Cancer risk factors among men of diverse Hispanic or Latino origins

Personal health behaviors play a fundamental role in premature cancer morbidity and mortality. However, routine risk factor data on Latino groups are lacking. Knowledge of cancer risk prevalence by ethnoregional groups is particularly important for development of effective prevention and control strategies.

Using the diverse populations and sites involved in the National Hispanic Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NHLIC): En Acción, this paper examines prevalence of six cancer risk factors among Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Central American adult males in eight U.S. cities. Data were collected through two telephone surveys. The 1993-1994 sample consisted of 4170 males (2041 <40 years and 2120 > or =40 years). The 1997-1998 sample consisted of 4486 males (2286 <40 years and 2200 > or =40 years).

Clear differences exist in risk factor prevalence among Latino subgroups. Overall, riskiest behaviors were found among Mexican American men in Texas, more of whom smoked, engaged in acute alcohol drinking, and had poorer diets and higher obesity levels than other Latino men.

Root causes of these ethnoregional differences are likely due to both economic and cultural factors. Cancer prevention and control strategies and programs should be tailored to address specific needs of each population group.