Creando Conexiones: Creating a Patient-Centered Cancer Health Research Agenda in South Texas


Creando Conexiones Research Agenda program slide

In South Texas, risk is high for liver cancer, cervical cancer, and pediatric leukemia. To pave way for responsive research, the Creando Conexiones: Creating a Patient Centered Cancer Health Research Agenda in South Texas (Creando Conexiones) project aimed to outline patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (PC-CER) priorities and topics identified by South Texas cancer survivors, caregivers, and stakeholders affected by these cancers. The result is the Creando Conexiones: Cancer-Related Health Outcomes Research Agenda. Let's explore the agenda. Developing the Creando Conexiones Research Agenda Dr. Rebecca Jones of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio launched the Creando Conexiones program with a $250,000 from the ...

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Parents with Cancer: Seek Kid on Kid Support for Your Child


Daughter visiting mother in hospital after successful surgery, hugging her. Emotional support from family for patients in hospital.

It’s often said that a cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the person that has cancer, it affects the entire family.   That’s especially true in today’s landscape when cancer is starting to affect younger people in their 30s, 40s, and early 50s.   The people being diagnosed with cancer today often have young children.  In a lifetime, one in 20 kids will experience a parent’s cancer diagnosis before they graduate high school, according to the Pickles Group.   These young children often struggle to comprehend cancer and how it might change a family dynamic.   Not only do lifestyles change, so do increasing thoughts of mortality and the fear of losing a parent to the disease.   The experience of having a parent with cancer can be extremely difficult ...

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Recap: 2026 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations Conference



Cancer remains a large health threat in South Texas and beyond. To improve cancer understanding and outcomes, Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of Salud America! and UT Health San Antonio hosted the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations drew over 300 researchers, doctors, leaders, and students for an open dialogue on cancer. Discussion covered new studies in clinical best practices, treatments, effective community interventions, advocacy, policy, and professional training in cancer research. "We still have work to do, but I am excited and proud to charge into the future with such a passionate group of people for ...

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Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations Conference to Target Cancer in South Texas and Beyond


advancing cancer research in latinos and all populations conf 2026

To spur solutions that improve cancer care in South Texas and across the United States, UT Health San Antonio and its Mays Cancer Center are hosting the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas. Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations is expected to draw over 300 researchers, doctors, community leaders, and survivors for an open dialogue on the latest cancer research and how to improve cancer outcomes for all people. Media is invited to attend. “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations is where we gather to share timely research from every stage of the cancer continuum to improve genetic studies, clinical best practices, and community ...

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Webinar: Love Your Liver



Did you know 1 in 3 American adults has liver disease? You can watch a webinar on how to "love your liver" from Feb. 5, 2026, led by Dr. Rebecca Jones of UT Health San Antonio and supported by Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association. The webinar aims to promote early detection and prevention of liver cancer among all people, especially in the African American community. "50% of Americans live with at least one of the leading risk factors for liver disease. Now is the time to educate yourself and take steps to protect your liver," said Jones, who is assistant director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research and assistant director of community outreach and engagement for the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. watch the webinar! About The 'Love ...

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Navigate the Dense Road of Breast Health Using the Breast Density Road Map


Doctor helping patient get a mammogram

Turning 40 is a big milestone for many women in their career, lifestyle, and familia. It’s also a big year for health – like scheduling your first mammogram. An annual mammogram, starting at age 40, is important because it can tell you a lot about your breast health, including if you have dense breasts. Women with dense breasts, including Latinas, have a higher risk for breast cancer and may require more screenings. What do you need to know about breast density? Check out our new guide, The Breast Density Road Map, to help you navigate breast density and what it means for your breast health. The guide was created by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio with expertise from Dr. Jessica Treviño Jones, a breast medical oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San ...

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Gregory Aune: The Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride


greg aune Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride bike ride event

Gregory Aune was 16 when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Aune spent a year enduring grueling treatment, losing over 70 pounds. But he survived. His experience motivated him to pursue a clinical career and help children with cancer. Today, Dr. Aune is an associate professor of pediatric hematology and oncology at the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI) of UT Health San Antonio, on a mission to find new ways to help and heal patients. That's why he helped found the Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride — to raise awareness of childhood cancer and support the mission of the GCCRI. The inaugural Gear Up Against Kids Cancer Bike Ride took place on April 2, 2022, in Floresville, Texas. The 5th annual bike ride is set for 8 a.m. on Saturday, May ...

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Webinar: Difference in Density: Why it Matters for Your Breast Health



Do you have dense breasts?  Half of US women have dense breasts, but many don’t even know it or know how it impacts their breast health.  Watch UT Health San Antonio’s webinar on breast density, mammography, “Difference in Density: Why it Matters for Your Breast Health,” at 12 p.m. Central on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.  This webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, a breast cancer survivor with firsthand experience with dense breasts, and a representative from the Susan G. Komen foundation.   Together, they discussed how to talk to your doctor about dense breasts and the steps you should take to monitor your breast health following a dense breast diagnosis.  With this knowledge, patients can feel empowered to talk to ...

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How to Support Latina Patients in Dealing with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)


MEDLIVE presenting on triple-negative breast cancer TNBC at SABCS 2025

Researchers are working hard to find new ways to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive disease. However, many Latina and Hispanic women face challenges in TNBC diagnosis, treatment access, and supportive care. Patients and caregivers from these communities often navigate complex health systems and deal with non-medical drivers of health. To address these issues and apply findings to all populations, Medlive, a digital health education platform, with the support of Gilead Sciences, Inc., partnered with Salud America! and Surviving Breast Cancer.org to design an educational initiative to align TNBC learning experiences for clinicians, patients, and caregivers. Medlive published their results in an abstract for the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium ...

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