Inadequate access to cancer screening and care is the number one issue for the nations Hispanics according to a report issued by Redes En Accion. In a report “2006 Annual Report on the Status of Cancer” published by the American Cancer Society in the first ever study of cancer among Hispanics/Latinos it reported that breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring in Latinas. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Hispanic women.

Among the sobering statistics in another report by the American Cancer Society is that “Mexican, South and Central American and Puerto Rican women are 20% to 260% more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer when compared to non-Hispanic white women.” Late stage cancer is far more difficult to cure. It continued that “Hispanic women faced a 10% to 70% grater risk of dying after a breast cancer diagnosis as compared to non-Hispanic whites.” In the Tri-state area the toll of breast cancer is higher than the national average in Pennsylvania but fractionally lower in New Jersey.

What is breast cancer? Breast cancer is a malignancy that develops in one or both breasts. The interior of the female breast consists mostly of fatty and fibrous connective tissue. It is divided into about 20 sections called lobes. The lobes in turn are sub divided into lobules which contain the milk producing glands. Then these glands secrete the milk into tiny ducts which converge in a collecting chamber below the nipple. Breast Cancer is either non-invasive (confined to the site of origin) or invasive (spreading).

The risk factors among others include; ethnicity, inherited factors such as genes or a family history of breast cancer, over exposure to estrogen, environmental factors and breast abnormalities. As is becoming increasingly clear, obesity after menopause can also heighten that risk, and in some studies weight gain during adulthood further increases that risk. A recent large American Cancer Society study showed that overweight women (Body Mass Index >25) are 1.3 to 2.1 times more likely to die from breast cancer than women with a normal weight (Body Mass Index =18.5 to 24.9).

Can it be prevented? There is growing evidence that physical activity may have a protective effect. Alcohol is consistently associated with increased risk. An analysis of more than 40 studies showed that the equivalent of two drinks a day (24g of alcohol) may increase the risk up to 24%.Lowering consumption may be a useful strategy among regular drinkers, as reported by The American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts & Figures.

Mammography is the single most effective method of early detection according the above mentioned report. Numerous trials, studies and evaluations have shown beyond a doubt that early detection of breast cancer through mammography greatly improves treatment options, the success of treatment, and most importantly, survival. Mammography is a low dose X-ray procedure that permits visualization of the internal breast to detect any abnormalities. On average a mammogram will detect about 80% to 90% of breast cancers in women without symptoms.

In 1990 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program is to improve access to screening for those women who are uninsured or underinsured. The CDC provides this service for low income women. For those who have insurance most states now have laws requiring health insurance companies to reimburse all or part of the cost of screening mammograms. For the uninsured and underinsured federal guidelines state that women at or below 250% of the federal poverty level between the ages of 40-64 are eligible for free mammograms. There is screening support in all 50 states. In Pennsylvania the Pennsylvania Department of Health manages the CDC program; call 1 (800) 4-CANCER. In New Jersey the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services manages the CDC program call; 1 (800) 328-3838. In Delaware the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services manages the program call; 1 (302)741-8600.

The greatest tragedy need not be that mammograms are free.