Medical Advocacy among Latina Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Bibliographic Data

ID15467968
AuthorsPaola Torres (0000-0001-8370-5564, University of Illinois Chicago), Judith Guitelman (0000-0001-6636-004X, Asociación Latina de Asistencia y Prevención del Cáncer de Mama (ALAS-WINGS), Chicago, IL 60657, USA), Araceli Lucio (Resurrection Health Care), Christine Rini (0000-0002-3169-3626, Northwestern University), Yamile Molina (0000-0001-8742-5658, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume21
Issue4
Pages495-495
Publication date2024-04-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph21040495
PMID38673406
OpenAlexW4394932282
LanguageEN
References cited31

Medical advocacy has continued to significantly impact quality of life and survivorship outcomes among Latina breast cancer survivors in the United States. However, little is known about the unique experiences of Latina survivors, including the perceived value, process, and context in which they practice medical advocacy. To help address this gap, we conducted a qualitative, secondary analysis of semi-structured focus groups with 18 Latina breast cancer survivors from Chicago, Illinois. Eligible women had to self-identify as (1) female, (2) Latina, (3) 18 years or older, and (4) having a breast cancer diagnosis 5 years ago or more. In total, 61% of participants were 50-59 years old, 83% were born in Mexico, and 100% spoke Spanish. The three emergent themes from the focus groups were (1) the cultural need for Latina advocates and support groups; (2) the process and experiences of becoming a community advocate within Latine culture; and (3) the cultural contexts for advocacy by Latina breast cancer survivors. Latina survivor advocates share strengths of receiving ongoing health education, peer support, and access to resources when being linked to a support group furthering their exposure to role models, increasing their awareness of opportunities in medical advocacy, and providing an entry to participate in medical advocacy

Breast cancer · Cancer · Family medicine · Gynecology · BRCA gene mutations in cancer · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Public Health Policies and Education · Internal Medicine · Oncology