In the United States, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in nearly every racial and ethnic group. This includes Caucasian, African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian, and Hispanic/Latina women.
But for non-white and minority women, being diagnosed with breast cancer can be a very different experience. Minority women continue to fare worse than white women in terms of health status, rates of disability, and mortality, according to recent findings of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
For example, although Latinas have statistically lower breast cancer rates than non-Latina white women, they are more likely than white women to be diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer is more advanced and harder to treat, and survival rates are lower.
Major barriers to health care, such as access to early detection and treatment of breast cancer, are, in part, responsible for such alarming statistics. More often than any other group, Hispanic Americans/Latinas have no regular source of health care, according to U.S. Health and Human Services.
Latinas also face other barriers to health care, including difficulties with language, transportation, childcare, immigration status, cultural differences and lack of insurance.
Yet, even with early diagnosis and access being equal, Latinas are more likely to have tumors that are larger and harder to treat than white women. They also tend to get breast cancer at younger ages.
Right now, researchers don’t know why these differences happen. Once diagnosed with the disease, how Latinas fare during and after treatment is also little understood.
Drs. Annette Stanton of University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and Betina Yanez of Northwestern University, in conjunction with the Avon/Love Army of Women want to help change that.
They have started The Latina Breast Cancer Initiative, a study to find the best way for medical providers to treat Latinas to improve their post-treatment quality of life.
The Latina Breast Cancer Initiative is an opportunity for 150 Latinas diagnosed within the past 12 months and who’ve had breast cancer surgery, to team up with the researchers aiming to develop tailored approaches to promote quality of life and health in Latinas who face the disease.
“This study aims to understand how aspects of Latino culture shape their visits with healthcare providers, thoughts about treatment, and quality of life after breast cancer treatment,” says Betina Yanez, a post-doctoral research fellow with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and co-lead researcher of the study.
“Having a better understanding of the Latina breast cancer experience can inform healthcare providers about the unique values and preferences that Latinas may have about their breast cancer treatment, improve their visits with their healthcare providers, and enrich their quality of life after breast cancer treatment.”
A previous study by Stanton and Yanez and fellow researcher Elizabeth Thompson, published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship showed on average, Latina breast cancer survivors experience a worse quality of life than non-Latina Whites.
Although not entirely consistent, Latinas were more likely to report poor mental, physical, and social quality of life, relative to non-Latinas, according to the study.
In the new study, the researchers hope to identify culturally relevant processes that contribute to wellbeing in Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer, to help them thrive post-treatment.
“Among these factors are identification with Latino and Anglo cultures, commitment to family, spirituality, and beliefs about cancer,” said Annettte Stanton, a senior research scientist at Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology and professor of Psychology and Psychiatry Biobehavioral Sciences Member at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“Understanding these processes will help us develop tailored approaches to promote quality of life and health in Latinas who face breast cancer.
For more information on the study or to join, visit The Latina Breast Initiative at http://www.armyofwomen.org/current/view?grant_id=587/
If you do not get regular mammograms because of cost or lack of insurance, you can find free and low-cost programs to help you get breast cancer screening. Learn more by contacting the National Breast Cancer and Early Cervical Cancer Detection Program.
Lynette Summerill is an award-winning writer and Scuba enthusiast living in San Diego, CA with her husband and two beach loving dogs. In addition to writing about cancer-related issues for EmpowHER, her work has been seen in newspapers and magazines around the world.
Sources and Patient Information:
Health Care for Minority Women: Recent Findings. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2006-2010) Access online at: http://www.ahrq.gov/research/minority.htm
Minority Women’s Health. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health. Access online at: http://www.womenshealth.gov/minority-health/latinas/breast-cancer.cfm
Breast Cancer Resource Directory. Hispanic American/latina Women. Access online at
http://bcresourcedirectory.org/directory/05-hispanic_american.htm
Quality of life among Latina breast cancer patients: a systematic review of the literature. Betina Yanez, Elizabeth H. Thompson, and Annette L. Stanton. J Cancer Surviv. 2011 June; 5(2): 191–207. Published online 2011 January 28. doi: 10.1007/s11764-011-0171-0 at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096762/
Love/Avon Army of Women. Information online at: http://www.armyofwomen.org
Reviewed April 5, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith