En Acción Program Continues to Make Mark on Cancer Education

After nearly a decade of targeting Hispanic populations throughout the United States, an innovative cancer-education program continues to make strides in closing the cultural gap.

Since 1992, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine have led the National Hispanic Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NHLIC): En Acción, a community outreach program focusing on cancer prevention and control. It is the first comprehensive assessment of cancer risk factors among the major populations of Hispanic/Latino men and women in the United States.

"We have learned that many of these very diverse Hispanic populations are less knowledgeable about preventive behaviors," says Dr. Amelie Ramirez, Baylor associate professor of medicine and principal investigator for the national study. "This program is designed to provide the Hispanic community with cancer-related information and accelerate their involvement in research, prevention and treatment."

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Hispanics, now one of the fastest-growing populations in the United States. Studies have shown that as many as one-third are uninsured, creating significant barriers to screenings, adequate clinical care and follow-up.

With funding from the National Cancer Institute, NHLIC: En Acción is being implemented in six sites in Texas, California, New York and Florida. The program combines national and regional health expertise, volunteers and grassroots community leadership to distribute information. Messages promote cancer screening, nutrition, skin protection, smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol consumption.

"The program has been received favorably by the community," Dr. Ramirez says. "We have also learned of the need for more targeted information, increased access to health services and greater involvement from minority health professionals."

Recently the CDC funded a four-year replication of the study to look specifically at breast and cervical cancer. This phase of the study is being conducted in Laredo, Texas, and Las Vegas, two of the areas with the fastest growing Hispanic populations.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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