Wilson Cancer Symposium Offers Local Providers Leading-Edge Cancer Treatment Education

On March 5, the Wilson Country Club hosted more than 80 attendees for 2026 Wilson Cancer Symposium. Since 2019, this event has offered updates in cancer care to the Wilson community in partnership with Duke Cancer Network. It offers local providers the opportunity to continue their medical education in topics related to cancer prevention and treatment and allows medical professionals caring for the community to interact and discuss how best to apply this knowledge to our patients. This year’s event was hosted by two well-respected community oncologists, Dr. Keith Lerro, a medical oncologist from Regional Medical Oncology Center and Dr. Margaret Metts, a radiation oncologist from Wilson Radiation Oncology.   

The evening of speakers included OB/GYN, Dr. Alexander Almeida who discussed cervical and endometrial cancer. Key takeaways included that while cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, it is largely preventable with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Additionally, Dr. Almeida discussed changes to screening guidelines for cervical cancer including an FDA approved self-collection method that screens for cancer without an in-office Pap smear.  

Dr. Hannah McManus, a medical oncologist at Duke, presented information about various types of prostate cancer. One highlight was the updated imaging recommendations for prostate cancer, including the PSMA PET scan (now offered at Wilson Medical Center). She also discussed the advancements in treatment options for prostate cancer with emphasis on the importance of multidisciplinary care with primary care physicians, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and other specialists.  

Pulmonologist, Dr. Sayeed Hossain delivered an informative presentation on lung cancer. He highlighted that lung cancer continues to be very common and continues to be life-threatening.  However, Dr. Hossain emphasized that outcomes are much better when it is detected and treated early. Screening beginning at age 55 can identify early-stage lung cancers that may be curable with surgery.  Wilson Medical Center, working with the Duke Cancer Network, established a lung nodule clinic to evaluate patients with lung nodules who may require surveillance or intervention. The program has expanded to include Duke lung surgeons, as well as a dedicated individual, called a “lung navigator,” to help lung cancer patients through their treatment.  

Dr. Hossain stressed that because of the strong association between smoking and lung cancer, smoking cessation remains a critical component of prevention and care. Wilson Medical Center offers several supportive resources, including smoking cessation classes, patient navigators, and community support programs such as survivorship groups, to help patients throughout their cancer journey. 

The final speaker of the evening was Tendai Kwaramba, a medical oncologist and physician-researcher at Duke University. Dr. Kwaramba presented data that showed increased incidence of colon cancer diagnoses younger adults. Early-onset cancer—defined as cancer diagnosed between ages 40 and 50—has increased five-fold between 1960 and 1990, with many of these cases involving gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers. 

Interestingly, family history and inherited genetic factors are estimated to account for only about one in six cases of early-onset cancer. This suggests that both lifestyle and environmental exposures play a significant role in the growing incidence of cancer among younger adults.  Of course, additional research is needed to better understand these trends. 

In response to the rising rates of cancer in younger populations, the United States Preventive Services Task Force updated its screening recommendations in 2021.  Now, the starting age for colorectal cancer screening is now age 45, instead of age 50. This change reflects the importance of earlier detection and prevention efforts in younger adults. 

Our local community of providers and other healthcare professionals always look forward to this event.  It’s a wonderful time to exchange ideas and information. We thank our speakers, as well as the Duke Cancer Network, for sharing their expertise. 

Dr. Dixon is an oncologist in Wilson