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Cancer remains the leading cause of death among US Hispanics
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Cancer has persisted as the leading cause of death among U.S. citizens of Hispanic heritage, according to a report conducted by the American Cancer Society.
In the “Cancer Statistics for Hispanics/Latinos” report — published every 3 years — researchers estimated 125,900 new cancer cases will occur in the U.S. among Hispanics in 2015, and there will be an estimated 37,800 cancer deaths in this population.
Rebecca L. Siegel
Hispanics make up the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the U.S., accounting for 17.4% of the population in 2014.
“The growth in the population of U.S. residents of Hispanic origin is now driven primarily by births, not immigration, which will probably change the future cancer risk profile of this group,” Rebecca L. Siegel, MPH, director of surveillance information for ACS, said in a press release. “The second generation, born and raised in the U.S. and more intertwined in our lifestyle, including our diet, has higher cancer rates than first-generation immigrants, so we may see a higher cancer burden in this group in the future.”
The most common cancer in Hispanic men is prostate cancer (22%), and the most common cancer in Hispanic women is breast cancer (29%).
Lung cancer has persisted as the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic men (17%). Based on 2015 estimates, liver cancer (12%) should surpass colorectal cancer (11%) as the second leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic men.
Breast cancer (16%) remains the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women, followed by lung (13%) and colorectal (9%) cancers. Although lung cancer has been the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. since 1987, the lung cancer death rate among Hispanic women is 70% lower than in non-Hispanic white women. The researchers conclude that this is because of a low smoking prevalence in Hispanic women — in 2014, 8% of Hispanic women were smokers compared with 17% of non-Hispanic white women.
Cancer death rates have been decreasing overall in the U.S., as well as among Hispanics. The death rate decreased 2.4% per year since 1995 for Hispanic men and 0.5% per year since 1996 for Hispanic women.
Hispanics have about 20% lower incidence rates and 30% lower mortality rates from all cancers combined than non-Hispanic whites.
The incidence rates are about 20% lower in Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites and the death rates are 30% lower. Researchers noted this trend can be attributed to the fact Hispanics are less likely to be diagnosed with common cancers such as prostate, breast, lung and colon cancers, but have a much higher risk for cancers associated with infections agents, such as stomach, liver and cervical cancers. The incidence of liver cancer as well as the death rates from liver cancer, regardless of gender, are nearly twofold greater in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites.
Cancer incidence rates are also slightly higher among Hispanic adolescents.
Researchers noted the cancer profile among Hispanics varies based on their country of origin.
Death and incidence rates appear more comparable between non-Hispanic whites and those who emigrated from Cuba or Puerto Rico than those who emigrated from Mexico.
Further, the report discusses inequalities Hispanics face regarding diagnosis and management of cancer. The data show Hispanics are less likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease and are less likely to get high-quality care based on socioeconomic status. However, some studies indicate that Hispanics are still at higher risk for advanced-stage cancers, even when the socioeconomic status and access are similar to that of non-Hispanic whites.
“A large and increasing proportion of U.S. residents are of Hispanic origin, among whom growth is now primarily driven by births as opposed to immigration,” Siegel and colleagues wrote. “Hispanic descendants have higher cancer rates than first generation immigrants, which may influence the future cancer burden. Efforts to further progress in cancer control must consider the dramatic differences in cancer risk within this heterogeneous population. – by Anthony SanFilippo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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