Introduction: Compared to non-Hispanic White women, Hispanic/Latina women in the US are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer (BC) at later stages, which contributes to disparities in BC outcomes. Interpersonal and sociocultural contexts may impact the utilization of cancer preventive services such as screening, but their roles remain  poorly understood. This study assessed whether interpersonal-level sociocultural factors were associated with BC screening among US Hispanic/Latina women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2,414 Hispanic/Latina women aged 40–74 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) Sociocultural Ancillary Study (2010-2012). The primary outcome was self-reported guideline-concordant BC screening, as defined by current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations. Interpersonal sociocultural constructs were assessed using validated scales, including family relations (9-item Family Environment Scale subscales), perceived social support (12-item Interpersonal Support Evaluation List), acculturation (Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics), and social networks (20-item Social Network Index). We applied hierarchical structural equation models (SEM) to evaluate the associations between latent interpersonal constructs and screening adherence while accounting for the HCHS/SOL weights and complex survey design.

Results:  Most women (75%) adhered to BC screening recommendations. A higher-order latent construct representing family relations—indicated by higher family cohesion and lower family conflict—was associated with greater odds of guideline-concordant BC screening (OR: 5.12;  95% CI: 1.4–18.4).

Conclusion: Interpersonal family dynamics may significantly influence BC screening among Hispanic/Latina women. Family-centered approaches may be relevant for efforts aimed at improving engagement in preventive care and addressing cancer disparities in this population.