According to statements made by Arizona Cancer Center and the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers at the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Symposium, little study has been done about breast cancer in Hispanic/Latina populations in the U.S. and as a result, not much is understood about the disease for these women. Breast cancer for Hispanic/Latina women appear to be occurring at an earlier age -- on average 10 years younger -- when compared to Caucasian women living in the U.S. The Avon Foundation announced a $1 million dollar grant that will allow researchers in the U.S. and Mexico to begin an international research initiative to assess the specific types of breast cancer occurring in Latinas in both countries.
Because little research has focused on the causes of breast cancer in Hispanic/Latina populations living in the U.S., they are unsure why Latina women are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age or why more Latina women are diagnosed with the breast cancer. Researchers are hoping this grant will provide them with some answers.
