Published on Nov. 11, 2026
Latinos smoke less and are diagnosed with lung cancer less often than non-Hispanic White adults, yet their cancers are more often found at an advanced stage. A 2026 review of 59 studies in the Journal of the National Hispanic Medical Association found Latinos are also less likely to be screened.
Eligibility depends largely on smoking history, so fewer Latinos qualify. Even those who do face barriers: pack-year histories — how much and how long someone has smoked — are often missing for foreign-born patients.
“Lower smoking rates in Latino communities are good news for lung health,” said Matthew D. Stanley, M.D., board-certified thoracic surgeon, MemorialCare. “But those who do smoke are less likely to be screened. For some, that may stem from mistrust built by past health care experiences. For others, especially those born outside the U.S., preventive care may not have been emphasized. Our Lung Screening Program helps patients understand eligibility and next steps, without judgment.”
Yearly low-dose CT screening is for people ages 50 to 80 with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years who currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years. The scan itself takes less than a minute, requires no needles or contrast dye, and can detect lung cancer before symptoms begin. A lung nurse navigator helps patients clarify smoking history, understand results and coordinate follow-up.
Screening is meant for people without symptoms. Anyone, regardless of smoking history, who has a cough that won’t go away, coughs up blood, or has shortness of breath, chest pain or unexplained weight loss should see a doctor. About 1 in 5 people who die of lung cancer never smoked. Imaging done for symptoms or other reasons may also reveal a lung nodule.
A nodule does not automatically mean cancer. Most are benign, but follow-up determines whether monitoring or more testing is needed. Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure with no incisions, can biopsy small nodules deep in the lung.
If cancer is confirmed, the multidisciplinary team at MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center develops an individualized plan. A lung cancer navigator helps families with language, insurance and cost questions and explains medical information in plain language.
“When lung cancer is found early, surgery can be curative, and many patients lose only a small portion of the lung and return to normal life,” said Dr. Stanley. “For appropriate patients, robotic-assisted surgery uses small incisions, which may mean less pain, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. Early detection can change everything for Latino families.”
To learn more about lung cancer screening, call (888) 636-5864 or visit memorialcare.org/lung.