Increasing Health Literacy in Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Women with low health literacy may struggle to understand breast cancer patient education materials and have difficulty obtaining knowledge to advocate for treatment choice. Increasing health literacy in patients with breast cancer may improve shared decision-making and lead to positive patient outcomes. Women need an accessible, concise source of breast cancer information that incorporates a glossary of commonly used oncology terms and explanations of diagnostic tests and treatment options. A plain language, evidence-based educational booklet combining scientific information, lived experience, and clinical expertise was developed to improve health literacy by increasing patients’ knowledge of breast cancer. The content was developed in Microsoft Word, and the reading level was kept below seventh grade; this was checked with Flesch-Kincaid. The booklet design considered readability concepts, including sans serif font, white space, and pictures to improve comprehension. The booklet received positive feedback from lay persons, cancer patients and their loved ones, and health care providers and has been incorporated into clinical practice. An investigation is needed into the value of the booklet as an evidence-based intervention to improve health literacy.