Cancer Institute

Main Content

In the News

The Singhs’ research efforts have produced more than a hundred publications and over $15 million in grant funding, mostly from the National Cancer Institute. They also secured multiple patents and co-founded a start-up company, Tatva Biosciences, to commercialize their lab findings.

Couple’s dynamic partnership advances cancer research, addresses health disparities

Monday, February 3, 2025

Drs. Ajay and Seema Singh’s curiosity and determination have led them on an extraordinary path in cancer research. Read More

The new five-story, 250,000+ square foot facility will offer advanced care, groundbreaking research and a welcoming space to enhance patient care and access.

Mississippi couple commits $25 million gift to benefit UMMC cancer care, research

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

John and Sandy Black’s generous $25 million commitment, the largest gift in UMMC’s history, will enhance the Medical Center’s efforts to address the pressing cancer care challenges in Mississippi, which has the highest cancer mortality rate in the country. Read More

Dr. Ajay Singh, professor of cell and molecular biology and associate director of basic and translational research at CCRI, and Dr. Shashi Anand, instructor, are testing the biochemical changes that occur in cancer cells when exposed to different types of growth environments.

Cancer Center and Research Institute secures $1.4 million grant for prostate cancer research

The University of Mississippi Medical Center Cancer Center and Research Institute received a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to examine the biological factors contributing to prostate cancer and racial disparities in outcomes. The significant funding will help to uncover mechanisms behind the disease’s progression and therapeutic resistance, while paving the way for more effective and equitable treatment options.

Published on Monday, December 30, 2024

 Patrick Harrington advocates for cancer awareness and smoking cessation following his own health experiences and free lung cancer screening at the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute.

UMMC offers screenings to detect early stage lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, impacting both men and women. In Mississippi, the early diagnosis rate is only 26.4%, underscoring the urgent need for increased awareness and prevention initiatives.

Published on Monday, November 4, 2024

 Dr. Rojymon Jacob was appointed chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology in 2024.

Passion to care, mentor guides career of new radiation oncology chair

As the new chair of radiation oncology, Dr. Rojymon Jacob brings over three decades of expertise to the role. Known for his experience in advancing cancer care, Jacob aims to elevate UMMC’s oncology program to new heights.

Published on Monday, October 14, 2024

 Dr. Pierre de Delva, right, UMMC division chief of General Thoracic Surgery and chair of the Mississippi Lung Cancer Roundtable, and Dr. Jonathan Hontzas, assistant professor in the School of Population Health and director of the ACT Center and Lung Cancer Screening Program at UMMC, view a low-dose CT scan, the only proven lung cancer screening tool.

UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute’s lung cancer screening program secures $1.8 million grant

The UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute received a grant that focuses on improving lung cancer screening rates in Mississippi. The initiative will provide funds over four years.

Published on Monday, September 30, 2024

 Cytologist Mirna Vargas screens a cervical PAP smear in the microscope for abnormal cells during the April screening event.

See, Test and Treat event in Holmes County offers free screening

Published on Monday, July 22, 2024

 Cytotechnician Camrell Williams processes cervical cytology specimens in the Cytology Laboratory at UMMC.

Dozens screened at See, Test and Treat event

Published on Monday, April 8, 2024

 Georgia Pritchard of Sturgis in a follow-up visit has a conversation with Dr. Omar Chohan, associate professor of neurosurgery, after receiving laser interstitial thermal therapy for her persistent brain tumor.

Laser therapy restores hope to patients with persistent brain tumors

Published on Monday, March 18, 2024

 Dr. Keli Xu, associate professor for the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, conducts research on pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. Here, he examines mammogram tissue using various models.

UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute to seek national designation

Published on Monday, January 29, 2024

 Kennedi Jackson gets a kiss from mom Kashanta Jackson as dad Tyrone Jackson looks on.

Gene therapy offers hope for sickle cell patients

Published on Monday, January 22, 2024

 Dr. Jeanette Pullen and Suzan Thames smile under a rainbow mural after the opening of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in this UMMC file photo.

Early supporter of Children’s cancer center makes $1M donation toward renovations

Published on Monday, July 17, 2023

 Dr. Rodney Rocconi’s childhood familial experiences with cancer, coupled with his life’s work in cancer research has come full circle through his position as director for the CCRI. His ultimate vision is to obtain National Cancer Institute designation for the cancer center.

Dr. Rodney Rocconi: Ole Miss alumnus returns home to lead call to arms to improve cancer care

Published on Monday, July 10, 2023

 Children's of Mississippi nurse practitioner Hannah Jordan checks patient Kenson Young of Quitman, the first patient to be treated in the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders' temporary location in Wiser Hospital for Women and Infants.

Pediatric cancer, blood treatments move temporarily to Wiser to make room for renovations

Published on Monday, April 3, 2023

 Nykeria Mcdougle, a cytotechnician in the cytology lab at UMMC, prepares patient specimen for testing as part of the See, Test & Treat event at the Jackson Medical Mall.

See, Test & Treat: Powerful preventative and educational tool to combat cancer

Published on Monday, March 27, 2023

 The renovated waiting area of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders is shown in this architectural rendering from CDFL.

Significant renovations coming for Children’s of Mississippi’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Published on Thursday, November 3, 2022

 Dr. Shannon Orr, associate professor of surgery, examines the incision of Moss Point resident Geremias Lux Pu before discharging him following his Oct 20 abdominal intraoperative radiation therapy, or IORT, procedure.

IORT surgery: Eliminate cancer, spare healthy tissue

Published on Monday, October 31, 2022

 Dr. Scott Berry, chief of breast surgery and surgical director of the Comprehensive Breast Center, shows his commitment to patients by taking part in Real Men Wear Pink.

Front and Center: Scott Berry

Published on Monday, October 3, 2022

 Oral Surgery resident Dr. Matthew Russ gives an oral health screening to patient Michelle Wilson during the See, Test and Treat event held at the Jackson Medical Mall.

See, Test and Treat provides free cancer screenings for 60 women

Published on Monday, August 22, 2022

 Dr. Anderson Collier, D. Jeanette Pullen Chair of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at UMMC, division chief and director of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children's of Mississippi, thanks Melissa and Phil Hanberry for the Giving Grace Fund's donation toward renovations of the center.

Hanberry family ‘Giving Grace’ by matching gifts to Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Published on Monday, August 8, 2022

 Tomeka Harps of Brandon, whose cancer was discovered at the 2017 See, Test and Treat congratulates a group of women for coming and offers encouragement. "There's no need to worry at all." Wearing a T-shirt a friend designed, she carries out its words, "Cancer Picked the Wrong Diva" with her ongoing campaign to get women to be screened.

Cervical or breast cancer? See, Test and Treat!

Published on Monday, July 25, 2022

 Medical student Jessica McKenzie, left, shadows Dr. Mildred Ridgway, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, during a surgical procedure at Wiser Hospital.

Internship “opens eyes” of students to the disease that racked their families

Published on Monday, July 11, 2022

 Darrell Freeman, center, details recovery from his HIPEC surgery following an exam by his surgeon, Dr. Shannon Orr. With Freeman is his fiancée, Tonya Johnson.

Rarely used procedure promising tool for patients with abdominal cancer

Published on Monday, June 13, 2022

 UMMC nurses, orthopaedic surgery resident reap honors

UMMC nurses, orthopaedic surgery resident reap honors

Published on Monday, May 23, 2022

 Medical Center schools, faculty, staff shine

Medical Center schools, faculty, staff shine

Published on Monday, May 9, 2022