Oklahoma City clinic offers breast, cervical cancer screenings to Hispanic women

By Lillie-Beth Brinkman

Published: December 12, 2007

Hispanic women in the United States are 20 percent more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer than white women, in part because of a difference in understanding screening for breast cancer, a new survey has found.

For the survey, released in late November, researchers at the Boston University Medical Center interviewed more than 1,000 women of various educational, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds who underwent screening mammography at the medical center in Boston, Mass. They found that differences in ethnic background appear to influence whether women would follow-up on healthcare concerns after a false positive result.

As a result, black women between the ages of 35 and 44 have a breast cancer death rate more than double that of white women, in addition to the 20 percent higher rate found among Hispanics, according to a news release from Boston University.

“Women’s healthcare decisions and adherence to routine health screenings are affected by cultural factors, educational background and access to medical care,� said the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Priscilla J. Slanetz, an associate professor of radiology at the medical center, in the news release. “Our study shows that we need to improve breast health education among minority and underserved women.�

Those who offer breast and cervical cancer education and screenings through the Latino Community Development Agency in Oklahoma City concur with the survey’s findings. They say it’s difficult to get Hispanic women to practice early detection measures and to do all they can to prevent cancer.

“They are very scared about going to a place where they cannot communicate,� said Claudia Varajas, director of the program through the development agency that offers the screenings. “It’s hard for them to open up to somebody if they don’t trust the person. It’s hard for them to get the services they need if they cannot communicate in their own language.

About twice a month, the bilingual Clínica de la Mujer Latina in Oklahoma City offers women mammography screenings for breast cancer and other services such as education and outreach to help encourage Hispanic women to take the prevention measures they need to stay in good health. In fiscal year 2006, the clinic served 900 people.

Clinic health workers have noticed that good information about breast health is lacking among Hispanic women, including the importance of practicing self-breast exams, understanding symptoms, and knowing family history regarding breast cancer. The clinic uses radio stations, television, phone, face-to-face meetings and newspapers to educate them about the importance of annual screenings.

“We have seen a lot of progress, but what we notice is a lot of new Latino people are coming into Oklahoma,� Varajas said.

The Clínica de la Mujer Latina is implemented through a multiple partnership with the community development agency, the Oklahoma State Health Department, the Oklahoma City County Health Department, Oklahoma Breast Care Center and Project Women’s Coalition. It also receives support from the Central Oklahoma Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Avon Breast Care Fund.

Free services provided include: education about breast and cervical cancer, a Pap test exam, limited pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, mammogram (if age appropriate), and follow-up of abnormal results.

“Increased community outreach and education targeted at minority and underserved women may lead to better breast cancer prognoses in these groups,� said Dr. Nazia F. Jafri, medical intern at Mount Auburn Hospital in Boston, in the news release about the Boston survey posted online.

The Clínica de la Mujer Latina has been working on filling the education and outreach need in Oklahoma City since it opened in 1997.

For information about the Oklahoma City clinic, breast cancer awareness, eligibility for financial assistance or scheduling an appointment, call (405) 706-5476.

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