Shaping cancer center priorities through Community Advisory Board collaboration

The Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team at University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center collaborated with its Community Advisory Board (CAB) to determine research priorities for the Holden Cancer Center to reduce the burden of cancer in the state of Iowa. To determine priorities, the CAB participated in small- and whole-group conversations, and took online surveys to decide what was most important for Holden Cancer Center to consider. CAB members felt the top priorities for Holden Cancer Center should be barriers patients face to cancer screening or treatment; cancers that can be prevented; and health equity. As the CAB represents the communities served by Holden Cancer Center, involving the CAB in this process ensured the priorities of the cancer center aligned with the needs of the community. Other cancer centers can follow a similar process with their CABs to develop priorities aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in their communities.