Among Hispanics in the United States, cancer was the leading cause of death prior to 2020, but it was displaced by covid-19 which left devastating numbers of illness and loss.
As revealed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) through an annual report on data and trends, Hispanics have lower levels for breast, colon, lung and prostate cancers, but higher levels for cancers associated with infectious.
The ACS revealed that since 1991, overall cancer mortality has decreased by 33%, averting 3.8 million cancer deaths.
However, it also forecasts 1.9 new cancer cases and 609,820 cancer deaths in the United States this year.
According to the report, as a consequence of the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, rates of cervical cancer in women aged 20 to 24 fell from 2012 to 2019.
“The large drop in the incidence of cervical cancer is extremely exciting because this is the first group of women to receive the HPV vaccine and this likely portends dramatic reductions in other associated cancers,” said Rebecca Siegel, lead author of the report. .
For his part, Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, also an author of the study, said that these results are clear evidence that vaccination can reduce the incidence of cancer and provides optimism to expand research towards the development of additional vaccines for cancer prevention. .
“More investment in strategies to harness the immune system in cancer prevention is warranted,” he added.
Prostate cancer
Instead, the report reveals that Prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States, has increased 3% each year from 2014 to 2019, after two previous decades of decline.
The incidence of prostate cancer is approximately 16% lower in Hispanic men than in white men, but 44% higher in men residing in Puerto Rico, who are 99% Hispanic.
The most worrying thing is that among those who have died from prostate cancer, the disease was detected at an advanced stage.
As noted by the study, since 2011, the diagnosis of late-stage prostate cancer has increased by 4% to 5% each year.
“The increasing percentage of men who develop advanced prostate cancer, which is much more difficult to treat and often incurable, is very discouraging.said Dr. Karen Knudsen, executive director of the American Cancer Society.
“To end cancer it is imperative that we focus on cancers where incidence and mortality trends are going in the wrong direction,” he said.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer of the American Cancer Society, noted that the incidence of prostate cancer in African-American men is 70% higher than in white men; while death rates are 2 to 4 times higher than those of all other racial and ethnic groups.
To decrease mortality from prostate cancer, the ACS launched the IMPACT initiative.
“This innovative initiative will leverage our unique organizational strengths to mobilize resources through public policy, patient support, and research,” Knudsen said.
“ACS is committed to using a three-pronged approach to reverse prostate cancer inequities and reduce prostate cancer death rates across all demographics by the year 2035.”
Dahut said IMPACT will fund bold new cancer research programs that connect the lab, clinic, and community.
“These studies will help discern who is at increased risk of prostate cancer and how to prevent it.”
IMPACT’s programs will expand patient support to facilitate access to prostate cancer screening and quality care, and advance public policies that directly address the burden of prostate cancer in the population.
“Our overall goals, for all men, can only be achieved with community partnerships, including working side by side with trusted organizations that share our vision to meaningfully address disparities in prostate cancer,” Knudsen said.
“This is a critical initiative, and we are seeking partnerships with diverse stakeholders to ensure its success.”
The full Cancer Facts and Statistics, 2023 report can be found at the following link: https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3322/caac.21763
How to prevent
Elissa Goodman, a cancer survivor who has dedicated her life to educating about cancer, recommends in the article “The Key to Starving Cancer: Lots of Fiber and a Healthy Gut,” a holistic approach to cancer prevention, consisting of on reducing gluten, dairy, sugar, artificial sweeteners, corn, soy, processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, and genetically modified (GMO) foods from the diet.
Instead, they recommend a diet high in fiber, containing legumes, probiotics, avocados, chia, flaxseed, seeds, berries, and bone broth, among others.