A systematic review of breast and cervical cancer prevention interventions for Latinas

Latinas suffer poorer outcomes than non-Hispanic whites (NHWs) in all areas of breast and cervical cancer care from delayed screening and follow-up to later diagnoses and reduced survival rates.  Breast cancer is the leading cancer diagnosis and cancer-related cause of death among Latinas, and they have greater incidence of and death from cervical cancer compared to NHWs.  As a result, prevention interventions involving educational and/or patient navigation components aimed at reducing these disparities have been developed across the country.  This review analyzes the evidence base of these prevention-oriented breast and cervical cancer screening interventions for Latinas.

A systematic review of databases (Pubmed, Medline, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science) from August to December, 2014 yielded publications between 2009 and 2014 involving an educational and/or patient navigation screening intervention for breast or cervical cancer, and focused on Latinas.

The 26 quantitative studies meeting inclusion criteria reported improvements for intervention participants.  Increased screening, keeping appointments, reduced time to initiation of treatment, and increased knowledge were significant outcomes for breast cancer prevention programs (n=13).  Cervical cancer prevention interventions (n=5) increased screening knowledge, intention to screen, and screening behavior among participants.  Multi-cancer prevention interventions (n=8) improved knowledge of cancers and screening behavior.

These findings demonstrate that educational and patient navigation prevention interventions may help reduce disparate outcomes for Latinas.  These interventions model strategies aimed at reducing cancer incidence among Latinas while connecting those in need of services. Awareness of current programs inform interventions and substantiate programming for Latinas not currently served.