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TLCI Friday Forum Series Highlights
Issue 3, March 2025
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Breaking Barriers: Advancing Equity in Cancer Care Despite Changing Landscapes
As we conclude our reports on the 2024 Friday Forum Series, "Talking About Cancer Won't Kill Us, The Silence Will!" we reflect on critical discussions about Latino cancer disparities and research engagement amid a shifting policy landscape.
Despite evolving terminology, one fact remains - systemic barriers persist - as do opportunities for change. Looking ahead to our 2025 focus on Latino Men's Health, we remain committed to our core mission - improving cancer outcomes for Latino communities through education, research, and advocacy - regardless of how the language around this work may change.
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Forum Highlights: Latina Breast Cancer Disparities
The Problem
Forum 3, October 3rd, 2024, on Latina breast cancer, revealed critical disparities in care despite some progress. While mortality rates have declined from 2000-2019, significant challenges remain:
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- 60% of diagnoses occur at advanced stages.
- Latinas are diagnosed younger (56 vs. 63 years) with higher odds of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.
- Insurance gaps increase late-stage diagnoses.
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"Not having insurance or having Medicaid increases the odds for Latinas to be diagnosed with stage 3 cancer”
― Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable, NIMHD Director
| | National Response to Breast Cancer Disparities | |
The Collaboration
Responding to persistent inequities, Dr. Sarah Shafir showcased how the American Cancer Society is mobilizing a nationwide coalition through their National Breast Cancer Roundtable, engaging 110 organizations in a coordinated push to transform breast cancer care across risk assessment, treatment access, clinical trials, and support services—with health equity at its core.
| | Want to learn more about Latina breast cancer trends, including gaps in genomic (tumor) testing and genetic testing? Watch Forum 3 to hear from leading researchers and advocates on cancer rates, disparities, programs that work and policy changes that could transform outcomes for Latina breast cancer patients. | | | | | |
Calls to Action
- Advocate for policy changes to improve access to cancer testing and treatment.
- Increase funding for community health worker programs.
- Expand genetic testing pathways in community clinics.
| | Forum Highlight: Leadership in Action – Empowering Latino Advocates, Transforming Care | |
The Challenge
The final Forum session revealed how community leadership and advocacy are essential for transforming cancer care in Latino communities, but these roles need proper recognition and support.
Expert Insights
Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee, Chair of former President Biden's Cancer Panel, emphasized the critical need to professionalize community health work, "we can't expect people to volunteer to do this. This should be a profession where people get paid and trained the way physicians and nurses get trained." While biomedical research funding remains crucial, she said workforce development must extend beyond clinicians and researchers to include community health workers.
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Success Stories
A breakthrough initiative from Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez of the University of Puerto Rico demonstrates this approach in action. Her specialized Latino Cancer Patient Advocacy Training program has already empowered 15 advocates to engage in national cancer networks. Within six months of completing their training, most participants had secured multiple engagement opportunities in cancer advocacy.
Research Perspective
Cynthia Mojica, PhD, from Oregon State University shared findings that social determinants of health (SDoH) influence up to 75% of cancer occurrences, far outweighing purely medical factors. Her research also revealed troubling policy gaps such as 10 states still haven't expanded Medicaid, affecting 2.1 million people—many of them Latino.
| | Graduates of the Latino Cancer Patient Advocacy Training Program with Barbara Segarra-Vázquez, PhD. Universiity of Puerto Rico | | “[The Forums provided] a lot of information that will be useful for my team and I . . . when doing outreach we get many questions from the Latino community, trying to understand why certain cancers are so high for them.” Alejandra Villagran, Forum Participant | | Interested in learning more? Watch the 6th Annual Forum to hear the complete presentations on professionalizing community health, social determinants influencing cancer outcomes, and empowering Latino cancer advocates. | | | | | |
Calls to Action
- Develop formal certification pathways for community health workers
- Expand research on social determinants of health in Latino communities
- Create sustainable funding mechanisms for community-based cancer initiatives
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Intersection – Education Meets Health
TLCI recognizes that health literacy and education are foundational to improving cancer outcomes in Latino communities. While our recent forums focused on cancer, broader educational policy also impacts health disparities.
Education Connection
Former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, under the Biden Administration, recently addressed challenges in our education system that may affect future generations of Latino researchers and healthcare providers. Those interested can find Miguel Cardona’s full statement on his social channel posted on March 12.
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Health Equity Language Disappearing
Recent shifts in terminology across both corporate America and federal agencies may impact organizations focused on health disparities. Google has retitled its "health equity" page to "health optimization," while a March 2025 New York Times analysis found hundreds of words being modified or removed from federal websites, including terms like "health equity" "disparities" and "underserved."
Implications
For organizations like TLCI working to reduce cancer disparities, these language shifts represent just one aspect of broader policy changes that could potentially complicate advocacy efforts, research funding, and policy development at a time when our data clearly shows persistent gaps in care. Learn more about these evolving developments on our website.
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Engage with Us
We want to hear from you! How are these language shifts affecting your work in Latino health?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments on our social media posts, tag us in your posts @thelatinocancerinstitute or send us a direct message. Also, feel free to email us at info@latinocancerinstitute.org
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Looking Ahead: 2025 Forum Series
As we shift our focus to 2025, TLCI turns a spotlight on Latino Male Health - Cancer, An Unaddressed Burden. This timely focus is underscored by concerning new data: such as a January 2025 National Cancer Institute study that revealed testicular cancer rates among Hispanic men have increased by 3.03% annually. Most concerning, these diagnoses are occurring at younger ages and more advanced stages.
Key Themes:
- Social determinants of health affecting Latino men
- Cultural factors, including "machismo," influencing screening and care
- Economic implications of Latino health disparities
Economic Perspective:
We're positioning Latino health as an economic imperative since Latinos are major drivers of US economic growth and vitality—Latino health is America's wealth!
Save the Dates: Latino Men’s Health Forum – Cancer, An Unaddressed Burden
📅 September 12, 2025 | Free & Virtual | Spanish interpretation available
📅 October 3, 2025
📅 October 24, 2025
This forum will bring together experts and community leaders to discuss cancer disparities, cultural barriers, and solutions. While Latino men drive unprecedented economic growth, they also face mounting health challenges, including rising cancer rates in prostate, liver, stomach, colorectal and testicular cancers.
We want to hear from you: What topics would you like to see addressed in our 2025 forums? Share your thoughts with us on social media or by email at info@latinocancerinstitute.org. Registration opens in June!
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Upcoming Health Observances
April presents multiple opportunities to continue our evidence-based education and outreach efforts to improve health outcomes in Latino communities. While terminology may evolve, the importance of these health observances remains unchanged. We encourage our community to participate and raise awareness during:
- National Minority Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cancer Control Month
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Testicular Cancer Awareness Month (A focus of TLCI 2025)
- Health Equity Week (April 6-12)
- National Minority Health Month
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Friday Forum Resources
Explore these resources to stay informed and take action in advancing Latino health equity.
Watch Forum Series Recordings
Revisit past discussions with leading voices in the field.
Access Presentation Slides
Download a PDF with links to all presentation slides.
Visit Our Forum Series Page
Your hub for all things related to the 2024 Forum Series, including the agenda, summaries, glossaries, and links to slides and videos.
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Stats on Cancer ― Data that Matters
Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People (2024-2026) ― Published by the American Cancer Society, this report provides key insights on cancer prevention, risk factors, screening, treatment, and disparities. Visit the Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic and Latino People web page for additional data resources.
SEER Cancer Statistics (NCI) ― The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program offers reliable data on cancer incidence and survival. Explore SEER’s interactive tools, maps, charts, and the popular SEER*Explorer, which provides in-depth cancer statistics by race, age, sex, stage, and subtype, covering 48% of the U.S. population.
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Moving Forward Together
Thank you for joining us as The Latino Cancer Institute advances Latino health equity. We depend on your support to continue driving impactful conversations and initiatives that address health disparities and improve lives.
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