2026 ACRLP Proceedings: Introduction

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This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.

Variability of cancer outcomes based on population

Cancer rates and outcomes vary widely based on race/ethnicity, gender, country of origin, location, heritage, language spoken, socioeconomic status, age, family history, and more. For example, although Latino individuals have lower overall rates of cancer nationwide, rates of stomach and liver cancer are twice as high as non-Hispanic White individuals, and the rate of cervical cancer is 36% higher. [Winn] Because of this variability, intentional steps must be taken to ensure cancer research and initiatives target all populations. A greater understanding of even the most niche populations will lead to better outcomes for all.

Cancers that affect children show variable rates based on race/ethnicity and language proficiency. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) incidence, for example, is 1.4 times higher in Latino children than non-Hispanic White children, and 2 times higher in Latino adults. One novel variant in the IKZF1 gene has a risk allele frequency of about 20% in Latino populations, but less than 1% in non-Hispanic Whites. [de Smith] Furthermore, compared to non-Hispanic White English-speaking patients, Hispanic Spanish-speaking acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients were both significantly more likely to have high acuity at presentation and higher ICU-level care needs. Hispanic English-speaking patients did not show this difference, supporting the hypothesis that speaking a language other than English is a risk factor for early morbidity. [Ruiz]

Almost two thirds of cancer cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 and older. However, there is increasing heterogeneity among older adults with cancer, including variable age, race/ethnicity, language, and comorbidities. [Schiaffino] Approximately 25% of cancer patients aged 65 and older currently identify as members of racial and ethnic minority populations. [de Celis] Older cancer patients also tend to have chronic comorbidities. Improving coordination between oncology and chronic disease care could improve outcomes in certain subgroups. [Casteneda-Avila]

Cancer outcomes among women are also variable. Cervical cancer incidence rates in the United States from 2017-2021 were 9.6 per 100,000 for Hispanic individuals and 7.0 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic White individuals. [Ortiz] In fact, Latinas are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from cervical cancer than the general population. [Guzman] Certain genetic mutations were more common among Latina breast cancer patients, especially those with Indigenous American ancestry. [Ziv] While most cases of breast cancer are in women older than 45, the incidence of cancer in young women is increasing, especially in the past 20 years. [Mazo Canola]

For the first time in history, young women are getting lung cancer more often than men. The incidence of lung cancer in young Hispanic and Asian women is increasing. Young lung cancer patients are also more likely to experience financial toxicity than cancer patients older than 50. [Florez]

The most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies by race and nation of origin. Among Black individuals, hepatitis C is the leading cause of HCC for both men and women; however, among Black men born in Haiti, the leading cause is hepatitis B. Fatty liver is the most common cause for individuals from Central and South America, but Cuban and US-born Mexican men or Puerto Rican men and women experience hepatitis C as a leading cause. [Carvajal-Carmona] Only 30.4% of Black HCC patients are diagnosed at an early stage, compared to 54.4% of White patients and 46.8% of Hispanic patients. [Jones]

Factors that affect cancer rates

Non-medical drivers of health play a major role in cancer rates and outcomes. For example, increased stress is associated with poorer cancer outcomes. [Winn] Financial toxicity is a major cause of stress, and is rampant among Hispanic cancer survivors, 32% of which report having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months, compared with only 21% of non-Hispanic White survivors. [Edward] One contributor to financial hardship is low health insurance literacy, which is the lack of knowledge to understand, choose, and use health insurance. Patients with low health insurance literacy are more likely to experience financial hardship, lower health-related quality of life, lower adherence to medications and healthcare services, delays in care, and greater psychosocial distress. [Yanez]

Clinical trial participation is low across all populations. Among 1,200 Commission on Cancer programs representing 70% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the US, only 7.1% of cancer patients participated in a clinical trial. [Guerra] Latino, Asian, and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations have particularly low rates of clinical trial participation. [Arora] Older adults are also less represented in clinical trials because of strict eligibility criteria, accessibility and transportation issues, and financial toxicity. These factors are compounded in non-White populations. [de Celis] Although the Latino population has a cancer prevalence of 7%, it comprises only 3% of trial participants. [Chavez Mac Gregor]

Studies have found that certain genetic markers are associated with cancer risk, cancer outcomes, and even heavy smoking. [Pérez-Stable] However, barriers to genetic testing exist. In Latin America, barriers include unequal access to tests and therapies, insufficient funding, lack of appropriate insurance billing codes for next-generation sequencing (NGS), limited acceptance of the benefits and impact of molecular testing, and fragmented administrative and reimbursement processes. [Raez]

A review of the National Cancer Database revealed that Latino prostate cancer patients have higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, higher Gleason scores (which indicate aggressive prostate cancer), and higher metastatic rates than White patients. After analysis of Latino patients by country of origin, Mexican patients were found to have the highest PSA levels, the highest metastatic rates, and among the highest Gleason scores. [Recio Boiles]

Misinformation is another factor that may affect cancer care and outcomes. A study of social media use during the coronavirus epidemic revealed that Latino individuals were 57% more likely to use social media platforms as a primary source of information about the coronavirus compared with non-Hispanic individuals. Latino social media users were also less able to identify health misinformation than non-Latino White individuals. [Rivera]

Over the past few years, there has been a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid funding, which will result in an estimated 20 million uninsured individuals, with an 80 hour/month work requirement to reapply. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits have also been cut, which will cause premiums to double according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, resulting in another 3.8 million uninsured per year from 2026 to 2034. [Rios]

Environmental change can also affect cancer outcomes. In fact, mortality has been shown to be 20% higher among lung cancer patients whose facility was impacted by a hurricane during their radiation treatment, compared to similar propensity score matched patients treated at the same facility when no disasters occurred. [Nogueira] Farmworkers are exposed to pesticides, UV radiation, silica dust, diesel exhaust, and contaminated water and soil. These exposures are compounded by other risk factors such as obesity, alcohol use, and tobacco use, resulting in a high cumulative burden. [Chicas] Firefighters are also exposed to combustion byproducts released from burning insulation, wiring, plastics, and metals. Many of these byproducts are highly carcinogenic. [De La Rosa]

In light of the variability in cancer outcomes experienced by various populations based on race and ethnicity, age, sex, location, and more, the 2026 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations (ACRLP) conference brought together experts from across the US and Latin America to consolidate knowledge and provide recommendations for improving these outcomes. What follows here are synopses of each presentation, outlining the main ideas put forth by each presenter.

SEE THE FULL CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS