With cancer still a top health threat, UT Health San Antonio leaders and national cancer experts have published an online book with innovative recommendations to reduce cancer among Latinos and all people. The book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” highlights results of the same-named conference that brought 350 researchers, advocates, and survivors to San Antonio in February 2026. A follow-up conference is planned for Feb. 23-25, 2028, in San Antonio. Included in the book are promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum. This includes advances in genetics, prevention, screening, detection, treatment, survivorship, and policy, said Dr. Amelie ...
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 ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Advancing Environmental Change and Cancer Research Through Latinx Expertise
Dr. Leticia M. Nogueira is Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. Environmental and cancer care Dr. Nogueira’s presentation focused on the connection between environmental change and cancer, and how expertise from the Latinx population is fundamental for advancing solutions that are relevant to everyone. Environmental change alters the behavior of extreme weather events. Extreme weather events can damage medical infrastructure, break transportation links, ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Genetic Variation and Population Differences in the Risk of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
Dr. Adam de Smith is a genetic epidemiologist and Associate Professor at City of Hope. The epidemiology of ALL Dr. de Smith began by discussing the epidemiology of ALL, which has an increased risk among individuals of Latino ethnicity. ALL is the most common cancer in children, comprising approximately 30% of childhood cancer with over 3000 new cases each year. ALL is a cancer of white blood cells, affecting B-cells in about 80% of cases and T-cells in about ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Breast Cancer in the Young
Dr. Marcela Mazo Canola is Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Mays Cancer Center at University of Texas (UT) Health San Antonio. Epidemiology of young onset breast cancer Dr. Mazo Canola began by discussing the multiple spheres of decision making that young breast cancer patients must face: chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, local therapy, genomics, psychosocial functioning, sexual health and body image, role functioning, and fertility and premature menopause. These represent a ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Think Tank: Cancer Researchers Against Cancer
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez is Director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research, Chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences at UT Health San Antonio, and Associate Director of Cancer Outreach and Engagement at Mays Cancer Center UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Ramirez spoke about a program called Task Force: Researchers Against Cancer, which brought together leaders from across the country to explore not only the causes of cancer in Latino populations, but also the multi-level drivers that are impacting health in this ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Tumor Progression and Pancreatic Cancer
Dr. Jose Trevino is Chair of the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, and Surgeon-in-Chief at VCU Massey Cancer Center. Improved mortality among Latino pancreatic cancer patients Dr. Trevino began the presentation by underscoring the severity of pancreatic cancer, which is projected to be the number 2 cause of cancer deaths by 2030. In Puerto Rico, however, although incidence of pancreatic cancer has been rising over the past decade, mortality has remained ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Conclusion
To address cancer issues in all populations, Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and all Populations brought together researchers, scientists, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the US and Latin America. These presenters shared research advancements, identified gaps, developed actionable goals, updated clinical best practices, described effective interventions, and detailed professional training programs aimed at addressing variability in cancer outcomes. In the process, many of the speakers made ...
This content is from UT Health San Antonio’s book, “Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations: 2026 Conference Proceedings,” which highlights results of the same-named conference in February 2026.
Advancing the Prevention of HPV and Cervical Cancer
Dr. Ana Patricia Ortiz is lead investigator and interim director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, and associate director of the Office of Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination at the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center. HPV and cervical cancer Dr. Ortiz began the presentation by explaining that human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and persistent infection with certain types of HPV is established as a ...
