A research effort of Penn State University; funded by the Heinz Family Foundation

Background: As recently as 1995, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Vol. 87, No. 22) published a study that concluded that about one-half (45-55%) of breast cancer cases in the United States could be explained by well-established risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer, late age at first birth, and nulliparity (not giving birth to any children). The remaining cases are thought to be attributable to environmental factors including dietary, occupational, and other behavioral and environmental sources of risk. While we don't have all the answers about environmental factors to prevent breast cancer, scientists are beginning to have enough information to recommend dietary and other behavioral changes that may help women to reduce their risk of breast cancer. Building on research currently underway in New York State by faculty and staff involved with the Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Project at Cornell University, a similar project was developed at Penn State.

Project Summary/Education Component: The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Project seeks to educate women in rural the Appalachian regions of Pennsylvania and New York about potential environmental risks and breast cancer through community coalitions and community health clinics. The project provides education and technical support to participating coalitions and clinics in rural Pennsylvania and, in turn, the coalitions and clinics develop education programs for their community members. The programs focus on increasing healthy behaviors, improving community health and clarifying for the public what is currently known, through reliable cancer research, about breast cancer and environmental risk factors.

PA-CERF technical support includes providing assistance with community assessment, program planning and implementation, and program promotion to participating clinics and coalitions. The PA-BCERF staff also develop 3 - 4 training workshops, annually, to assist with program development and update participants on environmental risks and breast cancer. Educational materials are provided to all participating clinics and coalitions for their community programming efforts, through the PA-BCERF project.

Project Summary/Research Component: The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Project seeks to answer the following questions.

1. Did participants in the PA-BCERF Project adopt behaviors that may lower breast cancer risk over the course of the Project?
   
   
2. Did coalitions and clinics participating in the PA-BCERF Project plan and implement programming related to the PA-BCERF Project over the course of the project?
   
   
3. Did the programming initiated by the coalitions and clinics lead to sustainable changes in the community, thereby possibly resulting in a lowered risk of cancer for residents?
   
   
4. Did individuals, coalitions, and clinics share information about environmental risk factors and breast cancer with others, and under what conditions did this occur?

PA-BCERF researchers examine: a) the types of programming and community level changes initiated by the coalitions and clinics and b) the adopted behaviors by program participants. The research questions are being answered through the use of key informant interviews, surveys, activity forms and focus groups. The research component of the project focuses on Pennsylvania while the education component of the project extends into New York state.

Target Audience for Research Component of Project: Women who live in rural counties of the Appalachian region of Pennsylvania.

Project Researchers: The Penn State College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Women’s Health; The Penn State College of Agricultural Science, Department of Food Science; The Penn State College of Agriculture, Department of Entomology; and The Northern Regional Office of the Appalachia Cancer Network (formerly known as The Northern Appalachia Leadership Initiative on Cancer)

Principal Partners: Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension; Pennsylvania Department of Health; Pennsylvania Area Health Education Centers; The Breast Cancer and Environmmental Risk Factor Project at Cornell University, and The Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health

Clinic and Coalition Partners: Steel Valley Cancer Coalition (Allegheny County), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Lee Womancare Department (Cambria County), Russell Miller, M.D. Medical Office (Cambria County), Women's Health Initiative of Chautauqua County (New York), Crawford County Cancer Coalition, Coalition for People against Cancer (Clearfield County), Columbia-Montour County Cancer Coalition, Delaware County Cancer Coalition (New York), Elk County Cancer and Tobacco Education Coalition, Family Health Care Partners (Butler and Mercer Counties), Family Health Care Partners (Mercer County), Greene County Cancer Coalition, Indiana County Cancer Coalition, Lawrence County Cancer Coalition, Rural Snyder County Cancer Coalition, Susquehanna County Cancer Coalition, Tioga County Cancer Coalition, Venango-Forest Cancer Coalition, Wyoming County Cancer Partnership

PA-BCERF The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Project A research project of The Pennsylvania State University, funded by The Heinz Family Foundation For additional information regarding The PA Breast Cancer and Environmental Risk Factor Project, please contact the PA-BCERF project office at 111 Borland Lab, PSU, University Park, PA 16802. Phone (814) 863-8693. Email PA-BCERF@email.cas.psu.edu.

Madigan,M.P., R.G. Zeigler, J. Benichou, C. Byrne, and R.N. Hoover. Proportion of breast cancer cases in the United States explained by well-established risk factors. Journal of the National Cancer Institute (1995), vol.87, no.22, 1681-1685.

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