Dr. Derek Rodriguez: Using a Personal Cancer Journey to Inspire Others to Share Theirs

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From a young age, Dr. Derek Rodriguez had his heart set on attending medical school. 

Everything changed when he was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer at the tender age of 8.

“[Medical school] was the end-all, be-all thought back in the day,” Rodriguez said. “But when I was 8 years old, I was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma. This ultimately, I felt like, set the precedent for the path in which I would pursue cancer research.” 

Rodriguez’s experience with cancer would eventually lead him to a research position at UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR), which is directed by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, who also leads Salud America! 

Now he’s putting his dream into practice as a research scientist for the IHPR’s Avanzando Caminos study, which aims to improve the Latino cancer survivorship journey. 

“I am now serving my community as well as those that are cancer survivors, so it’s pretty much a full circle moment.” 

Drinking the Research Punch 

Rodriguez comes to IHPR from Arlington, Texas, where he attended Arlington High School.

After graduating in 2013, Rodriguez pursued his undergraduate degree in biology from the Texas State University with medical school as his ultimate goal.

However, heading into his postgraduate education, Rodriguez began having second thoughts about his chosen career field. 

“I wasn’t sure if research or medicine was still the path I wanted to take,” Rodriguez reflected.  

Rodriguez decided to go after his master’s in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, which reinforced his passion for research. 

“I drank too much of the research Kool-Aid then to where now I am able to fully ground myself and fell in love with the scientific method and research,” he said. 

The research enthusiast went on to pursue a PhD in translational science at the joint translational science program at UT Health San Antonio, which was a path that allows him to interrelate science and medicine at the same time.  

The Institute of Health Promotion Research   

Rodriguez now serves as a clinical researcher at IHPR where he acts as a program manager for the Avanzando Caminos (Leading Pathways) Cancer Survivorship Study.  

The Avanzando Caminos study is a longitudinal study that is set to take place over the next several years that focuses on the experiences of Latino and Hispanic cancer survivors living in South Texas. 

As program manager, Rodriguez oversees a team of five research assistants dedicated to helping South Texas cancer survivors tell their stories, which aims to help make a difference for future cancer survivors. 

“The study team is very enthusiastic and very admirable in the sense of what they do to help these patients,” he said. “To take the time to understand and comprehend their struggles speaks volumes. A team like this does not come but once in a blue moon.” 

Through examining the cancer journeys of survivors, the team is looking to unpack the social, cultural, behavioral, mental, biological, and medical influences on post-cancer life. 

By analyzing these factors, the study team hopes that they can identify strategies and interventions that may help ease the burden caused by these influences. 

Some of these interventions could address instances, such as financial toxicity and food insecurities, that could impact someone’s quality of life or cancer outcome.  

For instance, the results of the study could point to a larger need for cancer support groups, which declined during COVID-19, or create opportunities for stakeholders to find ways for patients to afford the medication, chemotherapy, surgeries, radiation, and other treatments associated with cancer. 

“This is going to help us understand and ultimately help individuals in our community have prolonged lives and less conflicts and consequences because no one should ever have to go through a hardship because they had cancer,” Rodriguez said. 

Joining the Avanzando Caminos Study  

Rodriguez and the Avanzando Caminos team is recruiting 1,500 Hispanic and Latino cancer survivors who have completed primary treatment for breast, lung, liver, stomach, colorectal, kidney, prostate, and uterine cervical cancers in the last 10 years. 

In addition, cancer survivors must be 18 years old or older to participate. 

The study, led by Ramirez and the Mays Cancer Center, consists of seven study visits that take place over five years.  

Each assessment is made up of interviews accompanied by a few blood draws.  

Participants are also eligible to receive $50 per visit.  

Visit the Avanzando Caminos website (Español) to fill out a prequalification form and member of Ramirez’s and Rodriguez’s team at the IHPR at UT Health San Antonio will be in touch. Or contact the team at 210-562-6514 or caminos@uthscsa.edu.   

Creating a Brighter Future for Latino Cancer Survivors 

Rodriguez recently celebrated his 20th anniversary of being cancer-free.

In using his personal cancer journey to fuel his passion for research, Rodriguez hopes to create long-lasting solutions that empower and help the underrepresented community he is part of.  

“It’s a rewarding experience, because I get to not only be able to help a community that is underrepresented, but I get to share my experiences,” Rodriguez said.  

“I understand where they’re coming from, what their frustrations are, their stressors are and celebrate those moments of joy where they are in remission, or they celebrate a milestone that’s a year or two in remission.”