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 ...
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.
Combating Misinformation About Cancer Prevention on Social Media Among Latino Audiences
Dr. Yonaira M. Rivera is Assistant Professor of Communication at Rutgers School of Communication & Information. Health misinformation on social media Dr. Rivera’s presentation began by discussing health misinformation on social media. In order to address social media-based health misinformation, 5 approaches are needed: enhanced surveillance, understanding psychological drivers, assessing real-world consequences, a focus on vulnerable populations, and the development ...
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.
Tailored Care for Older Adults with Cancer
Enrique Soto Perez de Celis, MD, PhD, is Associate Director for Global Oncology at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Challenges faced by older adult patients with cancer Dr. Soto began by noting that older adults face many disparities when accessing high-quality cancer care, especially those who are members of underrepresented populations. Conducting a geriatric assessment is essential to understanding patients and providing personalized care. Shared decision making should include patient preferences and priorities ...
Cancer is a threat to the health of 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 Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations (ACRLP) biennial conference series. On Feb. 18-20, 2026, the newest ACRLP conference welcomed over 350 prominent researchers, physicians, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and students from across the globe to address cancer among Latinos and all people in San Antonio, Texas. Conference sponsors included: Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Revolution Medicine, Natera, AstraZeneca (platinum); Blood Cancer United, Menarini Stemline, Eli Lilly (gold); National ...
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.
Clinical Research as a Lifeline: Navigating Relapse and Remission Through Evidence-Based Care
Arnoldo Rodriguez is a cancer survivor and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy recipient. A cancer story Mr. Rodriguez’s presentation relayed lessons he learned as a cancer survivor. In 2010, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Both his primary care doctor and oncologist were unempathetic and terse, leaving him feeling alone in his cancer journey. After conducting his own research, he chose to seek treatment at MD Anderson in Houston because of its ...
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.
Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Cancer Care and Outcomes
Dr. Xuesong Han is Scientific Director of Health Services Research at the American Cancer Society. History of the Affordable Care Act Dr. Han’s research focuses on how health policies like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affect access to care and cancer outcomes. The ACA was signed into law in March of 2010 and is the largest healthcare system change in the US since the establishment of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Its goals are to improve health insurance coverage, quality of care, 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.
Therapeutic Yoga Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Perceived Stress in Women with Breast Cancer: 6-Month Intervention in South Texas Communities
Dr. Gustavo J. Almeida at UT Health San Antonio Yoga for breast cancer survivors Dr. Almeida began the presentation by highlighting the persistent physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges faced by breast cancer patients. In South Texas, access to supportive, holistic survivorship services is limited, and many women lack resources to manage long-term symptoms and stress. Quality-of-life impairments can ...
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.
Bridging International and National Latino Research to Serve its Populations
Dr. Mariana Chávez Mac Gregor is Chair ad interim and Professor in the Health Services Research Department and in the Breast Medical Oncology Department at University of Texas MD Anderson, as well as Executive Officer for International Affairs at the SWOG Research Network. Latin American and US Latino populations Dr. Chávez Mac Gregor began the presentation by describing the need to bridge cancer research in the United States and Latin America. According to Global Cancer Statistics, ...
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 ...
