Cancer Burden Across Indiana Symposium

The 2026 Cancer Burden Across Indiana Symposium, held on June 16, brought together 120 researchers, clinicians, trainees, staff, administrators, and community members to explore how scientific discovery, clinical practice, and community engagement can work together to improve cancer outcomes across Indiana.

Centered on the theme "Connecting Molecular Mechanisms to Treatment, Care, and Community," the symposium highlighted how discoveries move from the laboratory to patient care and ultimately into communities across Indiana.

The day began with a trainee breakfast roundtable featuring Janet Panoch, PhD, and community research advocates, Spencer Medcalf and Sandra Biven. Through small-group discussions, trainees explored career pathways, balancing research with community engagement, and strategies for getting started in cancer research.

Following the roundtables, John Allen, PharmD, presented the keynote address, “From Cancer Burden to Supportive Cancer Care: Antidepressant Use, Social Context, and Pathways to Better Outcomes.” His presentation highlighted the critical role of supportive care, mental health, and social context in shaping treatment experiences and improving patient outcomes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to cancer care. Allen is a cancer center member with appointments at IU and Purdue University.

The morning plenary session explored how research, clinical practice and community engagement intersect to improve cancer outcomes across the cancer continuum. Throughout the day, attendees also engaged with 20 research posters, creating opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and networking among investigators, clinicians, trainees and community partners.

The afternoon plenary session reinforced the symposium's central theme by demonstrating how laboratory discoveries can ultimately translate into improved patient care and community health. Participants also connected with representatives from the cancer center's Office of Community Outreach and Engagement to learn about community initiatives and opportunities for involvement.

To help reduce barriers to participation, seven travel awards were provided to presenters traveling more than 30 miles, supporting attendance from trainees and researchers across Indiana. The symposium welcomed participants from institutions throughout the state, including IU Indianapolis, IU Bloomington, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, and Indiana State University.

"I met so many people [at the symposium],” Panoch said. “One medical student asked if he could work with me—he works mostly in labs but wants to experience more on the outcomes side of research. Several people are joining the IU Shared Decision-Making Collaborative, including a dementia researcher and a professor in genetic counseling who is inviting her whole team to join. I've had meeting requests to discuss the creation of both a patient-powered registry for a rare disease and a patient decision aid."

The symposium was supported by IU Research, IU Foundation Black Philanthropy Circle, and the IU Foundation Women's Philanthropy Leadership Council.