The new Cancer Prevention and Control Program by the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is bringing together experts from across the University of Nebraska System to discuss pressing cancer prevention and early detection challenges.
In all, the 30 members represented across the Cancer Prevention and Control Program have contributed to more than 362 cancer-related publications and secured over $3 million in cancer-focused funding.
Launched in October 2024 as part of the cancer center’s strategic plan, the program has strengthened collaboration among researchers in public health, basic sciences and clinical fields, all working toward a shared goal of reducing the cancer burden in Nebraska.
“This program is a crucial step in driving the mission of establishing regional excellence and national prominence,” said Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. “As the only NCI-designated cancer center serving all of Nebraska, we are committed to expanding our community engagement and cancer prevention efforts, especially in rural and frontier health settings where access to care and early detection can make a life-saving difference.”
Earlier this year, the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center held the program’s first retreat, marking a pivotal moment for members in the program. Program co-leaders Vijaya Raj Bhatt, MBBS, professor in the UNMC Division of Oncology and Hematology, and Edward Peters, DMD, ScD, the Tim Hawks Chair in Cancer Prevention and Population Science and chair of the UNMC Department of Epidemiology in the UNMC College of Public Health, emphasized that tackling cancer prevention requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Attendees explored several high-priority cancer prevention and control initiatives:
- Environmental cancer risks – Participants discussed approaches to identify communities affected by environmental exposures and implement targeted solutions. “Our Nebraska GROWN cohort study represents a unique opportunity to investigate environmental factors affecting pediatric cancer in our state,” said Don Coulter, MD, Edna Ittner Chair of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology and director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Group.
- Early detection and screening – Discussions centered on finding biomarkers for harder-to-detect cancers and implementing community-based programs to increase screening participation. “By identifying multi-level barriers to cancer screening and developing targeted interventions, we’re creating a model for addressing cancer disparities across Nebraska,” said Jungyoon Kim, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Health Services Research and Administration, UNMC College of Public Health.
- Survivorship outcomes – Experts explored methods to improve survivorship and post-treatment support. “The COACH study positions us alongside major cancer centers in developing digital health coaching interventions that support patients through critical transitions after primary cancer treatment,” said Robin Lally, PhD, who holds the Bertha L. Pankratz Professorship in Nursing with the UNMC College of Nursing and is director of the Center for Chronic Illness, Self-Management and Prevention at UNMC.
- Community and data-informed research – Discussions focused on building centralized resources for researchers to access community partnerships, population-specific cancer data, and analytical tools to propel evidence-based research and implementation strategies.
Said Dr. Peters, “By fostering collaboration across disciplines, we are not just advancing cancer prevention. We are creating the infrastructure to drive lasting, impactful change in how we fight cancer in Nebraska.”