Summary of my semester. (Where we are now!)

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to update you on what was currently going on. The last time we spoke, I had been doing research with cervical cancer and it has definitely paid off. I have created a power point presentation for the focus groups scheduled for this month. I would be more than happy to upload it for information reference. The Alabama Cervical Health Project group is working very hard to secure the guidelines for the focus group and get the ball rolling. The focus groups will be in Tuscaloosa and Selma, Alabama. From the focus group, we hope to gain insight on how the ladies feel the presentation has effected their knowledge of cervical cancer as a diagnosis and increased their knowledge about their risks. We also hope to find out what we should improve or modify. The main theme of the power point is that every woman is at risk and should be consistent getting pap smears done. I am excited to say my blog will also be used as a resource for anyone interested in knowing their risk or information about cervical cancer. I am also going to a training session to understand how to conduct myself in a focus group and confidentiality agreements, so the learning will continue. I have thoroughly enjoyed this project and I cant wait to get both positive and negative feedback from the woman in the focus groups. I will update you on how everything goes including the good, the bad, and the ugly. J I hope to bring back any information that will be you useful to me and to you. I will continue to update my post and I hope you continue to read!

Remember! Pap Smears save lives!!!

Lauren Williams

Understanding the link.. and connecting it!

I found a video that basically sums up the basis of my presentation I will present to the women at the focus groups. Women with HIV don't understand their risk for cervical cancer is significantly increased due to being HIV positive. Here is a very brief video that poses this question and explains this in simple terms. A group from John's Hopkins has been looking closely with this population and are making great contributions to the research and also connecting that link.

Quick question.. Why are women living with HIV and dying from Cervical Cancer? What are your thoughts?

Hello!

Someone in the group thursday mentioned there is an increase in deaths in Africa related to HIV and Cervical Cancer and there were many ideas about why we felt the numbers were increased in this part of the country. Here is a short 6 min. video about women living in Africa who have been infected with HIV and dying daily from cervical cancer. This video inspired me to continue to work closely to answer this question and I hope it does the same for you!

Group Update!

Hello Everyone!

I'm just following up as I said I would about meeting with the other group members. Although last week was very busy, I was able to meet with the group to discuss the progress so far and present some of what I had been working on. Everyone has been busy coding, coding, and re-coding trying to make sure there is nothing that is being looked over or missed within the one-on-one interviews. I was able to present my outline for the power point presentation to present to the participants. It is also confirmed that there will be focus groups next month (November). I plan to, at all costs, join the group on at least one of the focus groups. I realize there is a lot to be done with the presentation and preparing for the focus groups, but I am up for the challenge and the learning experience. One MAJOR theme throughout the meeting was the amount of passion that is within each of the group members working on this research. Even with everything they have to do or work on they find time to put into this research and remain patient/participant focused. Again, any feedback is welcomed!

I also mentioned to the group that I have this blog for women affected with HIV, Cervical Cancer, or both to check out and learn about research being done. The more I learn about HIV and Cervical Cancer, the more I become inspired to make a difference within my community. It is amazing to work with individuals as passionate about this topic and improving patient communication and care, specifically for women.

That was a great end to my week and I look forward to meeting with my mentor to discuss the dates for the focus groups and the rest of the semester. In the meantime, I will be working on my poster that I will present at the end of the semester. Wish me luck!
-Lauren Williams

Take Just a Minute.. It's definitely worth it!

Hello Everyone!

While this is an older video, It breaks down information about Cervical Cancer and HPV and what ALL women should know. It also gives tips about how to handle being nervous aobut getting pap smears. This is a common excuse women give for not keeping their appointments. I enjoyed the video and I thought it was very refreshing that women could talk so openly about this issue. Hopefully you will think about the information in this video and share this new information with your friends! I hope you enjoy the video and remember, it only takes a minute, but it can save a life!!

Enjoy, Lauren

Progress in the making

Hello Everyone!

I just thought I would give you an update about the project portion of my project. I am scheduled to meet with my mentor Monday to discuss the coding and research I've done so far on Cervical Cancer. Because this is a topic most of the females knew the least about, we thought it would be important to get the information for them and present it to the participants in a way they can comprehend. I am excited and nervous to present to the ladies. Nervous because I have to present alone, and excited because they are interested in learning more about Cervical Cancer Risks and Prevention and I am serving as that bridge of communication. I look forward to getting an update from the research team and seeing what new task my mentor has for me. Wish me luck that we hear something about the focus groups and that the time works GREAT with my schedule. I am learning so much about this study and the research done previously on Cervical Cancer. I will be sure to update you on Monday about how my meeting goes and any new information I have.

Also, I am approaching the end of coding and it has all started to come together very nicely. I am excited to compare what I thought with my mentor and get some positive feedback. I gained so much insight from the personal interviews! It is almost as if you are sitting there interviewing the participant yourself. Seeing examples of previous interviews is helping to prepare me for what is to come on the focus groups. I am still working on the Cervical Cancer presentations because I want them to be 'learner friendly' and very informative. Wish me luck!

Keeping hope alive!

Here is a video I found on youtube that is very interesting. Here is a young woman who was diagnosed with cervical cancer, yet refused to accept this as a death sentence. She continued with the treatment plans and started on her road to recovery. I can't say enough how important it is to keep your yearly appointments for papsmears and take neccessary precautions! Prevention and detection can save lives..

-Enjoy