The disproportionate rate at which cancer affects Latinos was the subject of a discussion at LULAC’s 85th Annual Convention, which recently formed a partnership with the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in order to raise cancer awareness within the Latino Community.
Elena Roman, Chief Operating Officer of the CTCA and a speaker at LULAC’s Women’s Luncheon, told the Latin Post that “we have to accelerate education within our communities because cancer is the number one cause of death with Latinos, and it shouldn’t be that way.”
According to the American Cancer Society’s report, Cancer Facts and Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2012-2014, 17,400 males and 15,800 females are expected to have passed away in 2012 due to cancer.
One of the major problems Roman points out is that Latinos are often “turning up late for treatment, not turning up at all or not staying for treatment.” She highlighted some of the major factors contributing to this alarming statistic: lack of information, fear, lack of access to affordable healthcare, and a poor diet.
Simple efforts can go a long way, such as seeking advice when an unknown symptom arises, going to the doctor with family members, and writing a list of questions to ask the doctor.
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