Hispanic Heritage Month is here! This annual U.S. observance, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrates the histories and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. We at Salud America! invite you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in these 31 awesome ways.
1. Learn How Hispanic Heritage Month Began
U.S. Congressmen Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and Henry B. Gonzales were among those who introduced legislation on the topic in 1968. President Lyndon Johnson implemented the observance as Hispanic Heritage Week that year. Did you know which U.S. President turned it from Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month? Learn more here.
2. Find Out Why Hispanic Heritage Month Starts on Sept. 15
Sept. ...
The cost of cancer is a steep one. The impact of a cancer diagnosis goes beyond physical, mental, and emotional factors to include a hefty treatment price tag that few can afford. But with their lives at stake, cancer patients can’t afford not to pay. The reality is that many cancer patients are facing treatment costs that rival the worth of most people’s homes. A new study from the researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) and published in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that cancer-related expenses differ greatly depending on cancer type, stage, and phases of care. Let’s go over these findings and the importance of early detection and intervention, including cancer screenings, for Latinos and ...
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Such and such causes cancer,” more than a handful of times in your life. Some of these claims are true. Others are myths. False claims of using products or engaging in alleged cancer-causing behaviors can be detrimental for your health and contribute to the spread of incorrect information. But how do you know if a claim is true? Public health leaders created a helpful database, called Cancer FactFinder, that can help you determine if something is truly linked to cancer or if it’s simply a myth. Let’s go over the tool, how to use it, and its many applications.
Cancer FactFinder
Cancer FactFinder is a free, evidence-based database to address the spread of incorrect information about ...
Cervical cancer continues to harm women across the globe, including Latinas, who are twice as likely to be diagnosed than other women. The good news is that cervical cancer is highly preventable. Along with routine screenings, the HPV vaccine can prevent or minimize the risk of getting the virus that causes cervical cancer. In fact, a new study out of the UK has discovered that since the introduction of a national program to promote the HPV vaccine, cervical cancer deaths have dropped dramatically. This study highlights the effectiveness of the vaccine when given at the appropriate age. Let’s dig into the study findings and what they mean for the future of cervical cancer.
Study Findings
In Cervical cancer mortality trends ...
Blood cancer, which includes lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma, is on the rise in the U.S., impacting 1.7 million Americans and accounting for 10% of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S., according to Blood Cancer United. With the rise of diagnoses, researchers are scrambling to find ways to tackle blood cancer, but they need help from volunteers for clinical trials. Clinical trials are studies with volunteers that enable advances that can prevent, slow, manage, and treat diseases like blood cancer. But not everyone has access to clinical trials. Language hurdles, complex medical jargon, unpredictable costs associated with participation, and lack of access to reliable transportation all keep clinical trials out of reach from those who would ...
The blare of firetruck sirens, the glow of buildings ablaze, and the thick smell of smoke are all too familiar for Neil Meade. As a seasoned firefighter in San Antonio, he’s faced many dangers and helped others through life-threatening situations. But nothing could prepare him for a cancer diagnosis. Meade, a devoted family man and veteran of countless emergency calls, suddenly found himself battling a personal, silent, unpredictable opponent — thyroid cancer.
A Passion for Serving People
Meade, a native of Chicago, moved to San Antonio with his parents, returned to Chicago, but eventually returned to San Antonio and lives here now. He started his service career in the Air Force. “I spent eight years on active duty in the Air Force, and when I got out ... I tested ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, a cancer researcher at the Institute for Health Promotion Research and the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, is receiving a 2-year, $400,000 leadership grant to study cancer survivorship from Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization. Ramirez aims to enhance recovery for cancer survivors. In a group of Latina breast cancer survivors in South Texas, Ramirez will compare two rehabilitation approaches — standard physical therapy and therapeutic yoga — to see how they impact health-related quality of life, fatigue, and physical function over 16 weeks. Therapeutic yoga involves controlled movement, breath regulation, and meditative practices. "By focusing on the whole person and listening to survivor experiences, we hope ...
When you hear the words “cancer treatment,” many think of chemotherapy. The truth is there are many cancer treatments, such as surgery, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and more. In addition, clinical trials are a treatment option. Clinical trials are studies with volunteers that enable advances that can slow, manage, and treat diseases such as cancer. For example, a new clinical trial at UT Health San Antonio is testing a treatment that trains your immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells in the same way a vaccine works to protect you from disease. Let’s explore the new trial. join the clinical trial
How the Clinical Trial’s Cancer Treatment Works
Cancer treatments are designed to kill cancer ...
May is National Cancer Survivor Month, a time to celebrate and support those who have gone through a cancer journey! Let’s look at five ways to celebrate, honor, and support cancer survivors.
1. Read about Real Latino Cancer Survivors
At Salud America!, we’re inspired by personal stories of cancer survivorship. That is why we showcase amazing Salud Heroes like Marielle Santos McLeod, who survived colon cancer and now champions the patient voice through advocacy work. “It allows me the opportunity not only to be a [patient leader], but to also share the importance of why our [involvement in research] matters,” Santos McLeod said. Read more about these Salud Heroes: Read more about these Salud Heroes: Brittney Millard: Helping Patients and Persevering Through ...
