American Cancer Society Examines Cancer Trends in Hispanic / Latino Americans

American Cancer Society
Wednesday, 20 August 2003

Fastest Growing Minority Has Unique Cancer Profile

A new report from the American Cancer Society finds Hispanic/Latino Americans –the largest and fastest-growing minority in the United States—have a unique cancer risk profile that requires a targeted approach to prevention. The report finds Hispanic/Latino Americans are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to develop and die from the most common cancers, but have higher rates of certain other cancers and are more likely to have cancer detected at a later stage.

The findings are published in the July/August 2003 issue of CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The report is also being published as the second edition of Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos. First created in 2000 and now published every three years, the review uses behavioral and other risk factors as well as cancer incidence and death rates to predict cancer trends. The latest report says compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanic/Latino Americans:

• Have lower incidence and mortality from all cancers combined, as well as from each of the four most common cancers (lung, breast, prostate and colon);


• Have higher rates of certain other cancers, including cancers of the stomach, cervix, liver and biliary tract;


• Are less likely to use screening tests for colon, prostate and cervical cancers;


• Have higher rates of overweight and lower rates of physical activity, factors increasingly associated with cancer;


• Have traditionally been much less likely to smoke.

"Hispanics or Latinos are a very heterogeneous group, since people from Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish cultures, regardless of race, are considered Hispanic," says Vilma Cokkinides, American Cancer Society director for risk factor surveillance. "However as a group they have very different cancer risks and rates compared to other ethnic groups and so require attention to different cancer prevention approaches. That's the primary reason we are doing this report, to identify areas and provide focus to community health advocates and other groups in addressing cancer among Hispanics."

"All of the approaches that are most important in the general population –preventing and treating tobacco dependence, increasing access to high quality cancer screening and appropriate follow-up care, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight, etc.—are important for Hispanics," added Michael J. Thun, MD, vice president, epidemiological and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society. "In addition, several other approaches are particularly important for this group: maintaining the frequency of Pap testing, vaccination for hepatitis B, removing barriers that interfere with access to high quality screening and medical care, and forming partnerships to deliver health messages more effectively."

Cancer Screening

Historically, Hispanic women have been the least likely of racial and ethnic groups to use screening tests like Pap tests, mammography, and clinical breast exams. Even though they're 40 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, Hispanic women are more likely to have it diagnosed at a later stage. The death rate from cervical cancer is 40 percent higher among Hispanic women compared to other groups.

Hispanics are much less likely than non-Hispanics to have had a fecal occult blood test in the past year (15.4 percent versus 24.1 percent) or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past 5 years (31.2 percent versus 39.2 percent). Hispanic men are less likely to have had a PSA test for the early detection of prostate cancer than white non-Hispanic men (46 percent versus 58.2 percent).

Tobacco Use

Hispanics as a group smoke far less than the national average (16 percent versus 22.8 percent), the major reason for the observed lower rates of lung and many other cancers. Between 1992 and 1999, lung cancer diagnosis rates dropped an average of 3.1 percent per year among Hispanic men and women. Still, the disease remains the top cancer killer of Hispanics. Hispanics born in the U.S. are more likely to smoke than those who are foreign-born.

Overweight, Obesity & Physical Activity

Obesity, which raises the risk for many chronic diseases, including cancer, is on the rise among Hispanics, particularly Hispanic women. Also, in 2001, 35.8% of Hispanic adults had no form of leisure time physical activity, compared to 22.9% of non-Hispanic whites.

The published article and accompanying editorial can be viewed at the CA Online Web site: http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/current.shtml.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 17 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit our website.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org