Abstract C37: “Oh happy day”: A pilot study of a culturally tailored depression intervention for African American female cancer survivors

Almost 1 million African Americans are now identified as cancer survivors. Despite this growth, African Americans9 long-term survivorship lags behind national survival rates. Given that cancer survivorship starts with diagnosis and continues throughout life, improving cancer survival outcomes for African Americans is important. Cancer survivors are at increased risk of experiencing psychosocial distress and depression as a result of cancer. Because of discrimination and multiple systemic barriers, African American cancer survivors may not have access to high quality healthcare treatment and services nor seek services in mainstream facilities. Thus their survivorship, including access to high quality, culturally competent behavioral health supports, may be compromised. While current research suggests racial and cultural differences in cancer experiences, coping strategies and survivorship among different racial/ethnic groups, little is known about effective behavioral health resources African American female cancer survivors use to cope with depression. Even less is known about culturally tailored interventions that could potentially aid African American female cancer survivors by reducing depressive symptoms and supporting improved mental health. A Culturally Tailored Depression Intervention for African American Female Cancer Survivors Study, a community-engaged research project attempts to determine the feasibility of a culturally tailored depression intervention called “Oh Happy Day Class.” Using group therapy and psycho-educational supports, including yoga, this study determines whether a 4-week modified version of this class, offered in a community setting, is acceptable to African American female cancer survivors. The class, coupled with other mixed methods (surveys, key informant interviews) provides important information about the benefits of offering culturally tailored depression interventions for African American female cancer survivors. As a community-engaged research project including African American female cancer survivors, Public Health researchers, & health professionals, this study further underscores why engaging community in the work of supporting cancer survivorship for African Americans is needed. Citation Format: Elizabeth A. Williams, Earlise Ward, Debra Wujcik, Robin Oatis-Ballew, Cheryl Green, Navita Gunter, Brea Bond. “Oh happy day”: A pilot study of a culturally tailored depression intervention for African American female cancer survivors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C37. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C37