Just 10 Minutes of Physical Activity Can Benefit Cancer Patients


physical activity for cancer patients

Physical activity has long been touted to prevent and lessen the impact of acute and chronic illnesses, like cardiovascular disease and obesity. Studies have even found that physical activity can help destroy cancer cells. But exactly how much physical activity is needed for cancer patients to reap this benefit? Researchers at the University of Turku in Finland conducted two studies to gain clarity. Conducting the Research on Physical Activity The two Finland studies involved 28 recently diagnosed lymphoma and breast cancer patients between ages 20 and 69 and 37 and 73, respectively. Study methods involved taking blood samples of the patients before and after riding a bicycle for 10 minutes. “The pedaling resistance was determined individually for each patient so that ...

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Childhood Cancer Survival Rates Lower on Texas-Mexico Border


childhood cancer leukemia

Cancer survival differences are well documented in adults living along the US-Mexico border, but it is unknown whether these differences similarly affect children with leukemia, the most common cancer in children and teens. A Baylor College of Medicine study in the journal Cancer helps bridge this knowledge gap. Let’s explore the findings of the study, what these findings mean for Latino children and families living along the Texas-Mexico border, and how to address cancer differences in the Latino population. Study Findings on Leukemia in South Texas Baylor College of Medicine researchers examined the survival rates of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of pediatric leukemia, in children living along the Texas-Mexico border. The study included 6,002 Texas ...

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With Cancer, Early Detection = Better Outcomes



65% of Americans 21 years of age and older say they are not up to date with one or more routine cancer screenings, according to a survey from the Prevent Cancer Foundation.   With this in mind, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has launched the Early Detection = Better Outcomes bilingual campaign to educate and encourage Americans to schedule routine cancer screening appointments.   “When people learn the benefits of early detection, they are much more likely to talk to their doctors and get screened to check their health,” said Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, in a press release. “Routine screenings should be part of your wellness routine, just like eating healthy, exercising and taking care of your mental health.”  Let us dive into what this campaign ...

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Watch Webinar: How to Care for the Caregiver



Many Latinos are expected to take on the respectable but high-stress role of caregiving for their aging parents, who are 1.5 times more likely than Whites to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Join UT Health San Antonio's webinar — “How to Care for the Caregiver” — at 11 a.m. CST on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to explore how to support caregivers as they support their families. Panelists from UT Health San Antonio, the National Alliance for Caregiving, and Genentech will share how to ease caregivers’ stress, anxiety, and depression, as part of Alzheimer's And Brain Awareness Month in June. This is a part of a webinar of a series, “Let’s Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond.” The series is a collaboration of the Salud America! program at the Institute for Health ...

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Watch Webinar: Importance of Biospecimens



When people donate biospecimens—blood, fluid, or tissue samples—it gives researchers the opportunity to better understand, treat, and prevent conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s. So why don't some people donate? Find the answers at UT Health San Antonio's Zoom webinar — “Importance of Biospecimens” — at 10 a.m. CT on April 5, 2023. The webinar features experts from UT Health San Antonio, Genentech, and leaders and participants in the All of Us Research Program discussing how to increase biospecimen donation and point to donation opportunities. This is a part of a webinar of a series, "Let's Improve Health in South Texas and Beyond.” The series is a collaboration of the Salud America! program at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez to Launch $4.1 Million Cancer Health Research Center in South Texas


ACS Avanzando Center thanks to a 4-year, $4.08-million grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio is launching the new ACS Avanzando Center thanks to a 4-year, $4.08-million grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS). The ACS Avanzando Center, which began work in February 2023, is a response to the severe cancer burden in South Texas. The center will unite South Texas research scholars and the community to improve health across the cancer care continuum by targeting the non-medical drivers of health that prevent people from obtaining equitable care. “Our new center will conduct a unique combination of community-engaged research, training, patient assessment, and promotion to address the non-medical drivers of health, such as financial strain and food insecurity, to improve access to cancer care, prevention, early detection, ...

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Can Texts Help Latino Young Adults to Quit Smoking?


quitxt quit smoking service new grant

Dr. Patricia Chalela of UT Health San Antonio has received a new five-year, $2 million research grant to test the impact of Quitxt, a bilingual text messaging program that helps Latino young adults in South Texas to quit smoking. The grant is among $90 million for new cancer prevention and research projects from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). For the grant, Dr. Chalela and her team will recruit 1,200 Latino smokers ages 18-29 who agree to try to quit smoking. Half will receive Quitxt, a free texting service with background appropriate visual, video, and audio content fueled with evidence-based techniques to prompt and sustain smoking cessation. The other half will get abbreviated text messages and referral to the "Yes Quit" smoking cessation ...

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Watch Webinar: Busting the Myths and Challenges to Clinical Trials



Some Latinos fear becoming a guinea pig. Others worry about cost or trust. But clinical trials can provide volunteers potentially life-saving treatments and help researchers learn how to manage and treat different diseases for their family and communities. UT Health San Antonio held a Zoom webinar — “Busting the Myths and Challenges to Clinical Trials” — at 11 a.m. CT on March 9, 2023. This webinar features health experts and real Latino clinical trial volunteers to help define clinical trials, bust several common myths about clinical trials and share testimonials of trial participation. Panelists will also connect audience members with culturally relevant resources and available opportunities to participate in clinical trials at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 3/7/23: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month



About 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. For Latinos, colorectal cancer mortality rates remain stagnant due to a number of differences including lack of access to healthy and nutritious food and less access to health insurance and healthcare. While many do experience symptoms when developing colorectal cancer, some may not. Therefore, it is important for Latinos and all people to take measures that can decrease the risk for the disease through making healthy choices, and create healthier environments for healthy lives! Let’s use #SaludTues on March 7, 2023, to dive into the importance of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. WHAT: #SaludTues: National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, ...

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