Latinas have the fastest rising incidence of breast cancer. Yet, little data are available about Latinas' breast cancer treatment experiences. Aims were to: (1) identify factors in Latinas' treatment decision making and (2) develop and pilot a decision support intervention. Thirty-seven Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer participated. Qualitative data were used to identify intervention messages. Most women desired help in asking questions. Women were most concerned about chemotherapy side effects. Cultural values (e.g. personalismo, familismo) helped structure intervention messages. In phase two, participants completed a face-to-face skill-building session with a trained breast cancer survivor. Women found the intervention acceptable and reported better communication and decision-making skills. Interventions that focus on cultural strengths may improve Latinas treatment experiences and informed decision making.

BACKGROUND Latinas have lower quality of life than Caucasian cancer survivors but we know little about factors associated with quality of life in this growing population. METHODS Bilingual staff conducted interviews with a national cross-sectional sample of 264 Latina breast cancer survivors. Quality of life was measured using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B). Regression models evaluated associations between culture, social and medical context and overall quality of life and its subdomains. RESULTS Latina survivors were 1-5 years post-diagnosis and reported a lower mean quality of life score compared to other published reports of non-Latina survivors (M=105; SD=19.4 on the FACT-B). Culturally-based feelings of breast cancer-related stigma and shame were consistently related to lower overall quality of life and lower well-being in each quality of life domain. Social and medical contextual factors were independently related to quality of life; together cultural, social and medical context factors uniquely accounted for 62% of the explained model variance of overall quality of life (Adjusted R2=0.53, P<.001). Similar relationships were seen for quality of life subdomains in which cultural, social and medical contextual variables independently contributed to the overall variance of each final model: physical well-being (Adjusted R2=0.23, P <.001), social well-being (Adjusted R2=0.51, P<.001), emotional well-being (Adjusted R2=0.28, P<.001), functional well-being (Adjusted R2=0.41, P<.001) and additional breast concerns (Adjusted R2=0.40, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Efforts to improve Latinas’ survivorship experiences should consider cultural, social and medical contextual factors to close existing quality of life gaps between Latinas and other survivors.

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Background: Latinos have low representation in cancer prevention trials and intervention studies. Culturally appropriate recruitment strategies are needed to address this issue. Objective: To describe and summarize the effectiveness of recruitment strategies used by the Latin American Cancer Research Coalition (LACRC). Design: Descriptive report of recruitment methods. PArticipants: Uninsured Latino immigrants (N=1,170; 77% female, 23% male) from Central and South America recruited to 7 cancer control studies. Approach: The LACRC recruitment model involved inclusion of Latino researchers and providers, and use of culturally acceptable materials released through culturally appropriate outlets such as Latino radio stations. Results: The overall participation rate was high—96% of patients identified as eligible agreed to participate. Women were excellent referrals for recruiting men to research studies. Additionally, a local Latino radio program was used to efficiently recruit eligible study participants. Conclusions: Latinos are interested and willing to participate in cancer control studies when culturally relevant approaches are used. Research teams that partner with Latino researchers and with Latino service providers are important in educating Latinos about cancer control and encouraging participation in research.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death for the U.S. Hispanic population. The goal of this study was to identify social and behavioral correlates of smoking behavior among urban, multiethnic Latino primary care patients seen in community clinics. Spanish-language interviews were completed with 141 current smokers and 158 former and nonsmokers. Twenty countries of origin were represented. Eighty-three percent of participants were from Central or South America and 71% spoke primarily Spanish. Current smokers were more likely than nonsmokers or former smokers to originate from South America (38% versus 26%) and to be single (63% versus 42%). Current smokers also were more likely to use alcohol on a regular basis (59% versus 31%) and to experience daily symptoms of depression (29% versus 19%). Logistic regression analysis suggested a moderating effect of depression on the relationship between alcohol use and smoking, such that current users of alcohol who reported depression were more likely to smoke (82%) than were current users of alcohol who did not report depression (56%). As both social and behavioral factors were uniquely associated with smoking, country of origin, marital status, and comorbid alcohol use and depression should be considered in designing and implementing tobacco control interventions targeted to this community. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2005;14(8):1976 -80)

Background Latinos have lower colorectal cancer screening rates than Whites. Methods We reviewed a random sample of charts between July 2009 and February 2010 of safety-net clinic of 840 immigrants (50 years and older) from Central and South America receiving care. Logistic regression evaluated associations of ever vs. never screening, patient and physician factors. Results Ever screening rates were 24.5%, and only 17% of charts noted a physician screening recommendation. However, the odds of screening were 9.89 times higher (95% CI: 6.25–15.64, p<.001) among patients with a physician recommendation vs. those without, considering covariates. The odds of screening were 0.61 times lower (95% CI: 0.40–0.92, p=.02) in patients with a body mass index ≥ 30 vs. <30. Conclusions While rates were low, determinants of screening were similar in this Latino subgroup to those reported in other Latino and non-Latino populations. Low rates of documented physician screening recommendations may indicate a potential missed opportunity for cancer control in safety-net clinics.

Special Populations Network to 1) provide training to clinic staff in cancer control and foster development of Latino faculty training, 2) conduct a needs assessment with the community clinics, 3) enhance the ability of the clinics to promote healthy lifestyles, 4) collaborate on research projects to improve use of early detection, and 5) explore partnerships to increase access to culturally competent cancer care. The LACRC developed a model for cancer control focused on community-based clinics as the focal point for in-reach and community outreach targeted to Latinos to reduce cancer disparities. This framework was designed to link the community to local hospitals and academic centers, build capacity, and promote diffusion of innovations directly into delivery systems. Eight research projects submitted by junior investigator/clinic teams have been funded by NCI.These research projects range from recruiting for clinical trials to prevention to survivorship. The LACRC has trained 6 cancer control coordinators from partner sites and educated 59 undergraduate minority student interns in aspects of cancer control research. Central to LACRC's success to date has been the creation and maintenance of an infrastructure of trusting relationships, especially those developed between clinician/investigators and individuals within the greater Latino community. Community clinics can be effective agents for cancer control among Latinos. Latinos are likely to participate in research conducted by culturally representative teams of researchers using culturally appropriate recruiting strategies.