Breast Cancer Prevention

RISK FACTORS

Breast cancer is an understudied and poorly understood disease in Hispanic/Latina populations in the U.S. Breast cancer appears to be presenting at an earlier age in this population, on average 10 years younger when compared to Caucasian women (Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Symposium).

"They're not getting more breast cancer than other women, but they're less likely to survive as long," Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, a member of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's National Health Advisory Council and chairwoman of the Komen Foundation National Hispanic/Latino Advisory Council told CNN earlier this year. "The reason is they're diagnosed at a later stage of the cancer." (CNN)

Latino women are at great risk because they have poor lifestyle habits such as an unbalanced diet and irregular or no exercise. They do not speak English well, they lack health insurance, and don't visit the doctor regularly. They are seen at later stages, so the cancer is more advanced. Their five-year survival rates are lower than non-Hispanic whites. (My Latino Voice, 200? )