Featured Stories

What is Community Engagement?

What is community engagement? Watch our second episode of Engage! to learn why community participation is important in cancer research.

Engage! is a short-form video series about community-engaged research from the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center.

Nominate Someone for the PRAISE Awards!

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) and Office of Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) collaborate annually to present the PRAISE Awards.

The PRAISE Awards recognize individuals who have led cancer-related projects or initiatives that address the cancer burden in our communities. 

Nominations are open to all students, community members, and researchers whose work aligns with partnerships, research, advocacy, innovation, service, or education (PRAISE).

3 PRAISE Award Categories:

 Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Awardees will be notified by the end of March and recognized at the annual Cancer Research Retreat in April.

Download the flyer to print or share.

Awareness and educational resources are vital tools for reducing the cancer burden. In each Community Connections newsletter, you will receive information on different cancers, including screening information, its impact on our community, recent scientific discoveries and more.

January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet thousands are diagnosed each year. The HPV vaccine prevents over 90% of HPV-related cancers, and regular screenings can detect cervical cancer early, when treatment is most effective. However, many people face barriers to screening, such as healthcare disparities and limited access to care.

Researchers like Leeya F. Pinder, MD, MPH, at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center are working to improve access to screenings through innovative solutions.

Expanding Cervical Cancer Screening

Dr. Leeya Pinder is leading research to improve screening access for medically underserved communities. Her studies focus on self-collection HPV testing, which allows individuals to collect their own sample in a health care facility or clinic, like the 513Relief Bus.

In addition to her proposed work in collaboration with the University of Cincinnati’s Early Intervention Program (EIP), which can be accessed through the UC Health Emergency Department, Dr. Pinder is collaborating with the Hamilton County 513Relief Bus to bring screenings directly to the community. The mobile unit provides free health services to residents, helping those who may struggle with transportation, work schedules, or other challenges.

By expanding screening options, this research could help reduce barriers and improve health outcomes in underserved communities.

February is Cancer Prevention Month

Prevention plays a key role in reducing cancer cases and deaths each year. While advancements in research and early detection have improved survival rates, nearly 40% of cancer cases and up to half of cancer deaths are linked to preventable causes, such as tobacco use, inactivity, alcohol consumption, excess body weight, UV exposure, and lack of vaccinations or screenings.

Tracking cancer trends is essential to prevention efforts. Katherine Sabourin, PhD, a University of Cincinnati Cancer Center researcher, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve cancer registry data collection in underserved areas. Cancer registries help identify rising cancer rates, guide prevention strategies, and improve access to care. Her work aims to streamline data collection, allowing researchers and public health officials to better address preventable cancer risks.

The Cancer Center is committed to reducing cancer disparities through education, outreach, and prevention-focused research. By increasing awareness and providing resources, we empower individuals to take proactive steps to improve health outcomes in our community.

Cancer Center Pilot Project Awards & Community Impact

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center is committed to advancing cancer research through its Pilot Project Award Program, which provides funding to faculty investigators. This program helps bring new researchers into the field, supports collaboration, encourages innovative approaches, and helps translate laboratory findings into clinical care. Research plays a critical role in understanding cancer, developing better treatments, reducing health disparities, and improving the overall well-being of our community.

In November 2024, the Cancer Center awarded funding to several new research projects that aim to make a direct impact.

Another valuable resource for the community is the Research Ready program, created by We Engage 4 Health. This program helps people understand three big ideas: purpose, protection and participation. That is, the comic-style story and associated discussion address what health research is, how participants are protected and why broad participation matters. A Decision Guide includes questions for people to ask themselves and study staff to help them decide whether to participate.

If you’re a community member considering joining a research study and want to learn more, check out the Research Ready story below. For cancer patients and survivors, We Engage's Becoming Research Ready story, also below, is a great resource.

2024 Community Event Highlights & Impact

In 2024, the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) strengthened community partnerships and expanded outreach to provide cancer education, screenings, and resources. Through 47 community events, COE helped increase awareness of cancer risk factors, connected individuals to screening programs, and supported prevention efforts.

Lung pre-screenings led to smoking cessation referrals and connected eligible individuals with the lung cancer screening team to receive a CT scan, prostate cancer screenings provided early detection opportunities and trained student volunteers, faculty, and Community Liaisons worked together to enhance education and engagement.

By collaborating with local organizations, COE continues to break down barriers to cancer care and improve health outcomes in our community.

Expanding Cancer Prevention & Education in the Community Stats

*If you think you may be eligible for a lung pre-screening, view the Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility Survey for more information.

Survivorship

Supporting Survivors Through Oncology Primary Care

Cancer survivors often face long-term health challenges, including treatment side effects and a higher risk of developing a second primary cancer. Many rely on primary care physicians (PCPs) for ongoing care, but PCPs often report challenges in treating survivors due to complex guidelines and limited training.

To bridge this gap, Dr. Melissa Erickson led the launch of an Oncology Primary Care Clinic at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center in 2019. The clinic enhances collaboration between oncologists and PCPs to improve long-term patient care. A patient registry was created to track health outcomes and measure its impact.

A recent analysis of 683 patients seen at the clinic found that 79% had cardiovascular conditions, and nearly half had a history of smoking. Many were referred to supportive services, including physical therapy, psychiatry, and cancer exercise programs.

By strengthening the connection between oncology and primary care, this initiative is ensuring survivors receive the long-term support they need to stay healthy.

In the Community

Community Liaisons & Health Advocate Awards

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Community Liaisons—Jacqueline Humphries, Luwana Pettus Oglesby, Tonya Dumas, and Sherwin Anderson—play a vital role in cancer education and prevention. As trusted community leaders, they serve as health champions and educators, helping to spread awareness about cancer prevention, screenings, and survivorship.

These dedicated individuals attend health outreach events alongside the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) to share educational resources, encourage cancer screenings, and support community members in taking charge of their health. They also help train and oversee Cancer Research Scholars and other volunteers who assist at these events. When UC Health clinical teams are present to provide cancer screenings—such as PSA tests—the Community Liaisons actively connect attendees with these important services, increasing participation in prevention programs.

Beyond outreach events, Community Liaisons serve as cultural insiders, providing valuable insight into community needs and priorities. They suggest new partnerships, recommend ways to enhance outreach efforts, and help develop educational materials tailored to their communities.

On November 7, 2024, Luwana Pettus Oglesby and Tonya Dumas were honored with the Community Health Advocate Award by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST). This award recognizes leaders who are making a difference in community health and wellness. Luwana was recognized for her thoughtful connections with community members, while Tonya was celebrated for helping more people access on-site cancer screenings. The awards were presented at The Summit Hotel in recognition of their dedication and impact.

How to Get Engaged

Connect with the Community Outreach & Engagement Team

Community Outreach & Engagement works to establish and strengthen community partnerships throughout the region by connecting members of the community and community organizations directly to researchers and clinicians at the Cancer Center. Leveraging these partnerships, together we hope to better address the cancer-related challenges in our region, and over time, reduce the overall burden of cancer.

Interested in partnering with us? Reach out to the team at CancerOutreach@uc.edu.

Meet the Team

Community Liaisons

Community Liaisons serve as health champions and educators for Reducing Your Risk and other health outreach activities. Liaisons are trained to provide education on cancer prevention and screening.

Request Educational Materials

The Cancer Center has educational flyers and other materials available. Having a health-focused event? Email CancerOutreach@uc.edu to request educational materials.

Upcoming Community Events

Upcoming Events