Abstract
Early detection of breast and cervical cancers is one preventive behavior that may provide the adolescent daughter with a unique opportunity to provide encouragement to her mother or guardian to obtain screening. This study explored the design strategies necessary for developing an effective daughter-initiated message about screening for breast and cervical cancers. Thirty-two (N = 64) African-American mother–daughter dyads were interviewed about parenting style, goodwill, and daughters’ credibility and risk behaviors that might influence receptivity toward a screening appeal. Mothers indicated that a tailored, emotional appeal combined with cancer facts delivered in a private setting would be most effective. Daughters were perceived as highly credible messengers and were perceived to have high levels of goodwill toward their mothers, regardless of risk behaviors.
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Acknowledgments
We thank the mothers and daughters who participated in this research study. We also thank Ellyn Leighton-Hermann for her assistance with the manuscript preparation. Finally, we acknowledge funding received from NIH K01 CA132960.
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Mosavel, M., Genderson, M.W. From Adolescent Daughter to Mother: Exploring Message Design Strategies for Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening. J Canc Educ 28, 558–564 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0503-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0503-z