Helping Mothers and Daughters Talk about Environmental Breast Cancer Risk and Risk-Reducing Lifestyle Behaviors

Carla L. Fisher, Kevin B. Wright, Camella J. Rising, Xiaomei Cai, Michaela D. Mullis, Amelia Burke-Garcia and Dasha Afanaseva
Additional contact information
Carla L. Fisher: UF Health Cancer Center, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118400, Gainesville, FL 32611-8400, USA
Kevin B. Wright: Department of Communication, George Mason University, 4400 University, Dr, MSN3D6, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Camella J. Rising: Department of Communication, George Mason University, 4400 University, Dr, MSN3D6, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Xiaomei Cai: Department of Communication, George Mason University, 4400 University, Dr, MSN3D6, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
Michaela D. Mullis: UF Health Cancer Center, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, P.O. Box 118400, Gainesville, FL 32611-8400, USA
Amelia Burke-Garcia: NORC at the University of Chicago, 4350 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Dasha Afanaseva: Fors Marsh Group, 901 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Background : Mothers and daughters struggle to talk about breast cancer risk. Even less attention is paid to environmental determinants of cancer. Third-party online approaches can be helpful navigating these conversations. The aim of this study was to obtain feedback from mothers exposed to a social media intervention (“mommy bloggers”) and identify their preferences for message-design approaches that could help them talk to their daughter(s) about environmental breast cancer risk. Methods : We conducted semi-structured interviews with 50 mothers. A thematic analysis was conducted using the constant comparative method. Results : Mothers identified four approaches to message design that could help facilitate mother–daughter communication about environmental breast cancer risk. These included two action-oriented approaches that centered on getting the conversation started and keeping the conversation going and two approaches based on lifespan factors to promote daughters’ engagement by using age-appropriate language and visuals and focusing on developmentally specific lifestyle behaviors . Mothers also provided recommended strategies within each approach. Conclusions : Mothers identified various approaches interventionists can utilize to overcome barriers to talking to daughters about environmental breast cancer risk. To promote mother–daughter communication, the messages should be action-oriented to facilitate interaction, but also developed with lifespan and developmental considerations in mind to engage daughters.

Keywords: breast cancer; environmental risk; interpersonal communication; mother–daughter communication; social media; intervention; lifespan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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