Masonic Cancer Alliance

Masonic Cancer Alliance, the outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, is a membership-based organization that partners with cancer research, care and support professionals to advance the quality and accessibility of cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship in the Heartland.

As the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in the region, with a catchment area encompassing the entire state of Kansas and western Missouri, The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s goal is to build a deep understanding of the cancer issues faced by those we serve and respond with tailored solutions. Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) is a key partner in this mission to address these specific population-based needs.

One unique characteristic of The University of Kansas Cancer Center’s catchment area is its size of rural inhabitants. About 26% of Kansans live in rural areas, compared to the U.S. average of 19%. People in rural areas are diagnosed with cancer less often but die from it at higher rates. This is in part due to distance to care and lack of access to screenings and other prevention methods. 

MCA collaborates with The University of Kansas Cancer Center to offer MCA clinical research partners access to advanced clinical trials. This is an integral component to reducing cancer disparities. A study of nearly 37,000 participants found that urban and rural cancer patients had similar survival outcomes when they were enrolled in a clinical trial.

A mobile application developed by KU Cancer Center makes it easier for physicians to find clinical trial opportunities for their patients. Learn more. 

Each year, MCA hosts several cancer screening events throughout the region. Services at these events such as skin cancer checks, prostate cancer screenings and colon cancer screening kits are offered at no charge to the public. Since 2008, more than 20,000 individuals have attended an MCA screening. On average, 10 to 20% of individuals screened each year are referred to a physician due to abnormal findings. The program now includes screenings delivered through MCA's mobile medical unit, expanding access for rural and underserved communities. The bus includes a mammogram room, exam space, a screening and dressing area, a medical refrigerator, a bathroom and a phlebotomy station.

The Kansas Patients and Providers Engaged in Prevention Research (KPPEPR) network is a practice-based research network of patients, clinicians, primary care practices, hospitals and public health organizations located in geographically diverse communities across rural Kansas. The mission of KPPEPR is to conduct collaborative, interdisciplinary community-based research to promote the health of Kansans and enhance primary care practice.

KPPEPR accelerates the movement of scientific discoveries into practical applications that benefit patients, communities and the healthcare system. KPPEPR research focuses on promoting health through prevention, behavior change, early diagnosis and treatment. This network of more than 75 primary care practices expands our ability to conduct trials and implementation research focused at the level of the primary care practitioner.

KPPEPR is one of the first-of-its-kind networks in the nation to build research partnerships between clinicians, patients, public health professionals and academic researchers.

Annually, MCA provides more than 2,000 continuing education credits on average to nurses, doctors, social workers and registrars. The MCA is committed to bringing the latest information on cancer research and care to its members. Various events are available in person or via teleconferencing so that healthcare professionals can stay close to home, near their families and patients.

The Masonic Cancer Alliance’s Partners Advisory Board purpose is to assist with the pursuit and maintenance of The University of Kansas Cancer Center's National Cancer Institute designation by demonstrating research and education collaboration among key hospitals and research institutions for the benefit of the region. The MCA Partners Advisory Board serves in an advisory capacity to the director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center and CEO of the Masonic Cancer Alliance, Roy Jensen, MD, and executive director of the Masonic Cancer Alliance, Hope Krebill.

For more than 10 years, MCA’s Partners Advisory Board members have championed collaborative research and provided substantial financial support for new research initiatives. New research projects initiated by Children’s Mercy Kansas City via the MCA Partners Advisory Board since 2010 are excellent examples of these efforts. These studies have ranged from studying tumors to understanding the needs of adult survivors of pediatric cancers. The MCA Partners Advisory Board is committed to advancing research and clinical trial access across the Heartland.