The health prognosis may be grim for America's swiftly rising Latino population. Based on U.S. Census projections that the Latino population will triple by 2050,

University of Illinois researchers expect cancer diagnoses to rise, particularly among Latinas. In fact, the incidence of breast cancer and cervical cancer among women will explode, says U of I professor Lydia Buki.

"It's really a train wreck waiting to happen, and we're not doing enough to anticipate women's needs," Buki said in a U of I press release. "Even right now, we are not doing a good job of providing services for these women."

Breast cancer leads the list of cancers harming Latinas in the U.S., with the five-year rate of survival among this specific group lower than that of non-Latina whites. Even worse, Latinas are three times more likely to battle cervical cancer than their white female counterparts.

The most prevalent cancers affecting Latinos in America:

1. Breast cancer

2. Cervical cancer

3. Colorectal cancer

4. Prostate cancer

University of Illinois July 29, 2009

Science Daily July 30, 2009