Multicultural Conference on Breast Cancer

In May 2007, the first-ever Multicultural Conference was held in San Antonio. This event was organized by the Komen San Antonio Affiliate
and the Council for Excellence in Women’s Health, a community advisory panel of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

The purpose of the conference was to educate the community in a culturally sensitive manner about early detection, breast cancer issues and local breast health resources available.         
    
    Event Co-chairs Graciela Cigarroa
    (above) and Karen Diaz, M.D. (below)

The free event was held at the University of Texas Health Science Center and included complimentary breakfast and lunch, a keynote speaker, specials guests, breakout sessions, a panel discussion, exhibit tables and door prizes. Event topics and presentations included: early detection and genetic testing; diet, nutrition and fitness; emotional aspects of coping with breast cancer; breast cancer in Latina women (in Spanish); breast cancer in African American women; breast cancer in Asian women; young women and breast cancer; clinical trials; what to ask the doctor; religious and cultural beliefs; stigma and denial and is breast cancer a death sentence.
                               
                                                                                                                                                     Councilwoman Delicia Herrera    
Speakers represented a variety of backgrounds, ethnicities and local organizations. The Multicultural Conference was a success with over 170 RSVPs. Komen San Antonio expects to continue this event as an annual conference, but the Multicultural Conference committee has decided to move the date to the fall. The next Multicultural Conference is expected to take place in September of 2008. 

  

    Alexine Clement Jackson                Pamela Otto, M.D.              Jennie Shaw, M.S.N., R.N.             Joel Marcus, Psy.D.
 Susan G. Komen for the Cure         UTHSCSA/UHS/CTRC                       UTHSCSA                                   CTRC
     

   American Cancer Society                    CentroMed                                      CTRC                           SLEW Wellness Center
     

Thank you to all of our speakers, presenters, exhibitors and volunteers.

Event sponsors included: San Antonio Express-News, The University of Texas Health Science Center and the University of the Incarnate Word Schools of Nursing Sigma Theta Tau-Delta Alpha Chapter, Direct Auto Insurance and McDonald's.

Special thanks to: Lefleur Transportation, Procter & Gamble, Ron Durica Photography, Starbucks Coffee Company and Zeitgeist Wellness Group.