Two types of leukemia—acute lymphocytic (ALL) and acute promyelocytic (APL)—are more widespread in Latinos and more likely to be diagnosed younger, according to a Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center review. Among people under the age of 20, Hispanics have the highest rate of leukemias of all ethnicities—in children, by more than 20%, cancer organizations note. 

Latinos also face survival disparities: A separate study found 10-year survival for adult Hispanic patients with ALL was 28%, compared with 39% for non-Hispanics. For APL, that figure was 69% versus 76% of their counterparts.

“Leukemia has a big impact on Latinos,” he says. “It hits young people in the prime of their life. It’s a fatal disease, but it’s curable with a stem cell transplant.” 

Researchers have found genetic and genomic mutations linked to ALL in people of Latino descent, although its prevalence in the Latino community could also be environmental. Risk factors include certain jobs such as farmers involved in cattle ranching, dairy production and herbicide use and exposure to some pesticides. Epidemiological studies are ongoing.