Among different populations of women diagnosed with breast cancer, Latinas have the highest rate of BRCA1 mutations after Ashkenazi Jews. Yet, this community has been largely left out of most Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) interventions. Women who are aware of their family history of cancer are more inclined to engage in risk reduction. But, due to both cultural norms and mistrust of a historically inequitable healthcare system, these life-saving conversations often don’t happen within the Latina community. Research has shown that intergenerational, family-based health interventions are an effective method to leverage cultural values and combat mistrust, laying the groundwork for learning and preventive action. To date, there is limited research exploring whether this type of culturally tailored intervention could lead to increase in knowledge and prevention for Latinas at high-risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

De Madres a Hijas: A pilot initiative for 1st generation Latina mothers and their 2nd generation Latina daughters represents an innovative approach to improve HBOC knowledge. Through the development of an intergenerational program, mothers and daughters at risk for HBOC will effectively learn together and from each other. This will be a first-of-its-kind community-based bilingual curriculum providing life-saving education using a health equity lens for this underserved Latina population.

Systemic review of existing resources and interviews with Nueva Vida clients/daughters to inform first draft of promising practices curriculum.

Develop the mother/daughter intervention model within 6 months, gather feedback from focus group, and finalize curriculum.

Assess the intervention with 2-5 mother/daughter dyads and refine project and curriculum from months 7-11 based on client’s feedback.

Finalize and disseminate the prácticas prometedoras curriculum in the 12th month of the project period.

Professional mentorship

Digital and marketing prowess

Program evaluation expertise through strategic advisors

Supporting identification of the best-in-class high risk resources so Nueva Vida does not have to recreate the wheel

Expertise in engaging young women in the HBOC conversation

Mission Partner cohort

While this first year is focused on identifying the appropriate strategies and key messages, the hope is that this becomes one of the most cutting-edge interventions focused on educating young Latinas on HBOC and inspiring life-saving preventative action, adopted widely across various Latino health organizations and programs nationwide. If successful, this will result in millions of Latino women feeling educated and empowered to take charge of their health, seek genetic counseling and testing and take risk-reducing action, thereby saving countless lives.