Abstract 3345: Making the link between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction among Hispanic women of childbearing age

Background/Purpose. Breast Cancer (BC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths for women in Texas (TX). In the border county of El Paso, TX, the breast cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher for Hispanic women relative to all races combined. Evidence indicates that breastfeeding can be protective against BC by (1) limiting breast cells’ ability to act abnormally, (2) lowering estrogen levels, and (3) promoting healthier lifestyle choices. Research also indicates that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk of developing BC. Unfortunately, among all infants born in TX in 2015, only 48% were exclusively breastfed for up to 3 months and only 24.1% were exclusively breastfed for up to 6 months. The goal of the Breastfeeding Breast Cancer Connection Program (BFBCCP) is to increase intent to breastfeed among Hispanic women of childbearing age (18-44 years) by providing a brief education intervention focused on the importance of breastfeeding and BC prevention. Methods. Study participants included 50 Hispanic women of childbearing age living at the El Paso Housing Authority in El Paso, TX. The study consisted of an intervention group (n=25) and a control group (n=25). The control group received only educational brochures about breastfeeding, whereas, the intervention group received an educational presentation about the importance of breastfeeding and BC prevention. Measures assessed in this study included: 1) knowledge of breastfeeding and BC 2) attitudes towards breastfeeding in the workplace, and 3) behavioral intentions to breastfeed. All measures were assessed via a pre and post self-report survey in the participants preferred language. Results/Findings. Overall, Hispanic women participating in the BFBCCP learned more about the importance of breastfeeding, particularly as it relates to BC prevention, reported greater levels of intent to breastfeed, and reported more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding in the workplace compared to the control group. Given their high BC incidence and mortality rates, Hispanic women in the TX border region would benefit from interventions like BFCCP that promote exclusive breastfeeding for a duration of six mos. to one year as a means of reducing their BC risk. The next step is to assess the efficacy of the BFCCP in increasing breastfeeding completion and duration among pregnant Hispanic women. Citation Format: Karoline Sondgeroth, Rosalba Ruiz-Holguin, Joe Padilla, Rebeca Ramos, Rebecca Palacios. Making the link between breastfeeding and breast cancer risk reduction among Hispanic women of childbearing age [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3345.