Cancer statistics for Hispanics, 2003

In this article, the American Cancer Society (ACS) provides estimates on the number of new cancer cases and deaths, and compiles health statistics on the US Hispanic population. The compiled statistics include cancer incidence, mortality, and behaviors relevant to cancer using the most recent data on incidence from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiolgy, and End Results (SEER) Program, mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics, and behavioral information from the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS], Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System [YRBSS], and National Health Interview Survey [NHIS].) An estimated 67,400 new cases of cancer and 22,100 cancer deaths will occur among Hispanics in 2003. Hispanics have lower incidence and death rates from all cancers combined and from the four most common cancers (breast, prostate, lung and bronchus, and colon and rectum) than non-Hispanic whites. However, Hispanics have higher incidence and mortality rates from cancers of the stomach, liver, uterine cervix, and gallbladder, reflecting in part greater exposure to specific infectious agents and lower rates of screening for cervical cancer, as well as dietary patterns and possible genetic factors. Strategies for reducing cancer risk among Hispanics include further development of effective interventions to increase screening and physical activity, reductions in tobacco use and obesity, and the development and application of effective vaccines.