Cancer continues to be a top cause of death among Latinos, only second to heart disease. Given the prevalence of cancer in Hispanic/Latino communities, the need for cancer interventions in heavily Hispanic/Latino areas like San Antonio is vital. 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 Study — a one-of-a-kind study that aims to unpack the social, cultural, 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 Hispanic/Latino cancer outcomes. But there’s still more work to be ...
Cancer continues to be a top cause of death for those living in the US, including Latinos, who suffer disproportionate rates of certain cancer types, are diagnosed at later stages, and are more likely to die from the disease. This is because many Latinos and other people of color are face living disparities that impact their access to healthcare, education, quality affordable housing, and more. These factors can establish what kind of healthcare and treatments someone can get. That’s why researchers choose to keep studying the intersection between race/ethnicity and healthcare so that science and medicine can improve cancer outcomes for these individuals and everyone. Here are three cancer studies that focus on racial/ethnic disparities and cancer.
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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 Latino health. 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 and go over some of the reasons why Latinos are disproportionately affected by cancer.
Cancer Incidence Among Latinos
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. Among the ...
With cancer still rising in the US Latino population, UT Health San Antonio leaders and national cancer experts have published an online book with innovative recommendations to reduce Latino cancer. The book, "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings," highlights results of the same-named conference that brought 300 researchers, advocates, and survivors to San Antonio in February 2024. A follow-up conference is planned for Feb. 18-20, 2026, in San Antonio. Included in the book are promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum, from advances in risk assessment, prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and policy. “Our book, Advancing the Science of ...
This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings."
Using Science to Address Latino Health Disparities Research
Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, M.D., is Director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This plenary session occurred at 8:30 am., Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, at the 4th biennial Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference. Health disparities Dr. Pérez-Stable began his presentation by discussing populations with health disparities. While race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are the fundamental pillars of health disparities science, the intersection of these factors with rural populations, sexual and gender minorities, and people ...
This content is from the "Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings."
Designing Food Pantries to Improve Food Security Among Cancer Survivors
Dr. Sandi Pruitt is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity in the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Crossroads Community Services. Food security and cancer Dr. Sandi Pruitt’s presentation discussed food security and cancer, best practices and solutions, and a Dallas pantry redesign. The gold standard for measuring food security is the validated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) survey, which is offered in 6, 10, and 18 question ...
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio, appeared alongside other breast cancer experts and oncologists at the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is an annual conference that delivers important on breast cancer research, therapy, biology, diagnosis, and prevention for an international audience of thousands of virtual and in-person attendees. During the symposium, physicians and researchers learn by attending lectures given by experts in clinical, translational, and basic research, discussions, forums, and presentations, including poster presentations. While in attendance Ramirez brought awareness to the need for more cancer prevention and getting information out to underserved populations ...
The 2025 New Year brings about new resolutions for many hoping to adopt a healthier lifestyle like eating healthier or exercising more. Quitting smoking could help, too. With several health problems stemming from smoking including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory infections, why not quit smoking as a resolution? Let’s dive into the facts and benefits of leaving smoking behind in 2024!
Rates of Latino Smokers 49.2 million (19.8%)—or nearly 1 in 5—U.S. adults reported current tobacco product use in 2022, according to the CDC. How does this impact Latinos? About 1 in 13 (7.7%) Hispanic or Latino adults in the U.S. smokes cigarettes, according to the CDC. Cigarette smoking also is more common for Latino men than Latinas. Latino youth can also be targeted ...
After years of anticipation, the brand-new UT Health San Antonio hospital is set to open its doors to the public on Dec. 10, 2024. The UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital is the first of its kind. Serving patients in South Texas, the hospital aims to be a hub for innovative therapies and treatments for cancer and other diseases while granting visitors access to experts in their fields of study. Let’s break down all the details about the new UT Health San Antonio hospital and how it will serve Latinos and all people in The Alamo City.
New UT Health San Antonio Hospital
The new $472 million facility stands at eight stories tall to house advanced interventional radiology, a specialized intensive care unit and an integrated imaging center ...
