A recent study conducted at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that first-generation Hispanic immigrants living in Florida are 40% more likely to develop cancer than people who did not emigrate from their native countries. While researchers admit that further research is needed to determine the cause of this group’s higher cancer rate, culture has an obvious impact.
The increase in cancers among first-generation immigrants living in Florida may be due to the development of unhealthy habits. In addition, more widespread diagnostic measures in the U.S. that lead to greater detection could play a part. - Dr. Paulo Pirheiro, Lead Researcher
Certainly, better access equals better health care; however, the influence of a new culture should not be discounted. Different eating habits, changes in leisure and fitness activities, and other lifestyle modifications are common immigrant experiences and can all have an impact on a person’s health and wellbeing.
But what about stress? Immigration to a new country and culture can be an extremely stressful event. How this stress impacts the health of the 30,000 study participants is a perspective that warrants further study. Established research confirms that long-term, chronic psychological stress has a negative impact on a person's overall health, yet there are conflicting results concerning it’s impact on cancer development.
Visit the National Cancer Institute for more information about the link between stress and cancer: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stress.
