Carmen E. Guerra, M.D., M.S.C.E., F.A.C.P.
Ruth C. and Raymond G. Perelman Professor of Medicine
Attending Physician, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Member, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Attending Physician, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Senior Fellow , Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania
Member, Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania
Founding co-director, UPHS Colorectal Cancer Screening Patient Navigation Program, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Senior Fellow, Center for Health Behavior Research, University of Pennsylvania
Member, Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics
Founding Director, Healthy Woman Program/Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative, University of Pennsylvania Health System
Faculty Search Advisor, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Founding Director, Dr. Edward S. Cooper Leadership Development Program for PSOM faculty, Perelman School of Medicine
Lead Faculty Search Advisor, Perelman School of Medicine
Senior Fellow, Center for Public Health Initiatives
Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine
Founding Associate Director of Community Outreach & Engagement, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania
Affiliate Member, Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation at the Abramson Cancer Center
Director, Center for Community Outreach and Engagement, Abramson Cancer Center
Department: Medicine
Contact information
Abramson Cancer Center
12-107 South Pavilion
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
12-107 South Pavilion
Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Office: (215) 349-5200
Fax: (215) 614-0044
Fax: (215) 614-0044
Publications
Links
Search PubMed for articles
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Hims & Hers Adds Cancer Screening; CMO Shares the Details
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice. Webinar for Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Quality Insights of Delaware and Quality Insights of West Virginia. February 4, 2009 and February 5, 2009.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
"Faith, (Mis)Trust, and COVID-19" Penn Medicine Co-Sponsored Town Hall Targeting Vaccine Hesitancy in Communities of Color. University Joins with Rev. Cean James and Congressman Dwight Evans and the COVID-19 Prevention Network. December 15, 2020.
Becker's Hospital Review: Why Penn Medicine Prioritized Mobile Mammography
Newsweek: Hims & Hers Adds Cancer Screening; CMO Shares the Details
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Medical Interview for CBS news affiliate KYW Channel 3 Philadelphia "Colorectal Cancer Screening and Curcumin for the Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer. Record date 3/2/07. Air date March 27, 2007
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Health Equity Report Card
Medical interview on breast cancer for the Spanish television network Telemundo’s Maria Del Pilar’s “De Todo Un Poco” taped for live on 3/4/04 and aired on Philadelphia’s WWSI Telemundo Channel 62 on 3/8/04 at 6PM. Tape can be viewed at the URL below.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
The Cancer Screening Crisis, KYW Philadelphia, Oct 1, 2022
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Search PubMed for articles
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Hims & Hers Adds Cancer Screening; CMO Shares the Details
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
Preventing Colorectal Cancer in Vulnerable Populations: A Former Harold Amos Scholar Searches for Solutions: A Grantee Story of Carmen E. Guerra, MD, MSCE
The reality of cancer risks - and bacon by Sandy Bauers
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
Increasing Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice. Webinar for Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Quality Insights of Delaware and Quality Insights of West Virginia. February 4, 2009 and February 5, 2009.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
"Faith, (Mis)Trust, and COVID-19" Penn Medicine Co-Sponsored Town Hall Targeting Vaccine Hesitancy in Communities of Color. University Joins with Rev. Cean James and Congressman Dwight Evans and the COVID-19 Prevention Network. December 15, 2020.
Becker's Hospital Review: Why Penn Medicine Prioritized Mobile Mammography
Newsweek: Hims & Hers Adds Cancer Screening; CMO Shares the Details
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Medical Interview for CBS news affiliate KYW Channel 3 Philadelphia "Colorectal Cancer Screening and Curcumin for the Chemoprevention of Colorectal Cancer. Record date 3/2/07. Air date March 27, 2007
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer. October, 2016.
The Reality of Cancer Risk….and Bacon. Interview by Sandy Bauers from the Philadelphia Inquirer. October 30, 2015.
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
National Comprehensive Cancer Network Health Equity Report Card
Medical interview on breast cancer for the Spanish television network Telemundo’s Maria Del Pilar’s “De Todo Un Poco” taped for live on 3/4/04 and aired on Philadelphia’s WWSI Telemundo Channel 62 on 3/8/04 at 6PM. Tape can be viewed at the URL below.
American Board of Internal Medicine Blog, Apr 6, 2018.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
A Primary Care Physician Explores Barriers to Cancer Prevention and Clinical Trial Accrual. ASCO Post. Oct 20, 2020.
The Cancer Screening Crisis, KYW Philadelphia, Oct 1, 2022
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Education
B.A. (Psychobiology)
New York University, 1989.
M.D. (Medicine)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1993.
M.S.C.E. (Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2006.
Permanent linkB.A. (Psychobiology)
New York University, 1989.
M.D. (Medicine)
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 1993.
M.S.C.E. (Epidemiology)
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 2006.
Description of Research Expertise
Health disparitiesBarriers to accessing cancer screening
Barriers to accessing clinical trials
Colorectal cancer screening
Breast cancer screening
Health literacy
Participation in Cancer Clinical Trials by Underserved Populations
Description of Clinical Expertise
Cancer Screening and PreventionWomen's Health
Disease Prevention
Description of Other Expertise
Student, Trainee and Faculty Diversity and InclusionSelected Publications
Santaniello AE, Patel H, Milinski S, Balachandran M, Nguyen V, Wileyto EP, Vonderheide RH, Dornsife D, Johnson RG, Guerra CE.: Feasibility and Acceptability of Automated Texts to Offer, Screen, and Enroll Patients in a Cancer Clinical Trial Financial Reimbursement Program: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Form Res 10: e78916, July 2026.Maillie M, Sisk M, Coghill A, Van Bibber N, Guerra C, MD, Aboulafia DM, Atkinson TM, Velazquez V, Barta Sk: Geospatial Access to CAR-T Clinical Trials for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the U.S. for Persons with HIV. JAMA Network Open 9(5): e2614265, May 2026.
Wolf AMD; Hoffman R, Walter LC, Zeigler-Johnson C, Church TR, Guerra CE, Elkin EB, Etzioni R, Herzig A, Oeffinger KC, Perkins RB, Raoof S, Shih YT, Skates SJ, Kratzer TB, Manassaram-Baptiste D, Smith RA.: Colorectal Cancer Screening: An Update to the American Cancer Society Guideline, 2026 CA Cancer J Clin 76(3): e70083, May-June 2026.
De Jesus E, Woo S, Krouse RS, Guerra CE, Rendle KA, Cadet T, Allison KC, Tchou J.: A Community Based Participatory Research Approach to Evaluate Barriers and Facilitators for Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention Implementation in a Predominantly Black Community. Accepted for publication. Supportive Care in Cancer 34(4): 406, Apr 2026.
Sieren JC, Newell JD Jr, Guerra CE, Hoffman RM: Applying artificial intelligence to ensure high quality and equitable lung cancer screening Transl Lung Cancer Res 15(5): 148, Apr 2026.
Mitch Leslie: More Questions Than Answers in Trial of GRAIL’s Galleri. Cancer Discov Mar 2026 Notes: https://doi.org/10.1158/2159-8290.CD-NW2026-0025.
Zeballos Torrez CR, Tierradentro-Garcia LO, MD, Wileyto EP, Edmonds CE, Verderame E, Miller D, King A, DO, Guerra CE.: Sociodemographic Factors of Hispanic/Latina Women Attending Screening Mammography Before and After Federal Immigration Policy Changes. Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos. University of Texas San Antonio Advancing the Science of Cancer in Latinos conference proceedings, Feb 2026.
Alexis Kayser: Hims & Hers Adds Cancer Screening; CMO Shares the Details. Newsweek Feb 2026 Notes: https://www.newsweek.com/hims-hers-adds-cancer-screening-cmo-shares-the-details-access-health-11473416.
Perkins RB, Wolf AMD, Church TR, Elkin EB, Skates SJ, Etzioni RD, Guerra CE, Herzig A, Hoffman RM, Oeffinger KC, Raoof S, Shih YT, Walter LC, Zeigler-Johnson C, Manassaram‐Baptiste D, Smith RA: Self-Collected Vaginal Specimens for Human Papillomavirus Testing and Guidance on Screening Exit: An Update to the American Cancer Society Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines. CA Cancer J Clin 76(1): e70041. Jan-Feb 2026.
Islami F, Arias G, Lee D, Wiese D, Baeker Bispo J, Yabroff KR, Siegel RK, Bandi P, Nargis N, Patel AV, Thienprayoon PP, Kamal AH, Daniels EC, Annunziata CM, Sloan K, Lacasse LA, Winn RA, Brawley OW, Guerra CE, Dahut WL, Jemal A. : American Cancer Society’s Report on the Status of Cancer Disparities in the United States, 2025. CA Cancer J Clin 76(1): e70045, Jan-Feb 2026.