Satisfaction with treatment decision-making and treatment regret among Latinas and non-Latina whites with DCIS.

Objective: To examine differences in treatment decision-making participation, satisfaction, and regret among Latinas and non-Latina whites with DCIS.

Methods: Survey of Latina and non-Latina white women diagnosed with DCIS. We assessed women's preferences for involvement in decision-making, primary treatment decision maker, and participatory decision-making.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): posttreatment follow-up care among Latina and non-Latina White women.

Background: There is a lack of information about posttreatment care among patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This study compares posttreatment care by ethnicity-language and physician specialty among Latina and White women with DCIS.

Methods: Latina and White women diagnosed with DCIS between 2002 and 2005 identified through the California Cancer Registry completed a telephone survey in 2006.

Racial/ethnic differences in use and duration of adjuvant hormonal therapy for breast cancer in the women's health initiative.

Background: Five-year breast cancer survival rates are lower among Hispanic and African-American women than among Non-Hispanic White women. Differences in breast cancer treatment likely play a role. Adjuvant hormonal therapies increase overall survival among women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Breast cancer treatment decision-making: are we asking too much of patients?

Objective: Physicians are mandated to offer treatment choices to patients, yet not all patients may want the responsibility that entails. We evaluated predisposing factors for, and long-term consequences of, too much and not enough perceived decision-making responsibility among breast cancer patients.

Design: Longitudinal assessment, with measurements collected just after surgical treatment (baseline) and 6-month follow-up.

Issues in biomedical research: what do Hispanics think?

Objective: To examine barriers and facilitators of biomedical research participation among Hispanics in a rural community in Washington State.

Methods: Questionnaires addressed socio-demographics, health care access, and barriers and facilitators of participation in biomedical studies. This is a descriptive analysis of the findings.

Racial and ethnic differences in adjuvant hormonal therapy use.

Background: In the United States, 5-year breast cancer survival is highest among Asian American women, followed by non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and African American women. Breast cancer treatment disparities may play a role. We examined racial/ethnic differences in adjuvant hormonal therapy use among women aged 18-64 years, diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, using data collected by the Northern California Breast Cancer Family Registry (NC-BCFR), and explored changes in use over time.

Quality of life of Latina and Euro-American women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Background: Risk factors for psychosocial distress following a breast cancer diagnosis include younger age, history of depression, inadequate social support, and serious comorbid conditions. Although these quality of life (QOL) concerns have been studied in women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), Latina women have been understudied.

Methods: Data were from a cross-sectional telephone survey of Latina and Euro-American women with DCIS recruited through a population-based cancer registry.

Improving knowledge and screening for colorectal cancer among Hispanics: overcoming barriers through a PROMOTORA-led home-based educational intervention.

In the U.S., nearly 67 % of Hispanics ages 50 and older report that they have never had a screening colonoscopy.

Racial/ethnic differences in initiation of adjuvant hormonal therapy among women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Mortality after breast cancer diagnosis is known to vary by race/ethnicity even after adjustment for differences in tumor characteristics. As adjuvant hormonal therapy decreases risk of recurrence and increases overall survival among women with hormone receptor-positive tumors, treatment disparities may play a role. We explored racial/ethnic differences in initiation of adjuvant hormonal therapy, defined as two or more prescriptions for tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor filled within the first year after diagnosis of hormone receptor-positive localized or regional-stage breast cancer.

Adjuvant hormonal therapy use among women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Objective: In the absence of consistent guidelines for the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) in treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), our purpose was to explore a variety of factors associated with discussion, use, and discontinuation of this therapy for DCIS, including patient, tumor, and treatment-related characteristics and physician-patient communication factors.

Methods: We identified women from eight California Cancer Registry regions diagnosed with DCIS from 2002 through 2005, aged ≥18 years, of Latina or non-Latina white race/ethnicity. A total of 744 women were interviewed an average of 24 months postdiagnosis about whether they had (1) discussed with a physician, (2) used, and (3) discontinued adjuvant HT.

Educating Hispanic women about breast cancer prevention: evaluation of a home-based promotora-led intervention.

Objectives: Trained community health promoters (i.e., promotoras) conducted home-based group educational interventions (home health parties) to educate Hispanic women from the Lower Yakima Valley of Washington state about breast cancer and mammography screening.

A qualitative investigation of cancer survivorship experiences among rural Hispanics.

Cancer survivorship experiences were explored among Hispanic men and women with cancer and family members of cancer survivors, recruited from two rural Washington communities in the Lower Yakima Valley. Five focus groups were conducted from February 2006 to October 2007 with 31 women and 10 men. Disbelief, fear, sadness, strength, courage, faith, and hope were common reactions to diagnosis.

Type 2 diabetes among rural Hispanics in Washington State: perspectives from community stakeholders.

During February-March 2006, elicitation interviews were conducted with 23 community stakeholders in the Yakima Valley, Washington State, to examine concerns about diabetes and to obtain recommendations for how to address concerns among Hispanics in this rural community. Using a snowball approach, stakeholders were identified from organizations providing care and outreach for Hispanics with diabetes. Interviews were guided by a social ecology approach and were conducted as part of a larger parent study using principles of community-based participatory research.

A group-randomized tobacco trial among 30 Pacific Northwest colleges: results from the Campus Health Action on Tobacco study.

Introduction: We conducted a group-randomized trial to increase smoking cessation and decrease smoking onset and prevalence in 30 colleges and universities in the Pacific Northwest.

Methods: Random samples of students, oversampling for freshmen, were drawn from the participating colleges; students completed a questionnaire that included seven major areas of tobacco policies and behavior. Following this baseline, the colleges were randomized to intervention or control.

Workplace exposures and protective practices of Hispanic warehouse workers.

Background: This study was undertaken to assess workplace hazards and protective practices among Hispanic men and women working post-harvest in asparagus, apple and pear packaging warehouses.

Methods: Three focus groups were conducted in July 2003 with 25 workers (20 women, 5 men) recruited from communities in the Yakima Valley, Washington. Focus group content informed the design of an in-person structured interview administered to 50 additional warehouse workers from August to November 2006.

Information exchange and decision making in the treatment of Latina and white women with ductal carcinoma in situ.

The natural history of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is largely unknown, and its optimal treatment remains controversial. Using semi-structured interviews, this study compared 18 White and 16 Latina women's understanding of their DCIS diagnosis, treatment decision-making processes, and satisfaction with care. Ethnic differences were observed in cognitive and emotional responses to DCIS, with White women generally reporting a better understanding of their diagnosis and treatment, and Latinas reporting more distress.

Understanding Latino adolescent risk behaviors: parental and peer influences.

Objective: To assess baseline factors associated with having ever drunk alcohol, smoked, and having had sex two years later among a sample of Latino adolescents.

Design: In a prospective cohort study, Latino adolescents completed telephone surveys assessing demographic information and health-enhancing and -compromising behaviors, administered 3 times (baseline, T2, and T3) during a two-year period.

Setting: Students were recruited between 1997 and 1998, from four middle schools within three Los Angeles school districts.