Cancer recently overtook heart disease as the top killer of Latinos. Half of Hispanic men and one third of Latinas will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society, Saludify reports. However, Latinos' screening rates for common cancers are low, contributing to delayed follow up care after a cancer diagnosis is confirmed. Latinos also have the highest uninsured rate of all ethnic groups. Other barriers to care include language and cultural barriers, the traditional distrust towards the medical profession and fear of cancer. Saludify recognizes several agencies for providing cancer prevention resources to increase awareness, access to medical care and support to families. One of them is Redes En Acción: The National Latino ...
The HPV vaccine cut the rate of infections of strains of the human papillomavirus, which causes nearly all cervical cancers, by 56% in teens and young adults, according to a new study in the Journal of Infectious Disease, NBC Latino reports. The finding has special relevance for Latinas, who have the highest rates of HPV-associated cervical cancer. Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina, professor at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, told NBC Latino that the study was "good news" but that work continues to be needed to promote the vaccine and its three-dose series to prevent cervical cancer among Latinos. She said only 40% of girls in the predominantly Latino region of South Texas receive the vaccine, falling far short of the federal ...
Editor's Note: To recognize National Cancer Survivor's Day on June 2, 2013, SaludToday is telling the stories of Latino survivors through their own words. By Meg Reyes I smiled today. I find I’m able to smile more often as time goes by. What is there to smile about? I was diagnosed with cancer and could have died, but yet I smile. I went bald, but yet I smile. I almost let my coworkers paint a basketball on my head during the Spurs playoffs, and I smile. I watched my hair grow back in its true color, including the gray, and I smile. I think of my family, friends, and co-workers who did not let one day go by without a hug, an e-mail, or a “How are you?” and I smile. I talked to an old friend who didn’t know I had cancer; when she tells me how good I look, I smile. I love my ...
Editor's Note: To recognize National Cancer Survivor's Day on June 2, 2013, SaludToday is telling the stories of Latino survivors through their own words. By Julie La Fuente Louviere At 29, I was living in Puerto Rico, and I was in the best shape of my life, training for a triathlon and weighing only 115 pounds of muscle. I felt like I was in total control. I found a knot near my collarbone, which I believed was nothing, but my husband made me get it checked out. The diagnosis was breast cancer. I was in shock. I thought cancer was something that only old people got. I learned the ugly side effects of chemotherapy, like losing hair and eyebrows, but I could give them up if I had to. If I had to lose a breast to survive, I was ready. My motto became “Just do it.” If you want to ...
Editor's Note: To recognize National Cancer Survivor's Day on June 2, 2013, SaludToday is telling the stories of Latino survivors through their own words. By Joan Treviño Lawhon I think women are blessed with a sixth sense. Recently, during a show on breast cancer survivors, several said they knew immediately that something was wrong. I could definitely relate. My basic tests were within normal limits, but I had what I can only describe as a “gut feeling.” I had some very supportive doctors who followed through on my instincts. It took five tests to confirm a malignancy. Within an hour of my diagnosis, I was at Barnes & Noble buying layman’s books on breast cancer. We can freeze and let the disease consume us, or we can fight. My choice was to fight. I was going to make ...
Latino students are widely exposed to high-fat, high-sugar snacks and drinks sold in schools, but implementing stronger nutritional standards can yield healthier school snacks for this growing population at high risk of obesity, according to a new package of research materials released today by Salud America! The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Research Network to Prevent Obesity Among Latino Children. The new Salud America! “Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids” research materials, which can be found at www.salud-america.org, include:
• A research review with the latest science;
• An issue brief (lay summary of the review);
• An infographic; and
• An animated video This is the first of six new research material packages to be released over the summer by ...
Health disparities are differences in incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific U.S. population groups. Latinos, for example, suffer various disparities in cancer, chronic disease, obesity and other conditions. To learn more, visit the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday. You also can check out the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Disparities & Inequalities Report. The report analyzes recent trends and ongoing variations in health disparities and ...
A trio of experts discussed Latino cancer issues, including disparities, cancer myths, and health care issues in a webinar April 4, 2013, for National Minority Health Month. Speakers were: Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Elena Rios, MD, MPH, president of the National Hispanic Medical Association
Rosa Villoch-Santiago, MPA, director of health disparities for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division Ramirez indicated that the rising U.S. Latino population faces heightened risks of certain cancer, compared to whites, according to a Saludify news report. Ramirez also said Latino cancers are expected to rise 142% by 2030. She also highlighted ways to reduce and prevent ...
Editor's Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2012 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply by April 1, for the 2013 Èxito! program. Jenny Castillo
Austin, Texas Native San Antonio resident Jenny Castillo not only cares about helping Latinos get off the couch and get fit to beat disease, she also knows the value of incorporating culturally infused methods of physical activity. For example, her passion for flamenco and folklorico dance represent an exciting way to bring Latino families together to get active. Castillo plans to put her passion for dance and her knowledge of Mexican American culture to good use as she pursues a master’s degree in health and kinesiology at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She expects to graduate in 2013. She ...
