Abstract A032: Developing a cross-center collaboration for cancer health education and community impact

Abstract

Cancer disparities in North Central Florida disproportionately affect populations at increased risk for poor outcomes, including communities with a higher burden of prostate cancer and rural residents facing barriers to lung cancer prevention, early detection, and screening. To address these inequities, the Florida-California Cancer Research, Education and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Center and the University of Florida Health Cancer Institute (UFHCI) Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) formed an implementation partnership that combined disparities-focused cancer research with an established community outreach infrastructure. The partnership translated evidence-based cancer prevention and screening strategies into community settings, expanding access to culturally relevant education, screening, and research engagement for underserved populations. Through monthly meetings, CaRE2 and COE coordinated outreach, developed and disseminated a Lung Cancer Toolkit, conducted Cancer Ambassador Trainings, and participated in community education and screening events. Education on lung and prostate cancer prevention, early detection, screening, and available resources was delivered through faith-based organizations, community events and professional conferences, integrating research and community engagement to expand the reach and impact of both centers. Established in 2024, the partnership expanded its community engagement by implementing six outreach and education events focused on cancer prevention, early detection, screening, and access to resources across Florida communities. Activities included educational sessions, screening opportunities, research engagement, Cancer Ambassador Trainings, and dissemination of culturally relevant materials. The partnership engaged 22 community members in prostate cancer education sessions and 97 community members at a screening and education event, where 68 PSA screenings were completed. Evaluation measures assessed participation, screening uptake, training outcomes, and community engagement. Post-program surveys showed increased prostate cancer knowledge and confidence among participants. All respondents reported understanding prostate cancer, risk factors, screening recommendations, and the importance of early detection. Participants also reported confidence in recognizing symptoms, understanding treatment options, and identifying care resources. Additionally, 93% indicated they were likely to share prostate cancer information with others, demonstrating the program’s ability to empower community advocates. Future efforts will focus on expanding outreach, strengthening evaluation, and developing culturally tailored resources to support cancer prevention and health equity. The CaRE2 and UFHCI COE implementation partnership demonstrates how cross-center collaboration can strengthen cancer education, expand access to prevention and screening resources, and build community trust. This model highlights the value of combining research and outreach to reduce cancer disparities and advance health equity. Nazleen Del Rio, Brooke Vintilla, Laura Parra, Kathryn Pluta, Sulma Mohammed, Fern J. Webb. Developing a cross-center collaboration for cancer health education and community impact [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 19th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2026 Oct 18-21; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2026;35(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A032.