Cancer is the leading cause of mortality among U.S. Latinos, accounting for about 20% of deaths, according to an American Cancer Society report. What’s more, while Latinos are less likely than their white counterparts to be diagnosed with the most common cancers (lung, colorectal, breast and prostate), they face higher risks for cancers linked to infections (liver, stomach and cervix). For Latinos, common barriers to cancer care include cultural misconceptions about the disease and a lack of prevention awareness. The following resources are tailored to Latinos and Spanish speakers.
American Cancer Society
Spanish speakers can access detailed cancer information at 800-227-2345 and online at cancer.org/es. In addition, the group’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (nccrt.org) promotes screening for the second-most common cancer among Latino men. Its online resource center includes a Latinos and Colorectal Cancer Companion Guide, which covers top barriers to screening and more.
American Lung Association
Last year, about 11,800 Latinos were diagnosed with lung cancer. American Lung Association offers Spanish and English resources on prevention—including tool kits to help people quit smoking—with the aim of lowering lung cancer incidence. Other resources include educational pages on vaping among teens, lung cancer screening and more.
CancerCare
CancerCare staff provide free support services, counseling, information, workshops, patient navigation and more in Spanish to help folks navigate cancer.
Family Reach
Racial wealth disparities often give rise to financial barriers that impede access to cancer care. Family Reach provides nonmedical financial support for patients facing cancer and offers its financial tip sheets in Spanish. Family Reach’s Cancer Equity Initiative focuses its efforts on the regions with the highest rates of cancer mortality and poverty among Latinos and African Americans.
Hispanic Access Foundation
This group works to improve health outcomes for U.S. Latinos. Its multistate initiative, Together We Can Defeat Cancer (Juntos Podemos Contra El Cáncer), helps change Latino attitudes toward cancer care. The project connects Latinos with bilingual cancer services and boosts awareness of preventive care.
Latino Cancer Institute (LCI)
The nonprofit network LCI provides education and support services to Latinos with cancer and their caregivers. To ease the burden of cancer, LCI acts as a connector and advocate for Latinos. Its website offers the latest on global cancer research and policy addressing inequities impacting Latinos with cancer.
Latina Sisters Support (LSS)
Latinas born in the United States experience a higher incidence of breast cancer compared with their counterparts born in Latin America. LSS supports New York–based Latinas living with all types of cancer by raising community awareness, promoting education and providing resources to expand access to cancer diagnosis and care.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
The LLS Family Support Groups program gives patients and their families a place to share information in a comfortable environment. LLS staffers include Latino patient and community outreach leaders who offer culturally relevant community workshops, educational events and more.
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