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In the next 20 years, Latinos are expected to face a 142% rise in cancer rates.
Cancer is the top cause of premature death among Latinos. Latinos have higher rates than their peers for many cancers. Latinos also experience cancer differently—from genetics to the environment to healthcare access.
This Latino cancer crisis is especially alarming given the growing Latino population.
That’s why, in 2018, Dr. Amelie Ramirez of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio hosted the 1st-ever “Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos” conference.
Now Ramirez is bringing back the conference on Feb. 26-28, 2020 in San Antonio!
“We are excited to again bring together the brightest scientists, clinicians, advocates, policy leaders, and students to share what they’re learned about cancer in Latinos, and collaborate for innovative ways to address disparities,” Ramirez said.
Here are five reasons you should register now for the conference!
1. An Amazing Speaker Lineup
The 2nd Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference in Latinos has a stellar lineup of featured speakers.
Keynote: Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health, is a physician, epidemiologist, and author, Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of Public Health. He was named one of Time magazine’s epidemiology innovators and has been listed as one of the “World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds.” He’s published more than 800 scientific journal articles, 50 chapters and 15 books extensively about the social causes of health, mental health, and the consequences of trauma.
Read more about Dr. Galea here.
Plenary Speaker: Douglas Lowy is currently Acting Director of the National Cancer Institute. As Laboratory Chief, Dr. Lowy’s two main research areas focus on basic and translational aspects of human papillomavirus infection and on cancer genes.
Read more about Dr. Lowy here.
Plenary Speaker: Felicia Knaul is the Director of the Miami Institute for the Americas at the University of Miami College of Arts & Sciences, which focuses on policy analysis in all sectors, including the humanities, the arts, and social and economic development. She is also a Professor n the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of Miami Miller School Of Medicine. Since 2014, Dr. Knaul is Chair of the Lancet Commission on Global Access to Palliative Care and Pain Control. Dr. Knaul has produced more than 170 academic and policy publications, authored and lead-edited academic books, and serves on the advisory board or editorial board of several medical and health care publishers.
Read more about Dr. Knaul here.
Plenary Speaker: Eliseo Perez-Stable is Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health. He oversees the Institute’s $314 million budget to advance the science of minority health and health disparities. Recognized as a leader in Latino health care and disparities research, Dr. Pérez-Stable has spent more than 30 years leading research smoking cessation and tobacco control policy in Latino populations in the United States and Latin America.
Read more about Dr. Perez-Stable here.
Check out the tentative agenda to see more speakers!
2. A World-Renowned Scientific Planning Committee
The 2nd Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos is being hosted by Ramirez’s Institute for Health Promotion Research and the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio.
The conference’s Scientific Planning Committee is comprised of experts in cancer health disparities. Members were selected by their diverse educational backgrounds, expertise in different areas of cancer health disparities research, and experience organizing other conferences.
The committee is led by co-chairs Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, UT Health San Antonio, and Edward J. Trapido, ScD, FACE, Louisiana State University.
The rest of the committee includes:
- Adelaida M. Rosario, PhD, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- Ana Carla Cepeda Lopez, PhD, Universidad de Monterrey
- Anna M. Napoles, MPH, PhD, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- Barbara Segarra Vasquez, MT, DHSc, University of Puerto Rico
- Filipa C. Lynce, MD, Georgetown University
- Frank J. Penedo, PhD, University of Miami
- Laura Fejerman, PhD, University of California San Francisco
- Laura Magana Valladares, PhD, Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
- Laura Tenner, MD, UT Health San Antonio
- Marcia R. Cruz-Correa, MD, PhD, University of Puerto Rico
- Mariana C. Stern, PhD, University of Southern California
- Martin Mendoza, PhD, Food & Drug Administration
- Matthew P. Banegas, PhD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente
- Patricia I. Moreno, PhD, Northwestern University
- Paulo Pinheiro, MD, MSc, PhD, University of Miami
- Sandi Stanford, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation
3. Advance Your Career & Get Inspired
The 2nd Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference will unite over 300 researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the nation.
These leaders will engage in an open dialogue, under one roof, to discuss progress and research advancements to date, identify gaps, and develop actionable goals to translate basic research into clinical best practices, effective community interventions, and professional training programs that can influence evidence-based programs and policies to eliminate cancer health disparities in Latinos.
The conference also offers Continued Medical Education (CME) credits.
Conference leaders also will publish a conference proceedings report with manuscripts from experts in the field of Latino cancer health disparities. Topics will cover basic science to community prevention research to clinical practice to policy and survivorship.
4. Explore a Unique Focus
Latinos are the nation’s largest minority group. They will comprise at least 30% of the nation’s population by 2050.
This is why it’s of utmost importance to focus on this population.
Although the overall rate of U.S. cancer deaths dropped 27% in the last 25 years, disparities remain wide between Latinos and their White peers.
The 2nd Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos is one-of-a-kind conference for evaluating the state of the science and setting an agenda for future initiatives to specifically address cancer health disparities and improve outcomes in Latino communities.
While most conferences on cancer health disparities focus on policy and public health issues, this conference includes perspectives from basic scientists and clinicians in addition to policy and public health to highlight the need for timely translation of research.
5. Discover Historic San Antonio (and the Riverwalk)
The 2nd Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos will take place deep in the heart of Texas in 2020. San Antonio’s bold culture and historic legacies make it an perfect gateway.
As you further explore San Antonio, the essence of the city’s rich culture only grows stronger. Diverse cuisines, including famed Tex-Mex, fill the air with rich aromas. Music flourishes: country-western bands, mariachis, folk singers, conjunto—all singing the songs of the city. Art comes alive with river gardens, Spanish colonial architecture and esteemed museums.
However, nothing personifies the essence of San Antonio more than the people with their intimate and welcoming nature.
Make sure to visit to famous San Antonio Riverwalk!
Explore More:
Healthcare AccessBy The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
