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U.S. women with breast cancer do not know much about their condition, and minority women are much less likely to report accurate knowledge about their tumors, according to a new study published in the journal Cancer, Medical News Today reports.
Researchers asked 500 women about their breast cancer grade, stage, and subtype.
“The results showed that while 32-82% said they knew each of the tumor characteristics they were asked about, only 20-58% could actually specify them correctly,” according to the news article.
Latina and black women had less knowledge about their tumors.
Less knowledge was also associated with having less formal education and lower health literacy.
A woman’s cancer knowledge is important, researchers say, because patients who fully understand their cancer may be more likely to adhere to their treatment regimens.
The researcher who led this study, Dr. Rachel Freedman of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, aims to now study the effect on patient knowledge of doctors and health care providers’ different styles in communicating the facts. She’s considered possible interventions, such as patient videos, smart phone apps, and checklists.
“Clearly there’s a lot to be done,” Freedman said.
By The Numbers
25.1
percent
of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage
