SAN ANTONIO, Texas – With an estimated 121,860 Texans receiving a cancer diagnosis this year, it has never more important to discuss what can be done to prevent suffering and death from cancer.
The fifth annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network of Texas’ policy forum series will bring together leaders in health care, business and government to examine the state of cancer prevention programs and funding in the Lone Star State.
Next Wednesday, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas will announce a new initiative that aims to bring together clinical research and community stakeholders to address a growing public health concern – liver cancer. Texas is among states with the highest incidence of liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular cancer (HCC), with an annual incidence that is nearly double the national average. The rise is particularly virulent among Texans of Hispanic ethnicity living along the U.S.-Mexican border where HCC incidence and related mortality is the highest in the nation.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas 11 years ago, creating lifesaving screenings and programs that have touched the lives of Texans in every single county. CPRIT’s prevention arm prioritizes reaching individuals who are underinsured or uninsured and who are not eligible for services through other existing programs. These innovative and results-driven programs are also expected to leverage existing resources and seek partnerships to maximize reach into the community. However, without action from the Texas Legislature in 2019, CPRIT will face drastic cuts, substantially reducing Texans’ access to lifesaving cancer screenings.
WHO:
Rebecca Esparza, cancer survivor and ACS CAN Texas deputy state lead ambassador
State Rep. Philip Cortez, District 117
Sheri Frank and Kimberley Zapata, Atascosa Health Center, Inc.
Dr. Becky Garcia, chief prevention and communications officer for CPRIT
Dr. Pam Otto, University Health System
Harvey Richter, Atascosa Health Center, Inc.
Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, San Antonio City Council
Dr. Jeremy Viles, chief nursing officer at Mays Cancer Center
Dr. James Willson, chief scientific officer for CPRIT
Dr. John Winston, Baptist School of Health Professions
WHERE:
Baptist School of Health Professions
8400 Datapoint Dr.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Aug. 29
7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.