SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 13, 2025 – With cancer still rising in the U.S. Latino population, leaders at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) and national cancer experts have published an online book with innovative recommendations to reduce Latino cancer.
The book, " Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings ," highlights results of the same-named conference that brought 300 researchers, advocates and survivors to San Antonio in February 2024.
A follow-up conference is planned for Feb. 18-20, 2026, in San Antonio.
Included in the book are promising research findings on Latino cancer and strategies for new research covering the entire cancer continuum, from advances in risk assessment, prevention, screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and policy.
"Our book, Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos: 2024 Conference Proceedings , takes an in-depth look at the state of cancer in Latinos and identifies collaborative solutions," said Amelie Ramirez, DrPH, MPH, co-editor of the book. She is leader of the Salud America! program, professor and chair of Population Health Sciences, and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at UT Health San Antonio. IHPR co-hosted the 2024 conference along with the university's Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center .
"The book and our biennial conference series make a unified call to action to address cancer issues that impact Latinos and all people," she said.
Cancer is the top cause of Latino death
Latinos are the largest, youngest minority in the U.S., at 19.5% of the population . This makes it important to address the projected 142% rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Latino population and, every year, about 144,154 Latinos are diagnosed with cancer, according to the new book .
Latinos face a heavy cancer burden due to barriers to care, low screening rates, low participation in clinical studies and data that fails to reflect the diversity within the U.S. Latino population.
"Our conference and book aim to share areas where different sectors of society can help address the burden of cancer among Latinos and all people," Ramirez said.
Recommendations to address Latino cancer
The book unpacks recommendations for action in these areas:
- Address systemic inequities behind cancer disparities.
- Increase access to prompt cancer care.
- Adapt successful interventions linguistically and culturally for a Latino audience.
- Acknowledge language concordance between clinician and patient as vital to the Latino cancer experience.
- Address toxicity among Latino pediatric cancer patients should be reduced when possible.
- Use technology for patient education and engagement.
- Reduce food insecurity through food programs.
- Give extra help for young Latina mothers diagnosed with cancer.
- Enhance cancer screening.
- Expand access to genetic counseling and testing.
- Prioritize the use of cancer prevention and screening programs.
- Improve Latino cancer research methodology.
- Conduct community engagement to build trust for sustainable relationships.
- Build standardized research measurements and questions to ensure Latinos are not underrepresented in cancer research.
- Generate appropriate data to facilitate discovery science.
- Use electronic health records (EHRs) to support clinical trials.
- Address clinical trial workforce issues.
- Increase Latino clinical trial participation.
- Tailor approaches to improve enrollment to specific settings and address structural barriers to Latino participation.
- Emphasize provider-level training focused on patient-provider communication.
- Emphasize patient-level factors, such as building trust, awareness of clinical trials, culture, language and health literacy-focused interventions, and initiatives to address socio-economic barriers.
- Improve the Latino cancer survivorship experience.
- Conduct more research in the area of Latino cancer survivorship.
- Create effective patient-provider communication, which is central to timely, targeted integration of palliative care.
- Consider the needs of Latino adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors.
- Utilize exercise programs, which can be effective for survivors.
- Consider self-acupressure as a useful tool in symptom management.
The book also shares a variety of model programs and resources that can shape future efforts to address cancer among Latinos and all people. It sets an agenda for future initiatives to address Latino cancer health disparities on all levels.
"We hope that readers will explore this important research to gain a fresh, comprehensive perspective on Latino cancer health disparities," Ramirez said. She said she appreciates the opportunity to continue addressing cancer with her partners behind the Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos biennial conference.
"We anticipate this will inspire critical thinking and strategizing about how people can apply some of this research and practice into their own work at their own institution, leading to more collaboration, more research and success in improving the health and lives of U.S. Latinos," she said.
