African American Women's Perspectives on Breast Cancer: Implications for Communicating Risk of Basal-like Breast Cancer

African American women suffer a higher burden of basal-like breast cancer, an aggressive subtype that has no targeted therapy. While epidemiologic research has identified key prevention strategies, little is known about how best to communicate risk to this population. This study explored women’s knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about breast cancer to learn about risk perceptions. Six focus groups with 57 women (ages 18–49) women were conducted in North Carolina. Findings revealed that age, race (especially perceptions of cancer as a “White disease”), and lack of family history of breast cancer contributed to women’s perceptions of low breastcancer susceptibility. Perceptions of low risk were also attributed to conflicting risk information from family, media, and health providers. Women had little knowledge about breast cancer subtypes, but emphasized that health communications should be personally relevant, culturally appropriate, and convenient. These study findings will assist in developing health communication tools that encourage prevention