Previniendo el Cáncer de las Mamas: Addressing Breast Cancer Screening Disparities in Spanish-Preferred Populations Increasing Breast Cancer Compliance in Spanish-Preferred Population
Abstract
Background
Mammogram screenings can detect cancer years before signs and symptoms manifest, reducing the need for aggressive cancer treatments. However, breast cancer is the leading cause of death amongst Hispanic/Latina women. Spanish is the second most common language in the United States; many healthcare disparities for Spanish-preferred women stem from linguistic barriers. In the Internal Medicine (IM) department at an academic health center in Minnesota, only 61% of Spanish-preferred patients are up to date with breast cancer screening.
Methods
A multimedia presentation with a Spanish voiceover written at a 5th grade reading level was implemented, aiming to improve health literacy in the Spanish-preferred population. Spanish-preferred patients in the IM group were identified based on self-reported written and spoken language, age, and breast cancer screening compliance. Thirty-six women were identified as Spanish-preferred and due for mammograms. These women were contacted via a portal message or letter (based on their preference) in Spanish, which included a QR code and link to access the multimedia presentation. Data was compared to Spanish-preferred patients in a Family Medicine (FM) group that were due for breast cancer screening but were not contacted nor provided the multimedia production.
Results
At the start of our study, thirty-six IM patients were identified as Spanish-preferred and overdue for breast cancer screening. Nine patients were later removed from the study due to relocating or receiving care elsewhere. Postintervention, breast cancer screening among Spanish-preferred, overdue women improved by 25.9% (7 patients).
Discussion/Summary
Multimedia presentations concentrated on specific populations can aid in decreasing health disparities. In terms of breast cancer screening, eliminating linguistic barriers increases patient knowledge and patient adherence.
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