Canto’s untimely passing is one of the latest in a string of actors of color losing their fight with private cancer battles. On Dec. 11, 2023, actor Andre Braugher died at 61 due to lung cancer. Braugher was known for his role as Detective Ray Holt on the NBC/Fox hit sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine from 2013 to 2021.

Braugher’s publicist told The New York Times that he had been diagnosed with the disease just a few months before his death. In a 2014 interview with the outlet, the actor “stopped drinking alcohol and smoking years ago.”

The father of three was honored by several Hollywood A-listers he worked with throughout his extensive career, including his Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-star, Terry Crews.

“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts,” Crews wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like.”

Less than two weeks after Braugher’s death, the industry was dealt another tragedy with the sudden passing of All American actor and famed soap opera star Kamar de los Reyes. On Christmas Eve, De Los Reyes died after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 56.

The actor made a name for himself by portraying Antonio Vega on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. He also played a villain named Raul Menendez in the Call of Duty video game franchise. Blavity’s Shadow and Act reported that the actor had been filming for All American’s upcoming sixth season up until his death.

Healthcare disparities within Black and brown communities are no secret. Due to the lack of access to adequate care, insurance and other environmental factors, Black and non-white Hispanic individuals are prone to receiving cancer diagnoses.

The study stated that “compared with Caucasians, the cancer screening rate is substantially lower among African American, Asian American, Latinx American and American Indian/Alaska Native populations.”

In addition, obstacles “such as low health literacy, lack of health insurance, and miscommunication between patients and providers have been identified as important factors that result in low screening rates among minority adults.”

In 2022, Canto told Anthem Magazine recalled being bit by the acting bug when he was just seven years old after being cast as an extra on the Mexican romance film, Like Water for Chocolate.

“I remember it vividly, just the experience of being on set and the creation of a world,” he said. “The wardrobe, the set design — it was a beautiful thing. But I just never thought I would get to be a part of that world. I never thought it was something that you can aim for or achieve coming from such a small town, right?”