The Brutal Lack of Hispanics in Genetic Research


Crowd Population Diversity

Genetic researchers are overwhelmingly focused on white populations, which could have negative implications for the health of minorities, Vocativ reports. The report cites a new op-ed in the journal Nature that found that 81% of participants were of European descent (white) and only 19% non-European descent in all scientific studies that "correlated a genetic mutation with a particular disease." The white participant percentage, while down from 96% in the same analysis in 2009, means minorities remain vastly underrepresented. In fact, less than 1% of genetic research had Hispanic-descent participants in 2016. Only 3% of participants were of African descent. Genetic research can uncover the causes of many diseases, and allow scientists to create drugs to treat the underlying ...

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#SaludTues Tweetchat 11/1: Giving Latinos No Stomach for Cancer


latina woman running to prevent stomach cancer

Stomach cancer, once the nation’s top cancer killer, is now only 14th in U.S. cancer deaths. So you can relax, right? Well, among Latinos, stomach cancer rates are 73% higher in men and 50% higher in women compared to non-Latinos, and the decline in deaths from stomach cancer isn’t dropping as fast Latinos as it is for non-Latinos, according to the American Cancer Society. For Stomach Cancer Awareness Month starting in November, let’s use #SaludTues on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, to tweet about the causes of and solutions to prevent and reduce this type of cancer among Latinos. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: “Giving Latinos No Stomach for Cancer” TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. ET (Noon-1 p.m. CT), Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues HOST: ...

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Get the Latest Breast Cancer Resources in Spanish


latina breast cancer pink

Culture and language are two reasons many Latinas don't always get timely and appropriate treatment for breast cancer. Breast cancer is the No. 1 killer of Latinas. The Metastatic Breast Cancer Network (MBCN) is hoping to alleviate some of the barriers to timely treatment through a series of informational materials in both English and Spanish. The MBCN has created several informational resources for individuals coping with Stage IV breast cancer: Conozca los datos Diagóstico: Cáncer de mama metastásico… ¿Qué significa para usted? La serie sobre el cáncer de mama metastásico: Guía para nuevas pacientes "Being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer can often be a frightening or overwhelming for many women," according to the MBCN. "This type of diagnosis can be ...

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A Second Opinion: The Story of Anna López



SaludToday Guest Blogger Dr. Michel Choueiri of CancerDocs.org I am going to tell you the story of Anna López and why it is important to always ask two doctors before making a major decision. Anna arrived to Los Angeles in 2014 from Guatemala. She turned 49 last June. She was taking a shower one morning when she noticed a mass on her breast. She did not know what to do and went to the first doctor who her cousin knew. After a pleasant consultation, she was advised that she would need to have surgery to remove all her breast. Sad, Anna went home, cried with her husband that night. She could not speak English and did not know many people in LA to ask for help. She agreed to the surgery and the operation was scheduled for the following week. Luckily, her friend who works at UCLA had ...

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Study: Breast Cancer Can Be More Fatal to Certain Latinas


Latina church praying

For Latinas of Mexican or Puerto Rican decent, breast cancer is more likely to be fatal than for other U.S. Latinas, according to a new study from the Avon Foundation for Women, USA Today reports. The research is the first of its kind on Latino subgroups. It showed that breast cancer mortality rates differed for Cubans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Central and South American women with breast cancer in the United States. The findings have implications for how Latinas receive care and treatment. “A critical first step to improving breast cancer prevention, diagnosis and care for Hispanic women is understanding where the greatest needs are,” said Cheryl Heinonen, Avon Foundation president to USA Today. “The more we know, the better we will be at improving care, quality of life and ...

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What High School Grads Need to Do Before Leaving for College



By Eric Moreno, Research Area Specialist Salud America!  The U.S. Department of Education has compiled a checklist of 7 things every high school graduate needs to do before leaving for their first semester of college. Make sure your school has your financial aid ready. Many students fill out an application for financial aid. Early and/or mid-summer is an opportune time to check with the financial aid office to make sure all your paperwork is complete. It is also important to make sure that you have enough money to cover any gaps between the cost for school and your financial aid award. Find a part-time job. If this is something you’d be interested in, it would be a good idea to start checking out opportunities in the area of campus before classes start. Working during school ...

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Study: Drinking Soda May Cause Gallbladder Cancer



Soda consumption is high among Latinos, and it’s one of the main causes of diabetes and obesity in the United States. A new study from Sweden reveals this sugary drink may cause gallbladder cancer, NBC Health reports. For the study, investigators surveyed more than 70,000 individuals and tracked them for more than 13 years and concluded that those who consume more than two sodas a day “had more than twice the risk of developing gallbladder tumors and 79% higher odds of biliary tract cancer.” “The current study is the first study to show a strong link between consumption of sweetened beverages, such as soda, and risk of biliary tract cancer,” lead researcher Susanna Larsson told NBC news. To stay healthy and fit doctors recommend to avoid sodas and all sugary ...

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HPV Related Cancers On the Rise



Cancers linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV) are on the rise according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Slate reports. The report by the CDC found that, between 2008 and 2012, an average of 39,000 cancers related to HPV were diagnosed each year; 28,500 of these yearly HPV cases could have been prevented by vaccination. What cancers are linked to HPV? Some of the cancers linked to HPV are cervical cancer and oropharynx cancers ( tongue, tonsils, and back of the throat). Doctors recommend the HPV vaccine for boys and girls between the ages of 11-12 years old. “Every parent should ask the question: If there was a vaccine I could give my child that would prevent them from developing six different cancers, would I give it to them?,” Electra ...

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Osteoporosis Medication Could Prevent Breast Cancer



Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in Latina women, especially those who are BRCA1 positive, but according to researchers a drug commonly used to treat osteoporosis may prevent breast cancer, CNN reports According to results from a study published in the journal Nature Medicine, the drug, denosumab, “can stop certain breast tissue cells with the mutation from morphing into cancerous tumors.” "If this is an effective prevention strategy, then our hope is that it will be possible to prevent or delay breast cancer in women with a BRCA1 mutation and possibly other women at high genetic risk," said Jane Visvader a co-author of the study. "It would be great if this strategy could 'buy time' for women considering having ...

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