This atlas illustrates the latest available data on the cancer epidemic, showing causes, stages of development, and prevalence rates of different types of cancers by gender, income group, and region. It also examines the cost of the disease, both in terms of health care and commercial interests, and the steps being taken to curb the epidemic, from research and screening to cancer management programs and health education.

Worldwide, more than half a million women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually and more than 300,000 die from the disease. At least 85% of the deaths occur in low-middle income countries (LMICs)and almost 10% of them in Latin America (LATAM) and the Caribbean, where mortality rates are almost five times higher than in high-income areas. Infection with high-risk subtypes of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary, but not sufficient cause of cervical cancer. The natural history of the disease involves persistent high-risk HPV infections, followed by the development of precancerous cervical lesions, and progression to invasive cervical cancer, in a process that usually occurs throughout many years. The long natural history of the disease provides a window of opportunity for secondary prevention with screening tests, which identify women infected with HPV or with cytologic abnormalities indicative of precancerous lesions. These lesions can be successfully treated when diagnosed early. Besides, the existence of a primary infectious etiologic agent allows for primary prevention with prophylactic HPV vaccines capable of reducing the incidence of causative infections. Thus, cervical cancer is considered a preventable and treatable disease, but, despite that, it continues to be the third cause of cancer in women in the region.

This open access book gives an overview of the sessions, panel discussions, and outcomes of the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference, held in February 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and hosted by the Mays Cancer Center and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. Latinos – the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing minority group in the United States – are expected to face a 142% rise in cancer cases in coming years. Although there has been substantial advancement in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment over the past few decades, addressing Latino cancer health disparities has not nearly kept pace with progress. The diverse and dynamic group of speakers and panelists brought together at the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference provided in-depth insights as well as progress and actionable goals for Latino-focused basic science research, clinical best practices, community interventions, and what can be done by way of prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in Latinos. These insights have been translated into the chapters included in this compendium; the chapters summarize the presentations and include current knowledge in the specific topic areas, identified gaps, and top priority areas for future cancer research in Latinos. Topics included among the chapters: Colorectal cancer disparities in Latinos: Genes vs. Environment Breast cancer risk and mortality in women of Latin American origin Differential cancer risk in Latinos: The role of diet Overcoming barriers for Latinos on cancer clinical trials Es tiempo: Engaging Latinas in cervical cancer research Emerging policies in U.S. health care Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos proves to be an indispensable resource offering key insights into actionable targets for basic science research, suggestions for clinical best practices and community interventions, and novel strategies and advocacy opportunities to reduce health disparities in Latino communities. It will find an engaged audience among researchers, academics, physicians and other healthcare professionals, patient advocates, students, and others with an interest in the broad field of Latino cancer.

Cancer is low or absent on the health agendas of low- and middle-income countries (LMCs) despite the fact that more people die from cancer in these countries than from AIDS and malaria combined. International health organizations, bilateral aid agencies, and major foundations—which are instrumental in setting health priorities—also have largely ignored cancer in these countries. This book identifies feasible, affordable steps for LMCs and their international partners to begin to reduce the cancer burden for current and future generations. Stemming the growth of cigarette smoking tops the list to prevent cancer and all the other major chronic diseases. Other priorities include infant vaccination against the hepatitis B virus to prevent liver cancers and vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. Developing and increasing capacity for cancer screening and treatment of highly curable cancers (including most childhood malignancies) can be accomplished using "resource-level appropriateness" as a guide. And there are ways to make inexpensive oral morphine available to ease the pain of the many who will still die from cancer.

Most women who die from cervical cancer, particularly in developing countries, are in the prime of their life. They may be raising children, caring for their family, and contributing to the social and economic life of their town or village. Their death is both a personal tragedy, and a sad and unnecessary loss to their family and their community. Unnecessary, because there is compelling evidence, as this Guide makes clear, that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Unfortunately, the majority of women in developing countries still do not have access to cervical cancer prevention programmes. The consequence is that, often, cervical cancer is not detected until it is too late to be cured. An urgent effort is required if this situation is to be corrected. This Guide is intended to help those responsible for providing services aimed at reducing the burden posed by cervical cancer for women, communities and health systems. It focuses on the knowledge and skills needed by health care providers, at different levels of care.

This volume reviews the evidence for a causal link between sexually transmitted infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) and the occurrence of cervical cancer, from a variety of different angles. Epidemiological studies and clinical, pathological, and cytological aspects of HPV infection are reviewed. Modern methods for analyzing HPV-DNA types by molecular biological techniques are described, and the statistical problems to be overcome in epidemiological work are explained. The volume was prepared by a broad team of experts from around the world, who met in Copenhagen in March 1988 to reach a consensus on the present state of understanding and to establish directions for future work.

This report provides updated data on suicide in the Region of the Americas and is issued every five years, this being the fourth edition. In addition to including analysis similar to previous reports (suicide according to age, sex, as well as methods used), this report includes an expanded set of analysis on risk factors for suicide in the Americas: the analysis of the annual age-standardized gender-specific suicide morality rate trends over time by country and sub-region and to identify points of inflection, and evaluates the association of specific risk factors on country-level suicide mortality rates.