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 ...
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.
Tobacco Use and Lung Cancer in Latinos in the U.S.
Dr. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable is Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) and Former Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). Tobacco use in the US Dr. Pérez-Stable began by providing some background information on tobacco use in the US. Tobacco smoke is the main cause of lung cancer in the US with an attributable risk of 0.85. However, smoking rates have decreased in most populations over the past 35 years, and ...
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.
Special Virtual Session featuring International Latin American Researchers
Dr. Carolina Wiesner is the General Director and a researcher at the Instituto Nacional De Cancerología (INC) de Colombia. The presentation highlighted the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INC) of Colombia as the country's leading public cancer center and a strategic partner for international research collaboration. The presentation also outlined the INC’s research ecosystem, including its National Cancer Research Network, active institutional research portfolio, participation in ...
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.
BMS Global Representation and Health Dr. Angelic Acevedo is a Clinical Development Lead for Oncology as a part of the Organization for Latino Achievement (OLA) People and Business Resource Group (PBRG) at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). BMS strives for innovation and outcomes for every community by emphasizing representative research and fair access to care. Representative research means advancing science that is accessible, validated, and effective for all communities. This type of research means building trial-ready communities by fostering clinical research education, ...
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.
Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP Dr. Ruben Mesa is the Director of the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, which serves 30 counties in Western North Carolina and South Carolina. Dr. Mesa stressed that no matter the headwinds affecting cancer research, leadership must keep focus on the North Star: to make an impact on cancer. This can be achieved through collaboration, and through remembering that the only competition is against cancer, not each other. Community Outreach and Engagement (COE), along with the local partnerships involved in these ...
