1. Home>
2. Specialties>
3. General Medicine>
4. Summary and Comment

BELIEFS ABOUT CANCER: LATINOS VS ANGLOS.

Misconceptions about the causes and symptoms of cancer are common. This cross-sectional survey of 1354 patients in an HMO in California demonstrates that misunderstandings are especially prevalent among Latino patients.

Latinos and Anglos revealed similar knowledge about such causes of cancer as asbestos exposure and smoking. However, Latinos were significantly more likely to think that cancer could be caused by sugar substitutes (58 percent vs. 42 percent), bruises (53 percent vs. 34 percent), microwave ovens (47 percent vs. 23 percent), pork (31 percent vs. 11 percent), breastfeeding (14 percent vs. 6 percent), and antibiotics (32 percent vs. 12 percent). Most differences remained after adjusting for a variety of factors, including education.

Latinos were as apt as Anglos to recognize important potential signs of cancer such as breast lumps or fatigue but were less aware of the potential significance of weight loss, change in bowel habits, or vaginal bleeding. Latinos were more likely to interpret dizziness and arthralgias as symptoms of cancer and to believe that a cancer diagnosis amounts to a death sentence (46 percent vs. 26 percent).

These data indicate that misconceptions about cancer are widespread, and that physicians caring for Latino patients should be especially alert to possible misunderstandings.

— THL

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine December 11, 1992

Citation(s):

Perez Stable EJ et al. Misconceptions about cancer among Latinos and Anglos. JAMA 1992 Dec 9 268 3219-3223.

• Medline abstract (Free)