The just-launched Los Angeles Mammography Promotion in...

The just-launched Los Angeles Mammography Promotion in Churches Program is the first large-scale trial of an innovative approach to boosting breast cancer screening.

Sarah Fox of the RAND Corp., a veteran cancer control specialist who is directing the five-year, $4.6-million research project funded by the National Cancer Institute, said the program is unique in two respects.

“First, it is focused exclusively on low-income women whose use of mammograms remains 36% below the rest of the population,” she said. “And it is a collaborative partnership that gives churches an opportunity to make an important contribution to improving the health of older women, especially minority women.”

Fox’s team is about to mail questionnaires to the pastors of 1,400 congregations in 30 communities in Southwest Los Angeles. Ultimately, more than 3,000 women from churches representing several denominations will be chosen to participate. Equal numbers of predominantly African American, Latino and white congregations will be represented in the final mix.

Women who are members of the churches will be trained and paid by the project to serve as part-time peer counselors. Using a variety of approaches aimed at increasing regular use of mammography, the counselors will focus on barriers to the procedure. (Fox said that previous studies have pinpointed cost, transportation, anxiety and fear of cancer as some of the reasons women give for not receiving mammograms. Physicians who fail to recommend mammograms are another major barrier.)

“We will also train people to follow up and keep these traditionally under-screened women on a mammography program,” Fox said, “because having one mammogram is like having your teeth cleaned just once--it’s essentially worthless.”

The project will help churches create health committees, which will continue to function after the study has ended. Participating churches will also receive computer training, hardware and software, which they may keep for the screening program as well as for other church activities. “We want to leave something with these congregations,” Fox said. “So often poor communities feel ripped off by the research community.”

If the program is successful in boosting early detection--the only proven method of controlling breast cancer--she said, “there’s no reason why it shouldn’t work in other American cities.”

DATES

* The Nicholson Pipes and Drums will lead a procession of Scottish clans at the annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan festivities at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood on Sunday at 11 a.m. A reception will follow, featuring the Royal Scottish Country Dancers. 1760 N. Gower St., Los Angeles. (213) 463-7161.

* The second annual “Keep It Good, in the Hood” Awards breakfast sponsored by the Southern Area Clergy Council will take place at 8 a.m. Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn Gateway in Torrance. Guest speakers will be Reed Tuckson, president of Charles R. Drew University, and Daniel Tabor of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Tickets are $25. (213) 744-5126.

* Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Woodland Hills) will speak at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills at 8 p.m. Monday. The event is free and open to the public. 6025 Valley Circle Blvd. (818) 346-3545.

* A Mass and Anointing for people living with AIDS/HIV, their families, friends and care givers will be celebrated at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 10750 Ohio Ave., Westwood. Donations will benefit the Serra Project, housing for men, women and children with AIDS. (310) 474-1527.

* A free lecture by Zen Master Robert Moore will examine the philosophical and ethical relationships between Zen Buddhism and the teachings of Jesus. The talk is at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Congregational Church of the Messiah in Los Angeles, 7300 W. Manchester Ave. (310) 670-2242.

* A free seminar on estate and tax planning for the family will be offered by the University of Judaism on Monday, as well as Nov. 8, and Dec. 1 from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The instructor is a certified legal specialist in estate planning and taxation and has conducted programs on financial and health care planning. To register, phone (310) 476-9777.

* Immaculate Heart Community will hold its annual celebration and boutique from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, preceded by the Celebration of the Eucharist at 10 a.m. 5515 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles (213) 466-2157.

* Several Riverside churches are presenting a revival at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trinity Christian Center. The Rev. Roberts Lairdon will speak. 4350 La Sierra Ave. (909) 734-7780.

MUSIC

French music from the late 19th and early 20th Centuries will open St. Alban’s Episcopal Church concert season at 4 p.m. Sunday. Organist James Vail will play harp and percussion and conduct a choir. Soloists soprano Elin Carlson, tenor John St. Marie and baritone Robert Shacklett will sing. Requested donation is $7; $3 for senior citizens. 580 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. (310) 208-6516.

Hollywood United Methodist Church will offer a free concert with a Halloween theme by organist Gary Toops at 4 p.m. Oct. 30. 6817 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 776-4023.

The New City Parish coalition of urban congregations presents a multi-congregational choir and five Evangelical Lutheran pastors in a Special Reformation Day Service at 4 p.m. Oct. 30, at historic Angelica Lutheran Church, 1345 S. Burlington Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 382-6378.

Award-winning Welsh Baritone Tom Evans will make his only U.S. appearance at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30, as guest soloist at Welsh Presbyterian Church, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (213) 465-1381.