News Details

National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Univision Collaborate to Raise Cancer Awareness Among Hispanics

JENKINTOWN, PA, October 11, 2005 — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), an alliance of 19 of the world’s leading cancer centers and the authoritative source of information about cancer care for patients and clinicians, and Univision Communications Inc. (NYSE:UVN), the nation’s leading Spanish-language media company, today announced a collaboration aimed at raising awareness of cancer risks, prevention, treatments, and clinical trials among Hispanics. Univision’s ongoing campaign is called “Salud es Vida…¡Entérate” (Lead a healthy life…Get the facts!).

The NCCN/Univision collaboration will focus on increasing awareness and participation in cancer screenings and clinical trials. This information will be promoted through public service announcements and documentary-style stories on Univision television, cable television and radio stations. Information is available at www.univision.com.

“Informed patients and their families make better decisions,” said William T. McGivney, Ph.D., CEO of NCCN. “The power and reach of Univision media, combined with the knowledge, dedication and caring of the world’s leading physicians at NCCN member institutions, can enhance the views and participation of the Hispanic community by helping them better understand the available options and how to access them.”

“Cancer awareness is a critical issue in our community, as many Hispanics do not have adequate access to education and care,” said Ivelisse Estrada, Senior Vice President of Corporate and Community Relations, Univision Communications Inc. “We are excited to join forces with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to further Univision’s commitment to educating Hispanics about cancer treatment options as well as the importance of early detection, and aggressive management of this chronic illness.”

Cancer screenings, clinical trials and learning about cancer risks and treatment options can make the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, cultural issues and language barriers have prevented many Hispanics from taking advantage of these life-saving practices. Opportunities clearly exist to increase participation in cancer screening efforts in the Hispanic community. Low screening participation is a key reason that Hispanics are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage of cancer when fewer treatment options are available, resulting in poorer outcomes and higher mortality. Many Hispanics do not know or understand the benefits of clinical trials, which allow participants to gain access to studies that evaluate innovative and potentially better treatments.

Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the United States, comprising 13.5% of the total population in 2000. That’s up from 9 percent in 1990. “Cultural factors and misinformation may prevent many Hispanics from seeking cancer detection and treatment,” said Sofia D. Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center. “Oftentimes, because of a fatalistic perspective of cancer, they prefer not to know because they believe nothing can be done. It is possible that sexual taboos also deter some Hispanic women from conducting breast self exams and their husbands may forbid or discourage them from getting examined by a male physician.”

Since 1998 NCCN, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, has helped educate Hispanics about the latest treatment options of specific cancers and symptoms through a series of Treatment Guidelines for Patients in Spanish. They are: Cáncer de seno, Cáncer de colon y recto, Cáncer del pulmón, Cáncer de la próstata, Cáncer del ovario, Melanoma, Linfoma no Hodgkin, Cáncer de la Vejiga, El dolor asociado con el cáncer, Náuseas y vómitos, Cansancio asociado con el cáncer, Fiebre y neutropenia, Cáncer avanzado y atención paliativa and Angustia. These guidelines, which are updated each year, are available by calling 1-888-909-NCCN (6226) or online at www.nccn.org.

About Univision Communications Inc.

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 98% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 83% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 27 Univision Network television stations and 1 non-Univision television station; TeleFutura Television Group, which owns and operates 33 TeleFutura Network television stations; Galavisión, the country’s leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 66 radio stations in 17 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 4 stations in Puerto Rico; Univision Music Group, which includes Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, and a 50% interest in Mexico-based Disa Records labels as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at www.univision.com. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisa’s pay television channels in the U.S., and a non-voting 27% interest in Entravision Communications Corporation, a public Spanish-language media company. Univision Communications is headquartered in Los Angeles with television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States.

For more information, please visit www.univision.net.