Caregivers with Cancer Patients: Focus on Hispanics

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Cancer is a disease in which cells divide abnormally and damage body tissues. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death, and due to the interplay of socioenvironmental, behavioral, and biological factors, there are well-established differences in cancer incidence and outcomes by race and ethnicity in the US. Hispanics have a lower incidence of cancer as compared to whites, but the overall trend of fewer cancer screenings in this ethnic group can result in diagnostic and treatment delays and higher death rates. Hispanic cultural values influence their health behaviors and the choice of care for their loved ones. In this review, we focus on Hispanics to discuss cancer risk factors among them, the caregiving aspects, and the identification of interventions to reduce Hispanic caregivers’ burden. ABSTRACT: Cancer is a public health concern and causes more than 8 million deaths annually. Cancer triggers include population growth, aging, and variations in the prevalence and distribution of the critical risk factors for cancer. Multiple hallmarks are involved in cancer, including cell proliferation, evading growth suppressors, activating invasion and metastasis, resisting cell death, enabling replicative immortality, reprogramming energy metabolism, and evading immune destruction. Both cancer and dementia are age-related and potentially lethal, impacting survival. With increasing aging populations, cancer and dementia cause a burden on patients, family members, the health care system, and informal/formal caregivers. In the current article, we highlight cancer prevalence with a focus on different ethnic groups, ages, and genders. Our article covers risk factors and genetic causes associated with cancer and types of cancers and comorbidities. We extensively cover the impact of cancer in Hispanics in comparison to that in other ethnic groups. We also discuss the status of caregivers with cancer patients and urgent needs from the state and federal support for caregivers.