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Huntsman Cancer Institute recently convened the second Mountain West Cancer Summit, bringing together community, public health and health system leaders, patient advocates, American Indian tribal representatives, research partners, and collaborators from all corners of the Area We Serve—a geographic area that includes Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
The day-long summit provided an opportunity for Huntsman Cancer Institute leaders and staff to listen and learn about the impactful work that attendees and their organizations are leading in their communities, while encouraging networking opportunities.
“The summit underscores the need to break down barriers, not just for those living with cancer but for all who are working in their communities to address the burden of cancer.”
—Rachel Ceballos, PhD
“All who attended were united in a shared goal to reduce the burden of cancer in the Mountain West,” said Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, chief scientific officer and executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research at the University of Utah (the U). “Cancer remains one of the biggest challenges of our time, and it is only through collaboration and synergy that we will be able to achieve our vision of delivering a cancer-free frontier to the more than 10 million people who reside in the Area We Serve.”
The summit kicked off with a Native blessing by Rios Pacheco, spiritual leader of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, bringing tranquility and setting a tone of humility that permeated throughout the day’s conversations. Huntsman Cancer Institute resides on the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples. We honor the rich history and culture of these communities and their deep connection to this place.
Progress and Plans
Garrett Harding, associate director of community outreach and engagement, shared examples of the progress made in the Area We Serve. “In 2022, we convened the inaugural summit and brainstormed big ideas to help move the needle in six strategic priority areas,” said Harding. “We were thrilled to highlight several examples of the progress we have made since then, in no small part because of our community partners.”
Community Health Assessment Survey
Bailee Daniels, CCRC, MS, senior manager of population sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute, presented results of a groundbreaking community health assessment survey designed by Tracy Onega, PhD, MA, MPAS, MS, senior director of population sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of population health sciences at the U. Collaborating with data scientists and community partners, the survey is the first of its kind, sampling more than 1,500 frontier and rural residents in the Mountain West on clinical trial knowledge, health behaviors, and cancer screenings.
“We're committed to better representing frontier and rural residents in cancer research,” Daniels said. The team's initial findings revealed a significant knowledge gap, with 87% of respondents reporting limited awareness and knowledge of clinical trials. Additionally, only 34% of respondents felt they had access to necessary specialists in their area. Despite these challenges, a strong willingness to travel for treatment was evident, with the average participant willing to drive 120 miles for specialty care.
Mountain West Panel
- Andy King and Braden Ainsworth (Utah)
- Justin Sell and Leah Merchant (Montana)
- Cari Herington and Amber Hise (Nevada)
- Sheri Mathews (Wyoming)
- Erin Riley and Becky Creighton (Idaho)
- Star Jones (Wyoming)
Following Daniels' presentation, leaders from the departments of health and state cancer coalitions in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming, participated in a panel discussion highlighting the successes and challenges of current work in their respective states. Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, comprehensive cancer control plans outline priority areas and strategies to prevent and control cancer.
“Huntsman Cancer Institute staff are active members of each Mountain West cancer coalition,” said Harding. “The role of coalitions in a region as vast and great as ours, cannot be overstated. These teams are the backbone of cancer control in their communities, coordinating priorities that span the cancer spectrum and convening dozens of organizations and advocates from across their states to address drivers of cancer and cancer-related inequities. We are inspired by them and the work they are leading.”
Interactive Science Activity: Foldable Microscopes
Bryan Welm, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor in the department of surgery at the U, led attendees in an interactive science activity, with the goal to make science more accessible to all. Attendees viewed cells and specimens through personal, foldable microscopes that connect to cell phones.
Community-Engaged Research
Building a Partnership with Local Black Greek Letter Organizations
The summit also addressed challenges faced by historically underserved populations and the role of community-engaged research to address these issues. Crystal Lumpkins, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of communications at the U, presented a collaborative effort with local Black Greek letter organizations. Partnering with Claustina Mahon-Reynolds, EdD, and Queenie Aydelott from the Greater Salt Lake Alumnae Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., they explored attitudes and beliefs about genetic services among Black women in Utah. Their findings aim to address disparities and cancer misinformation.
Strategies to Address Adolescent Tobacco Use in Nevada
In another presentation, Chelsey Schlechter, PhD, MPH, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of population health sciences at the U, and Cari Herington, MBA, executive director of the Nevada Cancer Coalition, discussed tackling adolescent tobacco use in Nevada. Leveraging the fact that 75% of teens visit dentists annually, they partnered with dental clinics to design, promote, and recruit teens for their study.
Meal Timing and Culturally Tailored Polynesian Diet for Lowering Cancer Risk
Mary Playdon, PhD, MPH, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and assistant professor of nutrition and integrative physiology at the U, along with Lusia Tamala, shared results of a study that explored meal timing and adapting Polynesian-inspired diets to help lower endometrial cancer risk in Pacific Islander women and their families.
Listening and Learning
The summit concluded with a learning and listening session led by Rachel Ceballos, PhD, senior director of community outreach and engagement at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of family and preventive medicine at the U. Attendees actively engaged in a wide-ranging discussion to help set priorities for collaboration in the weeks and months to come. Topics ranged from cancer screening modalities and further utilization of community health workers to cancer survivorship, psychosocial support, and policy interventions for fertility preservation, patient navigation, and payment models, among other themes. Clinical research and the dissemination of clinical trials education was discussed at length.
“The summit underscores the need to break down barriers, not just for those living with cancer but for all who are working in their communities to address the burden of cancer,” Ceballos said. “By working together to address those barriers, we can ensure patients receive the care they deserve.”
Next Steps
In the coming weeks and months, Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement will continue the conversation, meeting with summit attendees to inform action plans and collaborate on opportunities that were identified during the meeting.
“The dedication of each of these leaders is truly commendable,” said Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief of the cancer hospital at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U. “Their personal experiences and professional expertise will only continue to inform our strategic planning and identify impactful collaborative projects with each other and Huntsman Cancer Institute.”