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A Disproportionate Burden of Risk

For patients that carry the BRCA mutation, the chance of developing breast cancer ranges from 57% to 85% lifetime risk. Initial studies suggest a higher proportion of late stage breast cancer when there is less early detection and screening.

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Information That Can Bring Peace of Mind

Did you know your risk of inheriting the BRCA gene mutation if it runs in your family is only 50%? You have just as much chance of finding out that you don’t have it, which will spare you from the worry of not knowing and more frequent screenings.

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Performing Breast Self-Exams

Enhancing your breast self-exam skills and performing them regularly will increase your self-awareness and self-advocacy – and is particularly advantageous for young, high-risk Latinas who put this into practice from an early age.

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Early Detection and Screening Are Critical for Latinas

In one study, 25% of Latinas with a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer had the BRCA gene mutation – which brings significant increase in risk for these types of cancers.

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Your Heritage is Hereditary

Don’t be blindsided healthwise because of incomplete family cancer history reporting – often the case in immigrant populations separated from multi-generational and extended family, or influenced by cultural mores about sharing health issues.

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Participating Latinas Express a Dedication to Engagement

City of Hope’s bilingual / bicultural cancer risk counselors and clinicians bridge cultural barriers, speak the language, and work as a team to earn your trust as “significant other” caregivers.

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Research Breakthroughs

City of Hope and Dr. Jeffery Weitzel’s breakthrough Latina Breast Cancer research and preventive protocols have paved the way for new discoveries.

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Preventive Care
Breast Cancer Awareness

The Importance of Breast Cancer Research

02/02/2015 09:59am | 7367 views

BCRF is a nonprofit organization committed to achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer. We provide critical funding for cancer research worldwide to fuel advances in tumor biology, genetics, prevention, treatment, metastasis and survivorship.

Since their founding in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, BCRF has raised more than half a billion dollars for lifesaving research. Through a unique and streamlined grants program, we seek out the brightest minds in science and medicine and give them the necessary resources to pursue their best ideas. As a result, researchers are able to make discoveries and design new approaches to address all aspects of breast cancer—and do so in record time.

 

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About the Author

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Latina Breast Cancer Awareness

A Passionate Pursuit for Prevention

January 20, 2015:  Campaign Press Release

February 25, 2015:  Campaign Press Release

Call to Action:   Get Educated

Healthy Hispanic Living aims to provide real-life solutions and tips from our team of physicians and thought-leaders to inspire Hispanics and their families to lead healthier lives. Promoting and encouraging preventive care, HHL is focused on delivering the required in-culture educational tools and resources that empower Hispanics to take action in support of their overall health and well-being.

 

Research shows that Hispanics are susceptible to certain chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Every 90 days, our goal is to feature a specific disease so that together as a community we can begin to collectively become more knowledgeable about prevention, how to explore the right treatments and navigate the conversations with our doctors, and learn from the experiences of others on our journey to self-advocacy for ourselves and our families.

Latina Breast Cancer Awareness will be our educational outreach and preventative care mission, February 1 – April 30, 2015. Our call to action is to inspire Latinas to:

1. Become better educated about the breakthrough research that is taking place to help Latinas understand they are not alone – that physicians like City of Hope’s Dr. Jeffrey Weitzel and others are working for them to make preventive care easier and more accessible.

2. Share their personal stories, their own journeys, in a safe environment that encourages Latinas throughout the world to come together as one. Our intent is to awaken Latina leadership and unveil their generous purpose and cultural promise to forge a movement that breaks down barriers to healthcare access and propels action to prevention and treatment.

3. Take the initiative to get screened. Our goal is for 1 million Latinas to come together and lead by example in order to fuel more research, awareness and outreach efforts for the community. Latinas banding together will multiply their influence and the opportunities to advance the fight against breast cancer.