Breaking down barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening: a university-based prevention program for Latinas

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.

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.

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.

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.