Cancer Outreach Across Communities: Collaborations Advancing Prevention, Wellness and Survivorship

Across Mayo Clinic, the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement is collaborating with trusted local organizations to bring culturally responsive cancer prevention, survivorship support and wellness education directly into communities. From sun safety and nutrition education to survivorship advocacy and cancer screening conversations, these efforts continue to strengthen community connections while helping address cancer burden.

Building Healthier Communities Through Evidence-Based Wellness Programs

In Arizona, “Here Comes the Sun,” focused on skin cancer prevention through practical sun-safe behaviors, including sunscreen use, protective clothing and reducing prolonged sun exposure. The program reached 40 participants across Hispanic and Native communities in Maricopa County through culturally tailored approaches designed to reflect each community’s experiences and priorities.

For Hispanic participants, the program was delivered in Spanish and addressed common misconceptions about skin cancer risk, including risks associated with outdoor work and prolonged sun exposure. In Native communities, the intervention incorporated a more holistic approach to health and was delivered alongside trusted community leaders, reinforcing the importance of community-centered prevention strategies.

We also continued our collaboration with Warriors Code through the “Body & Spirit” program, which promotes cancer prevention through nutrition, physical activity and overall wellness. Ten Native community members completed the program during this second year of collaboration. Participants engaged in culturally grounded discussions and activities focused on healthier eating, increased movement and practical approaches to reducing cancer risk.

In Florida, we expanded similar wellness-focused programming through the “Wellness for Life” initiative hosted at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Eleven participants attended an interactive session centered on nutrition and disease prevention, learning about fruits and vegetables associated with lowering cancer and chronic disease risk. Participants also discussed sugars, sweeteners and healthy protein choices in an open, community-based setting. The session featured a live juicing demonstration led by guest speaker Tracei Hutcherson, who shared accessible ways to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into everyday routines. The event empowered participants with practical strategies to support healthier daily habits and long-term wellness.

Strengthening Survivorship Support and Community Advocacy

In Florida, we worked with trusted organizations including YMCA, Johnson Family and Three Grains of Rice, UNF LASO, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 904 Empower Women, and the Order of the Eastern Stars and Masons to strengthen cancer survivorship support and prevention education. These collaborations included bilingual health education shares, outreach tabling and culturally responsive community events designed to normalize conversations around cancer screening, treatment and life after diagnosis. Programming addressed survivorship topics such as follow-up care, emotional wellness, caregiver support, and late effects while connecting residents to community resources.

In partnership with the iCCaRE Symposium, the Prostate Cancer Advocacy Training provided men participants with tools to advocate within their communities and better understand the importance of research and clinical trial participation.

Florida outreach efforts also included Community Research Registry enrollment and survey events that elevated survivor and community voices while reinforcing the importance of participation in community-informed research. These activities helped sustain ongoing feedback loops through community expert studios and strengthened relationships between Mayo Clinic and the communities it serves.

Expanding Community Education and Engagement

In the Midwest, we continued to create welcoming spaces for cancer education and prevention conversations through community-centered outreach events. Through a collaboration with Pamoja Women, the “Friend to Friend” Women’s Circle brought together 15 women for conversation, connection and colon cancer education. During the event, Sawra A. Maurer, P.A.-C., M.S., a physician assistant at Mayo Clinic, facilitated an open dialogue focused on colon cancer screening and prevention, helping participants learn more about reducing cancer risk and the importance of early detection.

We also partnered with the Consulate General of Mexico during an outreach event at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Wisconsin, where healthcare services were provided to more than 200 attendees. We shared information about upcoming Community Engagement Studios, enrolled seven individuals into the Community Research registry for future research opportunities and distributed cancer prevention educational materials developed with community input.

Advancing Optimal Health for All Through Trusted Partnerships

Across the Mayo Clinic, these outreach efforts reflect a shared commitment to advancing cancer prevention, survivorship support and community-informed engagement through trusted collaborations and culturally responsive programming. Whether through evidence-based wellness interventions, advocacy training, nutrition education or community cancer conversations, we continue with communities to broaden participation, strengthen access to resources and support optimal health for all.

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The Community Research Exchange provides the latest community updates from the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center's Community Outreach and Engagement Office (COE) and Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). Subscribe to our bi-monthly e-newsletter to get updates delivered right to your inbox.