3rd Biannual National Latino Cancer Summit
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: On July 24, 2012, Latinas Contra Cancer, a San Jose based non-profit cancer services provider will open their 3rd Biannual national Latino Cancer Summit (NLCS) in San Francisco, California. Like its two predecessors, in 2008 and 2010 respectively, this conference is a vital tool for today’s Latino focused researcher, medical and service providers. This summit will once again bring together leading researchers, community educators, physicians, nurses and students with an interest in Latino and cancer incidence. The Summit has proven to be an indispensable venue for building collaborations between the provider, the researcher and ultimately the patient. These relationships are critical to the environment, and the call from Science to Justice is a timely and relevant matter affecting thousands of Latinos in the United States. In an economically chaotic time, this conference assures our community that cancer and new developments to treat it, are a priority for researchers and providers. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Breast cancer is the leading cancer among Latinas, unfortunately diagnosed at later stages, it increases the mortality rates for this group. Lack of information, access and comprehension are just a few of the myriad of barriers present to Latino cancer patients. Cancer, among Latinos, is seen as a total and final disease, which when paired with the grueling and debilitating treatments, leaves the patient in a vulnerable psychological and emotional state. Research that targets Latinos and environmental risk factors is minimal, when compared to the vast number of research projects to identify and serve the population at large. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The Summit hopes to highlight the differences in diet, social interaction, and family life, including traditional cultural barriers that pose a risk for breast cancer and its successful treatment. Promotoras and Community Educators, gain valuable information, data and resources to better service their patients and families. Their input and social-connection to the patient, adds an important dimension to the treatment of the disease. Latinos must be informed on the risk factors present in every-day beauty, cleaning, plastics, food and air products, alongside the more popular chemical agents and radiation and their ongoing exposures when factors may exert stronger effects. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Working with local agencies, national and state government, as well as with leading agencies in breast cancer detection, education and prevention, the Summit will encourage ongoing collaborations and new partnerships to find better information dissemination and service delivery to the Latino cancer patient. A vital part of the development of the Summit has been the direct input and involvement of breast cancer patients, survivors and their families. Advocates from the South Bay, Southern California and Latina America, provide the crucial feedback needed to address disparities and misconceptions on the treatment of the disease. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The goal of the Summit, is to bring over 75-80 Promotoras and at least 20 students to this important event. These same participants, receive leadership and advocacy skills to carry on the important message of education, prevention and screening, and effective treatments for their patients. The Summit is platform where front-line providers can become advocates for their patients and the community at large.