What is Driving the High Rates of Liver Cancer Among Latinos?


Couple viewing resources.

This blog was published as part of a collaboration between Salud America! and the Prevent Cancer Foundation in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Did you know that Latinos have a higher risk of liver cancer than the overall U.S. population? In fact, 1 in 5 people with liver cancer in the United States are Latino. They also are often diagnosed at later stages and are more likely to die of liver cancer than other adult populations in the United States. Latino men are 53% more likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer than men overall, and Latinas are 72% more likely to be diagnosed than Latina women overall, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. “While liver cancer rates are decreasing or staying the same in ...

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Sobrevivientes de Cáncer Latinos: ¡Unan sus Voces a Nuestras Voces!


Nuestras Voces

Los latinos enfrentan una carga alta de cáncer.  Debido a barreras relacionadas con el idioma, los recursos económicos, el transporte y otros factores, los latinos con frecuencia reciben un diagnóstico de cáncer en etapas avanzadas, cuando las probabilidades de sobrevivir son menores y los costos del tratamiento son más altos.  Para abordar el impacto del cáncer en los latinos y brindar esperanza, Salud America! creó la campaña “Nuestras Voces”, una iniciativa que ofrece a los sobrevivientes latinos de cáncer una plataforma para compartir sus historias y experiencias.  Como parte de esta campaña, los sobrevivientes de cáncer latinos pueden escribir y enviar sus propias historias para que sean publicadas en nuestro sitio web, en inglés o español.  “Cuando ...

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Salud Talks Podcast Episode 48: Road to Survivorship: Understanding Innovations in Breast Cancer Diagnoses


natera podcast with saludtalks salud america amelie ramirez

As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Salud America! is having important conversations about how breast cancer trends impact communities and populations in South Texas and beyond. Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Latinas and top cause of cancer-related death among Latinas. With this in mind, Salud America!’s Salud Talks Podcast collaborated with Dr. Marcela Mazo Canola, breast medical oncologist at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, and Dr. Angel Rodriguez, senior medical director of oncology for Natera, to discuss new technologies to care for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. This episode is hosted by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San ...

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Latino Cancer Survivors: Add Your Voice to Nuestras Voces


Nuestras Voces

Latinos face a heavy cancer burden.   Driven by issues with language, finances, transportation, and more, Latinos are often diagnosed with cancer when survival chances are lower and costs higher.   To address Latino cancer and inspire hope, Salud America! created the “Nuestras Voces” campaign to give Latino cancer survivors a platform to share their stories.  As part of the campaign, Latino cancer survivors can write and submit their own stories to publish on our website in English or Spanish.  “When Latino cancer survivors tell their stories, they can help future cancer survivors who go through what they went through,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.  “Sharing can ...

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A Mission to Serve: How Dr. Marcela Mazo Canola is Living Her Dream Providing Cancer Care



Become a politician? Work in a health ministry? As a young girl growing up in Colombia, Dr. Marcela Mazo Canola wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted to be — but she dreamed of making a difference for people. Today, Mazo Canola is helping others as a breast medical oncologist at Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio and contributing to research to improve cancer and health outcomes for Latinos and all populations. “Although I’m in a different career that I love very much, I guess I still ended up doing something similar to what I was dreaming of when I was a little girl,” she said. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Salud America! is highlighting heroes in healthcare and throughout the community who strive to make a difference. Let’s take closer look into Dr. ...

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5 Resources to Share for Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month


Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month. During this time, take action by understanding blood cancers, supporting those experiencing blood cancer, and encouraging survivors to share their stories. Every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, the three main types of blood cancer, according to Blood Cancer United. Blood cancer affects the production and function of blood cells, and it usually starts in the bone marrow where blood is made. Here are four amazing organizations working to address blood cancer. 1. Blood Cancer United An estimated 192,070 people in the U.S. were expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma in 2025. Blood Cancer United aims to help “people affected by all 100+ types of blood ...

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Take the Drama Out of Colon Cancer Screening with a Telenovela



Colon cancer screening doesn’t have to be dramatic. That’s the message that Abbott is promoting in their new Spanish-language campaign for Cologuard Plus®. Gabriela Spanic, award-winning actress, model, writer, and singer, stars in the campaign that uses telenovelas and culturally relevant storytelling to make a difficult conversation about colon cancer screening more approachable and less dramatic. “The need is urgent. When colon cancer is found early, 90% of patients survive five years or more after diagnosis,” according to the press release from Abbott. About the Campaign on Colon Cancer Screening While the campaign has a humorous, telenovela style, Spanic also delivers an important message: “Although life can be dramatic, getting screened doesn’t have to ...

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Webinar: How Does Prostate Cancer Impact South Texas Communities?


Prostate Cancer Presentation

People in South Texas experience many challenges with prostate cancer. To address these challenges and help the community, join a new virtual presentation, “Prostate Cancer Awareness,” at 11 a.m. Central on Sept. 17, 2026. The event will feature Dr. Patricia Chalela, a cancer researcher at UT Health San Antonio, and Sandra Sivak, a community cancer research coordinator at UT Health San Antonio. Both are part of the community outreach and engagement team at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. The virtual presentation is part of the “Every Cancer, Every Story: A Series of Conversations” webinar series, a collaboration of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Mays Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at UT ...

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Report: State of Inconsistencies in Latino Cancer Care


Three Women with symbol of breast cancer drawing on hand

This past year saw significant strides in cancer prevention and care, resulting in better health outcomes for all populations. However, gaps in access to care, including language hurdles, citizenship status challenges, and insurance affordability remain consistent among cancer outcomes for overlooked populations. These persistent burdens continue to negatively impact Latino survivorship. The state of non-medical drivers of health on cancer outcomes is examined in the yearly report from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). Let’s dig into the 2026 progress report and look at the 9 key takeaways impacting Latinos. 1. Cervical Cancer Deaths Drop Amid Strides in Preventative Care Recently, researchers have seen a dramatic drop in cervical cancer deaths worldwide. A ...

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