UAB Synopsis, Vol. 24, No. 37, October 10, 2005

Beauticians educate clientele about breast, cervical cancer

Just off Ensley's Bankhead Highway, a 5-mile drive from downtown Birmingham, patrons can obtain servings of hot fried chicken, complete furnishings from Rooms to Go® — and accurate, reliable health information, courtesy of UAB's Division of Preventive Medicine.

At "Bernice's Headquarters," scores of women sit under dryers, reading or chatting. Strip mall neighbors are an arcade and the "Love of God" ministries.

"I came up with the idea of 'Shop Talk' while I was sitting in a similar beauty salon, listening to women talk about health-related issues," UAB Preventive Medicine Program Manager II and Principal Investigator of Shop Talk Theresa Wynn, PhD, says. "In between cutting, washing, and coloring hair, beauticians listened as clients talked about their health status, and that of their children and families. Serious issues surfaced, with stylists offering motivation and encouragement. As they offered practical advice, I thought; this is powerful."

So, Dr. Wynn designed a pilot project. Nine stylists at six local salons in Birmingham and Bessemer gave up three Mondays, their free day, to be trained about cancer and its causes (almost 60% had believed air causes cancer to spread), the value of breast self-exams, mammograms, Pap tests, and how to set up and use a health library.

Phase II followed the 8-month pilot study. In Phase II, the impact of Shop Talk on clients' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and screening behaviors was measured by interviews and questionnaires. The 4-month follow-up study revealed impressive outcomes.

Both pilot studies were funded by the Alabama Department of Public Health's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-funded program provides no-cost breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to the uninsured, underserved women who meet eligibility guidelines.

A true "community effort," Dr. Wynn was supported professionally by Charmaine Williams Ward in the UAB Division of Preventive Medicine, Ginger Sanford at the American Cancer Society, Sandra Richardson at the Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation, Suzanne Reaves at the Alabama Department of Public Health, as well as UAB Professor of Medicine and Minority Health & Research Center Director Mona Fouad, MD, her mentor and supervisor.

The Right Messenger

"Key is finding a trustworthy communicator of facts and conveyor of emotional support," Dr. Wynn continues. African American herself, she knows that hairdressers, masseuses, and nail stylists, often act as . . ."sounding boards for their clients — clients with concerns about their personal health," according to Talking Shop, a nail professionals' magazine and just one popular media outlet that has covered the story.

Women's Day featured the project, and Reader's Digest devoted a page in its May 2005 Health Section: "In a program developed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, stylists at area beauty salons are trained to talk to clients about breast and cervical cancer. Pamphlets are also available. A year later, 69% of customers either had or planned to have a mammogram; 94% planned to have or already had a Pap test." All participants agreed Shop Talk was a great idea and most wanted other salons to offer it.

The article goes on to note, "'Women can be in a salon for hours, and this relaxing time can provide the opportunity to expand their health knowledge,' says lead investigator Wynn."

Dr. Wynn had spent years managing several community-based studies and researching innovate ways to disseminate cancer awareness information. "Studies show that a face-to-face, grass roots approach is an effective way to change attitudes about health and overcome feelings of reluctance caused by factors such as fear and mistrust of the health care system."

Although African American women have a lower incidence of breast cancer, they continue to die from breast and cervical cancer at higher rates than white women. Some have speculated that this may be due to biological factors, avoidance of the health care system, or a prevalence of misinformation, just to name a few issues. Distributing information to the community through beauty salons can help dispel myths about cancer diagnosis and care. By partnering with community, self-help, and advocacy groups, providers can break down barriers to care and help to establish points of trust.

Question of Where?

"The local beauty salon is a natural place that women from all walks of life frequent," Dr. Wynn continues. "For many African American women, places, such as churches and other neighborhood sites, serve as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information."

Veteran hairdresser and owner of Bernice's Headquarters Maxine McCluney agrees. "I bought the shop 20 years ago. Since then, it sure has touched a lot of people," she says. "Our five stylists each have approximately 50 clients a week; that's 250 clients per week. And they all have friends and neighbors. The number of people who have come in for information has amazed me." She adds that she also distributed the literature to women in other salons, such as the stylist who does her nails.

"I have really enjoyed my role in the program," McCluney concludes.

"So did my own hairdresser," Dr. Wynn adds. "In fact, she enjoyed the program so much that she started her own nonprofit outreach ministry full-time. I've lost a very good beautician, but that's okay. She not only makes women look good, but feel better."

For more information, contact Dr. Wynn at 934-6892.