Cancer continues to be a top cause of death for those living in the US, including Latinos, who suffer disproportionate rates of certain cancer types, are diagnosed at later stages, and are more likely to die from the disease.
This is because many Latinos and other people of color are face living disparities that impact their access to healthcare, education, quality affordable housing, and more.
These factors can establish what kind of healthcare and treatments someone can get.
That’s why researchers choose to keep studying the intersection between race/ethnicity and healthcare so that science and medicine can improve cancer outcomes for these individuals and everyone.
Here are three cancer studies that focus on racial/ethnic disparities and cancer.
1. Race/Ethnicity Trends in Incidence of Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer remains the second –most common cancer in men aged 15-39 worldwide, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicine.
This is especially true for white men, who have statistically higher rates of testicular cancer.
With this in mind, researchers led by the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences sought to look at the incidence of testicular cancer across races and ethnicities to see how they compare.
Their findings were published in the article “Racial/ethnic differences in trends of testicular germ cell tumor incidence in the United States, 1992-2021″ in the National Library of Medicine.
Based on the study data, researchers discovered that Latino men had experienced some of the highest increases of testicular cancer in recent years.
Researchers concluded that the incidence in Latino men had more than doubled from 1992 to 2021.
There may be several reasons for the increase.
But some of the risk factors associated with this type of testicular cancer include a condition where the testes fail to descend into the scrotum, inguinal hernia, genetics, and environmental factors among other things, according to the research.
2. Lung Cancer Treatment Disparities
Another study explored racial disparities between Black and White patients with lung cancer in Tennessee.
Specifically, researchers from several universities and health agencies investigated the early initiation of treatment for lung cancer.
Like most types of cancer, lung cancer is dependent on the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease to ensure better outcomes.
When examining the data, researchers found that Black patients were at a higher risk for delayed treatment than their white counterparts.
“Cancer care resources are needed in Black communities to ensure timely treatment of invasive lung cancer, reduce disparities, and promote equitable care for all cancer patients,” according to the study.
What’s more, Black patients aged 45 and younger and married white patients had the highest risk for late treatment. Patients with private insurance had a higher risk of late treatment over 2.7 weeks compared to self-pay or uninsured patients.
Furthermore, those who were diagnosed with localized or regional lung cancer stages had a decreased delay in treatment compared to those with more distant stage cancer type.]
The reach of lung cancer also extends to other population groups.
While smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for lung cancer and Latinos have fewer cigarettes than their white peers, Latinos are still at higher risk for delayed treatment due to non-medical drivers of health such as access to care, transportation, income, insurance, and more.
However, a proposed rule by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to reduce the nicotine levels in cigarettes in hopes of decreasing the health impacts of smoking on the body.
You can submit a model comment created by Salud America! urging the FDA to make cigarettes and other tobacco products less addictive today.
3. ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in Drinking Water Linked to Cancer
A new study out of the Keck School of Medicine of USC has found a link between PFAS or “forever chemicals” in drinking water and certain types of cancer, according to a recent news release.
Sometimes found in non-stick coating, cleaning agents, packaging, and other manufactured goods, PFAS or “forever chemicals” are hazardous to health and safety and are hard to break down over time, causing damage to the environment.
While there have been efforts by many agencies that use these products to cut down on their use or safely dispose of their waste, “forever chemicals” continue to pollute the air and drinking water, putting people’s health at risk.
The study published by the Journal of Exposure Science & Enviornmental Epidemiology found that PFAS in drinking water can cause a 33% higher incidence of certain cancers.
This is particularly alarming considering PFAS has been found in 45% of drinking water supplies across the country, according to a journal article on PFAS and water.
Research on the topic has concluded that PFAS is linked to a wide array of health problems, including kidney, breast, and testicular cancers.
However, this particular study has found new evidence to support the link between PFAS and rare cancers such as digestive, endocrine, respiratory, and mouth and throat cancers, according to the accompanying news release.
Given the fact that many of these contaminated waters are in areas with populations of people of color, Latinos and others are particularly vulnerable to PFAS-caused cancers.
Need for More Diversity in Cancer Studies
Latinos, along with many other people of color, continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials and research studies, especially when it comes to cancer.
Clinical trials are important because they are one of the best ways to find, prevent, and treat cancer along with other diseases. They may also help improve the quality of life for volunteers affected by cancer or reduce the side effects of treatment.
However, they require volunteers to make it happen.
Without a representative pool of volunteers, there’s no way of telling if a medication, therapy, or other form of treatment will work for each patient’s background.
The fact that only 1 in 5 diagnosed with cancer seek a clinical trial underscores the need for more clinical trial and research study participation to ensure more advancements in cancer research and better cancer outcomes.
To find a clinical trial or read stories about real trial volunteers, visit the Salud America! clinical trials page.
In San Antonio, search the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio’s Find a Clinical Trial database to learn more about available clinical trials and eligibility requirements.
The Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship study is also looking for participants in South Texas.
Those who have completed primary cancer treatment for breast, colon, kidney, liver, lung, prostate, stomach or cervical cancer within the last 10 years and are 18 or older are eligible to participate.
To volunteer for Avanzando Caminos or ask questions, contact Dr. Ramirez’s team at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio at 210-562-6514 or caminos@uthscsa.edu. Volunteers are eligible for $50 per visit! Find out more on the Avanzando Caminos website in (English) or (Spanish).
If you live outside South Texas, visit clinicaltrials.gov to find a clinical trial near you.
The post 3 Important Studies on How Cancer Affects Latinos and All People appeared first on Salud America.