New Spanish-Language Soap Opera Educates On Early Detection Of Breast And Cervical Cancer

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Wednesday, 1 September 1999

WASHINGTON, DC, September 1, 1999 – The Cancer Research Foundation of America, a nonprofit health foundation dedicated to the prevention of cancer through research and education, has released "Por Su Salud y Por Su Familia (For Your Health, For Your Family)" an innovative Spanish-language video aimed at teaching breast and cervical health to Hispanic women.

For the first time, the video uses a soap opera format to tell the story of Rosa, a married mother of two young children, who discovers a lump in her breast and is afraid to go to the doctor or tell anyone. Eventually Rosa shares her fear with her mother and a friend and then, after much deliberation, sees her doctor. A mammogram confirms that everything is all right and the video then demonstrates the clinical breast exam, breast self-exam, mammography and pelvic exam.

Why use a soap opera to educate? Research conducted at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston found that Hispanic women name Spanish-language soap operas as their entertainment vehicle of choice.

"Hispanic women have lower incidence rates of breast cancer, but they have lower five-year survival rates because by the time they see a doctor their cancer is very advanced," said Dr. Elmer Huerta, Cancer Research Foundation of America board member and cancer prevention expert who appears in the video. "This video will teach Hispanic women that early detection is a reality, is easy to do, and it can help them and their families. This is one step forward in the process of providing health education for Latino people."

'This video demonstrates the Foundation's belief that we must target educational tools to the population we want to reach," said Cancer Research Foundation of America President and Founder Carolyn Aldigé. "We've tailored the message of cancer prevention and early detection to meet the unique needs of Latina women, and are already encouraged by their reaction to the video."

"Por Su Salud y Por Su Familia" is being used in conjunction with the Cancer Research Foundation of America's successful ¡Celebremos la Vida! program, which provides free mammograms and pap smears to Hispanic women in Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. The video – ideal for use in community health centers and in small group settings – will be distributed nationally and is available free through the Cancer Research Foundation of America.

The Cancer Research Foundation of America is a national nonprofit health organization whose mission is the prevention of cancer through scientific research and education. Founded in 1985 by Carolyn Aldigé, the organization's commitment is fueled by the fact that certain cancers are preventable through lifestyle and health policy changes, yet more than 550,000 Americans die from the disease annually. Since its inception, the foundation has supported research, education and early detection programs in excess of $50 million.

"Por Su Salud y Por Su Familia" was made possible through the generous support of TIME Warner and The National Cancer Institute.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org