Research Can Help Close Cancer ...(respondents with daughters under age 18 ...),Health

"Our local Hispanic community has grown nearly seven-fold over the last decade, yet we do not know much, if anything, about their cancer-related needs," lead investigator Pamela Hull, associate director of the Center for Health Research at Tennessee State University, said in a prepared statement. "Our survey has found that members of the Nashville Hispanic community are overwhelmingly interested in cancer prevention and health care efforts -- including cancer clinical trials and cervical cancer vaccination -- yet the community generally lacks access to care and information."

"Over the last 15 years of so, many smaller cities and rural communities across the interior of the United States have seen a similar growth of Hispanic immigrants moving from the states with traditionally larger Hispanic populations," Hull said. "Our survey, and the participatory methods we use, could help inform these new growth communities about their blossoming Hispanic populations."

In general, Hispanics have lower cancer rates than whites, but have higher rates for certain types of cancers, such as cervical, stomach, liver and leukemia, according to the American Cancer Society. Hispanics also have lower survival rates for most cancers. The Nashville survey found that cancer rates among Hispanics may vary according to their country of origin, Hull said.

The other researcher/community group partnerships outlined at the conference included one to help black Americans stop smoking and another to educate members of the Navajo Nation about colorectal cancer.

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