Recap: 2026 Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations Conference

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Cancer remains a large health threat in South Texas and beyond.

To improve cancer understanding and outcomes, Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez of Salud America! and UT Health San Antonio hosted the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference on Feb. 18-20, 2026, at the Plaza San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.

Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations drew over 300 researchers, doctors, leaders, and students for an open dialogue on cancer.

Discussion covered new studies in clinical best practices, treatments, effective community interventions, advocacy, policy, and professional training in cancer research.

“We still have work to do, but I am excited and proud to charge into the future with such a passionate group of people for reducing the cancer burden in all populations,” said Ramirez, who founded the conference and directs UT Health San Antonio’s Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) and Salud America!. The IHPR co-hosted the conference with the Mays Cancer Center.

Why Is Cancer a Big Issue?

Although there has been substantial progress in cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment over past decades, cancer remains a top cause of death in the US.

Incidence rates are increasing for several cancers associated with obesity, including breast, uterus, colon, pancreas, kidney, and liver cancers.

In addition, colon cancer is now the top killer among Americans younger than 50.

Read more about cancer issues.

What Is Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

The 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference is the newest in a biennial conference series that has attracted over 1,000 researchers and featured over 300 research posters with innovations in Latino cancer research, education, and training.

View the conference proceedings from 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 for details.

“Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations is where we come together and find solutions for cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship,” Ramirez said.

Who Shared Research and Perspectives at Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

The 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference conference featured an agenda with over 40 Latino cancer researchers, clinicians, and advocates to share their stories and research.

These included:

• Robert A. Winn, MD, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio
• Leticia Nogueira, PhD, American Cancer Society
• Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, MD, Population Health Researcher
• Frank Penedo, PhD, University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• Sukeshi Patel Arora, MD, UT Health San Antonio
• Mariana Chavez MacGregor, MD, MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Narjust Florez, MD, Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center / Florez Lab
• Ruben A. Mesa, MD, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Carlos L. Arteaga, MD, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center at UT Southwestern
• Laura Ortiz‑Ravick, MA, Blood Cancer United
• Elena V. Rios, MD, National Hispanic Health Foundation

The conference also hosted a research poster session, where over 100 investigators shared their latest cancer studies.

See the abstracts.

What Media Covered Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

Several media outlets covered the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference.

These include:

• Kory Cook of Texas Public Radio (San Antonio)
• Josh Archote of San Antonio Report
• The Paisano Newspaper at UTSA
• Holly Wayment of the Pediatrics Now Podcast at UT Health San Antonio
• UT Health San Antonio new release

Did You Know about the Patient Advocate Training at Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

Also, on Feb. 17, 2026, the day before the start of Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations, conference leaders hosted the second Cancer Patient Leadership Training Program.

The training program helped 16 cancer survivors, including several from Texas, learn to become patient leaders to speak up for patients and research volunteers.

Each trainee then attended the conference to enhance their knowledge of cancer research.

The training program is led by Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico and Sandi Stanford of the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation and a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Mays Cancer Center. Program sponsors include Exact Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Menarini Stemline, and the GRASP program.

Read about the 2024 inaugural program here.

What Did People Say about Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

Speakers and attendees also used #CancerResearchForAll and #ACRLP on Twitter/X to drive new conversations on cancer issues.

View the #CancerResearchForAll tweets and #ACRLP tweets.

Here are some examples:

Very succesful Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and all populations conference
with Dr Amelie Ramirez, Robert Winn, Gerald Colon, Mariana chavez-mcgregor, Eliseo Perez-Stable, @mazo_md @NarjustFlorezMD @betinayanez and many more speakers#ACRLP #CancerResearchForAll… pic.twitter.com/gtoG8VRUJT

— Dr. Luis E. Raez (@LuisRaezMD) February 19, 2026

One of the most powerful moments of the Latino Patient Advocacy Training:
✨ patient advocates + researchers in real conversation.

Feeling hopeful after seeing the passion of emerging researchers.#PatientAdvocacy #CancerResearch#ACRLP #CancerResearchForAll #ACRLP2026 pic.twitter.com/iZmjNbe6CG

— Andrea Suárez (@andreafda) February 20, 2026

Great discussion on young onset colorectal/ GI cancer by Dr Arora @DrSukeshiArora. #ACRLP @SaludAmerica pic.twitter.com/UTyvbloUGC

— Marcela Mazo MD (@mazo_md) February 18, 2026

What Is Next for Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations?

Later this year, Ramirez and her team will publish a proceedings report to summarize the progress made at the 5th biennial Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations conference.

Ramirez thanked the conference planning committee:

• Edward J. Trapido, ScD, FACE, Louisiana State University (co-chair)
• Marcela Mazo Canola, MD, UT Health San Antonio (co-chair)
• Barbara Segarra-Vázquez, DHSc, MT, University of Puerto Rico
• Alejandro Recio Boiles, MD, FACP, University of Arizona
• Maria Constanza Camargo, PhD, National Cancer Institute
• Janeth Sanchez, PhD, National Cancer Institute
• Gerardo Colon-Otero, MD, Mayo Clinic, Florida
• Katherine Y. Tossas, PhD, MS, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Mariana C. Stern, PhD, University of Southern California
• Martin Mendoza, PhD, Population Health Leader
• Matthew P. Banegas, PhD, MPH, University of California, San Diego
• Patricia I. Moreno, PhD, University of Miami
• Yamilé Molina, PhD, University of Illinois
• Laura Fejerman, MSc, PHD, University of California, Davis
• Mary Jimenez, Community Advisory Board, Mays Cancer Center
• Sandi Stanford, Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation

Ramirez also thanked the conference sponsors:

• AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Gilead, Natera, Revolution Medicine (platinum)
• Blood Cancer United, Menarini Stemline, Eli Lilly (gold)
• National Hispanic Health Foundation, American Cancer Society, STEAM Network (silver)
• University of New Mexico, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (amigos)

Stay tuned for more!