Check Out My Rack: A Webinar Empowering Young Women Through Comprehensive Breast Health Education.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Health Education

Background:

• Conventional breast cancer screening guidelines recommend annual mammograms starting at age 40 for average-risk women.
• However, nearly 80% of young women with breast cancer discover their own abnormalities, and 1 in 10 cases occur in women under 45.
• Early breast health education and self-awareness are crucial for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of the Brem Foundation's "Check Out My Rack" webinar series in engaging younger women and pre-screening age individuals in breast cancer awareness.
• To promote early detection through education, self-examination, and advocacy among college students and women under 40.

Main Methods:

• The Brem Foundation has hosted annual "Check Out My Rack" webinars since 2021, targeting individuals under 40.
• Sessions include breast health information, family history, genetic testing, self-exam tutorials, self-advocacy tools, and survivor testimonials.
• Webinars facilitate interaction with expert radiologists and breast health advocates.

Main Results:

• In 2023, webinar attendance doubled to 130 participants from 299 registrants, a 42% conversion rate.
• Over 48 educational materials were downloaded, and 191 new contacts were acquired for future engagement.
• A collaborator model expanded reach, exposing the initiative to an additional 175,000 people.

Conclusions:

• The "Check Out My Rack" webinars demonstrate growing success in empowering women with breast health knowledge.
• The program effectively engages younger demographics in breast cancer awareness and early detection strategies.
• Further research will investigate the impact of these educational programs on breast cancer detection rates.