In a University of Arizona analysis of more than 25,000 women with breast cancer, researchers found that Hispanic women were more likely than their white female counterparts to develop advanced breast cancer. Hispanic women also had larger tumors and a higher rate of metastasis to lymph nodes at the time of diagnosis.
"Breast cancer is an understudied and poorly understood disease in the U.S. Hispanic population, and we need to understand the magnitude and profile of breast cancer in our Latina population," says Maria Elena Martinez, PhD, co-director of the Arizona Cancer Center’s Prevention and Control Program and principal investigator for the study.
Hispanic women with more advanced forms of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis have to be treated with more aggressive treatments or chemotherapy.
In a related study published in the journal Cancer, researchers at the University of Denver found that access to health care was not the reason Hispanic women get more aggressive breast cancer. "True biologic differences exist in breast cancer by ethnicity," claim the researchers according to a WebMD article describing the study.
Future research is needed to explain what biological differences cause the disparity in breast cancer development between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.
Links:
Martinez, M. et al, 2007. “Breast Cancer Among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women in Arizona,” Jour Health Care Poor and Underserved.
http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/journal_of_health_care_for_the_p...
Watlington, T. et al, 2007. “Does Having Insurance Affect Differences in Clinical Presentation Between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White Women with Breast Cancer?” Cancer. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/abstract/114206388/ABSTRACT
DeNoon, D., 2007. “Breast Cancer Worse for Hispanic Women,” WebMD website
http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20070409/breast-cancer-worse-for...
Related Links:
Science Daily, 2007. “Hispanic Women at a Higher Risk for Breast Cancer—It May be Biological http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070409082423.htm
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I think that one of the reasons why Hispanic women are so effected by breast cancer is due to a lack of heathcare. If they're not getting screened regularly, there's a greater risk of letting it progress.
I think that along with regular screenings, awareness is key. Hispanic women need to know what options they have when it comes to health care.
Currently, there's one influential Hispanic woman who's really doing her part to give a voice to the community and show them what they can do to improve their quality of life.
Talk show host, Cristina Saralegui has paired up with AARP to to help spread the word about their great benefits!
Check out http://www.upclosewithcristina.com/video to learn more and make a customizable video! You can have fun with your friends and
make them on online TV star with Cristina's video, "Amigos Live!" It's a blast!
Also, you can enter to win an all inclusive trip for 2 to Miami to to see the Cristina Saralegui show!
Definitely check out AARP for yourself or for a relative or client. They've got some great benefits, including (but not limited to): Exclusive travel discounts, prescription discounts, retirement planning and free companion membership!
I hope it's alright that I commented on your blog -- wanted to let them know about the fun video with Cristina and AARP's great benefits. If you have any further questions,
please don't hesitate to email me.
Thanks!
October 17, 2008 - 3:35pmIsabella Coldivar
AARP Ambassador
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