Hereditary Breast Cancer Risk Analysis in Uninsured Mexican-Origin Women Living in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region.

PURPOSE

This article describes the risk of hereditary breast cancer (HBC) in low-income Hispanic women living on the U.S.-Mexico border using the Pedigree Assessment Tool (PAT).

METHOD

The PAT was administered as part of the El Paso and Hudspeth County Breast Cancer Education, Screening and NavigaTion program (BEST). Baseline data ( = 1,966) from this program was used to analyze risk factors for HBC. Analysis was conducted to determine significant covariates associated with the presence of any PAT risk factors.

RESULTS

The PAT identified 17% (95% CI [15%, 19%]) of the women in the study as having some risk of HBC. Having had a mammogram within 3 years was significantly associated with having any PAT risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 1.79, = .006). Women who immigrated to the United States during childbearing age (OR = 0.610, = .009) or during peri/menopause (OR = 0.637, = .024) were significantly less likely to have any PAT risk factors.

DISCUSSION

The PAT instrument detected a substantial pool of women who may be at risk for HBC. A significant proportion of these women were not up to date mammogram.

CONCLUSIONS

The PAT is an effective tool to identify women at risk for HBC and encourage regular screening.