Depression, in addition to other barriers, may prevent Latina breast cancer survivors from undergoing preventive health screening for colorectal and ovarian cancer, according to a new study. The study was presented by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, professor and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, on Sept. 19, 2011, at the Fourth AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Washington D.C. “Depression can make people more inattentive to potential risks to their health and more likely to ignore recommendations to reduce their risk,” Dr. Ramirez said. Because depression is more common among breast cancer patients than the general population and because 10% of all new cancers are diagnosed in cancer ...
In honor of Hispanic Heritage month (Sept. 19-Oct. 15), the Colon Cancer Alliance has created a 30-second public service announcement video in English and Spanish that emphasizes talking to your family about your family health history and getting a screening test for colon cancer. Hispanics often are diagnosed with a later stage of cancer, when the disease can be harder to treat. Colon cancer is one of the few cancers you can catch before it turns into cancer through the detection of precancerous polyps. The Colon Cancer Alliance is a non-profit that works to increase colon cancer awareness and screening test rates. Visit their Spanish website at ...
In response to rising obesity and breast cancer mortality rates, a new local study is testing how different types of exercise—like yoga—best improve cancer survivors’ fitness, quality of life and molecular indicators of future cancer risk. The project, Improving Mind and Physical ACTivity (IMPACT), is led by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Over the yearlong IMPACT study, 90 breast cancer survivors will be randomized to participate at least three times a week in: 1) a comprehensive exercise “prescription” featuring an individualized aerobic, strength-training and flexibility program; 2) a yoga exercise program; or 3) general exercise chosen at will. Study recruitment is underway. For eligibility, call ...
Check out the latest in health disparities—from new efforts by promotoras to help Latino cancer patients to a new study to see what type of exercise best prevents breast cancer recurrence—in the latest E-newsletter from the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. View the IHPR E-newsletter to see: Story and Video: Promotoras Help Latino Cancer Patients (Pg 1)
Story: IHPR Staffer Learns ‘True Meaning of Despair’ in Brazil (Pg 2)
Story: Exito! Program Trains Latino Doctoral Hopefuls (Pg 4)
Story and Video: Local Cancer Survivors Help Test Which Exercise is Best (Pg 5)
Story and Videos: Addressing Texas’ Latino Obesity Epidemic (Pg 6)
Story: Like Mother, Like Daughter: Rodriguez Duo ...
As she wraps up her master’s degree at the University of South Florida, Mariana Arevalo already has worked on projects to improve health care access for the underserved. But that early experience is driving Arevalo to do more. So Arevalo and 16 other master’s-level students or health professionals joined the Institute for Health Promotion Research’s first-ever Summer Institute of Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training on June 2-6, 2011, in San Antonio. Èxito! encourages participants to pursue a doctoral degree and careers studying how disease—especially cancer—affects Latinos differently. "Èxito! gave me the resources that I needed to pursue my goal—motivation and pathways," Arevalo said. "I came in with doubts about my ability to have both. Now I’m ...
Watch Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, talk about why Latinos should consider participating in a cancer clinical trial. The video is in Spanish: Learn more about Latino cancer here. You can also join Dr. Ramirez' Redes En Acción network, a National Cancer Institute initiative to combat cancer among ...
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has launched a new website with increased access to resources and materials in Spanish. Free education materials in English and Spanish can be read and downloaded or ordered from the website. This includes the easy-to-read, bilingual resource called, Knowing All Your Treatment Options/Conozca todas sus opciones de tratamiento. This booklet guides patients to discuss all treatment options with their doctors and explains clinical trials and informed consent in basic language. Also on the website is information about financial programs, links to LLS’ new and archived telephone/web education programs, LLS national and chapter support services and printable question guides about treatment and clinical trials that patients can take with them to ...
Dr. Meredith Minkler, a cancer researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, spoke about the impact of "community-based participatory research (CBPR)" on May 5, 2011, at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio as part of the SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series. CBPR is a technique that brings community members onto academic health research teams as equal partners in a research study or intervention. Community members help design programs that best address their specific community's health problems and needs. Watch video of Dr. Minkler's talk about CBPR here. The SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series, sponsored by the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) and the CTRC, brings some of the top U.S. health disparities experts to San ...
The Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) recently awarded $265,000 to a researcher from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio who is working with the YMCA of Greater San Antonio to encourage healthy living and cancer prevention. Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, professor in the Health Science Center’s Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), is co-directing “Y Living,” a lifestyle program for cancer prevention and risk reduction. “This collaborative project uses a community-based, family-focused approach. We’ll work with families to promote physical activity, a balanced diet and increased awareness of the impact of a healthy lifestyle on cancer risk reduction,” Dr. Parra-Medina said. “We’ll provide health education, ...
