Carol Versey, owner of Salon Lorache, was among a number of Seattle-area beauty salon proprietors who participated in the Hutchinson Center's African-American Women's Health Information Study. The study examined whether African-American women would like to receive health information at their beauty salons.

Statistics show African-American women tend to be diagnosed with breast cancer at more advanced stages, and they have a higher mortality rate from the disease. Such disparities in breast cancer as well as other health problems indicate the need to get important prevention information into the community.

Pamela Mitchell, a University of Washington graduate student, thought of salons as a potential information outlet because, she explained, many African-American women visit their salons often and form close relationships with their stylists. Mitchell designed the study with principal investigator Dr. Deborah Bowen, a scientist in the Hutchinson Center's Cancer Prevention Research Program. They surveyed African-American salon clients about what sources of health information they use and trust, what information they want and whether they would like the information to be available at their salon.

With Versey's encouragement, many of her clients completed the 15-minute survey. "If a stranger asked them, they might say no, but I'm very familiar with my clients," she said. "I told them this is what Fred Hutchinson is doing and it would be a benefit for you to participate."

Results showed that more than 70 percent of the women would like to receive health information, particularly on breast-cancer prevention, at their beauty salons. The study team now hopes to launch a pilot program that would do just that.

Versey said she would happily volunteer her salon again. "It's a wonderful feeling to be able to give back after so much has been given to you," she said.

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