Cultural sensitivity and health education: essential components to the success of the early detection cancer screening program for Latinas at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

Over 13 years, the Celebremos la Vida (CLV) program has offered free breast examinations, mammograms, and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured Latinas residing in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. The CLV program aims to educate participants on the importance of breast self-examination and regular cancer screening for the early detection of breast and cervical cancer.

Breaking down barriers to breast and cervical cancer screening: a university-based prevention program for Latinas.

Introduction: The lower rate of utilization of mammography and cervical cancer screening observed for Latinas in the United States has been attributed to cultural, economic, and linguistic barriers they may encounter.

Methods: A screening program was implemented offering cancer prevention education plus breast and cervical cancer screening to Latinas, as well as all necessary follow-up care, at no cost to the participant.

Results: In the first 6 years of this project, a total of 928 screening visits occurred; 53% were participants who had returned at least once for additional annual screening.