# Empowering Latinas to Obtain Breast Cancer Screenings

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2020 · $139,090

## Abstract

Candidate. I am a driven early career investigator with the long-term goal of becoming an independent
scientist in the field of cancer disparities. My major research interests concern identification and incorporation
of psychosocial facilitators to breast cancer screening into interventions to reduce disparities in late stage
detection. In that light, I have conducted observational, mixed method, community-based participatory research
(CBPR) studies and led secondary analyses which indicate social outreach (e.g., conversations with family and
friends) and volunteerism are associated with breast cancer screening among Latinas. The next logical step is
to develop an intervention that would empower women to engage in social outreach and volunteerism and
examine its effects on these women and their networks. I however need training and mentorship to take this
next step. My four career objectives are thus to gain expertise in: 1) leading empowerment interventions; 2)
implementing CBPR interventions; 3) using social network analysis; and 4) competitive grant writing. My
training plan at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) consists of didactic training (coursework, seminars,
and workshops), participation in scientific conferences, manuscript development, submission of NIH grant
applications, and mentorship from scientists with strong track records in mentorship and expertise in
empowerment strategies (Dr. Ferrans), intervention science (Drs. Ferrans, Mermelstein, Geller), social network
analysis (Dr. Schneider), and grant writing (all). I will also be trained in the responsible conduct of research.
These experiences will position me to be a unique investigator that can compare the potential of different
participatory-based interventions to improve individual- and network-level outcomes for the underserved.
Environment. UIC is ideally suited for my career progression into independence and implementation of the
proposed research. It is one of the top 50 research-funded institutions in the nation and a designated Hispanic-
Serving Institution. It has strong partnerships with local Latino communities and is committed to cancer health
equity. There are a number of career development opportunities, including, but limited to, seminars,
workshops, and other resources through the School of Public Health, Cancer Center (UICC), Center for
Research on Women and Gender, and the Institute for Health Research and Policy.
Research Plan. Latinas suffer disproportionately from breast cancer relative to non-Latina Whites (NLWs),
including late stage detection. While there have been controversies in breast cancer screening, non-adherence
to guideline-concordant screening continues to be a major modifiable determinant of breast cancer outcome
disparities. Thus, increasing participation in breast cancer screening among Latinas, especially care that
corresponds with clinical and academic guidelines, is a public health priority. Participatory approaches are
popular met...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9994839
- **Project number:** 5K01CA193918-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Yamile Molina
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $139,090
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9994839

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9994839, Empowering Latinas to Obtain Breast Cancer Screenings (5K01CA193918-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9994839. Licensed CC0.

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