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Two women from different countries and different generations have, in their words, "opened doors for each other" working together in the Breast Cancer Oral History Action Project (BCOHAP). Funded in part by ProLiteracy America’s Women in Literacy/USA initiative, this program helped women improve their literacy skills while gaining a better understanding of breast cancer.

The program offered students a unique learning experience. Darlene Garcia and Maria Nakata, students at the Alameda County (Calif.) Library Literacy Program, decided to become involved in a health empowerment project that helped women think about the causes of breast cancer and treatment options. Another important focus was breast cancer’s impact on women and their families, especially low-income women, who have less access to health care and live in communities where they may be exposed to environmental cancer-causing agents. 

As part of the required research, class members were trained to interview breast cancer survivors. The stories they collected became part of educational materials used for the education of other women about breast cancer.

Regarding the personal impact of this health-related literacy work, Darlene said, "I was scared of cancer. I lost my sister to it. To me, cancer was death. And I thought that if I had breast cancer, I’d be alone with it. But the class put me in the situation of thinking about health and family and ‘what ifs.’ I asked my husband if he would still want me if I had a breast removed. It was so scary for me, but I had to know. He told me he didn’t marry me for my body parts. I was happy and relieved." 

Now Darlene knows that life can go on after cancer. She has even discovered local resources for helping other women advocate for their own health needs. "I never thought about the environment the way I do now," she adds. "I make some choices when it comes to the chemicals I work within my home."

Maria said, "I used to be shy at the doctor’s office. I’d agree with whatever the doctor said. Now I ask questions. I’ve learned that if you don’t ask, you won’t know. I tell my daughter to ask questions, too. We need more classes about health issues. I hope it doesn’t stop here!"