A new study reveals that U.S.-born Mexican Americans face an increasingly higher risk of liver cancer with each subsequent generation, highlighting a growing health disparity among Latino populations. Researchers from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California found that second-generation Mexican Americans are 37% more likely to develop liver cancer compared to first-generation immigrants, while third-generation Mexican Americans face a 66% higher risk.
The study, published in the journal Cancer, analyzed data from over 31,000 Mexican Americans across three generations. Lead author Veronica Wendy Setiawan, PhD, emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, “With each successive generation, we’re seeing an increased risk of liver cancer. When we look more closely at this trend, the numbers are significant.”
While the national liver cancer rate has more than tripled since 1980, this study underscores the disproportionate impact on U.S.-born Latinos. The increased risk primarily affected men, though researchers note that the exact reasons for this generational increase remain unclear. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption, and smoking only partially explain the trend.
Setiawan stressed the importance of further research, saying, “Liver cancer is becoming a growing concern among Latinos, underscoring the importance of comprehending the factors driving this trend.” She added that identifying specific risk factors within this group may help uncover the underlying causes of these observations.
The study highlights the need for targeted interventions and increased awareness of liver cancer risk among Mexican American populations, particularly for second and third-generation individuals born in the United States.
See “Each Generation of Mexican Americans Is More Likely to Have Liver Cancer” (February 14, 2024)
