Breast cancer survivors are invited to join a San Antonio-area study that is testing how different types of exercise—like yoga—best improve cancer survivors’ fitness and quality of life and decreases the risk of recurrence. The project, Improving Mind and Physical ACTivity (IMPACT), is led by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Over the yearlong IMPACT study, 90 breast cancer survivors will be randomized to participate at least three times a week in: 1) a comprehensive exercise “prescription” featuring an individualized aerobic, strength-training and flexibility program; 2) a yoga exercise program; or 3) general exercise chosen at will. Study recruitment is underway. For eligibility, call 210-593-2669. “We ...
Did you know that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among U.S. Latinas? Alarmingly, Hispanic women are 20 percent more likely to die from breast cancer when compared to non-Hispanic white women when diagnosed at a similar age and stage. In response, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is launching Lazos que Perduran, a national, culturally relevant, educational initiative that empowers Latinas with the knowledge and resources to take action. Targeting young adults, the Lazos initiative will promote our breast self awareness messages (know your risk, get screened, know what is normal for you and make healthy lifestyle choices) and motivate them to influence their loved ones to do the same. Telenovela actress Angelica Maria, and her daughter, ...
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, was recently named a "Champion of Change” by the President Barack Obama's White House for her contributions to ending suffering from breast cancer. Now Dr. Ramirez has written a blog post for the White House. The inspirational post, "Giving Latinas a Chance Against Breast Cancer," highlights Latinas' cancer issues and discusses ways to overcome barriers:
Prevention is the key, and timely screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care are critical if Latinas are to survive cancer and sustain a good quality of life.
That’s why my Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San ...
In a telephone survey, Latinos were found to be less likely than whites to get screened for colon cancer, and much less likely when both groups had a family history of the disease, Reuters reports. However, the study results did not show an ethnic difference in which women had recently been screened for breast cancer, whether or not it was in their families. According to the news report:
Researchers didn't know why each person in the study had or hadn't gotten screened. But they proposed a few reasons why Latinos might not get their regular colon cancer check-ups, including communication problems with doctors and fear and anxiety about being screened.
"It seems very plausible that this is not happening for Latinos because of access barriers and language barriers," said Heather Orom, who ...
Depression, in addition to other barriers, may prevent Latina breast cancer survivors from undergoing preventive health screening for colorectal and ovarian cancer, according to a new study. The study was presented by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, professor and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, on Sept. 19, 2011, at the Fourth AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Washington D.C. “Depression can make people more inattentive to potential risks to their health and more likely to ignore recommendations to reduce their risk,” Dr. Ramirez said. Because depression is more common among breast cancer patients than the general population and because 10% of all new cancers are diagnosed in cancer ...
In response to rising obesity and breast cancer mortality rates, a new local study is testing how different types of exercise—like yoga—best improve cancer survivors’ fitness, quality of life and molecular indicators of future cancer risk. The project, Improving Mind and Physical ACTivity (IMPACT), is led by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Over the yearlong IMPACT study, 90 breast cancer survivors will be randomized to participate at least three times a week in: 1) a comprehensive exercise “prescription” featuring an individualized aerobic, strength-training and flexibility program; 2) a yoga exercise program; or 3) general exercise chosen at will. Study recruitment is underway. For eligibility, call ...
Nearly half of Hispanic women in a new study who spoke little English expressed much worry about their beast cancers returning, and white and black women expressed far less concern, WedMD reports. Many survivors worry about recurrence, possibly due to communication difficulties, even though the odds of survival for a woman treated for early-stage breast cancer are good. Worry can affect decisions about treatment, screening, symptom reporting and overall quality of life. “Women who had a very optimistic prognosis, based on their cancer stage and node involvement, were often the ones who worried the most,” study leader Dr. Nancy K. Janz, of the University of Michigan, told WebMD. The study is published in the April 1 issue of the journal ...
Black and Hispanic women newly diagnosed with breast cancer often face delays in care of more than a month, a large study has found, according to a news report. The study, which appears in the February issue of the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, found that 62.4% of African-American women and 59.3% of Hispanic women received a diagnosis of stage II or stage III breast cancer compared with 48.9 percent of white women. Delays in treatment were apparent in the new study, as African-American and Hispanic women had higher risks of 30-, 60- and 90-day delays compared to white women. The risk of a 60-day treatment delay was 76% higher among black patients with private insurance than that of white patients with comparable insurance. Hispanics with private insurance had ...
Latinas, here's a reminder to get yourself a holiday gift that can save your life—your annual mammogram, which can detect breast cancer early, when it's most treatable. Watch a true-to-life public service announcement here or below to see why, despite busy lives and a bustling holiday season, Latinas ages 40 and older should set aside time to take care of their own health and get their mammogram: This PSA is brought to you by Redes En Acción, the national Lation cancer research network, which is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and based at the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Please tell us what you ...
