Let’s Chat: Development of a Family Group Chat Cancer Prevention Intervention for Vietnamese Families

Vietnamese Americans are disproportionately affected by preventable late-stage cancers. This study capitalizes on the protective role of family networks to develop an online social media family group chat intervention promoting cancer screening among Vietnamese American families. Ten families (n = 41) participated in Let’s Chat, a 4-week intergenerational family group chat intervention to increase cancer screenings. Vietnamese American young adults were trained to act as family health advocates on their private family group chats and share cancer screening messages. Postintervention survey results revealed that 48% of participants received screening/vaccination, 77% reported intent to schedule an appointment to discuss recommended screenings, 61% reported discussing cancer screenings outside their group chat, 84% felt comfortable discussing screenings with family after the intervention, and 68% agreed that the group chat facilitated comfort around cancer screening discussions. The current intervention is the first group chat intervention to integrate cancer prevention education. These results from the Let’s Chat feasibility study indicate promise for further investigation through a randomized trial to increase cancer screenings among Vietnamese American families.