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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Yelena Bird, MD, MPH¹, J. Moraros, MD, MPH¹, Larry K. Olsen, DrPH, CHES¹, Adriana Peña, BS², Mathew Banegas, MS¹, and David Barney, MSW, MPH, PhD³. (1) Department of Health Sciences, MSC 3HLS, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001, (505) 646-4309, yelenabird@yahoo.com, (2) SADEC/FEMAP, Directora de Investigacion, Av. Plutarco Elias Calles No. 744 Nte., Col. Progresista, Cd. Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, (3) School of Social Work, New Mexico State University, MSC 3SW, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is an important health issue among women along the US-Mexico border. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Latina women in the US and Mexico.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate awareness of breast cancer screening and prevention interventions among women in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

SIGNIFICANCE: The study provides information related to why women in Juárez have low rates of breast cancer screening.

METHODS: A population-based survey was administered to 60 Spanish-speaking women who received clinical breast examinations at Hospital de la Familia in Juárez, Mexico, in an effort to evaluate the type of communication, knowledge, and treatment they received about breast cancer from their health care provider.

FINDINGS: Knowledge of the risk factors that lead to breast cancer and the prevention methods that can be used among Latina women is low. Only 40% of the women reported that a health care professional had provided them with information about breast cancer disease and its prevention. The chief barriers to breast cancer screening among the majority of the Latina women were the cost of the mammography exams (p<0.01), low education (p<0.01), and embarrassment (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Latina women are uninformed about breast cancer and the resources available to help prevent it. Breast cancer among Latina women will not significantly decrease until the barriers associated with the low levels of screening are overcome. Interventions to improve awareness and education about breast cancer and accessibility to mammography are needed in this population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Explain the barriers for women in Juárez, Mexico seeking breast cancer screening.

Keywords: Breast Cancer, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation