AWARENESS
Did you know that breast cancer is the leading cause of death for Latinas?
Finding breast cancer early and getting quality cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent breast cancer deaths. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early. Even though early detection through screening tests is a very well-known practice in other communities, Hispanic women tend to be diagnosed at a later stage.
According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Social determinants also significantly influence overall health because they impact nearly every aspect of care, including access to insurance, preventive care, and treatment. Hispanic women and Latinas are disproportionately affected by these factors, which is reflected in the lower rates of screening mammography among this group. Regular screening mammograms are considered to be one of the most reliable methods to detect breast cancer in its early stages. While breast cancer screening has increased across all racial and ethnic groups, Hispanic women and Latinas are still less likely to be diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, partially due to infrequent mammograms or lack of follow-up on abnormal screening results. This delay results in more advanced breast cancer at the time of diagnosis. Explanations for lapsed mammography could include inadequate health insurance coverage, limited access to care, lack of knowledge of the healthcare system, or language barriers.
