Cancer Epidemiology in Hispanic Populations Workshop
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This meeting has been rescheduled for September 14-16, 2021. Sign up to receive updates about the meeting as they become available.
Overview
The Hispanic/Latino population, one of the fastest growing minority populations in the U.S., is estimated to reach 119 million by 2060. This diverse population (by country of origin, ancestry and race) and the anticipated demographic shift (e.g., immigrant vs. U.S.-born) may represent significant implications for cancer burden in the U.S. Some Hispanic populations have higher incidence and mortality rates for cancers of the liver, stomach, cervix, and gallbladder compared to other U.S. race/ethnic groups. The higher incidence and mortality rates of these cancers parallel observations for cancer burden in several Latin American countries. We do not fully understand the etiology that contributes to these differential cancer rates.
Cancer differences/disparities among Hispanic subgroups may be masked in statistical reports because epidemiologic data of Hispanic populations are often aggregated into a monolithic group in the U.S. This practice presents methodological challenges for epidemiologic studies as it limits quantifiable information on sub-populations. The Hispanic population represents many diverse subgroups, with different cultures, characteristics and exposures. Thus, it is important to consider these subpopulations in cancer epidemiological research to appropriately study the determinants of disease and how to best intervene to prevent and control cancer.
In 2015, the NCI-sponsored “Think Tank on Understudied Populations in Cancer Epidemiologic Research: Implications for Future Needs” identified the need to increase Hispanic/Latino representation in epidemiologic research. A summary of that think tank was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.
Purpose
This NCI-sponsored workshop will consider the challenges, identify opportunities, and develop ideas for increasing Hispanic representation in cancer epidemiological studies. Three overarching objectives will govern the meeting:
- To identify scientific gaps and opportunities for cancer epidemiologic research in Hispanic populations.
- To encourage the use of existing resources and identify gaps in resources to enable cancer epidemiological research in Hispanic populations.
- To facilitate and coordinate cross-discipline collaboration to inform research in Hispanic populations.
Planning Committee
National Cancer Institute
- Rolando Barajas, M.P.H., Genomic Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Joanne Elena, Ph.D., M.P.H., Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Lisa Gallicchio, Ph.D., Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Gabriel Lai, Ph.D., Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Tram Kim Lam, Ph.D., M.P.H., Co-Chair, Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Somdat Mahabir, Ph.D., M.P.H., Environmental Epidemiology Branch, EGRP, DCCPS
- Camille Pottinger, M.P.H., Office of the Associate Director, EGRP, DCCPS
- Shobha Srinivasan, Ph.D., Co-Chair, Office of the Director, DCCPS
External Advisory Board
- Laura Fejerman, Ph.D.
, University of California, San Francisco
- Scarlett Gomez, Ph.D., M.P.H
, University of California, San Francisco
- Anna Napoles, Ph.D., M.P.H., National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
- Amelie Ramirez, Dr.P.H., M.P.H.
, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
- Mariana Stern, Ph.D.
, Keck School of Medicine of University Southern California