U.S. Hispanics are less likely than other groups to develop cancer, but more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Though cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanics, responsible for 20 percent of overall death in Hispanics and 13 percent of death in Hispanic children, it causes less death among Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites, the report, compiled by the American Cancer Society, said.

Though the report found lower cancer incidence rates generally in Hispanics, it also found Hispanics have higher rates of several cancers, including cancers of stomach, Cervix, liver, gallbladder and acute lymphocytic leukemia.

For many cancer types, Hispanics are far more likely than whites to be diagnosed in a later stage of the disease, when the cancer is likely to be less treatable, according to the report.

The report, published first in 2000 and updated every three years, estimated that 98,900 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in U.S. Hispanics this year and that 18,800 Hispanics will die of the disease.

"Many Hispanics face barriers to receiving adequate, affordable health care that likely have a significant impact on prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer," said Vilma Cokkinides, American Cancer Society director for risk factor surveillance and co-author of the report.

"The Hispanic/Latino population will benefit from the same approaches that are most important in reducing cancer risk in the general population -- preventing and treating tobacco dependence, increasing access to immunization programs, high quality cancer screening and appropriate follow-up care, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight," Cokkinides said.

Source: Xinhua