Increase breast cancer knowledge among Hispanic/Latino communities in the US with an online, bilingual and customizable breast cancer education toolkit for educators

Breast cancer knows no boundaries, be it age, race, ethnicity or nationality. Hispanics are the largest and fastest minority group in the US. Between 2000 and 2010, this population grew 43 percent, four times the growth of the total population. In the US, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. Susan G. Komen® in collaboration with our consultant, Health Promotion Council, created a national, online, bilingual Breast Cancer Education Toolkit for Hispanic/Latino Communities (Toolkit). The purpose of this Toolkit is to provide educators ways to integrate culturally and linguistically-responsive breast cancer information into their educational programs using evidenced-based strategies. The Mexican Embassy, the US Mexican Consulates, Komen Affiliates and grantees played a vital role in the review and pilot of the Toolkit. The purpose of the pilot was to enhance the US Mexican Consulates “Ventanilla de Salud” programs by providing the Toolkit as a way to effectively incorporate breast cancer education into current programs and address breast cancer issues among Mexican women; equip Komen Affiliates, partners and grantees with tools and resources aimed at improving breast cancer education for Hispanic/Latina women in their local communities; and position Komen as a leader in improving breast cancer outcomes in communities by meeting the educational needs of Hispanic/Latina women. Leveraging the Mexican Consulates, Komen Affiliates, grantees and partners provide an optimal platform to integrate breast cancer education and empower women to take action regarding their breast care.