San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium – Its History and Importance

San Antonio’s founding as a city and the annually held, since 1977, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium were subjects about which we wanted to share information. San Antonio is located in the southern and partly central portion of the US state of Texas and is its 2nd-largest city. It was founded on 1 May 1718 as a result of the mission (Mission San Antonio de Valero) begun by Spanish missionaries to persuade the indigenous population to accept Christianity and Spanish culture. A military base named "San Antonio de Béxar" was also established here on 5 May 1718. In its early years, the settlement was exposed to raids by the Apache tribe. Some other tribes seeking protection from Apache raids also cooperated with the Spaniards, helping the settlement grow. Toward the end of the 18th century, epidemics, raids and migration prevented the settlement from developing very much, and it was abandoned to its fate.

In the early 19th century, Spanish soldiers began referring to the fort as "El Álamo" because it stood in a grove of poplar trees (Álamo means "poplar tree" in Spanish). During the revolution Mexico began in 1810 to gain independence from Spain, Álamo once again became a strategic location that parties sought to control. Mexico held control from 1821 to 1835. During this period, the newly independent Mexican Republic encouraged Anglo-American migration to the region. By the 1830s, Anglo-Americans were becoming the majority of the population. Following the rebellion triggered by this demographic change, the Republic of Texas separated from Mexico and declared independence in 1835. In December 1835, Texas separatists captured Álamo Fort and its surroundings. The Texans learned that an army of 5000 soldiers led by Mexican General Santa Anna was moving north in January 1836, but the Texas administration, which had not yet established an orderly system, could not send reinforcements to the fort. The garrison consisted of approximately 200 soldiers. The Mexican army arrived at Álamo Fort on 23 February 1836. The siege lasted exactly 13 days. When the fort fell, General Santa Anna ordered that no prisoners be taken, and a total of 187 Texan soldiers lost their lives. Mexican army casualties are also said to have been 1544 soldiers. The war between the two sides, which lasted until May 1836, ended with the Texas army under Sam Houston defeating the army commanded by Santa Anna near present-day Houston. As the Texas army attacked, the soldiers shouted "Remember the Álamo!" (Remember the Áloma!). In 1837, the Álamo settlement was renamed San Antonio.

Approximately 10 years later, the Republic of Texas joined the United States of America. This annexation would pave the way for the Mexican-American War, which began in 1846 and lasted until 1848. American soldiers would again use "Remember the Álamo" as a battle cry during the fighting in this war. When the railroad reached the area in 1877, migration accelerated greatly, and San Antonio became an important center for the United States army. The medical school where American army medical personnel are principally trained was also established here. Today, San Antonio retains its character as a colorful, multicultural city incorporating Mexican and Texan cultures. Tourism, health research and services, and higher education are the main sources of income in present-day San Antonio. The University of Texas health sciences center is also located here.

The 42nd San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, Being Held on 10-14 December 2019

This important oncology meeting aims to present the latest developments in the experimental biology, etiology (causes), prevention, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer on a platform bringing together scientists from around the world. First held on 11 November 1978 during breast cancer awareness week as a 1-day local scientific program, the event aimed to reduce breast cancer deaths in and around San Antonio. The first meeting was sponsored by the Cancer Therapy and Research Center and the American Cancer Society, Texas Division, and was organized under the auspices of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and the Bexar County Medical Society. Recognized experts of the time held sessions for participants from 5 states, a total of 141 physicians and surgeons. After 3 years, the program was extended to 2 days, and submissions of publications from around the world were invited. Experts in the field gained an opportunity to introduce their work to the scientific community at an international organization. Case discussions held during lunches also allowed scientists from different disciplines to discuss the most difficult clinical problems. In 1990, the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSCSA) and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center formally entered a joint venture to establish the San Antonio Cancer Institute. The symposium gradually increased its number of sponsors. In this way, the event succeeded in bringing together the latest groundbreaking preclinical, translational and clinical studies in breast cancer. By increasing participation by young researchers, it also began making very valuable contributions to their education. The scientific program consists of lectures, mini-symposia, selected poster and slide presentations; educational sessions and workshops; award programs, panels and forums. Today, it has grown into a huge symposium hosting approximately 8000 scientists. This program, created through truly outstanding planning, lasts 5 days. We should also note that the common language of the symposium is English and that simultaneous translation is not provided. It is also reported that all financial proceeds from the symposium are used for educational and research purposes. We believe that the valuable scientists organizing well-designed congresses on this scale in our country, and particularly the young researchers who will carry us into the next generation, should be supported, and that the time has come for everyone to start doing everything they can to contribute to science.

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