UConn Health

January 11, 2023 | Jennifer Walker - UConn Health

Calling on Latina Women to Spread Awareness of Mammograms

The Cancer Center Breast Program at the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health is working to help Latina women through a peer group program to encourage early detection through annual screening.

Patient being assisted by a nurse during a mammogram at the Women's Center, imaging suite. (Paul Horton/UConn Photo)

Hispanic women tend to be diagnosed with breast cancer at more advanced stages of disease than non-Hispanic white women. This ethnic disparity is often due to a lack of screening and therefore a more advanced diagnosis when detected.

The Cancer Center Breast Program at the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health is working to help Latina women through a peer group program to encourage early detection through annual screening.

The program is for Latina women who have had a mammogram in the past two years and want to encourage their friends and family over to get their annual mammograms.  The Cancer Center Breast Program is hosting a free 4-hour Campeonas class for Latina women.

“We know that early detection of breast cancer saves lives and we want to help reach out to Latina women to help them understand the importance of annual screening,” says Melissa Torres, Community Health Specialist at the Cancer Center Breast Program. “Having trusted peers through our Campeona program share this information helps us expand our reach.”

If you’ve had a mammogram in the past 2 years and want to encourage your friends and family over 40 to get yearly mammograms, sign up to become a Campeona.

Participants can earn up to $50 in gift cards for becoming a Campeona and educating their friends and family about getting screened.  The Cancer Center Breast Program is hosting a free 4-hour Campeonas class for Latina women who want to join us in this important mission.  This program is open to all staff, patients, and members of the community who meet the requirements.

To participate, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Must have had a mammogram in the last 2 years
  • Must be a Latina woman 40 years or older
  • Must be committed to encouraging women to have annual mammograms after the age of 40.

The class will take place on Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Outpatient Pavilion, 4th Floor, Large Conference room.  Lunch and refreshments will be served.

For more information about becoming a Campeona or to register for the class, contact Melissa Torres at ext. 3066, 860-519-4128 or email metorres@uchc.edu.