Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

03/26/2026

What if the foods we eat every day could help lower the risk of chronic diseases? Researchers at the UNMC Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, as part of a team of 53 scientists—including collaborators from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, are working to naturally breed wheat varieties.

The goal is to maintain higher fiber content in the resulting food, even in refined-grain products, to support better health for everyone.

Read full story: https://go.unmc.edu/study-wheat-varieties-for-fiber-impact

03/24/2026

The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is pleased to welcome Amy Overby as associate director for administration.

Overby brings extensive experience in cancer center administration at NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, clinical research operations and organizational leadership.

In this role, Overby will focus on strengthening research infrastructure, supporting cancer center programs aligned with the National Cancer Institute and enhancing collaborative operations across the center. Read full story: go.unmc.edu/amy-overby-appointment

03/23/2026

Did you know multiple myeloma can develop slowly, with early signs that are often subtle or easy to overlook? In many cases, early-stage multiple myeloma may cause no noticeable symptoms.

If symptoms do appear, they can be mild and may seem unrelated at first. That’s why paying attention to changes in your health and talking with a healthcare provider is important. Learn about the possible signs to watch for.

03/22/2026

Colorectal cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms, which means it can go undetected. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain

• Changes in bowel habits

Sometimes, symptoms may not appear until the cancer has already advanced. That’s why regular screening is so important. Screening is recommended starting at age 45.

You may benefit from starting screening earlier or discussing additional screening options with your healthcare provider if you have:

• A family history of colorectal cancer

• Obesity

• Type 2 diabetes

• A history of smoking

• Heavy alcohol use

• Increasing age

Talk with your healthcare provider about the screening plan that’s right for you, and share this information with family and friends.

03/20/2026

Meet A'Jamal-Rashad Byndon! Clinical Trials Community Scientist at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. For A’Jamal-Rashad, supporting cancer research and equitable care, especially for underserved communities, is personal and purposeful. A colon cancer survivor, he also joined a clinical trial as part of his treatment.

A’Jamal‑Rashad has lived in Nebraska all his life and grew up in a family of 14. Throughout his career, he has focused on social justice and reducing poverty, working to connect underserved communities with the resources they need to succeed.

Today, he brings this commitment to his work as a Clinical Trials Community Scientist. A’Jamal‑Rashad helps research teams understand what communities need and care about. He also works to ensure clinical trial information is clear, culturally respectful, and accessible — helping more people feel informed, included, and empowered to participate in research.

A’Jamal‑Rashad is helping make cancer care and research accessible for all.

03/19/2026

This National Nutrition Month, focus on fueling your body with regular, balanced meals and snacks. Healthy snacking with protein and produce is a simple way to boost your metabolism and support better weight management. Planning ahead with easy meal prep can also help you stay on track and avoid the downsides of skipping meals.

03/18/2026

Exciting News from the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center! We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kathleen Moore as Deputy Director of the Cancer Center. She will also serve as Director of Phase 1 Oncology Trials, leading expansion and access to innovative early-phase studies and accelerating the development of new cancer therapies for patients.
Read the full story: https://go.unmc.edu/kathleen-moore-deputy-director

Dr. Moore, a leader in gynecologic oncology, also will serve as director of Phase 1 oncology trials with the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

03/17/2026

March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month 🧡. It’s a good time to learn about kidney cancer and the risk factors that can affect you.

Kidney cancer often does not cause symptoms until the tumor is large. Many people find out they have kidney cancer by accident during scans for other issues, like kidney stones or back pain.

Understanding your risk and taking steps to protect your health can help. Lifestyle choices and family history can increase your risk for kidney cancer. If you fall into the high-risk category, talk to your doctor about how to lower your risk and keep your kidneys healthy.

03/16/2026

Grace Waldron never expected that competing in pageants and pursuing a PhD in cancer research would have much in common, but as the 2025 Miss Nebraska and second-year student in the UNMC Cancer Research Doctoral Program, she's become a familiar face in both worlds.

Grace inspires young girls to pursue science and claim their place in spaces where innovation and leadership happen. Her research focuses on how prostate cancer cells grow and adapt in other organs of the body — work that could one day lead to better treatments for patients.

03/13/2026

During Patient Safety Week, we want to highlight how important it is to protect patients at every stage of their care, including when they take part in clinical trials. These trials are essential for developing new treatments while keeping patients safe, which is always our top priority.

Before any clinical trial begins, it undergoes a rigorous review process to ensure safety. Throughout the study, several safeguards are in place to protect participants.

Today, we are sharing common misconceptions about clinical trials and the facts behind them—because understanding the truth can help you make informed decisions.

03/11/2026

Learn about available cancer screening options and how early detection can help protect your health.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know your screening options? Learn more about the guidelines below and get advice from our experts here: https://bit.ly/3Fa9E0k.

03/10/2026

Reducing Red & Processed Meat Intake – Health experts recommend limiting red meat intake to about 12–18 ounces of cooked meat per week as part of a healthy diet. Understanding the reason behind this guidance can help you make informed food choices.

• Red meat contains a compound called heme, which can break down in the digestive tract and form N-nitroso chemicals. These chemicals have been shown to damage the cells that line the bowel.

• Processed meats—such as bacon, sausages, and deli meats—can produce similar compounds during digestion. In addition, they often contain nitrate and nitrite preservatives, which may further contribute to the formation of these potentially harmful substances.

Being aware of these factors can help you make balanced dietary choices, such as incorporating more plant-based proteins, poultry, fish, beans, and lentils into your meals.