Researchers Projected 142% Rise in Latino Cancer by 2030

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Latinos face a staggering 142% projected rise in cancer cases by 2030, according to UT Health San Antonio, a comprehensive academic health university in Texas. This prompted international cancer experts to publish a new book entitled, "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos,"  with innovative research and recommendations to reduce Latino cancer, according to an article by EurekAlert.

Due to cultural barriers to healthcare, low screening rates, underrepresentation in clinical studies and data that fails to reflect the diversity within the Latino population, they face a higher risk for certain cancers, such as stomach and liver cancer, compared to whites.

An American Cancer Society report claim that cancer is the leading cause of death among Hispanics in 2016, accounting for 21% of deaths. Moreover, the report suggests that about 1 in3 Hispanic men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, while lifetime probability of dying from cancer among Hispanics is 1 out of 5.

Not only race, but also geographical factors affect probability of having cancer. In a report by NPR, death rates from liver cancer are twice as high in people from Mexico as they are for people from Cuba. Also, people from Mexico are twice as likely to die from stomach cancer as are Cubans in the United States. One reason cited is the infection with h. pylori bacteria, which causes stomach cancer.

The book draws its name from Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference that brought 300 researchers to San Antonio in 2018. The results of the said conference are presented in the book including the strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum, from advances in risk assessment, prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and policy.

Amelie Ramirez, Dr.P.H., co-editor of the book said, "Our book, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos, takes an unprecedented look at Latino cancer from many disciplines to encourage the kind of collaboration among diverse professionals that we need to move the field forward."

Ramirez, a professor and chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio, and her colleagues believe the recommendations in the book can spark dialog and collaboration for new solutions to eliminate cancer health disparities among Latino populations.

They also urge their fellow researchers, population health clinicians, communities and policymakers to consider the many subgroups of the Latino population to provide more meaningful results, as health care moves to a customized approach through precision medicine.

This approach in research is important to be observed because Latinos are projected to comprise one-third of the U.S. population by 2050, according to Ramirez.

The authors also hope to provide readers with fresh, comprehensive perspective on Latino cancer health disparities

"We anticipate this will inspire critical and strategic thinking about how people can apply this research and practice to their work, leading to more collaboration, research and success in improving the health and lives of U.S. Latinos," said Ramirez

A follow-up conference to be held on February 26 to 28, 2020 in San Antonio, is now open for registration.