This week is National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, and the
American Cancer Society is holding numerous programs and services
for Latinos to increase awareness of the prevalence of cancer in
the Latino community.
This week is National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, and the American Cancer Society is holding numerous programs and services for Latinos to increase awareness of the prevalence of cancer in the Latino community.
American Cancer Society statistics show that
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Latinas.
• Latinos experience the highest invasive cervical cancer incidence rates of any group, and the death rate from this disease is 40 percent higher in Latinas than among other groups.
• Prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic men in the United States in 2003.
• Behind heart disease, cancer is the second leading cause of death among Latinos.
• Latinos face a higher rate of certain types of cancer – such as stomach, liver and cervical cancer – than the overall United States population.
The society is offering programs encouraging women to get a mammogram and Pap test, programs that provide transportation for cancer patients to and from their treatment and more.
For more information in English, Spanish and other languages, call 1-800-ACS-2345.
