Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been a game-changer in oncology. Tumors often have proteins on them that tell your immune system not to attack. Checkpoint inhibitors, which work by blocking these proteins so your immune system continues to fight the tumor, have provided new options for many people with advanced or metastatic cancer who were left with limited options. Patricia Moreno, Ph.D., lead of Evidence-Based Survivorship Supportive Care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, points out that these new drugs come with unique side effects that experts still need to understand better.
The National Cancer Institute has awarded Dr. Moreno, a member of Sylvester’s Cancer Control Program, and co-investigators Jose ...
Cancer survivors are more than their diagnosis. They are an example of resilience, courage, and unwavering determination brought on by a fight — well fought and won. Throughout the month of June, for National Cancer Survivors Month, we at Salud America! are honoring survivors by sharing their stories of sacrifice and triumph and focusing on ways to improve cancer outcomes for those battling the disease. To kick off the month we are celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day. Let’s explore what National Cancer Survivors Day is all about and learn about ways to participate!
What is National Cancer Survivors Day?
Every year National Cancer Survivors Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of June. This year it will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Led by the National ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, was named to Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. Komen's 10-member Scientific Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and direction for its research and scientific programs. It also plays a key role in guiding and prioritizing Komen’s global research investment and serves as the executive committee of the Komen Scholars. Dr. Ramirez's appointment is effective April 1, 2025. “I am honored to serve on Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. I look forward to being a part of Komen’s extensive activities to address breast cancer and the non-medical drivers of health among people of all backgrounds," Ramirez said.
Dr. Ramirez & Her Health ...
Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio. Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported. To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, joined Coastal Living TV in Corpus Christi, Texas, to share how cancer survivors can join the Avanzando Caminos study. Avanzando Caminos is a study that aims to help cancer survivors. The study aims to enroll 1,500 Latino cancer survivors in South Texas and 1,500 more in Miami to help unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on life after cancer. As part of the study, volunteers share their cancer journeys. "So far, the individuals who've participated have been really grateful. They said, 'I've never had a chance to tell my story about what I went through,'" Ramirez said. "It will help us take a deeper look into how we can help our ...
Cancer continues to be a top cause of death of all people, only second to heart disease. This makes the need for cancer interventions is vital in places like San Antonio, Texas (64.4% Latino; US Census). That’s one of the reasons that UT Health San Antonio is one of two study sites for the Avanzando Caminos Hispanic/Latino Cancer Survivorship Research Study — a one-of-a-kind study that aims to unpack the behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on post-cancer life. Since 2021, the study team has diligently been collecting the stories of hundreds of cancer survivors in the South Texas area in hopes of identifying ways to help improve cancer outcomes. But there’s still more work to be done. The Avanzando Caminos study is looking to enroll 1,500 ...
Cancer screening can save lives by detecting cancer early, when it’s most treatable or before it starts. Watch a webinar about cancer screening at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “The Thing that Could Save Your Life,” which took place at 1 p.m. Central on March 4, 2025. The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, Genentech, and a cancer survivor, who explored available cancer screenings and how to access them in South Texas and beyond. Panelists examined common myths and barriers to routine cancer screening, including the non-medical drivers of health, and strategies to overcome those myths and barriers. Panelists also shared other cancer prevention strategies from risk reduction and participating in clinical trials. This is a ...
From 2009 and 2019, cancer was the top cause of death in the US for Latinos. Now, while new data show that cancer has become the second-leading cause of death in Latinos, only slightly behind heart disease, cancer remains a big threat to the health of the US population (19.5% Latino). Every year, heart disease and cancer cause 17% of Latino deaths in the US, according to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2024-2026 report. Let’s dive into the key highlights of the report.
Cancer Incidence
The American Cancer Society estimates 195,300 cancer cases would be diagnosed in Latinos in 2024 with another 50,400 Latino individuals dying from the disease. Here are some key facts from the American Cancer Society report: Among ...
Cancer is a big health issue for Latinos and all people. That’s why Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, partnered with the Mays Cancer Center to create the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos (ASCL) biennial conference. Read the proceedings from the 2018, 2020, and 2022 ASCL Conferences. The 2024 ASCL Conference on Feb. 21-23, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas, welcomed over 280 prominent researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the globe to address cancer health disparities among Latinos. Conference sponsors included: platinum supporters Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, and Gilead; silver supporters GMaP Region 3, ...
