Cancer Statistics for Hispanics/Latinos, 2018

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hispanics/Latinos are the largest US minority group and cancer is their leading cause of death.
• Cancer incidence and mortality data for US Hispanics are reported periodically, but data for Puerto Rico were previously limited.
• Significant heterogeneity exists within the Hispanic population regarding cancer burden and risk factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present contemporary cancer incidence and mortality rates for Puerto Rico alongside US Hispanic data.
• To highlight disparities in cancer burden and risk factors among different Hispanic subgroups.
• To inform strategies for reducing cancer disparities in Hispanic populations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of cancer occurrence, risk factors, and screening data from the National Cancer Institute, North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Inclusion of contemporary incidence and mortality rates for Puerto Rico for the first time.
• Comparison of cancer rates between Puerto Rico Hispanics, other US Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites.

Main Results:

• Overall, Hispanics have lower cancer incidence (25%) and mortality (30%) than non-Hispanic whites, but higher rates of infection-related cancers.
• Puerto Rico shows distinct cancer patterns, with prostate cancer incidence 60% higher than other US Hispanics and 44% higher than non-Hispanic whites.
• Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Puerto Rico men, while lung cancer leads in other US Hispanic men.

Conclusions:

• Aggregated data mask significant cancer burden variations within the Hispanic population, particularly between island Puerto Ricans and other US Hispanics.
• Differences in cancer risk are attributed to varying exposures to infectious agents, behavioral factors, and screening prevalence.
• Culturally appropriate interventions, increased screening uptake, and targeted research are essential for reducing cancer disparities in Hispanic communities.