12% of all women will get diagnosed with breast cancer, and of those 3.5% will die

There is a lower incidence rate for Latinas, but they are more likely to have large tumors and metastatic cancer

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in Latina women

About 70 per 100,000 Hispanic women develop breast cancer a year

Only about 40% of Hispanic women are utilizing mammography

In a study comparing Latinas (803 Latinas) to Anglo women (422 Anglos):

• 71% of Latinas compared to 39% of Anglos are under the misconception that breast trauma increases the risk of developing breast cancer
• 27% of Latinas compared to 6% of Anglos are under the misconception that breast fondling increases the risk of developing breast cancer
• 89% of Latinas compared to 98% of Anglos know that lumps of the breast could indicate breast cancer
• 69% of Latinas compared to 88% of Anglos know that bloody breast discharge could indicate breast cancer

Q: What factors affect these statistics?

A: Cultural beliefs as well as "too little" knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, risks and prevention

Findings found in: Latinas and breast cancer. The Western Journal of Medicine, v164 n5 p405, May 1996.