When the De Los team recently published its critical piece on Latina breast cancer, it did more than shine a light—it amplified voices too often left out of national conversations. For too many Latinas, a breast cancer diagnosis comes late, with fewer options and deeper burdens. These stories matter. Because when we listen closely, they show us where systems fall short—and how we can rise to meet the moment.
At The Latino Cancer Institute (TLCI), this is exactly the work we do: raising awareness and pushing for action.

Our October 2024 Friday Forum Series spotlighted disparities in breast cancer outcomes and heard directly from leaders and advocates who know how deep the gaps run. Dr. Eliseo Pérez-Stable summed it up clearly:

Not having insurance or having Medicaid increases the odds for Latinas to be diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.”

We also looked at the persistent underuse of genomic (tumor) testing—decades after it became a proven tool. Why aren’t more Latina patients benefiting from it? At our recent Townhall, Dr. Manali Patel and I explored the barriers, including how disparities persist even when caregivers want to do right by patients.

We also heard a powerful call from Dr. Elizabeth Jaffee to professionalize community health work:

This should be a profession where people get paid and trained.”

That vision is already coming to life through Dr. Barbara Segarra-Vázquez’s Latino Cancer Patient Advocacy Training Program, which has prepared 15 Latino advocates to take seats at the table in national cancer networks.

We’ll continue this work—and grow it.

In the months ahead, TLCI will participate in national events like the ACS NBCRT Virtual Expo with Engagement Day on May 8, 2025, and host a new series of Male Health Forums focused on cancer prevention and education in Latino communities. These forums, scheduled for September 12, October 3, and October 24, will dig into the theme: “Latino Male Health – Cancer, An Unaddressed Burden.”

We also recently attended SXSW 2025, where I joined the panel “The Big C in Cancer Care: Culture” hosted by Real Chemistry. It was a timely and necessary conversation. Culture shapes how women experience cancer care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and survivorship. If health systems ignore this, women suffer disproportionately. It’s time to change that.

So thank you—to journalist Alex Zaragoza who took the time to cover this issue in her article “The scary but lifesaving truth about Latinas and breast cancer,” to the researchers digging into disparities, and to every advocate helping to shift outcomes for our families. TLCI is proud to be part of this growing movement.

We invite our community to read and share the article. The more informed we are, the more empowered we can be in our health choices and our advocacy.

If you haven’t yet, we invite you to sign up for our newsletter and join a community of researchers, advocates, and changemakers. We’re just getting started.

Let’s continue the conversation!