A Vision for Improving Quality of Life Among Spanish-Speaking Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Latina women with breast cancer suffer psychosocial health disparities and lack access to comprehensive cancer care. This chapter describes the current state of the science of behavioral interventions for Latino cancer survivors; our translational research program to improve the psychosocial health of Latina breast cancer survivors; and opportunities for future research in this area. We present a brief review of Nuevo Amanecer, the original randomized controlled trial of a peer-delivered cognitive-behavioral stress management program for Latina breast cancer survivors. We describe efforts in process to translate and test the program among rural Latina breast cancer survivors in the Nuevo Amanecer-II study and other translations of the program. We describe briefly a conceptual framework to guide research on behavioral interventions for Latino cancer survivors. We conclude with promising areas of research including expansion of culturally tailored, technology-assisted community health worker cancer support interventions and incorporation of biospecimens to advance precision medicine to reduce disparities in the quality of life of Latino cancer survivors. We argue for comprehensive approaches to improve quality of life among Latino cancer survivors that engage Latino communities in the design and implementation of behavioral interventions for Latino cancer survivors, can be delivered in community settings, and are linked to cancer care systems.