VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

10/09/2026

"Patients that are dealing with cancer deserve that added chance in life, and I see myself, with my training, in a unique position to be that person for them."

Gevick Safarians, a third-year MD, PhD student at the VCU School of Medicine and T32 trainee, is using microfluidic chips to simulate the complex 3D cellular environments that metastatic prostate cancer cells travel through inside the human body.

Read more about how translational research at Massey is paving the way for next-generation prostate cancer treatments: https://bit.ly/3VER4FQ

Gevick Safarians remembers the conversations. Patients dealing with cancer and other diseases with very poor prognoses, hoping not for years but for months — a little more time to settle their affairs, to figure out who would care for their pets. Those encounters stayed with him.

10/09/2026

Earlier this week, Massey and Pauley Heart Center were honored to welcome global leaders to Williamsburg, Virginia, for the 2026 Global Cardio-Oncology Summit.

As co-hosts of this international gathering, our team was proud to join clinical experts, researchers, and patient advocates from around the world to explore the latest advancements in mitigating cardiovascular risks for cancer survivors.

Thank you to the International Cardio-Oncology Society and every attendee, speaker, and partner who made this year's summit a incredible success. Together, we are helping shape the future of cardio-oncology care.

10/07/2026

"Por favor chéquense, porque si no, le puede costar su vida"

This Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are honoring people and stories that inspire us to prioritize our health.

As a Community Health Worker at VCU Health and a breast cancer patient, Natasha Rivera knows firsthand how critical early detection is. After finding a lump during a self-check, getting screened led to her diagnosis and treatment.

Routine self-exams at home and scheduling your annual mammogram can make all the difference.

Taking action early saves lives. Schedule your screening or learn more about breast health resources here: https://bit.ly/4rSTMUg

10/06/2026

Huge thank you to VCU Volleyball for having us at Friday night’s game! 🏐

We loved spending the evening with Ram Nation and cheering on the team. Partnering with awesome community teammates helps us keep the fight against cancer front and center.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to support the cause! 💛🖤

10/06/2026

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is proud to launch the sixth year of our Seed to Harvest Community Grant Series!

This initiative provides vital funding to local non-profits and community organizations, strengthening their capacity to collaborate directly with Massey researchers and reduce the burden of cancer across Virginia.

By investing in community-led solutions, we are empowering local partners to address needs across the entire cancer continuum, from prevention and screening through survivorship.

Interested organizations can find full application details and learn how to participate: https://www.masseycancercenter.org/news/2026/massey-announces-sixth-year-of-community-grant-initiative/

Virtual informational webinars will take place on October 15.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is excited to announce that the proposal process is underway for the 2027 Community Grant Initiative.

10/03/2026

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, honoring the dedicated experts who spend their lives fighting this disease is especially meaningful.

Dr. Harry Bear first stepped into a VCU research lab as a 14-year-old high school student. Decades later, as a renowned surgical oncologist at Massey, his pioneering research and surgical leadership have transformed outcomes for countless breast cancer patients across our region and beyond.

Driven by a family legacy and a passion for advancing surgical oncology, Dr. Bear is also giving back philanthropically to support the next generation of cancer researchers and surgeons at Massey.

"They've been very instrumental in supporting my career, and I've benefited from philanthropic support for my own research program." — Dr. Harry Bear, surgical oncologist.

Read more about Dr. Bear’s lifelong commitment to breast cancer research, care, and mentorship this October:

Harry Bear, M.D., Ph.D., a surgical oncologist and member of the Developmental Therapeutics research program at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, started working at a VCU transplantation lab when he was just 14 years old. He had a deep interest in science and strong family connections on the M...

10/01/2026

Fall is in the air! And while you enjoy tricks and treats of October, take a moment to remember that this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Regular breast cancer screenings, including annual mammograms, remain the most effective tool for finding breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Knowing your personal risk factors, understanding your family health history, and staying proactive about your routine screenings empower you to take control of your health.

Follow along with us all month long as we share expert screening guidance, patient stories, groundbreaking research updates, and resources to support you and your loved ones.

09/30/2026

As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, Massey is proud to highlight a major milestone: becoming one of only two sites in Virginia offering single-port robotic surgery for localized prostate cancer.

By operating through a single, small incision outside the abdominal cavity, this advanced technique minimizes surgical trauma, reduces scar tissue complications, and helps patients recover faster.

"This is cutting edge in cancer centers around the world, and we're providing this care in Richmond, Virginia." Dr. Alex Kenigsberg, Director of Urologic Oncology.

Read how single-port robotic surgery is expanding treatment options this September and beyond: https://bit.ly/4e8clxU

09/29/2026

We're here, we're not going anywhere... you now know what Massey has to offer."

Prostate cancer incidence in Southeastern and Southside Virginia remains significantly higher than national averages. That’s why Massey brought our experts, researchers, and care teams to South Hill, VA for the Closing the Gap Prostate Cancer Summit.

Because fighting cancer happens when doctors, survivors, and community members stand side by side.

09/28/2026

Every day is a gift, and advancing early detection is essential to making sure patients get more of them.

Following the loss of his wife Angie to Stage 4 ovarian cancer, Henrico resident R.J. Gilson turned his personal grief into purpose by advocating for increased research into early detection. Ovarian cancer remains one of the most challenging diagnoses to detect early, often developing with subtle symptoms that go unnoticed until advanced stages.

VCU Massey oncologist, Dr. Chelsea Salyer, recently spoke with WTVR CBS 6 to discuss why ovarian cancer can be so deadly, what signs to watch for, and how updated prevention guidance can help lower overall risk.

Read the full story from WTVR CBS 6 News:

Angie Gilson was diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2022 and died in September 2024. Her husband, R.J., is now working to fund research into early detection.