Information for your health

WATSONVILLE - Santa Cruz County stands out on a statewide map of cancer statistics.
The rate of cancer among Latinos here is higher than in Monterey and San Benito counties, and much higher than the state average, according to the California Cancer Registry. For example, there are 439 cases of cancer per 100,000 people among Latinos in Santa Cruz County compared to 372 per 100,000 statewide.

That's not the only statistic troubling local health officials.

Death rates for Latinos with cancer are higher in Santa Cruz County than in neighboring counties.

Recent research indicates nearly one-half of Latino women and one-third of Latino men can expect to be diagnosed with cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Hispanic men and women have a greater chance of being diagnosed with cancer at a later, less treatable stage of the disease, and they are less likely than the general public to survive five years after a cancer diagnosis," said Elsa Quezada of the Central Coast Center for Independent Living in Santa Cruz.

Latinos are less likely to have health insurance to pay for treatment. Last year, 91 percent of white adults in the county reported they have health insurance; for Latinos, it was 78 percent, according to the United Way Community Assessment Project.

"Millions of Americans think they are covered but find out too late their insurance is inadequate, and as a consequence they often face substantial financial burdens," Quezada said.

Those diagnosed with more advanced cancer face more difficult and more expensive medical treatments.
This issue, and what to do about it, will be discussed at a special day-long forum sponsored by the American Cancer Society on Aug. 8 at the Watsonville Civic Center Plaza community room. The society's Cancer Action Network has launched a major initiative to make the issue of access to health care a state and national priority.

The goal of the local forum is to gather input from health experts and community members to develop a plan to reduce health care inequities in cancer treatment. Quezada is chairwoman for the program.

Speakers include Dr. George Fisher, president-elect of the California Division of the American Cancer Society, Sheena Cresswell of the Northern California Cancer Center, Jessica Oltmanns of Santa Cruz County Health Services, Chila Correa of WomenCARE, a support group for cancer patients and Christian Pinon of Salud Para la Gente. Eleanor Littman of the Health Improvement Partnership of Santa Cruz County will moderate.

The forum is free; people are asked to register by e-mailing Nancy Valdez at nancy.valdez@cancer.org or calling 442-2994 by Aug. 1.

Contact Jondi Gumz at 706-3253 or jgumz@santacruzsentinel.com.

Cancer snapshot

Cancer rates for the Hispanic population, 2001-05. They are the most recent figures available.

CANCER CASES Rate per 100,000 people

Santa Cruz County 439

San Benito County 410

Monterey County 379

California 372

CANCER DEATHS RATE PER 100,000 PEOPLE

Santa Cruz County 162

San Benito County 139

Monterey County 132

California 140

SOURCE: California Cancer Registry, www.cancer-rates.info/ca