Al Majd International School: Aisha Al-sharif and Her Insights

My name is Aisha M. Alsharif, a high-honors student at Al Majd International School in Saudi Arabia. I aim to inform the world about amazing milestones, great achievements, and eye catching news through writing. Aspiring to become a doctor, I am currently learning the basics of first aid. From grades 4 to 7, I led my school to success, contributing to it being recognized as the best in every category. In addition to academics, I am the setter in volleyball. One of my hobbies has been crocheting.

Reviewed Article: Feasibility and Acceptability of an Interactive Cancer-Communication Video Program Using African American Breast Cancer Survivor Stories by Maria Pérez 1, Matthew W Kreuter 2 3, Yan Yan 3 4, Tess Thompson 2, Julianne Sefko 4, Balaji Golla 2, Julie A Margenthaler 3 4, Graham Colditz 3 4, Donna B Jeffe 1 3

Main Argument & Findings:

The article “Feasibility and Acceptability of an Interactive Cancer-Communication Video Program Using African American Breast Cancer Survivor Stories” by Pérez et al. (2020) examined whether a culturally tailored video program—featuring personal stories from African American breast cancer survivors—could effectively support newly diagnosed African American women. The researchers found that participants viewed the program as both feasible and highly acceptable, appreciating the relatable survivor stories and emotional support they provided. The study concluded that storytelling through culturally relevant media can improve patient engagement, understanding, and emotional coping in cancer communication.

Reading this article deepened my understanding of how culture-specific health communication can play a powerful role in patient education and emotional healing. It showed me that sharing real-life survivor stories is more than just informative—it can also build trust, reduce fear, and make medical information more personal and empowering, especially for communities that have historically faced healthcare disparities.

Importance for Youth:

The information from Pérez et al. (2020) is important for youth to acknowledge because it highlights the value of awareness, empathy, and communication in health issues. Many young people may not think about illnesses like breast cancer until they or someone close to them is affected. Learning about this study helps youth understand how sharing real-life stories and supporting others emotionally can make a big difference in people’s healing journeys. It also teaches that representation and cultural understanding matter—when health messages reflect people’s real experiences and identities, they become more powerful and relatable. Recognizing this can inspire young people to be more open, compassionate, and involved in promoting health awareness in their communities.

What I Learned: 

From this article, I learned that storytelling can be a powerful tool in healthcare communication. Hearing real experiences from survivors helps others feel less alone, more hopeful, and more informed about their own health. I realized that information becomes more meaningful when it’s shared through personal stories rather than just facts or statistics.

In the real world, this connects to how social media, videos, and community programs can spread health awareness today. For example, when influencers or survivors share their own health journeys online, they encourage others to get screened, seek help, or simply talk about their struggles. It shows how communication and empathy can save lives—not just in hospitals, but in everyday conversations.

Citations: Pérez, M., Kreuter, M. W., Yan, Y., Thompson, T., Sefko, J., Golla, B., Margenthaler, J. A., Colditz, G., & Jeffe, D. B. (2020). Feasibility and acceptability of an interactive cancer-communication video program using African American breast cancer survivor stories. Journal of Health Communication, 25(7), 566–575. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2020.1821132