Host: Kermit G. Payne

Guest: Leanne Woods-Burnham, PhD

In this episode of the LifeBeat Podcast, host Kermit G. Payne sits down with Dr. Leanne Woods-Burnham, a leading researcher in prostate cancer health disparities. Together, they unpack why African American men face the highest rates of prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Dr. Woods-Burnham shares the groundbreaking research behind these disparities, the lack of representation in clinical trials, and how her work is uncovering the genetic, social, and systemic factors at play.From the lab to the community, this conversation highlights the urgent need for equity in cancer research and the fight to save Black men’s lives.

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00:00 - Introduction02:04 - Dr. Woods-Burnham's Journey and Commitment to Health Equity03:17 - Understanding Prostate Cancer in Black Men06:24 - The Biology of Cancer and Genetic Links09:00 - Challenges in Genetic Research and Ancestry12:09 - The Importance of Diversity in Biospecimens13:23 - A Day in the Life of a Translational Scientist15:49 - Experiences in West Africa and Collaborative Potential18:11 - The Need for Diverse Cell Lines in Research22:21 - Community Programs and Prostate Cancer Screening23:55 - Final Thoughts and Advice for Future Generations