Pilot study of the breast cancer experiences of African American women with a family history of breast cancer: implications for nursing practice.

Experts in the area of breast cancer detection and control recommend that women at increased risk discuss their risk status and risk management with their health care providers. In spite of the excessive breast cancer burden borne by African American women, little attention has been given to studying breast cancer risk communication and/or breast cancer risk management in this at-risk population group. This report summarizes the outcomes of a study undertaken to explore the degree to which breast cancer, breast cancer risk, and breast cancer risk management were discussed by African American women and their health care providers Targeted for inclusion in the study were African American women who had a first degree relative or multiple second degree relatives that had been diagnosed with pre-menopausal breast cancer. Of particular interest was the extent to which African American women with a family history of breast cancer perceived themselves to be at risk for developing breast cancer and the extent to which they discussed their family history, their breast cancer risk, and, breast cancer risk management with their providers.