From Education to Empowerment: Dr. Enid Campos on Cancer Prevention

Community engagement is most powerful when it is rooted in listening, trust, and respect. For Dr. Enid Campos, CEO and clinical director of The Center Clinic, community‑based health education and cancer advocacy are not abstract concepts — they are deeply personal commitments shaped by years of working alongside individuals and families navigating complex health challenges. As a volunteer Cancer Advocate and partner to community‑based clinics, Dr. Campos brings compassion, cultural responsiveness, and clarity to spaces where health information can feel overwhelming or out of reach.

In this volunteer profile, Dr. Campos shares what first inspired her to serve, how digital literacy is helping community members take an active role in their health, and why language access and trusted spaces are essential to effective cancer prevention.

What first inspired you to get involved in community-based health and education work — and what keeps you committed to it today?

I was initially inspired to engage in community-based health and education initiatives after seeing many individuals and families struggling with serious health problems without clear information, support, or access to care. I noticed how language barriers, financial difficulties, and a lack of culturally sensitive services led to unnecessary suffering. It became clear to me that access to health education and compassionate care is not just a service; it is a matter of fairness and respect.

Working in the nonprofit clinic allowed me to prioritize people over profit. Community-based work feels personal and relational; it involves meeting people where they are, listening to their stories, and developing programs that address their actual needs rather than making assumptions about them.

What motivates me today is seeing concrete results — like the patient who feels confident enough to ask questions for the first time, the family that gains access to preventive care, and the community members who become advocates for their own health. I am also inspired by the resilience of the communities we serve. Their strength reminds me that this work isn’t about charity; it’s about partnership, trust, and lasting change.

Even on difficult days, I stay committed to the belief that health education can transform lives. When communities are informed, supported, and respected, they flourish, and being part of that process is both a duty and an honor.

The Center Clinic has become a place where people can build confidence using digital tools through a Mayo Clinic collaboration. What about digital literacy feels most meaningful to you as a way to support health and wellbeing?

What is most meaningful about digital literacy is that it turns access into empowerment. Through our collaboration with Mayo Clinic, we’ve seen that when people build confidence with digital tools, they’re not just learning technology; they’re gaining control over their own health.

For many in our community, patient portals, telehealth visits, online appointment scheduling, and access to reliable health information can feel intimidating or out of reach. Digital literacy helps bridge that gap. It enables patients to review test results, communicate with providers, manage medications, and prepare questions before a visit. That preparation shifts the dynamic; patients go from feeling passive to actively participating in their care.

What’s especially meaningful is watching confidence grow. When someone who was once hesitant to use a smartphone learns to log in to a patient portal or attend a virtual visit independently, you can see the shift. It reduces anxiety, increases understanding, and builds trust in the healthcare system.

Digital literacy is not just about technology; it’s about optimal health for all. In today’s healthcare environment, so much of access depends on digital navigation. By helping community members build these skills, we are protecting their ability to receive timely care, make informed decisions, and advocate for themselves and their families.

You hosted a Cancer Conversation about prostate cancer prevention in Spanish at The Center Clinic. Why was it important to you that this conversation happened in Spanish, in a trusted community space?

Hosting the Cancer Conversation in Spanish was intentional and vital. Language should never be a barrier to life-saving information. For many Spanish-speaking men and families, conversations about prostate cancer already carry cultural stigma, fear, and misunderstanding. When information is only available in English, or delivered in unfamiliar clinical settings, those barriers become even more challenging.

By providing the conversation in Spanish, we created space for people to ask questions freely, share concerns honestly, and fully understand prevention and screening options without needing translation or secondhand info. Health decisions are deeply personal and require clarity and trust.

Holding the event at The Center Clinic is important to build trust over time. When education takes place in a familiar, community-based setting rather than in a large hospital or formal medical setting, people feel safer and more respected. They are more likely to attend, participate, and go back for follow-up care.

For me, this was more than just sharing medical info. It was about dignity, cultural respect, and helping the community pursue optimal health. When we meet people in their language and in spaces where they feel valued, we go beyond just giving information to truly empowering a community.

As a Cancer Advocate, what part of advocacy feels most aligned with who you are — listening, educating, connecting people to resources, or something else?

Listening is fundamental to my advocacy. Prior to providing education, resources, or strategy, listening must come first. When individuals and families receive a cancer diagnosis, they often feel overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what questions to ask. Creating a space where they feel heard and respected is crucial.

I believe information is empowering when it is culturally responsive, clear, and actionable. Advocacy isn’t just about sharing facts; it’s about translating complex medical information into something people can use to make informed decisions.

Connecting people to resources aligns deeply with who I am. No one should have to face cancer alone. Whether it’s screening services, clinical trials, financial aid, or emotional support, advocacy involves building bridges so access is real, not just theoretical.

Ultimately, advocacy for me is about building trust. It’s about walking alongside people, not ahead of them, and ensuring they feel supported, informed, and empowered at every step of their journey.

You've provided insight to help tailor educational resources for cancer prevention. What’s one myth or misunderstanding about cancer prevention you find yourself gently correcting — and how do you approach that with care?

A common misunderstanding I often see is the idea that if you feel fine, you don’t need screening. Many people only connect cancer to the presence of symptoms. So if there’s no pain or visible issue, they believe there’s no risk.

I gently point out that prevention and early detection are important because they often occur before symptoms appear. For example, conversations about prostate, colorectal, or breast cancer screening can seem unnecessary to someone who feels healthy. I handle this by first acknowledging their perspective. I might say, “It makes sense that you wouldn’t think about it if you feel well.” Then I explain that screenings are meant to detect changes early when treatment is more effective, and outcomes are better.

I also address the myth that cancer is purely a matter of fate, that if it’s meant to happen, it will happen. While we can’t control everything, we can influence risk through lifestyle choices, regular checkups, and informed decision-making. Framing prevention as empowerment rather than fear is important.

Most importantly, I approach these conversations without judgment. My goal is not to correct people, but to build understanding. I focus on creating a safe space where questions are welcomed and concerns are respected. When people feel heard instead of corrected, they’re much more open to learning, and that’s where genuine prevention begins.

What’s a moment from your advocacy work that stays with you — a conversation, a question someone asked, or a small breakthrough you witnessed?

One moment that comes to mind is a community education session where a participant quietly remained behind after everyone else had left. He shared that he had been avoiding screenings because he was afraid of what he might hear. He said, “If I don’t know, maybe it’s not real.”

That moment was powerful because it wasn’t about a lack of information; it was about fear. We talked about what early detection actually means, about options, about support, and about not facing anything alone. A few weeks later, he returned and told us he had scheduled his screening. It may have seemed like a small step, but for him, it was a breakthrough.

What stays with me isn’t just that he took action — it’s that he felt safe enough to voice his fear. Advocacy is often measured in numbers, but sometimes the most meaningful impact happens in quiet conversations. When someone moves from silence to asking a question, from avoidance to engagement, that’s transformation.

Moments like that remind me why trust, language access, and culturally responsive education are so important. Change doesn’t always happen loudly. Sometimes it starts with one honest question and the courage to listen.

What advice would you give someone who wants to volunteer or advocate for prevention in their own community but doesn’t know where to start?

•  I would say start by listening to the people in the community. Begin by understanding your community, what questions people are asking, what fears they carry, and what barriers they face. Prevention work is most effective when it reflects real needs rather than assumptions.
• Next, connect with organizations that are already doing the work. Local clinics, nonprofits, faith-based groups, and public health departments often welcome volunteers who can help with outreach, translation, education events, or community navigation. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel; you can strengthen it.
• I also encourage people to start small and stay consistent. Share credible health information with friends and family. Help someone schedule a screening. Volunteer at a health fair. Advocate for culturally responsive education in spaces you’re already part of. Small actions build trust, and trust creates impact.
• Most importantly, never underestimate the power of your voice. You don’t have to be a clinician to advocate for prevention. All you need is compassion, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to equity. Prevention begins with everyday conversations, and every community needs someone willing to start them.

Dr. Campos’ approach to advocacy reminds us that prevention begins with people feeling seen, heard, and supported. Her story underscores that meaningful community engagement is not about delivering information alone — it is about building trust, reducing barriers, and empowering individuals to take ownership of their health. Through consistent presence, culturally responsive education, and a commitment to optimal health for all, Dr. Campos exemplifies how volunteer advocacy can create lasting impact, one conversation at a time.

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