The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center has unveiled a new research initiative aimed at tackling cancer disparities and improving health outcomes across Nebraska. The Cancer Prevention and Control Program will focus on developing innovative methods for precision prevention and addressing key risk factors specific to the state.
Led by Edward Peters, DMD, ScD, professor and chair of the UNMC Department of Epidemiology, and Vijaya Bhatt, MBBS, professor in the UNMC Division of Hematology and Oncology, the program has three primary objectives. First, it aims to identify and understand cancer risk drivers, with a particular focus on rural populations and disparities in the center’s service area. Second, the initiative will develop novel screening methods for early cancer detection. Lastly, it will enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors through research on survivorship care and symptom management.
The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, inviting researchers from various departments and colleges across the University of Nebraska to contribute their expertise. To support innovative cancer prevention and control projects, dedicated funding will be made available to researchers and investigators.
Joann Sweasy, PhD, director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, emphasized the initiative’s potential impact, stating that it brings new hope to people in the area. By prioritizing innovative prevention and detection methods, the center aims to address health disparities directly and urgently, working towards improved health outcomes across Nebraska.
This comprehensive approach to cancer prevention and control represents a significant step forward in the fight against cancer, particularly for underserved populations in Nebraska.
See “Cancer center announces cancer prevention and control program” (October 14, 2024)
