Welcome to Community Conversations, a podcast hosted by Community Clovia, where real talk meets real impact. Join regular guest Dr. Robert Winn, director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and special guest Jennifer Pegher from the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI), as they explore how AACI’s work is transforming cancer care across the country. From improving cancer screening and prevention to advancing treatment and advocacy, each episode dives into the stories, science, and strategies that are changing lives. Whether you're a patient, provider, or passionate about public health, this show brings the cancer conversation to your community.

This interview originally aired in June 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Clinical trials are not experimental. They are an extension of the standard of care and personalized for the individual.

Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Community Clovia welcomed cancer survivor and Massey Cancer Champion Mary Simmons to share her journey. Simmons speaks passionately about how clinical trials at Massey saved her life after a diagnosis of acute lymphoma leukemia gave her only two weeks to live. Dr. Winn, Community Clo and Simmons then talk about her advocacy for clinical trials as an extension of standard care and dispel the myth that clinical trials are experimental.

This interview originally aired in April 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Cancer prevention and screenings are widely available and contribute the reduction in cancer deaths that we're seeing.

Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Community Clovia are joined by Dr. Electra Paskett, Chair of Cancer Prevention at Ohio State University to discuss the importance of cancer screenings and prevention. Dr. Paskett explains the widespread availability of cancer screenings and the data behind why screenings and cancer prevention are contributing to the reduction in cancer deaths. Then the conversation touches on the importance of community engagement to get more involved in cancer prevention and screenings.

This interview originally aired in March 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Disparities in cancer cases, detection, prevention, and healthcare are still prevalent among African-American communities.

Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Community Clovia look into cancer disparities and dispelling the myths around healthcare on this episode of Real Cancer Talk: Community Conversations. Dr. Winn and Community Clo first dive into the disparities that have existed in cancer care, but also the progress made in the last three decades. Later Dr. Winn tackles some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding clinical trials, cancer screenings and prevention.

This interview originally aired in February 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Dr. Robert Winn is joined by Dr. Brian Rivers, director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, for a special edition of Real Cancer Talk in a series for Black History Month with The Cancer History Project podcast. In this episode, Dr. Rivers dives into why he got involved in cancer research, including the discovery of his family’s health history which led him down his path of research. Dr. Rivers later discusses what drew him back to his home in Atlanta and his work at Morehouse, one of four historically black medical schools in the country. Finally, Dr. Winn asks Dr. Rivers what keeps him up at night.

This interview originally aired in February 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

On this edition of Real Cancer Talk: Facts and Faith Fridays, Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Arnethea Sutton are joined by Dr. David Turner, Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement at VCU Massey, to talk about what you don’t know about your AGE! Dr. Turner explains the way people live their lives influences their chances of getting cancer and how a healthy lifestyle can prevent a cancer diagnosis in the first place. The conversation zeroes in on food, not just what you, but how you cook them and leaving people with helpful tips to become AGE aware.

This interview originally aired in February 2025.

Facts & Faith Fridays is a partnership between VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and the African American faith-based community. Led by community leaders, Rudene Mercer Haynes, Rev. F. Todd Gray, and Robert A. Winn, M.D., the program was founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Facts & Faith Fridays recognizes that faith leaders are trusted sources of accurate information and act as ambassadors for their communities.

Facts and Faith Fridays Website: https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays/

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Virginia's fight against cancer has support in government, being led by members of the Cancer Caucus.

Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Community Clovia welcomed State Delegate Delores McQuinn to discuss Virginia’s fight against cancer on this episode of Real Cancer Talk: Community Conversations. McQuinn talks about support in the government for the fight against cancer being led by members of the Cancer Caucus. Then McQuinn explains why people should pay attention to the General Assembly when it comes to their health.

This interview originally aired in January 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

HPV vaccination is a crucial tool in preventing cancers among adolescents and young adults. This episode aims to educate listeners on the importance of vaccination, debunk myths, and promote the benefits of modern vaccines.

This interview originally aired in September 2024.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.