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Hispanics Less Likely to Seek Cancer Information

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Hispanics Less Likely to Seek Cancer Information

February 23, 2009 by Maite Arce  
Filed under Health

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83% of Spanish-speaking Hispanics have never even looked for cancer information

Differences in cancer information-seeking and information access have the potential to shape health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and medical decisions, and may contribute to disparities in health outcomes among disadvantaged populations.

How Can This Inform Your Work?

English fluency is one of many factors that influence Hispanics’ interactions with the U.S. health care system. Spanish-speaking Hispanics may encounter barriers to accessing the abundant supply of primarily English-language cancer-prevention and treatment information. Health practitioners are uniquely positioned to address language barriers in order to promote accurate cancer knowledge and beliefs, as well as early screening and treatment options among Hispanics.

Recommendations:

• Consider using outreach efforts to promote the utilization of accessible, language-appropropriate cancer information resources.
• Consider utilizing interpersonal channels of communication (i.e., healthcare providers, family, and friends) for outreach to Hispanics.
• Assess whether the Internet is an appropriate channel to reach your target audience. (When it comes to Internet usage, only 21% of the Spanish-speaking population report going online as compared with 66% of non-Hispanics and 58% of English-speaking Hispanics).

Learn more about the cancer-seeking behavior study results here

For more information call the NCI Cancer Information Service at 1-800-422-6237. Order NCI Cancer publications at https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/ncipubs/