Cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics; it has surpassed the rate of casualties due to heart disease. With this alarming news, a new study suggests that there is a need for more research about the Hispanic ancestry to keep the rate of Latino cancer low.

SaludToday reported that a new study wish to learn more about the health risks of smoking on cancer diagnosis in Latino community. Over 16,000 Latinos participated in the said study and 4 percent reported instances of some type of cancer.

The study, which is published in Plos One , aimed to describe the prevalence of cancer among Hispanics from four major U.S. metropolitan areas and across the Hispanic ancestry. It also sought to identify correlates of self-reported cancer prevalence.

Per the study, Hispanics or Latinos are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. Their total population is over 50 million. Hispanics comprised 16.3 percent of the U.S. population in 2010 and are estimated to account for 35 percent by 2050.

In 2009, cancer surpassed heart disease in the leading cause of death among Latinos in the U.S. It accounted for 21 percent of all U.S. Hispanic deaths.

Compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), the Hispanics in the U.S. have lower incidence rates for breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer. However, they have higher incidence rates for cervical cancer and gastrointestinal cancer, which are typically associated with infections. Moreover, these diseases are more common among Hispanics with lower socioeconomic status.

Aside from this, Hispanics are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease for common cancers. They have higher mortality rates for select cancer, including gastrointestinal, uterine and cervical cancer, that could be attributed to lower rates of access to care, proper screening and lack of early detection.

The researchers concluded that the Hispanics in the U.S. have varying cancer prevalence and risk due to differences in their access to health care, status and age. They also learned that although behavioral factors like smoking is associated with cancer, it did not reveal a significant relationship with cancer prevalence.

The scientists believe that the lack of connection was due to the "cross-sectional nature" of the study.

Access to health care is one of the major factors of cancer prevalence among Hispanics in the U.S. However, now that the Affordable Care Act is already implemented, more Hispanics will be given access to U.S. health care system and common cancer screening.

They team suggests that more studies will be necessary to evaluate cancer prevalence following the new health care system. "Future evaluation of cancer prevalence across Hispanic ancestry within the context of universal health care access will provide insight into whether disparities across Hispanic groups persist despite such access."