Abstract
Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States (US). In the US, breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Hispanic women. Differences observed in BC risk by Hispanic origin may be due to variations in the exposure to known BC risk factors. However the heterogeneity of the prevalence of BC risk factors among Hispanic subgroups has not been characterized. We sought to assess differences in BC screening and the distribution of BC risk factors among US Hispanic women by subgroups using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey. We compared modifiable BC risk factors (body mass index, physical activity, alcohol use, and smoking) and BC screening (mammogram use) among Hispanic subgroups (Mexican American, South/Central American, Caribbean American, Other Hispanic) using multinomial logistic regression. After adjusting for several confounders, South/Central American women were less likely (OR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.57-1.02) and women from Other Hispanic origin were more likely (OR=1.49; 95% CI: 0.90-2.46) to be obese compared to Mexican Americans. Also, compared to Mexican Americans, women of Other Hispanic origin were more likely to be former and current smokers (OR=1.38; 95% CI: 0.77-3.56; OR=3.52; 95% CI: 2.03-6.11, respectively). Caribbean American women were 49% (OR=0.51; 95% CI: 0.35-0.74) less likely to meet the national guidelines for physical activity as compared to Mexican American women. Among women aged 40 years and older, Caribbean American women were 40% (OR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.07-1.83) more likely to have had a mammogram in the past 12 months as compared to Mexican Americans. These data demonstrate important breast cancer risk factor differences among Hispanic subgroups. The current findings will be useful for developing interventions targeted to reduce the burden of BC among Hispanic women.
Citation Format: Mary Vanellys Diaz-Santana, Katherine W. Reeves. Breast cancer risk factors and screening practices among Hispanics subgroups in the United States. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B34.