VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

02/23/2026

New research from , published this week in JAMA Network Open, highlights a sobering reality: neighborhood factors tied to financial stress are directly linked to worse outcomes for breast cancer survivors.

Led by Joseph Boyle, PhD, and Bernard Fuemmeler, PhD, MPH, the study used machine learning to sift through over 5,500 neighborhood variables.

The common thread? Financial toxicity. A cancer diagnosis often brings job loss and mounting bills, and for those already living in high-stress environments, these burdens can become insurmountable barriers to care.

Get the full story: https://bit.ly/3MLMbXg

New research published this week in JAMA Network Open connects multiple residential factors generally associated with financial strain, such as high housing costs and crowded households, to worse overall outcomes among breast cancer survivors. Led by investigators at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer....

02/23/2026

02/20/2026

Ready to RAMble for a cause? 👟💛

Lace up your sneakers and join Team Massey for one of ’s favorite traditions! We’re heading back to the streets for the RAMble Walk 5K.

Whether you’re walking in honor of a loved one or running to support groundbreaking cancer research, every step you take helps move the needle for our patients and community.

Event Details:
👟 Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ Time: 8:30 AM

👣 Location: Monroe Park

✍️ Register https://bit.ly/4aHElGh

02/19/2026

A huge thank you to the Virginia General Assembly Pages 🏛️ who visited us today to deliver 240 hand-assembled comfort kits for our patients in active treatment.

It is inspiring to see these young leaders from across the Commonwealth dedicated to supporting our community and making a tangible difference in the patient experience. Thank you for your hard work and your heart for service! 💛 🖤

02/19/2026

In this special recipe edition of , we’re serving up a Tofu Veggie Stirfry that’s a total game-changer for your plate! We combine fiber-packed broccoli and bok choy with protein-rich tofu.

The result? A fiber-filled powerhouse of a meal! 💪 The best part is that soy isoflavones and fiber filled veggies may help decrease cancer risk, while the phytochemicals in the greens provide an extra boost of protection.

Serve it warm with white or brown rice for a complete, satisfying dish that loves your body back.

02/19/2026

One day she heard "cancer." The next day, "heart failure."

Imagine being a new mom and hearing the word “cancer,” only to find out 24 hours later that your heart is in failure, functioning at just 30%. This was Sam Edall’s reality.

This , we’re highlighting the critical intersection of cardiac health and cancer care. For Sam, "standard care" wasn't an option. She needed a specialized team to protect her heart while aggressively attacking her cancer. 🧬💓

Through our Cardio-Oncology partnership with the VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, Sam didn't have to choose between her heart and her life. Today, she is cancer-free, her heart is healing, and she’s back to chasing her toddler.

🔗 Read Sam’s full story here https://www.masseycancercenter.org/news/a-mothers-unimaginable-diagnosis-is-tackled-with-help-from-vcu-massey-comprehensive-cancer-center/

02/17/2026

We honored to welcome Dr. B. Cameron Webb, the newly appointed State Health Commissioner for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), to our next Facts & Faith Fridays session.

As a physician and lawyer with deep roots in health policy, Dr. Webb is a leading voice in the effort to improve health outcomes across the Commonwealth. He will join Rev. Rachel for a vital dialogue on “Advancing Health for All Virginians,” discussing the current state of public health and the collaborative steps needed to ensure every community has the opportunity to thrive.

📅 Date: Friday, February 20, 2026
🕒 Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
💻 Location: Online (Zoom)

🔗 Register to join the conversation: https://bit.ly/4aAshGH

02/16/2026

This Black History Month, we aren’t just looking to the past, we’re highlighting the giants who are moving the needle right now! As guest editor for The Cancer Letter, our own Dr. Rob Winn is facilitating vital conversations about the intersection of heritage, science, and health equity.

In this special feature, Dr. Winn sits down with Dr. Funmi Olopade, a MacArthur "Genius Grant" recipient whose Yoruba culture and Nigerian upbringing shaped her world-class career in genetics.

Check it out!

When Olufunmilayo I. “Funmi” Olopade was born, the most common Nigerian career aspirations were pastor or teacher. Olopade’s father, a pastor, thought differently. He wanted his children to be scientists, economists, and doctors.  As the fifth of six children, Olopade was her parents’ “on...

02/13/2026

When Regina Boone was a pediatric patient at Massey, she successfully fought ovarian cancer. Decades later, as an award-winning photojournalist, she found herself back in the fight against cancer, this time alongside her mother, Jean Boone.

In our latest Buddy Check 6 segment with WTVR CBS 6 News, the Boones share a vulnerable look at their dual breast cancer battles.

A mother and daughter who founded and work at the Richmond Free Press have both battled breast cancer while learning the importance of stepping away from demanding careers to heal.

02/12/2026

In a breakthrough for precision medicine, researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered that a drug already FDA-approved for irregular heartbeats could be the key to stopping aggressive lymphoma.

Led by Ronald Gartenhaus, M.D., and Bandish Kapadia, Ph.D., the team found that the medication (RBF4) selectively targets a specific enzyme called USP11. By blocking this "scaffolding" protein, they can kill cancer cells and reduce tumor growth with little to no toxicity to healthy tissue.

🔗 Read the full story on this innovative discovery:

A team of researchers at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center discovered an innovative way to use a drug already approved in treating irregular heartbeat to selectively target specific functions of enzymes in lymphoma, effectively killing cancer cells and reducing tumor growth with little to no to...

02/12/2026

ICYMI: Katherine Y. Tossas, PhD, MS, had been selected for the prestigious National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's "New Voices" 2026-28 cohort: https://www.masseycancercenter.org/news/2026/katherine-tossas-phd-ms-named-to-national-academies-new-voices-program-for-emerging-leaders-2026-cohort/

Dr. Tossas, who serves as the Director of Catchment Area Data Analytics (CADA) and Associate Co-Director of Global Oncology at Massey, is one of only 20 mid-career leaders chosen nationwide. She is the first-ever Massey member to join this elite group of scientists and medical professionals tasked with addressing the world’s most complex challenges.

In this role, Dr. Tossas will bring the lived experiences of underserved communities to the national stage. Her work bridges the gap between high-level data and real-world impact, ensuring that health solutions are rigorous, responsive, and equitable for all.

Katherine Y. Tossas, Ph.D., M.S., director of Catchment Area Data Analytics (CADA) and associate co-director of global oncology at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, is one of 20 mid-career scientists, engineers and medical professionals selected to the 2026-28 cohort of the National Academies....

02/10/2026

At Massey clinical trials aren't an afterthought; they are the frontline of treatment. Every modern medicine and surgical procedure used today exists because it was first proven effective in a clinical trial.

Following our . ethos, we are expanding this reach across Virginia, from rural Tappahannock to the streets of Richmond via our "Massey on the Move" unit. By focusing on community-informed design, we ensure that life-saving innovations are accessible to all, not just a few.

How do we turn "bench science" into a cure? By ensuring no community is left behind.

🔗 Read how Massey is leading the way: https://bit.ly/4rbFCMX

At VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and VCU Health, clinical trials serve as the critical link between scientific discovery and patient care.