METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, in-person interviews (n = 1795) were conducted in a population-based random sample of adults in 20 communities with a high proportion of Hispanics.

RESULTS: Hispanics were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to ever have had cervical (p < 0.001),="" breast="">p = 0.007), or colorectal cancer (FOBT p = 0.008; sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy p < 0.002)="" screening.="" after="" adjusting="" for="" socioeconomic="" status="" (education="" and="" having="" health="" insurance),="" only="" differences="" in="" cervical="" cancer="" remained="" significant="">p = 0.024). After adjusting for socioeconomic status, Hispanics had a significantly higher intake of fruits and vegetables per day (4.84 servings) than non-Hispanic Whites (3.84 servings) (p < 0.001);="" and="" fat="" behavior="" score="" was="" marginally="" significant="" after="" adjustment="" for="" socioeconomic="" status="">p = 0.053). Significantly fewer Hispanics were current smokers than non-Hispanic Whites (p <>

CONCLUSIONS: There is only limited support for the hypothesis that socioeconomic status is a major determinant of some cancer-related behaviors; specifically, socioeconomic status is related to mammography and colorectal screening, but not cervical cancer, dietary behavior, or smoking.