Classes designed to raise cancer awareness among Hispanic/Latina women
In honor of October Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the UNM College of Education's Comadre a Comadre Program has expanded its community outreach efforts to help raise awareness of the early detection of breast cancer. To do so, Comadre will bring more than 90 classes to community centers, churches, public institutions, businesses, medical facilities and the UNM ENLACE Program through August 2010.
The primary focus of these efforts is to increase early screening practices among Hispanic/Latina women. The classes will focus on the three methods of early detection forbreast cancer and how to prevent cervical cancer. The classes are free of charge and are taught in either Spanish or English. Additionally, free educational materials are also provided at each class.
“These classes are offered in a linguistically and culturally competent manner which allows Hispanic/Latina women to dialog freely or “platicar” about breast health,” said Elba Saavedra, program director for Comadre a Comadre.
According to the 2007 New Mexico Cancer Facts and Figures, the most common cancer among Hispanic/Latina women in New Mexico is breast cancer. They are also more likely to report never having had a mammogram. Sixteen percent of Hispanic women over 40 in New Mexico have never had a mammogram, compared to 10 percent for non-Hispanic white women.
Several of the reasons why Hispanic/Latina women under-utilize health care services include: a lack of knowledge about cancer screening and treatment; lack of health insurance; limited knowledge about cancer related risk factors; fears related to immigration status; mistrust of the medical community; and embarrassment and language barriers.
The Comadre a Comadre program seeks to improve breast cancer outcomes among Hispanic/Latina women through advocacy, education, resources, and support about breast health and breast cancer. All program services are free and provided in both Spanish and English by experienced staff. Peer Mentor Comadres are breast cancer survivors who are trained to provide navigation services and lend support from someone who "has been there."
Comadre Program efforts are funded by Con Alma Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, and the central New Mexico affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Other collaborative partners include: National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, the Breast Cancer Resource Center, the New Mexico Department of Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, Mexican Consulate’s Ventanilla de Salud and UNM ENLACE Program. For a copy of a calendar of where these classes are being held, please call, (505) 242-1222 or visit: Comadre a Comadre.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at October 30, 2009 09:11 AM