Cancer Currents Now Available in Spanish
, by Nelvis Castro
For many, the word “cancer” requires no translation. A diagnosis—regardless of what language carries the message—can be devastating and the need for accurate information immediate.
As a Latina who has worked in cancer communications for more than 25 years—with colleagues, journalists, researchers, and health care professionals around the world—I know first-hand the importance of providing accurate information about cancer and cancer research in Spanish. After all, it is the predominant language in more than 36 million American homes, and over 400 million people around the world count Spanish as their first language.
So as part of our effort to more effectively reach patients, health care providers, and researchers with cancer information that is timely, authoritative, and scientifically accurate, we are now offering selected Cancer Currents blog posts in Spanish—under the title Temas y relatos: Un blog sobre la investigación del cáncer.
NCI is always seeking new, effective ways to share information with our different audiences about cancer research and the Institute’s activities. That outreach includes a robust presence on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and a newly designed website with a more responsive, device-friendly design and easier navigation.
Nelvis Castro is Deputy Director for Programs in NCI’s Office of Communications and Public Liaison.
We launched the Cancer Currents blog as a way to provide more timely information about the latest cancer research findings and NCI programs and initiatives. By making this important news platform available in Spanish, we are adding to the arsenal of NCI resources—which include accessible information about clinical trials, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment—for health care providers, patients, and loved ones in communities and homes where Spanish is spoken first.
While not every blog post will be available in Spanish, we will be especially mindful about translating those posts that may be of particular interest to Spanish-speaking users who access our site and to relevant communities in the United States and abroad.
This approach fits NCI’s commitment to not only use technology as a means of removing barriers to information, but to remove barriers for those information seekers who speak Spanish first.