Multilevel Intervention Raises Latina Participation in Mammography Screening: Findings from ¡Fortaleza Latina!

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States, and Latinas have relatively low rates of screening participation. The Multilevel Intervention to Increase Latina Participation in Mammography Screening study (¡Fortaleza Latina!) sought to assess the efficacy of a clinic- and patient-level program to increase breast cancer screening among Latinas in Western Washington who seek care at a safety net health center. Methods: The study enrolled 536 Latinas ages 42 to 74 who had a primary care clinic visit in the previous 5 years and had not obtained a mammogram in the previous 2 years. Participants were block-randomized within clinic to either (i) a control arm (usual care) or (ii) a promotora-led, motivational interviewing intervention that included a home visit and telephone follow-up. At the clinic level, two of four participating clinics were provided additional mammography services delivered by a mobile mammography unit. Results: Rates of screening mammography 1 year post-randomization were 19.6% in the intervention group and 11.0% in the usual care group (P < 0.01), based on medical record data. No significant differences in participants' mammography screening were observed in clinics randomized to additional mammography services versus usual care (15.8% vs. 14.4%; P = 0.68). Conclusion: This multilevel intervention of promotora-delivered motivational interviewing and free mammography services modestly raised rates of participation in breast cancer screening among Latinas. Impact: Our findings can inform future efforts to boost mammography participation in safety net practices. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(4); 584–92. ©2016 AACR. See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Multilevel Approaches to Addressing Cancer Health Disparities.”