Cancer is now the number one killer of Hispanics

SPRINGFIELD, MASS (WWLP) - According to a new report, Cancer has replaced heart disease as the number one killer among Hispanics in the U.S. .

But it's not all grim news. Dr. James Stewart told 22news "Part of the shift is that cancer is a bigger problem because heart disease and stroke are a smaller problem."

According to an American Cancer Society report more than 33,000 Latinos will die of cancer in 2012 and about 112,000 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. 

Cancer was also more prevalent among young Hispanic people.

In 2012,  two percent of all cancer cases among Hispanics will be in children age fourteen and younger.

With fewer Latinos getting cancer screenings, cancer can become tough to identify and treat early.

Dr. Stewart told 22news increased screening could make a big difference in catching cancer early among Hispanics.