Community Conversations: The TRUTH Project - Community Power Against Cancer

In this powerful episode of Community Conversations / Black Health Wins, host Miss Community Clovia sits down with Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Katherine Tossas, Associate Co-Director of Global Oncology; and Suzanne Brown of the Chickahominy Tribe—the catalyst behind the TRUTH Project (Trust, Research, Understand, Tell, Heal).

The conversation traces how a hand-drawn map created by local residents of Charles City County—marking cancer diagnoses and deaths in a small neighborhood—sparked a major community–academic partnership. Suzanne’s personal story of losing her mother to nonsmoking lung cancer inspired her to seek answers. Dr. Tossas and the Massey team responded, launching the TRUTH Project to investigate community concerns, conduct water testing, understand cancer perceptions, and build trust where medical mistrust has long existed.

Dr. Winn provides context on cancer disparities affecting Native communities nationwide, underscoring the urgency of prevention, early detection, and culturally informed outreach. The episode highlights how the TRUTH Project has grown beyond its initial research phase: training community health workers, hosting smoking-cessation workshops, expanding to all 11 Virginia tribal nations, and establishing the first Virginia Native Nations Against Cancer Coalition. The team also discusses their national publication on gaps in genetic nondiscrimination protections for Native Americans and what it means for access to cancer care and genomic medicine.

Grounded in grief, activism, and collaboration, this episode showcases how community wisdom, scientific partnership, and long-term commitment are reshaping cancer prevention and care in rural Virginia—and creating a model for tribal communities across the country.

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.