The cancer distribution in the Hispanic population is distinct from the general population in the United States, according to a statistics report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
The report indicated fewer lung and urinary bladder cancers, higher rates of acute lymphocytic leukemia, and more cervical cancers among the Hispanic population compared with other U.S. individuals.
“The Hispanic and Latino community in the U.S. is disproportionately affected by cancers like stomach and liver that have low survival [rates] and could be prevented through better access to health care,” said lead study author Anatu Saka, MPH, Associate Scientist, Cancer Surveillance Research at the ACS. “Testing and treatment of cancer-causing infections such as [Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C] would go far to reduce the burden in this growing population. However, barriers to timely care, especially the lack of insurance coverage, play a major role. We must do better.”
Background and Study Methods
The Hispanic and Latino population is the second-largest racial and ethnic group in the United States, amounting to about 20% of the total U.S. population.
Researchers reviewed cancer incidence rates, risk factors, and screening rates for the Hispanic population in the U.S. to provide a look at cancer statistics for the Hispanic and Latino community using federally funded, high-quality, population-based cancer registry data plus national vital statistics and survey data.
Key Findings
The report estimated that 229,900 Hispanic people will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States in 2026, and 54,200 will die from the disease.
Cancer incidence rose among Hispanic women between 1998 and 2022, from 345 per 100,000 people to 385 per 100,000. Over the same period, rates fell in Hispanic men from 471 per 100,000 people to 389 per 100,000, making the male-to-female incidence rate radio narrow from 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.38–1.42) in 2002 to 1.01 (95% CI = 1.00–1.02; P = .02) in 2022. Rates of lung and prostate cancers in men decreased over this time period, while rates of breast and uterine corpus cancers grew in women.
Screening rates for cancer are lower in Hispanic people than in White people, and 25% of Hispanic individuals are uninsured.
“Cervical cancer is all but preventable, yet Hispanic women continue to be left behind, especially in Puerto Rico, where rates are the highest in the U.S.,” explained senior study author Rebecca Siegel, MPH, Senior Scientific Director, Cancer Surveillance Research at the ACS. “It’s time to act on these persistent inequalities. Low-cost, culturally appropriate educational interventions increase screening and can save lives for far less than the cost of treatment.”
Among the Hispanic population in Puerto Rico, amounting to about 3 million people, rates of lung cancer are even lower, but the community shows higher rates of cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers in comparison with other U.S. Hispanic populations. Rates of cervical cancer, specifically, are 73% higher for Puerto Rican Hispanic residents than White women and 32% higher than other Hispanic women in the U.S. The community in Puerto Rico also has lasting health-care system challenges caused by extreme weather events.
The study authors recommended targeting the unique cancer profile of this population in prevention efforts, focusing on infection prevention and control, healthy eating, physical activity, and routine screening—especially for cervical and colorectal cancers.
“Access to cancer prevention and early detection services is essential to reducing and ultimately eliminating cancer disparities,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, President of the ACS Cancer Action Network. “We urge lawmakers at all levels of government to prioritize access to comprehensive, affordable health care, including preventive services like vaccines, which can help prevent some cancers outright, and screenings, which can help detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.”
DISCLOSURES: The authors disclosed no conflicts of interest. Drs. Saka, Kratzer, Giaquinto, Mazzitelli, Jemal, and Siegel are employed by the American Cancer Society, Inc., a not-for-profit public health organization that receives support from the public through fundraising and direct contributions. The Society also receives a small portion of support from corporations and industry to support its mission programs and services.
