UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center

UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only cancer center in Virginia named a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

We are also one of only 52 centers in the United States to receive this designation, the highest recognition the NCI gives. We're part of renowned group of leaders in cancer research, prevention, detection and treatment and strive to stay ahead of the curve in innovation, technology and, most importantly, patient care. Our center is accredited through The Joint Commission, Commission on Cancer, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), and Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT). You don't just have to visit us at the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center in Charlottesville, VA. You can access care in other locations throughout Central Virginia, including clinics in Fishersville, Culpeper and Pantops. Talk to your provider about finding care that's close to you.

03/04/2026

Last month, staff members at the University of Virginia’s Breast Care Center gathered to celebrate Medical Assistant Kylee Lambert, the latest recipient of the BEE (Being Excellent Everyday) award!

The BEE Award recognizes UVA Health team members who work alongside our nurses to impact patients' experiences — just as bees and flowers depend on one another.

And there’s no doubt that Kylee is deserving of this recognition! Team members are consistently impressed by her medical skill, particularly with lab draws and IV placement. But equally noticeable is the level of poise and kindness in her work. In the words of Julie Zaydfudim, BSN, RN: “Patients absolutely adore Kylee! She has a calm, comforting presence and naturally provides peace and reassurance during moments that can be stressful or overwhelming.”

Meanwhile, Kylee is a team player across the Breast Care Center. Whether it’s precepting new hires or prepping for a new clinic’s opening, she is a true asset in all of her work and plays “an essential role in the success and stability of our team.”

Congratulations to Kylee!

Today is HPV Awareness Day, and it’s a powerful reminder that some cancers are preventable. The HPV vaccine protects aga...
03/04/2026

Today is HPV Awareness Day, and it’s a powerful reminder that some cancers are preventable. The HPV vaccine protects against 6 types of cancer, including cervical, throat, and other head and neck cancers. It’s been safely and effectively monitored for over 20 years.

💉 When should my child get it?
The HPV vaccine works best when given at:
•Ages 11–12 (recommended)
•As early as age 9
•Catch-up vaccination is available through age 26
•Adults ages 27–45 can talk with their provider about whether vaccination is right for them

Why it matters
In Virginia, many teens are vaccinated — but we haven’t yet reached the Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% coverage. Every vaccination helps protect not just one child, but our entire community. A strong provider recommendation makes a difference. In fact, research shows it can increase vaccination rates by up to 5 times.

✅ What you can do
•Ask your child’s provider about the HPV vaccine
•Schedule it alongside other routine vaccines
•If your clinic doesn’t offer it, ask about getting it at your local pharmacy
•Make sure your child completes the full vaccine series
•Most insurance plans cover the HPV vaccine through age 26, and programs like Vaccines for Children (VFC) help ensure access for eligible families.

Join us on March 5 | 6–8 PM (drop in anytime) at the Charlottesville YMCA for an impactful evening focused on strengthen...
03/03/2026

Join us on March 5 | 6–8 PM (drop in anytime) at the Charlottesville YMCA for an impactful evening focused on strengthening men’s health and taking proactive steps against prostate cancer.

Stop in when it works for you and catch brief, rotating sessions (each under 15 minutes) on:
✅ Prostate cancer awareness
✅ Latest research updates
✅ Nutrition strategies for cancer prevention
✅ Meet clinical experts + cancer screening navigators

On-site PSA blood test screenings will be offered by Sentara.

Bring a friend and stay for food, prizes, and practical strategies to help you Stay in the Game. 🏀💪

Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences Kara Wiseman, MPH, PhD, is a recipient of the Society of...
02/28/2026

Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences Kara Wiseman, MPH, PhD, is a recipient of the Society of Behavioral Medicine’s (SBM) 2026 Leading the Narrative Award for her work to build awareness of alcohol’s cancer risks.

Dr. Wiseman has appeared in media outlets including The New York Times and Women's Health, addressing the misconception that moderate alcohol consumption is harmless, or even promotes good health. As little as one drink a day – no matter the type – increases the risk of some cancers, and alcohol is the nation’s third leading cause of preventable cancers after to***co use and obesity, responsible for roughly 100,000 cases and 20,000 deaths each year.

A January 2025 Surgeon General’s advisory calling for updated product warning labels and other measures to communicate alcohol risks cited a study by Dr. Wiseman examining how often clinician-patient conversations about risks occur and how that affects awareness among U.S. adults.

In May, Dr. Wiseman and her fellow honorees co-authored the SBM article, "The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Alcohol and Cancer Risk 2025: What Does it Mean?" Citing the historic 1964 Surgeon General’s advisory on smoking, which led to product labeling and reduced smoking rates, Dr. Wiseman and her co-authors said the 2025 advisory “has the potential to serve as a watershed moment for alcohol in our culture.” They recognized the challenges of carefully crafting the message and skepticism of changing health recommendations, as well as the need to counter industry advertising defending "responsible" drinking.

Dr. Wiseman addressed the common misperception about red wine benefiting health in the Times, explaining that "It doesn’t matter if it’s wine or beer or liquor,” consuming any type of alcohol carries risk.

Read Dr. Wiseman’s co-authored article: https://bit.ly/3MuSte0

Read about Dr. Wiseman’s contribution to The New York Times: https://bit.ly/4apnn0o

Biostatistician Hong Zhu, PhD, has been awarded $1.5 million to lead the statistical analysis and data science team for ...
02/27/2026

Biostatistician Hong Zhu, PhD, has been awarded $1.5 million to lead the statistical analysis and data science team for the first National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute U54 Specialized Program of Research Excellence devoted to pediatric leukemia.

The $12 million, multi-institution program seeks new prevention and treatment strategies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common cancer in children. Researchers will investigate how factors like genetics, metabolism, environment, and access to resources contribute to treatments’ effectiveness and long-term side effects, which can include liver and brain damage.

Co-led by Dr. Zhu and Cristian Coarfa, PhD, of the Baylor College of Medicine, the program’s Biostatistics and Data Management Core will serve as a research design and data science coordination hub, providing investigators expertise and tools in biostatistics, bioinformatics, geospatial data analysis, and data management. Its team will work collaboratively with researchers, helping build the foundation for new risk prediction tools and interventional resources.

Dr. Zhu, who is a Professor of Public Health Sciences and Faculty Director of UVACCC’s Biostatistics and Population Science Shared Resource, will be joined by fellow Cancer Center member Debamita Kundu, PhD, Assistant Professor of Public Health Sciences, on the project.

Read about the project: https://dctd.cancer.gov/research/spores/state/baylor-all-outcome

Read about Dr. Zhu’s research leadership: https://bit.ly/4kVKTpB

Rebecca Krukowski, PhD, has received a five-year, $3.4 million National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney D...
02/20/2026

Rebecca Krukowski, PhD, has received a five-year, $3.4 million National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) grant to create a personalized, semi-automated feedback system for individuals engaged in weight loss.

Clinical and community-based weight-management programs typically involve participants tracking their diet, exercise, and weight. Tailored, responsive feedback improves results with accountability and motivational support, but time and training constraints limit the quality of feedback that some facilitators are able to provide.

The 300 participants in Dr. Krukowski’s first study will use wearable smart technology during a 16-week weight management program, with feedback on their tracking from experts. Thereafter, Dr. Krukowski’s team will then develop and refine the self-monitoring feedback system, combining automation with a human touch.

“Our hope is to expand access to effective weight management programs, especially for underserved groups like people living in rural areas,” said Dr. Krukowski, who, in addition to being a Cancer Center researcher, is co-lead of the UVA Community Cancer Control and Obesity Research Center.

The study is co-led by Kathryn M. Ross, PhD, MPH, from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a senior research scientist at Advocate Health Care's Advocate Aurora Research Institute.

Read about Dr. Krukowski's grant: https://bit.ly/4tJfMl1

If you or someone you love is facing cancer, you know that care is about more than test results and treatment plans. It’...
02/16/2026

If you or someone you love is facing cancer, you know that care is about more than test results and treatment plans. It’s about your independence, your family, your work, and what matters most in your daily life.

In a nationally published article, our own RN Care Coordinator and doctoral candidate Irene Guterman, MS, RN, CNL®, explores an important question:

👉 How do we ensure that cancer care reflects what patients truly value?

Cancer treatment is more advanced than ever. But it is also increasingly complex: clinically, financially, and operationally. Healthcare systems rely on guidelines, quality metrics, and reimbursement models to measure “value.” What those systems do not always capture is the lived experience of patients.

• What do you value most in your cancer care?
• How will treatment affect your independence and daily life?
• What are the financial and emotional realities for your family?
• What trade-offs feel acceptable, and which do not?

Irene’s work highlights the essential role oncology nurses play in bridging the gap between clinical care and the systems that evaluate it. Nurses are uniquely positioned to:

✔️ Elicit patient goals and priorities
✔️ Integrate those values into care planning
✔️ Ensure symptoms and quality-of-life concerns are documented and addressed
✔️ Help align care delivery with what matters most to patients and families

As cancer care continues to evolve, integrating the patient voice into clinical workflows and decision-making is foundational to delivering high-quality, sustainable care.

Cancer care should never be one-size-fits-all. It should reflect your life, your values, and your definition of well-being.

If you are a patient or caregiver, remember:
🗣️ Your perspective matters.
💬 You can ask questions.
🤝 Your care team is here to listen and to build care around what you value most.

Read the full article here:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41269731/

A University of Virginia team led by Hui Li, PhD, has identified a molecule that could become a first-of-its-kind treatm...
02/14/2026

A University of Virginia team led by Hui Li, PhD, has identified a molecule that could become a first-of-its-kind treatment for glioblastoma, the deadliest and most aggressive brain cancer.

Glioblastoma’s survival rate is less than 7 percent, and while current treatment options including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are life-extending, they can severely impact patients’ quality of life. “Glioblastoma patients desperately need better options,” Dr. Li said. “Standard therapy hasn’t fundamentally changed in decades.”

In 2020, Dr. Li and colleagues determined that an overactive gene called AVIL is required for glioblastoma to form and spread. The finding, named one of 2020’s biggest biomedical discoveries by STAT, established a potential target for new treatments.

After testing a large number of compounds using a method called high-throughput screening, the team found a molecule that blocks AVIL’s activity. In the lab, it proved effective against tumor cells without impacting healthy tissue or causing other harmful side effects. It can also pe*****te the barrier between blood vessels and the brain that stops some therapies, and could be taken orally as a pill.

Dr. Li and his team are working to adapt the compound for potential human trials. While continued testing and FDA approval are necessary before the molecule becomes a treatment, he is excited by their progress. “Our goal is to bring an entirely new mechanism of action into the clinic, and this pathway hasn’t been therapeutically exploited before,” he said.

Read about Dr. Li’s discovery: https://bit.ly/4rx5GSn

Owen Brown, who completed his bachelor’s degree in December and is now a Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate pursuing n...
02/13/2026

Owen Brown, who completed his bachelor’s degree in December and is now a Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate pursuing new treatments for breast cancer, recently presented his work at the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia’s Second Annual Undergraduate Showcase!

The event brought together top collegiate researchers at the General Assembly Building in Richmond to share their findings with peers, faculty, and policymakers.

Owen works in the lab of Cancer Center member Natasha Sheybani, PhD, exploring how thermally ablative focused ultrasound (tFUS), which uses high energy ultrasound waves to noninvasively heat and rupture tumor cells, could amplify the effectiveness of CAR-T cell immunotherapy against triple-negative breast cancer.

While CAR-T cell therapy has revolutionized blood cancer treatment by helping the body’s immune system recognize and attack cancer, solid tumors often resist treatment using physical barriers and cell signals to evade the immune system.

Owen treats tumor cells with tFUS, and collects the molecular material released into their surrounding environment. He then exposes CAR-T cells to this collected material, boosting their ability to kill cancer. Owen’s findings demonstrate a potential method to strengthen CAR-T cells, inform future therapeutic strategies, and expand treatment options for patients with CAR-T therapy-resistant cancers.

💗 Grateful for Extraordinary Care 💗I’m a patient of Dr. Christiana Brenin, pictured here with my daughter.As she prepare...
02/11/2026

💗 Grateful for Extraordinary Care 💗

I’m a patient of Dr. Christiana Brenin, pictured here with my daughter.

As she prepares to retire this April, I’m so grateful I had one last appointment — and that she was able to meet my daughter.

In November 2021, Dr. Brenin diagnosed my breast cancer. It was an overwhelming time, but with her guidance and support, my new husband and I were able to quickly pursue fertility preservation before treatment. That decision means everything to us today.

From the day of my diagnosis through every step that followed, she has stood beside me — steady, compassionate, and always cheering me on. She didn’t just treat my cancer; she cared for me as a whole person.

While I’ll miss seeing her at my routine follow-ups as a breast cancer survivor, I couldn’t be happier for her as she begins this next chapter and enjoys being a grandparent in retirement.

Thank you, Dr. Brenin, for changing my life in more ways than one. 💕

🎗️ Survivorship is more than just medical milestones — it’s a journey of resilience, healing, and whole-person wellness....
02/09/2026

🎗️ Survivorship is more than just medical milestones — it’s a journey of resilience, healing, and whole-person wellness. 💛

In a powerful Research in Motion feature, Kelly Shaffer, PhD, shares how her work is helping bring mental health support to cancer survivors and their family caregivers through accessible, internet-delivered programs that address sleep, stress, sexual health and more.

Cancer survivorship can bring emotional, physical, and relational challenges long after treatment ends — and mental health is a crucial part of thriving, not just surviving. By expanding access to innovative interventions and support tools, we can help survivors and families not only cope, but flourish.

Let’s continue to break down barriers, normalize conversations about mental wellbeing, and create a future where every survivor has access to the support they deserve. 💬❤️

👉 Learn more: https://youtu.be/le5HZYD6Y2c

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1240 Lee Street
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Our Story

At UVA Cancer Center, we deliver advanced patient care combined with the latest research-based treatment options to improve the quality of life for cancer patients in and surrounding Virginia. With state-of-the-art clinics in multiple locations around Virginia and telemedicine programs for rural communities, UVA Cancer Center is one of the most widely-accessible cancer centers in the region.

U.S. News & World Report has ranked UVA the No. 1 hospital in Virginia. Five of our specialties are among the top 50 in the U.S., including our cancer services. We're also the only cancer center in Virginia listed in Becker’s 100 hospitals and health systems with great oncology programs.

As one of 70 National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers, we're part of renowned group of leaders in cancer research, prevention, detection and treatment and strive to stay ahead of the curve in innovation, technology and, most importantly, patient care.