The old bingo game gets a new twist providing breast health to underserved Latinas
When Elba Savedra, of Caminando Juntos in Albuquerque, New Mexico introduced Breast Health Bingo to her cancer support group, the card game led them into a discussion about fear.
Dr. Marlena Vega, CEO of Sobrevivir /A Will to Live in New York City said the breast health education game was like “sugar coating the medicine,†for one of her clients.
Now six (6) health care providers from San Francisco, California to Orlando, Florida will launch bingo in their communities starting in 2007. Latinas Contra Cancer, a San Jose, California non-profit, developed the unique, bi-lingual education tool.
Breast Health Bingo addresses the myths and misinformation found in the Latina community about breast cancer
“We call it kitchen table education, said Ysabel Duron, program developer. We want to take health care information to the community. Often fear, lack of awareness and insurance as well as language barriers prevents Latinos from going to a health care provider. As a result they're often diagnosed late with deadly cancer,â€
The Chevron Corporation, a long time supporter of breast cancer awareness, believes education is key to healthy outcomes. They've given a $50,000 grant to Latinas Contra Cancer to pilot this innovative approach to community education. Effective education will hopefully increase mammograms and early detection and decrease poor health outcomes.
Breast cancer is the number one cancer killer of Latinas, often due to late detection. According to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, less than 57% of Latinas, 40 and older, get regular mammograms.
Agencies involved in the launch of Breast Health Bingo include: Latina Breast Cancer Agency-San Francisco, Y-Me-San Diego, Serving Our Latinos-Fairfield, Lideres Campesinas-Pomona, The Rose-Houston, Texas, Hispanic Health Initiatives-Orlando, Florida. Their representatives were recently trained at a day long event in preparation for the launch.
Breast Health Bingo is attractively and colorfully designed and printed on the back of a five by seven bingo card. A sample of the card can be found on Latinas Contra Cancer website