Leticia Miranda

Latinos Face Cancer Scourge

As studies predict a sharp rise in cancer rates by 2050, the continued poor treatment of many Latinos living with cancer becomes a more urgent issue. Christina Hernandez for ColorLines Magazine investigates the many barriers Latinos face when looking for cancer treatment.

From the article:

Experts point to a complex web of social, environmental and economic factors behind the high cancer incidence and death rates.

A lack of health insurance is one of the top predictors for determining what keeps Latinas from getting cancer screenings, Buki said. Recent data shows that about two in every five Latinos lack health insurance. Under federal and state laws, undocumented immigrants have limited access to care.

Yet, a 2008 report by the Pew Hispanic Center found that just 17 percent of Latinos without a regular health care provider reported a lack of insurance coverage as the main reason. Insurance is not the only answer, said Buki: “This is an interdisciplinary issue.”

Read the rest of the article here at ColorLines.com and learn about what some doctors are doing to meet the needs of Latinos living with cancer.

Posted at 12:43 PM, Oct 14, 2009 in ColorLines Features | Permalink | View Comments