On October 15th, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) participated in Cancer Awareness Day in Avondale. The event, hosted by Hamilton County Services in partnership with the 513 Relief Bus, UC Health, the Cancer Center, and Cancer Support Community, aimed to educate the public on cancer prevention, screening, and research.

The day began with a forum, featuring a presentation by Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH, COE Associate Director, who provided insights into the state of cancer within our community. Her presentation highlighted the challenges and disparities faced by local populations. Following her talk, a panel discussion on cancer screening recommendations and resources was facilitated by Dierdre Beluan and Tiffany Mattingly of The Health Collaborative. The panel featured leading healthcare professionals, including:

• Elizabeth Shaughnessy, MD, University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
• Kate Schroder, MBA, Interact for Health
• Greg Kesterman, MPA, Commissioner of Hamilton County Public Health
• Grant Mussman, MD, Commissioner of the Cincinnati Health Department
• Keith Melvin, MD, Mercy Health

The UCH Mammography Van was on-site to provide care, while graduate student Hannah Botzman, mentored by Cancer Center researcher Sueng-Yeon Lee, PhD, shared the latest in breast cancer research and self-examination techniques. In collaboration with a clinical team from UC Health, the Cancer Center administered 25 prostate cancer screenings to attendees.

The COE team facilitated over 200 educational interactions focused on cancer prevention, including 18 lung cancer pre-screenings. Of those, 13 attendees received referrals for follow-up in the Lung Cancer Screening and Smoking Cessation Programs at UC Health. Additionally, UC Cancer Survivorship and Supportive Services offered resources to attendees undergoing cancer treatment, while the UC College of Medicine’s Office of Clinical Research connected attendees with ongoing clinical research opportunities.

Several community partners also participated in the event, offering resources and support to attendees. These included:

• Cancer Justice Network
• Paddling for Cancer Awareness, Inc.
• ICAN Cancer Awareness Foundation
• Pink Ribbon Good
• City of Cincinnati Health Department – Smoking Cessation Program
• National Kidney Foundation
• Center for Closing the Health Gap
• 513 Relief Bus
• Food for the Soul CT

Cancer Awareness Day provided an invaluable opportunity for the community to access cancer screenings, learn about prevention strategies, and connect with critical support resources, furthering the Cancer Center’s mission to reduce cancer disparities in our region.