20 Susan G. Komen Event
Ponte Vedra Recorder · October 15, 2015
Q&A WITH DELORES WISE
Breast cancer concerns for Hispanic
women and beyond on the First Coast
By Nastila Nikolla
Overview: Racing for a cure for breast cancer
Athletes and members of the community will lace up to race for a cure to
breast cancer on Oct. 17 at Jacksonville’s Metropolitan Park as part of the
Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure.
Affiliates across the country participate in races as part of the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer
ever created. All net proceeds from the races are allocated to the organization’s mission, and the majority (75 percent) of the net income stays in each
respective community to help fund local programs offering breast health
education and breast cancer screening and treatment.
The event includes a 5K and 2K race, with the 5K kicking off at 9 a.m. and
the 2K at 10 a.m. For more information about the race, the organization or
to donate to a team or racer, visit northflorida.info-komen.org
Breast cancer is the most commonly
diagnosed cancer among women in
the United States. Multiple studies have
reported that Latina women in the U.S.
are diagnosed with breast cancer at
more advanced stages and have poorer
survival than non-Latina White women.
Promoting cancer prevention and control in the Hispanic community is more
important than ever.
We spoke with Delores Wise, Executive Director, North Florida Affiliate of
Susan G. Komen. Delores has a 15-year
track record of working nonprofits. She
also has a very personal passion for
the mission, having lost her mother to
breast cancer when Delores was only
19. She is full of energy about using her
heart, knowledge and skills to help address the fear, the fight and the cure of
breast cancer.
What is the prevalence of breast cancer
in the Hispanic/Latino Community?
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer among Hispanic/Latina women
and remains the leading cause of cancer death in Hispanic/Latina women.
As of the most recent data, from 2012,
it was estimated that 17,100 new cases
of breast cancer would occur and
2,400 women would die from breast
cancer among Hispanic/Latina women
in the U.S.
Screening mammography rates
among Hispanic/Latina women are similar to rates among non-Hispanic white
and African American women. However, because Hispanic/Latina women
tend to be diagnosed with later stage
breast cancers than white women, they
may be less likely to get prompt followup after an abnormal mammogram.
Is it true that Hispanic/Latino women
with breast cancer are often diagnosed
at later stages?
Yes, and the current data indicates
that late-stage diagnosis among Hispanic/Latino women is increasing over time.
What are some of the obstacles
in getting Hispanic/Latino women
screened?
Many factors play a role in mammography screening rates among women. The
main reason is health insurance. In 2010,
71 percent of those with insurance had a
Q&A continues on Page 21
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