UVA Cancer Center shares community-driven road map to combat high cancer rates

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The UVA Cancer Center is taking a significant step forward in addressing the alarmingly high cancer rates across Virginia and West Virginia with the launch of a new, community-focused road map.

Developed by the UVA Cancer Center Community Advisory Council (CAC), this initiative prioritizes prevention, early detection and innovative research across the 87 counties the center serves.

The creation of this comprehensive road map was a year-long endeavor for the CAC, which meticulously examined where cancer disparities exist to shape its strategy. As CAC Co-Chair Ericca Facetti explained, the strength of this initiative lies in its connection to real-life experiences.

(Photo credit: UVA Health)

“This initiative is really important, and this council is really important because we're connecting lived experiences and different perspectives from the community,” Facetti said.

UVA Cancer Center's service area faces a higher rate of cancer deaths compared to the national average, particularly for colorectal, lung, breast and melanoma cancers. Key contributing factors to these statistics include obesity and tobacco use. The data clearly guided the CAC's focus.

“This road map is the Community Advisory Council's priority recommendations,” Facetti noted. “And there are six different areas that we're focused on in the catchment area based on the data telling us which cancer incidence rates are highest.”

Approximately 37% of adults in the catchment area meet the CDC’s criteria for obesity, a known cancer risk factor. Additionally, adult smoking rates in several counties reach nearly 28%, significantly above the state average. Residents in rural areas and those with lower incomes often face additional challenges like limited access to care, which can delay early detection and treatment.

Recognizing these critical issues, the road map involves reducing obesity, decreasing tobacco use and actively working to lessen the impact of colorectal, lung, breast and melanoma cancers through heightened prevention efforts and better access to early detection screenings.

One concrete recommendation from the CAC is expanding sun safety education. Facetti highlighted their strong approach to melanoma prevention like adding more sunshades and implementing sunscreen dispensers in playgrounds.

“As children are out there playing on the playground, they have shade, they have sunscreen. But alongside that will come that education piece about why is this important and why does this matter,” Facetti said.

On the other hand, to combat high smoking rates, the CAC recommended making tobacco cessation resources more accessible outside traditional health clinics.

Dr. Melissa Little, director of UVA’s Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Research, has partnered with local pharmacies to expand access to resources like nicotine replacement, counseling and text message-based support.

The CAC hopes to enhance an integrated approach that truly connects education with the community's voice, which is crucial for building trust.

“Making sure that those voices are heard and they know what's happening that will increase that trust and hopefully also increase education and cancer prevention,” Facetti emphasized.

To learn more about the road map’s recommendations and impact, visit the Community Advisory Council website.