June is Cancer Survivor Month. According to the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), more than 16.9 million people in the United States are cancer survivors who are living with, through, and beyond their disease. Cancer survivorship is increasing as preventive screenings and modern treatments become readily available in most communities.

Measuring progress is in our nature. As cancer researchers, we have a passion to make treatments better for patients. As radiation oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists, medical physicists and dosimetrists, we have a passion to create the best treatment plan customized for each patient.
With 15 years of experience, we continue to build on our expertise, excellence and high-quality standards that will continue to lead to new discoveries and improve cancer treatment for patients.
Whether patients are from the local Jacksonville community or beyond, they have the peace of mind knowing the care they receive is customized to meet their needs and follows enhanced COVID-related safety measures.
Some of the most effective cancer interventions developed in the modern age are prevention and early detection screening. Mammograms, PSA blood screening, and colonoscopies each have a role in improving survival rates for the most common cancers – breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer, respectively.

Nancy Price Mendenhall, MD, FACR, FASTRO

A University of Florida College of Medicine faculty member since 1985, Dr. Mendenhall served as the chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology from 1993-2006. She has more than 20 years of experience and specializes in the areas of breast cancer, Hodgkin disease, lymphomas and pediatric cancers.

The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute Welcomes Dr. Lucas Gomes Sapienza to its Physician Team

Dr. Sapienza Will Treat Gynecological, Breast and Prostate Cancers  

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 12, 2025) – The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute announces Lucas Gomes Sapienza, MD, PhD, is now on its physician team, specializing in advanced radiation techniques including image-guided adaptive brachytherapy, proton beam therapy and radiosurgery for treatment of gynecological cancers, breast cancer and prostate cancer. He is also Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Florida.

Catch up on the news and developments at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute.
  • Michael Vieceli Matched with UF Health
  • Lymphoma Survivorship Education Event Held in April
  • Breast Cancer Survivor Pam Reckner Makes USA World Team