Abstract
Background: Although Latinas have lower breast cancer rates compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), breast cancer is the top cancer killer of Latinas. There are many reasons for this, some involve biology, types of breast cancer found in Latinas, metabolic increases thought to be due to adoption of western diets, and lack of screening for early detection. In a large breast cancer program examining such cancers in Latinas, we overcame a number of challenges in each of four studies examining the fore-named factors.
Methods: Four projects and four cores made up our Center for Population Health and Health Disparities (CPHHD). Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) model, we recruited Latinas to participate in studies investigating the various factors related to breast cancer. Projects used robust methodologies to assess the relationship between elevated risks of triple negative breast cancers; the effects of a typical US diet compared to a traditional Mexican diet; the role of genetic ancestry on breast cancer in Latinas; and the effectiveness of a lay health worker intervention to increase breast cancer screening. As part of the program, we asked investigators to identify challenges encountered and how they were resolved.
Results: All four projects were completed on time. Overall results of each project will be presented. Challenges in each project will be described as well as how the challenges were overcome. The role of the Community Advisory Board will be described and how its suggestions for sending results back to participants were adopted and incorporated in the program.
Discussion: Embarking on a large transdisciplinary program to understand Latinas' breast cancer risks and to translate those risks to the population of interest has been stimulating and thought-provoking. Addressing challenges as they emerged and finding solutions required a team effort. By obtaining perspectives from a variety of disciplines, we were able to solve the challenges. This team approach is recommended for similar studies.
Citation Format: Beti Thompson, Shirley AA Beresford, Gloria D. Coronado, Marian Neuhouser, Christopher I. Li, Linda S. Cook, Peggy Porter. Understanding and preventing breast cancer disparities in Latinas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA13.
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