What do we know about cancer trends in Latino communities? Find answers in the new episode of the Cancer Health podcast from the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle. The episode, "Cancer Trends in Latino Communities," features Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and cancer health researcher at the Mays Cancer Center at the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, Ysabel Duron from The Latino Cancer Institute, and Gladys Arias from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Washington. Together, they discuss cancer trends impacting communities in Washington, California, and Texas. They cover liver, cervical, pediatric leukemia, and more. Listen online, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast ...
Cancer is not a disease that happens overnight. It often creeps up slowly, silently, and without warning — revealing itself in some of the most unlikely ways. That’s exactly what happened to U.S. Congress Rep. Joaquin Castro. Amid a car accident involving a Spanish boar in Spain, Castro received some devastating news — he had neuroendocrine cancer. While a treatable form of cancer, Castro won’t get to ring the bell signaling the end of his treatment. For Castro, treatment continues at UT Health San Antonio. "Unless something changes, I’ll have cancer for the rest of my life, but thankfully, and hopefully, cancer won’t take my life,” he said during an address to the 2024 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos And All Populations ...
Rick Alvarado has always prioritized education. As a child, the San Antonio-area resident remembers often “playing school” with his neighborhood friends and many of his 10 siblings. “I always knew from very young that I [wanted] to be a teacher,” said Rick. Following in his older brother’s footsteps, Rick would do just that, spending 38 years teaching K-12 and serving in other roles like assistant principal, principal, interim superintendent, and assistant superintendent. He retired a few years ago. But Rick’s life would change on January 7, 2017, when he was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer.
Rick’s Cancer Diagnosis
Prior to his diagnosis, Rick’s doctor told him he had high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA tests measure the level of ...
Today, the Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas San Antonio Health Science Center, along with 61 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers with leading national organizations and the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center have endorsed a joint statement urging the nation’s health care systems, physicians and other health care providers and professionals, parents, and caregivers, and the public to promote and choose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for cancer prevention. HPV vaccination is safe and works to prevent six types of cancer (oropharyngeal, cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile). Recently released National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data show no gains in HPV vaccination over the last few years indicating urgent ...
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 epic 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. 15 is ...
Despite cancer deaths declining, cancer continues to be a top cause of death among Latinos and all people in the US. One of the most prevalent forms of cancer is breast cancer. Every year, 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these women are Latina. What’s more, breast cancer is the top cause of death among Latinas. That’s one of the reasons that a researcher at Liberty University is looking for Latina breast cancer survivors to participate in a research study. Let’s explore the research study and discover ways to contribute to research to ensure better breast cancer outcomes for Latinas and all women.
Research Study on Breast Cancer
The study aims ...
Your liver is a key to overall health, performing hundreds of essential functions in your body. Find out the latest in liver health issues and solutions at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “What You Should Know about Your Amazing Liver,” which occurred at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. This webinar featured expert panelists from Mays Cancer Center, UT Health San Antonio, Texas Liver Institute, Genentech, and more to explore the state of liver health in South Texas. Panelists examined the oversized impact of liver disease and liver cancer and its causes among South Texas residents, who are predominantly Latino, and beyond Texas. Understanding the reasons why this is happening can reveal how to address this health issue and prevent liver cancer among Latinos and ...
In the United States, cancer is a significant public health challenge. For example, among Latinos, who are 19.5% of the population, rates are higher and prognoses are poorer than other groups. The Latino cancer burden is driven by complex interactions in 13 key areas, according to a new publication from the Task Force: Latino Researchers Against Cancer in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. The task force, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of UT Health San Antonio and comprised of specialists in oncology, public health, and behavioral sciences, spent a year meeting together to unpack the influences contributing to cancer, from genetics to societal practices. "Findings highlight environmental hazards, genetic susceptibilities, stigmas, and linguistic barriers as significant ...
Stomach cancer accounts for about 1.5% of all new cancers diagnosed in the US each year, and Latinos have a high risk, according to the American Cancer Society. With this in mind, it’s important for communities to learn about stomach cancer risk and have resources and tools to support themselves or loved ones experiencing this issue. To raise awareness about stomach cancer, Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer will host the first-ever Gut Check for Stomach Cancer 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025 at Greenline Park in San Antonio, Texas. The event will include activities, such as health and wellness booths, local medical resources, a DJ and music, youth dance teams, face painting, and more. Register here for the ...
