Policy implications of early onset breast cancer among Mexican-origin women

Overall, Latinas are more likely to be diagnosed with a more advanced stage of breast cancer, and are 20% more likely to die of breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women. We examined risk for breast cancer in a case-control population-based sample of Mexican-origin women in Harris County, TX (n=714), where rates of breast cancer mortality for Latina women have doubled since 1990. Half of breast cancer cases (n=119) were diagnosed before the age of 50. In a multivariable model, women with a family history of breast cancer (OR=4.3), born in Mexico and having high levels of language acculturation (OR=2.5), and without health insurance (OR=1.6) were found to have the highest risk of breast cancer. Because Mexican-origin women were found to be of high-risk for early onset pre-menopausal breast cancer, we recommend policies targeting screening, education and treatment to prevent increased disparities in mortality. It is estimated that from 2003-2006, $82.0 billion in direct medical care expenditures, in addition to 100,000 lives annually, could be saved by eliminating health disparities experienced by Latinos and increasing the use of up to five preventive services in the U.S. An additional 3,700 lives could be saved if 90% of women ≥40 years were recently screened for breast cancer. The inclusion of community members and policymakers as partners in these endeavors would further safeguard against an increase in cancer health disparities, and aid in formulating a policy agenda congruent with scientifically-based, community-driven policy efforts addressing breast cancer screening, education and treatment in this vulnerable population.