October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to spotlight a deadly disease that impacts thousands of patients and the people who love them in Texas and the U.S.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Texas.
Members of the Latino community who develop breast cancer may have to navigate unique challenges in their battle, according to Dr. Eduardo Valdes, who practices at Suvida Healthcare in Dallas.
According to The National Center for Biotechnology Information, Hispanic women overall have lower prevalence and mortality from breast cancer than non-Hispanic women. Breast cancer in Hispanics develops at a younger age, and is presented in advanced stage and has a worse prognosis.
Experts say the reasons for the these disparities are intricate, rooted in a mix of genetics, social factors and health care accessibility, amplifying the importance of understanding and addressing specific challenges facing minority communities.
Cultural and language hurdles
Language accessibility and cultural differences can play a significant role in health care access and treatment for Latinos, experts say.
“When there is no communication, there is nothing,” Valdes said.
“One of the biggest challenges for the Latino community is language, culture and also the unknowledge of the access they have to medical care,” Valdes said. “By consequence, us, the Latino community, by culture, we prioritize family over oneself health, making delays on the diagnosis.”
For many Latinas, cultural norms around male doctors and family prioritization over personal health add layers to these challenges, according to health care experts. These factors contribute to more advanced stage diagnosis, making early detection practices vital.
Suvida Healthcare aims to bridge these gaps.
“Our institution was created with the foundation of serving the Hispanic population, though we cater to all cultures and languages,” Valdes said, adding that the system’s bilingual team understands the cultural intricacies that can facilitate better communication and trust-building.
They offer transportation, community activities and integrating social worker-like guide services to simplify health care navigation.
Early detection
Officials at Suvida say education is key in their strategy for early cancer detection among the Latino community.
“What is fundamental is education on the topic for our community, it is not only when the reproductive age comes,” Valdes said. “It is such a bad disease, but that’s why prevention exists, to fight it and give the ultimate on technology.”
Officials say the best weapon in cancer detection is being proactive.
“Never stop worrying,” Valdes urges Latina women. “Taking preventive steps and accessing early detection resources like mammography fairs is a wise investment in one’s health. “The message is clear: proactive involvement in one’s health can change outcomes significantly.”
