evaluation data previously collected by a community organization dedicated to serving women of all Jewish backgrounds facing, or at risk for, breast cancer. Among respondents (n = 347), over one-third were referred to the organization by family or friends, most often after a cancer crisis. Of the information and support resources offered, the greatest level of engagement occurred with the one-on-one peer support and health care symposia resources. Respondents endorsed high levels of satisfaction with the programs and services, and a strong desire to give back to the community. These data suggest that culturally-relevant information and support services for Jewish women could be scaled-up for larger dissemination to meet the anticipated needs in this special population.

About 1 in 40 Ashkenazi Jewish women carry a deleterious mutation in BRCA1/2 genes, predisposing them to hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC). Thus, efforts to prevent and control HBOC in the US must include sufficient outreach and education campaigns within and across the Jewish community. Social media (SM) is utilized in public health campaigns focused on cancer, but very little is known about the efficacy of those efforts when directed toward Jewish women at risk for (“previvors”) and affected by (“survivors”) HBOC. Here, we report on outcomes of a targeted SM campaign for this population, as led by a national not-for-profit HBOC advocacy organization. Mixed-methods data were obtained from n = 393 members of the community, including n = 20 key informants, and analyzed for engagement and satisfaction with its SM campaign and HBOC resources. Message recipients identified the SM campaign as helpful/meaningful (82%), of ‘newsworthy’ value (78%), and actionable/navigable (71%): interviews revealed that women were more likely to engage with SM if/when it featured stories relevant to their personal cancer experiences. SM is a valuable public health education tool to address the comprehensive cancer control and prevention needs of those previving and surviving with HBOC, including high-risk Jewish women.

Approximately 11% of all new breast cancer cases in the USA occur in women aged 45 years or younger. In 2011, CDC funded seven organizations to develop or enhance programs for young breast cancer survivors (YBCS). This paper analyzed program evaluation data collected by one of these organizations to gain a more nuanced understanding of how recipients used the newly developed program and resources for YBCS. Sharsheret’s Thriving Again program was evaluated through a web-based survey of survivorship program participants. The evaluation asked questions about participant demographics, use of the kit’s survivorship care plan (SCP), satisfaction with the timing of survivorship kit receipt, and factors related to survivors’ use of additional Sharsheret programs. We conducted bivariate analyses of survey responses and calculated chi-square statistics for significance testing. Of the 163 women who responded to the survey, 43% were diagnosed with breast cancer at or before age 45 and 69% were of Jewish descent. The majority of women who used the SCP found it helpful to facilitate cancer treatment (94%), follow-up (85%), or discussions with providers (91%). A total of 75% of women who received the SCP kit while either recently diagnosed or undergoing treatment were satisfied with the timing of receipt. Survey respondents found the Thriving Again program and survivorship kit beneficial and indicated timing preferences for when to receive resources and support. Supporting the self-efficacy of cancer survivors may improve survivors’ quality of life and is an important aspect of survivorship programs.

Background. Young women diagnosed with breast cancer face challenges impacting their quality of life, psychosocial functioning, and reproductive health outcomes. Ashkenazi Jewish women experience a disproportionately high prevalence of genetic mutations in the BRCA1/2 genes linked to a higher incidence of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, and have unique needs based on genetic risk and cultural factors. Sharsheret, a national not-for-profit organization with an expertise in supporting Jewish young breast cancer survivors (YBCS), developed two interventions, the Peer Support Network (PSN) and Genetics for Life® (GFL), to address the culturally specific needs of Jewish YBCS. In 2011, Sharsheret conducted a formative evaluation to strengthen its existing PSN and GFL interventions. Methods. Four focus groups were conducted with 27 YBCS having participated in the PSN or GFL. The groups investigated the information and support needs of YBCS of Jewish descent and YBCS perceptions of PSN and GFL content, materials and delivery channels. Two groups (online and in-person) investigated the needs of YBCS, PSN and GFL program content, and PSN and GFL program delivery related to the psychosocial health of YBCS. Two groups (online and in-person) explored YBCS needs, PSN and GFL program content, and PSN and GFL program delivery related to the reproductive health of YBCS. Participants were recruited using in-person methods, email blasts, social media and via Sharsheret website postings. Qualitative data were analyzed using a notes-based thematic analysis. Results. Across groups, respondents identified the primary information needs for YBCS included resources addressing genetics, side effects and consequences of treatment (e.g., effects on fertility, intimacy and premature menopause) rather than treatment itself. Respondents identified that their support needs included culturally relevant peer support and genetic resources at the time of diagnosis, treatment and after treatment, as well as support for partners, family members and friends. Participants preferred to receive information and support through diverse modalities, including health care providers, the internet, peer supporters, support groups, symposia and teleconferences and mass media. Respondents recommended outreach efforts for the PSN and GFL interventions in locations that attract young people, including pediatricians’ offices, schools, salons, and college campuses, and to clergy, school principals, local Jewish organizations and health care providers. Participants also suggested potential technology-based modifications to PSN and GFL intervention delivery, including online intake forms, a LiveChat option, video testimonials, interactive expert column, online pedigrees and family conference calls with a genetic counselor or clinical staff member. Conclusion. YBCS identified the PSN and GFL interventions as critical resources attentive to their culturally specific information and support needs. Focus group participants provided strategies to enhance intervention content and reach. Healthcare professionals serving YBCS of diverse backgrounds can utilize the data gleaned from this evaluation to shape culturally relevant interventions and materials to address the unique needs of YBCS. Citation Format: Rochelle Shoretz, Adina Fleischmann, Elana Silber, Mary Ann Hall, Ashani Johnson-Turbes. Formative evaluation of interventions addressing culturally relevant needs of young breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-17-05.