Breast Cancer: What Hispanic Women Need to Know
Breast cancer is the most common type
of cancer among Hispanic women, yet it’s
often not diagnosed until it has reached
an advanced stage — when it can be
harder to treat. Recent research suggests
that breast cancer may affect Hispanic
women differently, so they may need to
be even more careful about preventing
and detecting the disease.
Knowing your risk factors is key. These include:
- Being older than age 50
- Having a sister or mother who had breast cancer
- Being overweight or obese
- Drinking alcohol and using tobacco
- Not exercising
- Starting your period before age 12 or going through menopause after age 55
- Not having children, or having children later in life
- Not breastfeeding a baby
Depending on your age, medical history and other factors, your doctor may recommend getting mammograms or other screenings. Mammograms are x-rays of the breast, and they are the most reliable way to find breast cancer early — when it is easier to treat.
