Raleigh, N.C. – June 21, 2012— In an effort to reduce cancer disparities and save lives, the American Cancer Society is reaching out to Hispanic groups and organizations in North Carolina.
“Over the past several months, we have increased our efforts to build meaningful relationships within the Latino community,” said Sasha Gibson, manager, Hispanic/Latino Health Equity Initiatives for the American Cancer Society in North Carolina. “This population is an important part of our society, contributing to our economy, enriching our neighborhoods and helping to strengthen the fabric of our communities. It is critical that they have access to information about cancer prevention, detection and treatment as well as opportunities to get involved with the American Cancer Society through volunteer leadership opportunities.”
Through recent activities, the American Cancer Society:
- participated in Univision’s Family Fair, sharing cancer information with hundreds of community members in attendance;
- partnered with La Conexión to promote Look Good…Feel Better, a program helping women deal with appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment;
- partnered with Que Pasa to promote Road to Recovery, a Society program providing transportation to treatment;
- collaborated with the Mexican Consulate for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to ensure that information and funds are available to support early detection and prevention of breast cancer;
- partnered with the Mexican Consulate and El Pueblo to conduct a cancer education and prevention program as part of the consulate’s Ventanillas de Salud health initiative;
- partnered with the Latino group Fe Amor y Esperanza for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay For Life, two major community events raising funds and awareness for cancer research and prevention;
- collaborated with AMEXCAN, a non-profit Hispanic/Latino organization mobilizing community health workers (Promotores de Salud) to motivate the Hispanic/Latino population to participate in the Society’s Cancer Prevention Study 3; and
- joined with the North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to provide cancer information during Minority Health Month, including monthly updates on events, services and programs.
According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 15 percent of the total US population identifies themselves as Hispanic or Latino. This fastest-growing minority group in the country includes 45.5 million Americans. “Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2009-2011” published by the Society, reports that 1 in 2 Hispanic/Latino men and 1 in 3 Hispanic/Latino women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The median age for Hispanics at cancer diagnosis is 62 (compared to 68 for whites). The lifetime probability of dying from cancer is 1 in 5 for Hispanic/Latino men and 1 in 6 for Hispanic/Latino women. Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanics/Latinos, accounting for 20 percent of deaths overall and 13 percent of deaths in children. Although Hispanics have lower incidence and death rates than non-Hispanic/Latino whites for the most common cancers, they are more likely to be diagnosed with a more advanced stage of cancer.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
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