Cancer Occurrence Among Latinos 1

The Lives at Stake: Cancer Occurrence Among Latinos

Cynthia Nieto Vargas

TCL 323: Latina/o Health Issues

Instructor Gilberto Lopez

April 22, 2023

Photo by Ante Samarzija on Unsplash

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The Lives at Stake: Cancer Occurrence Among Latinos

Why is it that Latinos have lower common cancer rates, yet cancer is one of the leading

causes of death for the Latino community? Cancer is costing many lives every year, and Latinos

are part of that big fraction; according to McDowell (2023), “In the US in 2023, a total of 1.9

million new cancer cases (about 5,370 cases each day) and 609,820 deaths from cancer are

expected to occur (about 1,670 deaths a day).” (para. 3). Surprisingly, the Latino community is

less likely to be diagnosed with common cancers compared to other races but more likely to be at

higher risk for cancer. So, what are the roots of these causes? Unfortunately, Latinos face many

health disparities; among those disparities, they are also unaware of the cancer risks and types. In

that case, Latinos lack knowledge and information about the significant influences that can

worsen pre-existing health conditions and trigger cancer. The Latino community struggles to

maintain their health and well-being due to health inequities, making Latinos more prone to

chronic diseases like cancer. Fortunately, Latinos can prevent certain cancer types, but the U.S.

healthcare system needs to prioritize health equity by effectively educating and culturally

outreaching Latino communities.

First, several social determinants limit access to quality health care for Hispanic

populations (Carroll, 2020). These social determinants include, according to Carroll (2020),

“Lack of access to culturally appropriate health services, including health care professionals who

speak Spanish, lack of health insurance, lower socioeconomic status than non-Hispanic whites;

and underutilization of health care services, such as preventative health screenings for breast,

cervical, and colorectal cancers (para. 6). Therefore, these major social determinants affect the

health of Latinos and raise their risks of other health conditions, along with lowering their life

expectancy. Not only that, as mentioned by Carroll (2020), “​​Due to these factors, Hispanic
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individuals are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to delay or avoid seeking health care. As a

result, when cancer is diagnosed in Hispanic patients, it is often at an advanced stage.” (para. 7).

So, why does this matter? Because the Latino community faces social determinants that prevent

them from getting quality health care, such as receiving culturally competent care, proper

resources and information to live a healthier lifestyle, and being informed about preventative

healthcare. Without quality health care, Latinos will suffer higher risks of developing cancer and

resort to other options that may not be in their best interest, like ignoring health signs and

engaging in unhealthy habits.

Next, Latinos are often unaware of the types of cancer that run in their community. For

example, cervical, liver, and stomach cancer are prevalent cancers for Hispanic people, and they

have the highest rates of dying from these cancer types (CDC, n.d.). But how are these cancer

types so common in Latinos? Well, some infectious agents are more prevalent in Latino

communities, which lead to these cancer types like hepatitis B virus (leads to liver cancer),

bacterium H. pylori (leads to stomach cancer), and human papillomavirus (leads to cervical

cancer) (Carroll, 2020). Gallbladder cancer is also common among Latinos, and the primary

cancer risk factors that play a role are obesity and diabetes (Carroll, 2020). It’s important to note

that Latinos don’t know each risk factor and are diagnosed with cancer in later stages, making it

harder for patients to treat and survive. Therefore, it’s critical to take steps to reduce health

disparities by improving health literacy, addressing barriers to care, and providing language

assistance to those who need it (CDC, n.d.).

Lastly, Latinos are more likely to prevent cancer types like stomach, liver, and cervical

(Gonzalez, 2021). But, a huge barrier takes place, as said by Gonzalez (2021), “Latinos as a

group have the highest percentage of people without health insurance than any other ethnicity in
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the U.S., the report found.” (para. 1). This brings me to say that Latinos who are uninsured

receive less treatment and services (little to no care) which means their chronic conditions are

not being managed with the medical care they need and these cancers become fatal. According to

Gonzalez (2021), “The report estimates that there will be 176,600 new cancer cases and 46,500

cancer deaths in 2021 among Latino communities in the U.S.” (para. 5). Thus, many of these

deaths can be prevented by increasing access to high-quality prevention, early detection, and

treatment services (Gonzalez, 2021).

Overall, Latinos will face the probability of getting cancer wherever they originate. Even

when Latinos acculturate in the U.S., they will face many factors that impact their ability to

receive proper quality health care. Although many Latino lives are at stake, there is still time to

prevent these cancer types. For instance, healthcare systems can establish more culturally

competent staff, emphasizing preventative care, providing education and resources regarding

cancer types/risks, and accessible health care through low-cost or free services. Ultimately, the

U.S. healthcare system must strive for health equity by enforcing better policies and being

culturally responsive in supporting Latino communities and other minorities.

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References

Carroll, M. (2020, August 5). Cancer Disparities Among Hispanic Populations. NFCR.

https://www.nfcr.org/blog/cancer-disparities-among-hispanic-populations/.

CDC. (n.d.). Hispanic or Latino People and Cancer | CDC. CDC: Centers for Disease and

Control Prevention.

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/health-equity/groups/hispanic-latino.htm#:~:text=Hispanic%

20women%20have%20the%20highest,of%20dying%20from%20liver%20cancer.

González, O. (2021, September 23). Report: Latinos have higher rates of preventable cancer.

Axios. https://www.axios.com/2021/09/23/latinos-preventable-cancer-rates-health-care.

McDowell, S. (2023, January 12). Incidence Drops for Cervical Cancer Drop But Rises for

Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society.

https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/facts-and-figures-2023.html#:~:text=In%20the%20U

S%20in%202023,about%201%2C670%20deaths%20a%20day).