5 Reasons to Attend: Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022

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In the next 20 years, Latinos could face a 142% rise in cancer rates.

Latinos also experience cancer differently—from genetics to healthcare access to survivorship.

This is why Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, is hosting the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022 conference on Feb. 23-25, 2022 in San Antonio!

“Our vision is to unite researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates and students from across the nation to discuss research advancements, identify gaps, and create action to translate basic research into clinical best practices, effective community interventions, and professional training programs to eliminate cancer disparities in Latinos,” said Ramirez, whose Institute for Health Promotion Research is co-hosting the conference with the Mays Cancer Center.

Here are five reasons you should register now for the conference!

Update 1/25/22: Conference leaders are monitoring COVID-19 with the health and safety of our community in mind, and will base on-site protocols on the latest CDC guidance in addition to local regulations in San Antonio. At this time, the city requires masks indoors in all its public facilities, therefore attendees will require masks for all in-person attendees. The conference is not legally able to require vaccinations but recommends everyone is attending the in-person event be vaccinated.

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1. Get Back Together for a Common Cause: Tackling Latino Cancer!

In 2018, the inaugural Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference united 225 cancer experts from 23 states. The proceedings from this conference were released in fall 2019 in Springer Open Books.

In 2020, the conference gathered 300 leaders.

Now in 2022, we must address Latino cancer health inequities that have worsened amid a pandemic.

“I am excited to get back together to make connections, build collaborations, and learn new methods to help us take big strides in tackling Latino cancer from all angles, from the lab to the community,” Ramirez said.

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2. An Amazing Speaker Lineup

Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022 has a stellar speaker lineup.

Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Yale School of Medicine. She focuses on promoting health and healthcare equity for structurally marginalized populations. She emphasizes community engagement, supporting healthcare workforce diversity and development, developing patient reported measurements of healthcare quality, and identifying regional strategies to reduce the global burden of non-communicable diseases.

advancing the science of cancer in latinos 2022 featured speakers eliseo winn nunez
Drs. Marcela Nunez-Smith, Robert Winn, and Eliseo J. Perez-Stable.

Dr. Robert Winn, VCU Massey Cancer Center. As the only African American director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, he is leading the nation in establishing a 21st-century model of equity for cancer science and care. This enables the community to inform and partner with Massey on its research to best address the cancer burden and disparities of those the cancer center serves, with a local focus but global impact.

Dr. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health. He oversees the Institute’s appropriated budget of $390.4 million to advance the science of minority health and health disparities. His expertise spans a broad range of health disparities disciplines. His research interests have centered on improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities through effective prevention interventions, understanding underlying causes of health disparities, and more.

Robert Santos, director of the U.S. Census Bureau and is vice president and chief methodologist at the Urban Institute. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he received a BA in mathematics from Trinity University after attending San Antonio Community College. With more than 40 years of experience, his expertise spans quantitative and qualitative research design, sampling, survey operations, and statistical analysis, and his specialty areas include undocumented immigrants and other disadvantaged populations. In November 2021, Santos was President Biden’s nominee to head the U.S. Census Bureau, becoming the first Latino to lead the federal government’s largest statistical agency.

Check out the tentative agenda to see more speakers!

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3. A World-Renowned Scientific Planning Committee

Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos has a deep commitment to addressing the health inequities that are driving cancer disparities.

advancing the science of cancer in latinos 2022 scientific planning committeeThe committee has many 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
  • 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
  • Katherine Y. Tossas, PhD, MS, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Jose G. Trevino, MD, FACS, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth 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
  • Elena V. Rios, MD, MSPH, FACP, National Hispanic Medical Association
  • Mariana C. Stern, PhD, University of Southern California
  • Martin Mendoza, PhD, Director of Health Equity for the All of Us Research Program
  • Matthew P. Banegas, PhD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente
  • Adolfo Diaz Duque, MD, Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio
  • Patricia I. Moreno, PhD, Northwestern University
  • Rafael Fonseca, MD, Mayo Clinic
  • Sandi Stanford, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation

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4. Confront COVID-19 and Cancer Health Disparities

We can’t talk about Latino cancer without talking about COVID-19.

The pandemic worsened deep-rooted health inequities and pre-existing health disparities. Latinos suffered heavy COVID-19 case and death rates, as well as vaccination barriers.

“A constant theme for Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022 will be how the virus impacts cancer screenings, treatment, and health care equity,” Ramirez said.

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5. Discover Historic San Antonio (and the Riverwalk)

Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos 2022 will take place deep in the heart of Texas in 2020.

san antonio riverwalkSan Antonio’s bold culture and historic legacies make it an perfect gateway. As you explore the city, from the Alamo to the Mission churches, the 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 San Antonio more than the people with their intimate and welcoming nature.

Make sure to visit to famous San Antonio Riverwalk!

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Explore More:

Cancer, Latino Cancer

By The Numbers By The Numbers

142

Percent

Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years

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