Latinas Contra Cancer

Ysabel Duron, Founder of Latinas Contra Cancer, speaks during the 2010 National Latino Cancer Summit.

“Cancer.” It’s a word that carries the force of a bullet. Cancer has the ability to change or destroy lives, which is why its recent growth in the Latino community has forced many to take a closer look at the issue.

Ysabel Duron is a cancer survivor-turned-activist who started an organization called Latinas Contra Cancer after she was diagnosed with lymphoma 12 years ago. Her fierce, short, white hair conveys a hint of the inner strength and wisdom Ysabel possesses from years of working to gain more attention for the medical issues she and so many others, have struggled with. Latinas Contra Cancer strives to prevent cancer by promoting the importance of healthy eating, exercise, and awareness of one’s family medical history. The organization emphasizes the need to receive screening and treatments early on, and until the regimen is complete. There are some larger scale problems beyond the control of small non-profit groups, such as the fact that 2 out of 5 Latinos in the US do not have medical insurance. However, only 17% of Latinos say that their lack of medical insurance is the reason they do not have a regular healthcare provider (Hernandez, 2009). This means there are factors beyond affordability that account for why Latinos are not seeking the medical attention they need.

Elizabeth Guerrero is a beneficiary of Latinas Contra Cancer’s extended support systems at Valley Medical Center in San Jose. Her husband was diagnosed with cancer several years ago, so the two are very familiar with some of the barriers that prevent individuals, especially Latinos, from receiving medical attention. Elizabeth’s husband, Ed, does not speak English as proficiently as she does. She explained that Ed felt embarrassed when he went to the doctor’s office and could not converse fluidly with the nurses or doctors. As a result, he would make appointments based on Elizabeth’s schedule so that she could go with him, or he would not go at all. Cultural and language barriers are far more present than people seem to realize, and are a huge impetus in the fight for equal medical coverage.

Last year, Elizabeth and Ed joined one of the cancer support groups that Latinas Contra Cancer has to offer. “The information and resources that we’ve gained from Latinas Contra Cancer have been invaluable, but we attend the weekly support group meetings mainly for the bonds and connections we’ve formed with others who are dealing with the same problems we are,” Elizabeth said poignantly. The social cohesion that Elizabeth values can be far more beneficial than just providing social ties. Having a supportive community can provide individuals with more motivation to take the necessary actions to prevent disease, and can even improve the biological recovery process for those already ill.

Support groups alone cannot prevent and cure cancer, though. Ysabel clarified that while the support groups attend to those coping with cancer, Latinas Contra Cancer mainly appeals their cancer prevention strategies to those who do not have cancer yet. “It’s necessary to raise awareness at every step through education that makes sense to them, so that they want to take action.” Eating nutritious meals and exercising regularly are behaviors that can prevent cancer and other medical issues that have become prevalent among Latinos, such as obesity and diabetes. Making regular check-ups and early screening a social norm would make those who are not getting the medical attention they need feel like they’re doing something wrong. This is how they should feel and it may allow positive peer pressure to encourage many to go to the doctor more often.

The fact of the matter is that many of these healthy behaviors are easier to adopt for some more than others. Restaurants and grocery stores with nutritional food are more prevalent in higher-class neighborhoods. There are not as many gyms and physical education programs in poorer schools. This is where the responsibility shifts from lying on the individual to larger institutions. To improve Latino health, it “needs to be seen as a ‘win-win’ for everyone. As a community, we need to become more compassionate knowing that someone needs our support,” Ysabel maintained. Local government should start working to provide healthy supermarkets and hospitals in all neighborhoods so that everyone has accessibility to good health. Government on the national level could then provide incentives and tax breaks for local governments and businesses that strive to achieve these goals.

“One in five Latino deaths is due to cancer,” Ysabel said matter of factly. With the Latino population in the US expected to increase exponentially by 2050, the cancer problem could heighten as well (Hernandez, 2009). This is why change in the present is so critical. It takes awareness and support of the majority to properly protect the rights of the minority. Once individual and community behaviors work in parallel to promote healthy lives for everyone, there will be real change.