Protect your familia: Screen for cancer to achieve better health outcomes

During Hispanic Heritage Month, we reflect on the love and pride we have for our cultura.

As we enjoy this month of history, celebration and unity with our friends and familia, it’s also a great time to raise awareness on important health topics like cancer prevention.

It’s no secret that cancer is a major concern for the Latino community.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Latinos. Additionally, about 1 in 3 Latino men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

Latino families must prioritize early detection and getting routine cancer screenings.

According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Enquête de détection précoce 2024, “When cancer is detected early, it can lead to less extensive treatment, more treatment options and better chances of survival.”

Let’s dive into the barriers that Latinos face when it comes to cancer screening and what they should consider when it comes to routine screening and other preventive health measures.

Health disparities in cancer screenings 

An eye-opening 70% of U.S. adults are behind on at least one of their routine cancer screenings, according to the Enquête de détection précoce 2024.

Latinos are often disproportionately affected and face challenges when it comes to taking preventive actions against cancer:

Latinos were the most likely to indicate an inability to afford the cost (34%) and fear of a cancer diagnosis (29%) as reasons for not being up to date on screenings compared to other adults in the Early Detection Survey.

Lack of health insurance is another important barrier—the Foundation’s survey indicated U.S. adults without health insurance are over two times likely to say they haven’t had a routine medical appointment or cancer screening in the last year compared to those with health insurance.

To combat these socioeconomic issues, the Prevent Cancer Foundation helps people locate free and low-cost medical care within their local community, like routine screenings, testing and vaccinations.

People can find lists of screenings for breast, cervical, lung, prostate and other cancers, along with more information on insurance coverage, general health and LGBTQ+ screening resources.

“One of the top reasons for being behind on screenings—simply that people didn’t know they needed to be screened—was the same across nearly all survey participants, regardless of age, sex or race/ethnicity,” according to the Foundation.

Advocating for Better Outcomes

Latinos can take steps toward preventive health actions.

Start by talking to a health care provider and learning more about the routine cancer screenings you are eligible for depending on your age.

These conversations can be difficult, but with the help of resources from Prevent Cancer Foundation, patients, advocates and others can more confidently ask questions and speak up.

The Foundation provides information about which cancer screenings you may need, when to begin screening and how often you should be screened.

These screening charts can be downloaded and are available in Anglais et Espagnol.

Family history

Latinos should also consider family history to help determine personal cancer risk.

Many people who get cancer do not have a family history of the disease, but a personal or family history of cancer or certain other diseases may increase your risk.

“Having one or more family members with a history of certain cancers, including breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer, may place you at higher risk for the development of cancer,” according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Thanks to the Foundation, Latinos can fill out a family history chart to record cancer, chronic diseases and surgeries to share with other family members and health care providers to determine if you need to be screened at an earlier age or test more frequently. With or without a family history of cancer, everyone needs to get their routine screenings.

Patients can also find more information on genetic testing.

“Predictive genetic testing is performed to look for specific changes, called mutations, in a person’s genes before they show signs of a disease,” according to the Foundation.

Raising awareness of cancer clinical trials 

When cancer is detected, clinical trials are an important treatment option for many Latinos, said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.

“Latinos who participate in clinical trials have the potential to help themselves and contribute to the development of new treatments for people in the future,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez is creating new ways to encourage Latinos to volunteer for cancer clinical trials, with support from Genentech, a member of the Roche Group.

She is raising awareness by using Salud America! to showcase open clinical trials and uplift the stories of Latino clinical trial participants along with social media events, award-winning videos about clinical trials and educational webinars.

Those looking for clinical trial opportunities based in San Antonio can try the Avanzando Caminos survivorship study or search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available trials and eligibility requirements.

On a national level, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.

Promoting health equity for all 

Prioritizing prevention and early detection and encouraging others to do the same contributes to a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all. Everyone deserves an equal opportunity to stay ahead of cancer through prevention and early detection!

Your health is critical—but how often do you think about the health of your community?

Look no further than Salud America!’s Health Equity Report Card.

The report card provides a variety of Latino-focused, interactive data on several health topics including health care, mental health, education, poverty and more.

Compare your results to other counties and states across the nation.

Share the results with local leaders and health organizations to advocate for health equity in your community and start important conversations about health disparities.

Get your Health Equity Report Card!

Early detection made easier

While Latinos face hurdles to screening, survey results also shed light on what helps adults move ahead with routine medical and screening appointments.

53% of participants reported that text, phone call or email reminders would make them more likely to schedule their appointments.

38% of participants said the ability to schedule online or through an app would make them more likely to schedule (especially among Gen Z adults and Millennials).

It’s crucial to empower Latinos to take charge of their health and prioritize prevention and early detection.

“We see the benefits of early detection in our work every day, but we have an obligation to make sure the people see and understand these benefits, too,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

For a complete overview of prevention, screening, education and research resources, visit preventcancer.org.