The Americans counted as Hispanic/Latino by the US Census Bureau come from very different ethnic backgrounds and nations—ranging from Argentina to Mexico to Puerto Rico. But in the US, these diverse people have one unfortunate fact in common: they are the least likely of five racial/ethnic groups to have a regular source of health care.

That means poor use of tests to find cancer early (early detection tests) and higher rates of death due to cancer. And that's why the American Cancer Society is rolling out a bilingual awareness campaign for Hispanic/Latino people called, "Mi Vida" (My Life).

Mi Vida ads focus on the importance of family, which is greatly valued across Hispanic/Latino communities. Cancer survivors are featured saying, "…if I care about my family so much, shouldn't I give them what they want—my life!" The ads encourage adults to regularly visit their doctor to be tested for cancer.

The campaign was test marketed in Texas with tremendous interest from local newspapers, radio stations, and TV outlets. The ad campaign will be adapted for other communities in Florida and California that have large Hispanic/Latino populations.

As a group, Americans of Hispanic/Latino heritage generally have lower rates of cancer overall--but face the same health care barriers as other minority groups. Many Hispanics have poor access to the tests that find cancer early, have no health insurance, no regular health care provider, and/or an income close to poverty level.

Difficulty understanding English makes these problems worse and can prevent people from even learning about critical tests for finding cancer early (early detection). The following facts outline cancer incidence, death rates, and use of screening tests:

• Hispanics have fewer cancers and fewer deaths from all cancers combined, and from the four most common cancers (female breast, prostate, colon-rectum, and lung).
  
  
• Hispanic women have nearly twice as many cervical cancers compared with non-Hispanic white women.
  
  
• Hispanics have more cancers of the stomach and liver.
  
  
• Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanics to receive tests that find cancer early such as a mammogram, Pap test, or sigmoidoscopy.

Cervical cancer can be prevented or cured if a woman follows the guidelines for early detection, which include regular Pap tests. Yet one in four Hispanic women had not had a routine female exam in the two years before the survey. More than one in ten had never had such an exam, which includes the simple Pap test. (Kaiser Family Foundation and Los Angeles Times survey, 1999)

While Hispanic/Latino Americans currently have a lower risk for cancer overall, certain diet and lifestyle habits could lead to a rise in cancer rates, for example:

• Hispanics have low levels of physical activity and high levels of obesity.
  
  
• More Hispanic youths are smoking. The number reporting smoking has increased from 25% in 1991 to 33% in 1999.
  
  
• Fewer than 40% of Hispanic women age 40 and older have regular screening mammograms, which can help find breast cancer early. (NCI Cancer Facts: Breast Cancer and Mammography Facts, 1998).
  
  
• A third of cancer deaths could likely be prevented by a good diet, plenty of physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.

One move Hispanic/Latino women can make right now is to take advantage of the mammograms and Pap tests available at a reduced cost or free in all 50 states through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, 1-888-842-6355 (select option 7).

For more information or to help with cancer awareness in minority communities, use our online community events finder or call toll-free 1-800-ACS-2345.