Liver Cancer Resources Latinos Should Know About

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Did you know 1 in 5 people with liver cancer in the United States are Latino?  

The rise of liver cancer in Latinos is happening for many reasons. Some of the big reasons include excess body weight, alcohol use, smoking, and metabolic disorders. Latinos are often diagnosed at more advanced stages of liver cancer.  

With this in mind, let’s explore helpful resources for Latinos on liver cancer.  

Liver Cancer Connect 

With liver cancer disproportionately impacting Latinos, it’s crucial that they have educational tools and resources to help navigate through their diagnosis.  

Liver Cancer Connect is a program by the Hepatitis B Foundation that provides liver cancer patients and their families with information and support.  

“Although this is a serious diagnosis, there is good reason to have hope because of the many advances made in the early detection, management and treatment of liver cancer,” according to the Liver Cancer Connect webpage. 

Liver Cancer Connect includes information on prevention, screening, information for newly diagnosed patients, and a list of liver cancer centers, among several other resources.  

The website also provides Spanish-language information on Hepatitis B, the virus that attacks and injures the liver and the most common serious liver infection in the world. 

For more information and a complete list of resources, visit livercancerconnect.org. 

Community Liver Alliance  

The Community Liver Alliance provides help through their resource map, where individuals can find resources based on the state they live in.  

“We do our best to provide the most relevant, up-to-date content and resources. These resources are listed by type and then by city,” according to the map webpage.  

Resources included in the map consist of support groups, patient organizations, charities, and Spanish-language brochures.  

Community Liver Alliance also offers a video library with program updates, news, recipes, and other helpful information.  

People can also explore a calendar of both virtual and in-person programs and events.  

Blue Faery: The Adrienne Wilson Liver Cancer Association 

Blue Faery has created a liver cancer community through an online forum specifically for patients and caregivers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common liver cancer type.  

Blue Faery’s Liver Cancer Community aims to provide a private platform for support for all HCC patients and caregivers. 

“The online, private, HIPAA-compliant liver cancer forum respects patients and caregivers, allowing you to maintain your privacy as you may join under an alias,” according to the Blue Faery website. “In addition, all forum communications are only seen by members.” 

Blue Faery also have resources on prevention, treatment options, and even open clinical trials.  

Blue Faery also provides free educational resources in English and Spanish for patients, families, and healthcare provides.  

For a complete list of resources, programs, and information for patients and doctors, visit bluefaery.org.   

American Liver Foundation 

The American Liver Foundation offers its entire website in Spanish. 

This includes its resource center, with information on clinical trials, caregiver resources, support groups, educational materials, a video library, and state-by-state resources. 

“American Liver Foundation brinda noticias e información actuales sobre una variedad de temas relacionados con el hígado para ayudar a pacientes, amigos y familiares afectados por enfermedades hepaticas,” according to the Spanish website. 

Learn more in English or Spanish. 

Prevent Cancer Foundation  

It’s also important to prevent cancer. 

That is why the Prevent Cancer Foundation provides a plethora of information and resources. Its  Early Detection = Better Outcomes campaign has resources like:  

• Screenings you need at every age.  
• Tools to find free and low-cost cancer screenings.  
• Information on how your family health history can impact your cancer risk. 

The Prevent Cancer Foundation also includes a section specifically on liver cancer with additional information including risk factors and symptoms.  

The foundation’s online resource hub can be accessed in both English and Spanish.   

Create Health Equity for Latinos who Have Liver Cancer 

Access to cancer screenings and educational resources in Spanish and English are a key path to health equity, where everyone has a fair, just opportunity to be their healthiest.   

Looking for other ways to promote health equity?   

Explore the Salud America! Health Equity Report Card to find data and maps on what health inequities – in areas like health care, food access, and housing – impact your community.   

Then you can compare your local issues to the rest of your state and nation and share results with city and school officials or your local health department.   

Advocate for change in your area!   

GET YOUR HEALTH EQUITY REPORT CARD!

Give Back to Other Latinos who Have Liver Cancer 

Latinos represent less than 10% of volunteers in cancer clinical trials.  

Clinical trials help researchers learn more and more to help slow, manage, and treat diseases.  

The massive underrepresentation of Latinos in clinical trials makes it hard for researchers to develop new treatments for this population, which suffers from conditions like liver cancer.   

This is why Dr. Ramirez is creating new ways to encourage Latinos to volunteer for cancer and Alzheimer’s clinical trials.   

She is raising awareness by using Salud America! to showcase open clinical trials and uplift the stories of Latino clinical trial participants, along with social media events and webinars.   

“To achieve equitable participation of Latinos and other underrepresented groups in clinical research, we need comprehensive approaches that address social and contextual barriers to participation,” Ramirez said.  

How can you or someone you know find ways to participate?   

Visit the Salud America! clinical trials page and explore ongoing research studies today.   

FIND A CLINICAL TRIAL!

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a collaboration between Salud America! at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio and Bristol Myers Squibb to focus on improving liver health. To find additional content, go here.