Cancer-related health behaviors and screening practices among Latinos: findings from a community and agricultural labor camp survey

Abstract

Objective: To examine whether cancer-related health behaviors and screening practices differ within a population of Latino adults, including those often missed by cancer surveys.

Design: Cross-sectional survey, conducted in 2000. Sample of 461 women and 356 men from the community (75% with unlisted telephones) and 188 men from agricultural labor camps, 18-64 years of age.

Setting: Monterey County, California.

Outcomes: Six health behaviors and risk factors: obesity, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, high alcohol use, and smoking. Five health practices and screening tests used to detect cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer.

Results: Most respondents were born in Mexico, spoke Spanish, and had lived in the United States 10 years or more. In both surveys, more than 60% were overweight including more than 20% who were obese. Men, especially from labor camps, reported high dietary fat intake, low fruit intake, and high alcohol use. For every additional 5 years lived in the United States, the odds of obesity increased 25% for women, and the odds of high-fat/fast food intake and high alcohol use increased 35% and 50%, respectively for labor camp men. Screening rates for cervical and breast cancer were high and met Healthy People 2000 objectives. In contrast, screening rates for colorectal cancer were low; among those 50 and older, approximately 70%-80% of women and men from the community sample and 100% of men from the labor camp sample had never had a blood stool test. Unmarried women, in particular, had poor nutrition and low screening rates.

Conclusions: Cancer control programs for Latinos need a particular focus on weight, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol, and colorectal screening.