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Most cancer rates lower for Latinos

Latinos have lower cancer rates than Anglos, according to report

Latinos have lower cancer rates than Anglos, according to a report by the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR).

Based on data from 1999 to 2003, the report is based on 90 percent of the nation's Latino population and states that while Latinos had lower incidence rates for most cancers, they were less likely to be diagnosed with localized stage disease for cancers of the lung, colon and rectum, prostate, female breast and cervix.

The report also found that Latino children had higher rates of leukemia, and other tumors than their Anglo peers.

Reasons for the findings point to several important considerations in developing health interventions for Latinos, including: higher incidence of some infection-related cancers; elevated exposures to environmental risk factors in Latinos' living and work places; lower education, health literacy, and income; limited English proficiency; reduced use of screening services; limited access to health care, often due to lack of insurance; and less information available regarding possible genetic predisposition to cancer.