Public health majors take first place at 2025 Cancer Research Symposium
Public health majors take first place at 2025 Cancer Research Symposium
Georgia College & State University students Janvi Desai and Asia Pearson earned first place at the 2025 Cancer Research Symposium last month with their poster presentation titled, “Factors Influencing Screening Behavior Among Black Women in Georgia.”
Desai and Pearson – both public health majors co-mentored by faculty members Dr. Damian Francis and Dr. Ernie Kaninjing – competed among undergraduate students from across the Southeast, showcasing original cancer research with an emphasis on health equity. Their winning project explored how provider communication, cultural beliefs and family history affect breast and cervical cancer screening behaviors among Black women in Georgia.
The student researchers surveyed women aged 21 to 74 and examined how factors such as stigma, misconceptions and family history awareness shape screening intentions. Their analysis revealed that clear provider communication was strongly linked to higher screening intent, while women without a family history of cancer often underestimated their personal risk.
The findings highlight the need for culturally tailored health messaging and stronger patient-provider communication to reduce disparities in cancer outcomes.
“This project showed us how important it is to really listen to communities,” said Desai. “Research isn’t just number – it’s about people’s lives.”
“Winning first place was exciting, but what matters most is that our work can help break down barriers and encourage more women to take charge of their health,” Pearson said.
The recognition not only celebrates the students’ academic excellence but also underscores Georgia College’s growing role in advancing cancer health equity research through innovative student-driven projects.
Held July 22-23 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta SW hotel in Peachtree City, the symposium was hosted by partners the Morehouse School of Medicine, Tuskegee University and the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama-Birmingham.