The Latino Cancer Institute was recently featured in a critical awareness-raising De Los article by journalist Alex Zaragoza, who courageously shared her personal Stage 3A breast cancer diagnosis while highlighting critical disparities affecting Latina women.

“The scary but lifesaving truth about Latinas and breast cancer” article provides valuable education about breast density—a condition affecting approximately half of women in their 40s—and explains how dense breast tissue can mask cancer on mammograms, requiring additional screening. As Zaragoza discovered, dense breast tissue appears white on mammograms, just like cancerous tissue, potentially hiding tumors until they reach advanced stages.

The article reinforces findings from TLCI’s October 2024 Friday Forum Series, which documented how Latinas receive later diagnoses, face barriers to genetic and genomic testing, and encounter cultural obstacles to timely care.

We encourage our community to read and share the article: The scary but lifesaving truth about Latinas and breast cancer.

Thank you to Alex Zaragoza for bringing attention to this issue, to the researchers digging into disparities, and to every advocate helping to shift outcomes for our families. TLCI is proud to be part of this growing movement.

TLCI continues addressing these issues through educational forums, community partnerships, and advocacy work. Join us at upcoming events including the ACS National Breast Cancer Roundtable Virtual Expo (May 8, 2025) and our Male Health Forums series beginning September 12.

Stay connected with us as we continue this work—from upcoming community forums to national initiatives focused on breast and other cancers affecting Latino communities.

Explore our Founder’s in-depth analysis of breast cancer inequities and TLCI’s strategic initiatives…

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Watch Forum 3 to hear from leading researchers and advocates on cancer rates, disparities, programs that work and policy changes that could transform outcomes for Latina breast cancer patients.

Download Presentation Slides for Forum 3 >

Descargue Diapositivas para el Tercer Foro >

Speakers:

• Eliseo Perez Stable,MD, Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
  • Trends in Breast Cancer in U.S. Latinas
• Laura Fejerman, PhD,MSc, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Working Towards Equity in Breast Cancer Risk Prediction and Prevention for Hispanic/Latinx Individuals
• Manali Patel,MD, MPH, MS, FASCO, Stanford University School of Medicine
  • Addressing Disparities in Genomic Testing for Breast Cancer
• Sarah Shafir, MPH, Vice President, National Roundtables & Coalitions, American Cancer Society (ACS)
  • Accelerating Progress Through Equity and Innovation: An Overview of the American Cancer Society’s Strategic Initiatives