Breaking down barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening: a university-based prevention program for Latinas.
BACKGROUND
The lower rate of utilization of mammography and cervical cancer screening observed for Latinas in the United States has been attributed to cultural, economic, and linguistic barriers they may encounter.


METHODS
A screening program was implemented offering cancer prevention education plus breast and cervical cancer screening to Latinas, as well as all necessary follow-up care, at no cost to the participant.


RESULTS
In the first 6 years of this project, a total of 928 screening visits occurred; 53% were participants who had returned at least once for additional annual screening. Ninety-one percent of participants preferred speaking in Spanish to their health care providers; however, only 2% identified a primary care provider and 5% stated they had health care insurance. The participant characteristics and results of initial evaluation, as well as necessary follow-up studies, are presented.


CONCLUSIONS
By removing economic concerns and by providing care and education through bilingual staff in a culturally sensitive environment, some of the barriers to cancer screening for Latinas were overcome. The success of the program is reflected by a high rate of return for additional annual screening by our participants.
Warren
Anne G
AG
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA. warrenr@gunet.georgetown.edu
Londoño
Gloria E
GE
Wessel
Lois A
LA
Warren
Robert D
RD
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology