Cancer Outreach Across Mayo Clinic: September 2026

Sep 21 4:04pm | Jasmine Souers | @jasminesouers

Across Mayo Clinic, the office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is working alongside trusted community partners to bring cancer education, prevention resources, research opportunities, and meaningful conversations closer to the people we serve.

This month’s update reflect a shared commitment: meeting communities where they are, listening to local priorities, and creating opportunities for people to take action for their health and the health of their families.

Supporting cancer prevention through culturally aware education

Mayo Clinic in Florida collaborated with American Legion Post 197 to host a Men's Health Fair focused on increasing access to preventive health services and cancer screening. Twenty-six men received free PSA screenings, and more than 30 men were screened for hypertension and diabetes, helping identify potential health risks and connect participants with critical preventive care resources. By bringing multiple services together in one setting, the fair expanded access to screening and promoted proactive health management among men in the community.

The Body and Soul healthy living initiative is helping communities translate cancer prevention education into practical, culturally aware action. In Florida, the team collaborated with First AME Church of Palm Coast, where 36 participants explored chronic illness and cancer risk reduction, nutrition, fitness, cooking demonstrations, and mental health strategies. The team also offered Body and Soul in Spanish, known locally as Cuerpo y Alma, with NutriLife, creating a welcoming space for Spanish-speaking participants to learn about cancer-fighting foods, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle changes in their preferred language.

In the Midwest, Body & Soul concluded a six-week collaboration with LifeGate Services and RCCG Chosen Generation Parish. Participants learned about the connection between healthy eating, physical activity, and cancer prevention while setting goals, tracking activity, and encouraging one another. Feedback showed that participants valued peer support, healthier ways to prepare familiar foods, and the opportunity to make at least one positive health change.

Advancing early detection and awareness

The Friend to Friend early detection initiative focused on prostate cancer through a small-group session led by a Mayo Clinic physician in Florida. Nineteen attendees took part, and participants left with a stronger understanding that a simple blood test can help check for signs of prostate cancer, with 100% indicating they planned to see their provider within the next 12 months for screening.

In the Midwest, the Friend to Friend initiative offered a Spanish-language uterine cancer education session in Dodge Center in collaboration with The Center Clinic. Presented by Jissy Cyriac, M.D., the session welcomed 11 community members and covered prevention, screening, early detection, and the role of HPV vaccination in reducing cancer risk. Attendees reported greater intention to schedule PAP/HPV screening and share screening information with family and friends.

Bringing trusted information directly to communities

Community events and conversations created opportunities to share information in accessible, relationship-centered ways. In Arizona, the melanoma Cancer Conversation brought together 35 attendees for a discussion that combined clinical expertise, a survivor perspective, and community-based prevention. Participants received practical sun-safety strategies and skin cancer education they could apply in daily life and share within their communities.

The team also extended outreach through the Climb the Mesa Hopi Cancer Support Services Fun Run/Walk, where they connected with more than 250 community members on the Hopi Nation. The event provided an opportunity to share culturally aware information about cancer education, clinical trials, research participation, and ways to become involved with Mayo Clinic while strengthening relationships with community partners.

Expanding access to research participation

Across Mayo Clinic, teams continued creating pathways for community members to learn about and participate in research. Arizona’s Cancer Advocacy Training, offered in collaboration with Cancer Support Community Arizona, graduated 22 participants, building knowledge and skills to become effective cancer advocates.

In Florida, several clinical and community partners supported the Building Equitable Links to Opportunities in Neighborhood Groups, or BELONG, study. Partner sites served as welcoming locations for the Mobile Research Unit, where community members learned about research, shared their experiences through interviews and focus groups, and connected with the study team. Together, these partnerships helped engage nearly 200 community members and demonstrated the importance of working with trusted organizations to build awareness, trust, and access to research participation.

By partnering with local organizations, listening to community priorities, and bringing education and research opportunities into familiar spaces, Mayo Clinic is helping more people access information, take preventive steps, and see a place for themselves in cancer research and care.