American Cancer Society Backs Hispanic Breast Cancer Program

Monica G. Valero, MD, assistant professor of surgery (oncology) and director of the Hispanic Breast Cancer Program, has received a prestigious one-year pilot grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS) to advance breast cancer care among the Hispanic population. The prestigious award affirms the Department of Surgery’s commitment to tackling health inequities on a national scale and locally.

The $40,000 grant will support S.T.R.E.A.M.L.I.N.E or — Streamlining Time-sensitive Referrals and Exams for Women with Abnormal Mammograms from Low-Income or No Insurance Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. The pilot project aims to provide a pathway that will include culturally-tailored education; assess the need for funds, transportation, food insecurity, lack of insurance, childcare, and employment or housing insecurity, provide an anchor for providers across disciplines, and track timely follow up imaging, biopsy, and time-to-treatment.

Department of Surgery Chair Nita Ahuja MD, MBA, added that the project has broad implications for underserved populations with breast cancer. “This well-deserved award is a testament to Dr. Valero’s important and passionate contributions, and to the visionary leadership of Bridgeport Hospital, and the cancer service line, for their commitment to optimize surgical treatment among underserved populations.”

Since its establishment in 2022, and under Dr. Valero's leadership, the Hispanic Breast Cancer Program has advanced equitable and accessible breast cancer care for the Yale patient community. She is an advocate for breast cancer risk assessment among women with abnormal conditions and led a recent analysis of surgeon-specific factors that may predict reoperation in patients undergoing lumpectomy. By focusing on racial disparities, she aims to bridge the gap in healthcare outcomes and ensure that all patients, regardless of their background, receive the highest standard of care.

After obtaining her medical degree from Universidad Central de Venezuela Medical School in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Valero completed her residency training at Brigham and Women's Hospital/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she honed her passion for advancing the field of breast surgical oncology. Dr. Valero sought further specialization and completed a fellowship in breast surgical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This experience allowed her to further her research interests, which include breast-conserving surgery, racial disparities in breast cancer, and axillary management of breast disease.

The grant is supported, in part, by Grant #IRG-21-132-60 from the American Cancer Society.