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How to See If Health Information on Social Media Is Credible


Scrolling social media

Whether you’re looking for a recipe, catching up with the latest trends, or staying up with the news, social media plays a large role in people’s daily lives. In fact, people spend an average of 2 hours and 21 minutes a day on social media. While many people rely heavily on social media to get information, facts, and news, the quality of information can also be questionable. With this in mind, the Public Health Communication Collaborative (PHCC) created a guide on Evaluating Credibility on Social Media. Let’s dive deeper into this tool and find out how it can help your community! Check Credibility of Health Information on Social Media with SIFT When considering health information on social media, PHCC encourages people to review the information using the acronym ...

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Number of Cancer Survivors in the U.S. Reaches 18.6 Million


Cancer survivor with family member.

The number of people living with a history of cancer in the United States is estimated at 18.6 million as of Jan. 1, 2025, according to a report on Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Statistics from the American Cancer Society (ACS). This number is projected to exceed 22 million by 2035, according to the report. Let’s dive deeper into this report and what it says about cancer survivorship. Survivorship Stats The ACS report highlights that the 3 most prevalent cancers among males are prostate (3,552,460) melanoma of the skin (816,580), and colorectal (729,550) For women, breast (4,305,570), uterine corpus (945,540), and thyroid (859,890) were the 3 most prevalent. “The number of female breast cancer survivors is projected to reach 5.3 million by January 1, 2035 – an ...

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How Do Dietary and Lifestyle Patterns Impact Cancer Prevention?


Couple cooking meal together.

Dietary and lifestyle patterns can impact your cancer risk, according to a new report from the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR). The report, Dietary and lifestyle patterns for cancer prevention: evidence and recommendations from CUP Global, lists recommendations for dietary and lifestyle patterns for cancer prevention. The list has considerations for breast and colorectal cancer, the second- and third-most-common cancers worldwide. Recommendations include: For overall cancer prevention, follow a healthy dietary pattern, aim to be physically active, maintain a healthy body weight and avoid smoking. In such a dietary pattern, prioritize fruit, vegetables, and fiber-containing foods. For colorectal cancer prevention, ...

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In the News: San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program


San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program Firefighter Tour at MCC 4-17-25 1

The new San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program aims to better understand and reduce the cancer burden among local firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, thanks to the partnership of the San Antonio Fire Department, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami. The program, launched in April 2025, is gaining media coverage: Firefighter with cancer praises new research partnerships between SAFD and cancer center, KSAT-12 TV New UT Health program aims to prevent cancer in San Antonio firefighters, Texas Public Radio UT Health Science Center leading research into cancer rates among firefighters, Spectrum News Héroes sin capa y entre llamas: la lucha silenciosa de los bomberos, KVDA-TV ...

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CDC Project Firstline Micro-Learn: Measles



Infection control training and action is crucial for healthcare workers. With this in mind, check out the Infection Control Micro-Learns from the Project Firstline program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Micro-learns are a series of guided infection control discussions that can be easily incorporated into team meetings or huddles led by an experienced team member with infection control expertise. Each micro-learn focuses on a single infection control topic and connects these concepts to immediate, practical value. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and can lead to severe illness and even death. Let’s explore the Infection Control Micro-Learns on Measles. check out the micro-learn! What Does Measles Look Like? Measles ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Helps Study of Quality of Life During Immunotherapy Treatment


immunotherapy

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have been a game-changer in oncology. Tumors often have proteins on them that tell your immune system not to attack. Checkpoint inhibitors, which work by blocking these proteins so your immune system continues to fight the tumor, have provided new options for many people with advanced or metastatic cancer who were left with limited options. Patricia Moreno, Ph.D., lead of Evidence-Based Survivorship Supportive Care at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, points out that these new drugs come with unique side effects that experts still need to understand better. The National Cancer Institute has awarded Dr. Moreno, a member of Sylvester’s Cancer Control Program, and co-investigators Jose ...

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Celebrate Mother’s Day with These Maternal Health Resources


Celebrate Mother’s Day with These Maternal Health Resources

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate the women who raised us, cared for us, and put our needs above their own.  Now, it’s time to take care of her.  Whether you're a first-time mom or have a few kiddos under your belt, here are four health and wellness resources for mothers.   1. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline Launched on Mother’s Day 2022, the National Maternal Health Hotline is a free, 24/7, confidential hotline that supports women, before, during, and after pregnancy via phone call or text.   The hotline was designed to help combat maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity crisis in the US by connecting women to counselors, including licensed health care professionals, certified educators, and specialists.    These counselors listen to the ...

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Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Named to Susan G. Komen Scientific Advisory Board


Amelie-Ramirez-of-UT-Health-San-Antonio Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez Susan G. Komen Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, leader of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio, was named to Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. Komen's 10-member Scientific Advisory Board provides strategic guidance and direction for its research and scientific programs. It also plays a key role in guiding and prioritizing Komen’s global research investment and serves as the executive committee of the Komen Scholars. Dr. Ramirez's appointment is effective April 1, 2025. “I am honored to serve on Susan G. Komen's Scientific Advisory Board. I look forward to being a part of Komen’s extensive activities to address breast cancer and the non-medical drivers of health among people of all backgrounds," Ramirez said. Dr. Ramirez & Her Health ...

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‘San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program’ Launches at UT Health San Antonio


To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health San Antonio, and Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative at the University of Miami have partnered to launch the San Antonio Firefighters Cancer Prevention Program.

Cancer is a big concern for firefighters in San Antonio. Firefighting is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Occupational cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters. Studies have shown that firefighters face a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer compared to the general U.S. population. Within the San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD), more than 70 firefighters have been diagnosed with cancer in the past 10 years, including leukemia to multiple myeloma and cancers of the brain, thyroid, colon, prostate, and testicles. Many cases also go unreported. To help reduce the cancer risk among firefighters and emergency medical services personnel, SAFD, UT Health ...

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