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
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
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
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.
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
"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.
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
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.
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
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
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
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.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
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
Search PubMed for articles
An American Tale: Making a difficult journey easier for others. Carmen Guerra, M.D. Philadelphia Magazine, April 28, 2018.
Philadelphia Magazine Think Pink Breast Cancer - you can help save lives. October, 2015.
Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer: Communication is Key
Science Meets Community: Cancer in the Delaware Valley. Abramson Cancer Center Publication, May, 2015.
Delays in mammography screening during the pandemic. Oct 14, 2020 ABC7 News Chicago.
American Cancer Society Get Screened (in Spanish)
Black and Hispanic Americans are most likely to miss health screenings due to COVID-19. A Penn physician is meeting the need.
Drive, Walk, Mail, Text: How to Connect Communities to Colorectal Cancer Screening
AACR Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
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
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.
Harvard Medical School Health Disparities Resources for Providers
American Board of Internal Medicine | Health Care Org. Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
Increasing Participation of Patients from Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations in Cancer Clinical Trials: An ASCO-ACCC Collaboration
"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.
Cancer Inequities. 2021 Mercy Douglas Lectureship, Feb 17, 2021.
Doctora latina rompe barreras para ayudar a mujeres con cáncer de mama. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
Stories of Innovation, Penn Medicine Center for Health Care Innovation. Jan, 2019.
Colorectal Cancer Screening During the Pandemic
Pennsylvania Senator Art Haywood: Ask Art Live Series on Affordable Healthcare Open Enrollment, Dec 15, 2022
Avoiding Getting Colorectal Cancer by Getting Screened at 45, KYW Briding Philadelphia interview
Amplifying Scientific Innovation Podcast: Clinical Trial Diversity Panel Session. Jan 11, 2021.
ASCO podcast: Social Determinants of Health - Access to Care. Oct, 2021.
More Black patients are participating in clinical trials for cancer treatment at Penn thanks to this effort | 5 Questions by Sandy Bauers
Cáncer de Seno: Mujeres latinas luchan por salvar vidas. By José Martínez. Oct, 2021.
American Cancer Society has new guidelines on when to start mammograms. CBS-3 Philadelphia. October 20, 2015.
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.
Why Cancer Screenings — Even in the Middle of a Pandemic — Are Still Vitally Important. Philadelphia Magazine. Oct 31, 2020.
#WomenofPenn: Seeds of Inspiration Rooted in Childhood. Penn Medicine Blog. May 9, 2019.
Art of Aging: Screening Saves Lives. WABC, Philadelphia, January 7, 2016.
You were diagnosed with DCIS. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
Promoting Cancer Equity and Inclusion Through Navigation Efforts
6 Things All Black Women Need to Know About Breast Cancer by Rozalyn Frasier. Nov, 2021.
Caner del seno? No dejes que to conuma el panico. El Diaro NY. Oct 18, 2017.
Aware for all Northeast. April 15, 2021.
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
Philadelphia Magazine's Think Pink 2017
American Cancer Society Get Screened PSA (in English)
Lack of Broadband, Rise of Anti-Vaxxer Rhetoric Threaten Black Community During Pandemic
Genetic Testing Saves Lives. So Why Aren’t More Women Of Color Doing It? by Lauren Pluckett-Pope. Oct, 2021.
Breast Cancer Town Hall. WDAS, Philadelphia. October 20, 2015
Oncolink Brown Bag Webchat: Advances in Colorectal Cancer Screening. March 11, 2011.
La detección temprana del cáncer de seno salva vidas. Oct 12, 2020 Univision 41 NYC
Health Care Organization Exemplars in Community Engagement as a Strategy in Building Trust
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.
Colon Cancer Alliance rings the NASDAQ closing bell in promotion of Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Times Square, New York, March 1, 2011
Inquirer Live: Cancer Care for All
"Diversity in Clinical Trials," Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Health Summit, Nov 17, 2021
Philadelphia Magazine, Think Pink, October, 2018
"Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Cancer Screening" Philadelphia Magazine, 12/5/2020
Breast Cancer: What all Latinas should know. El Diario. October 19, 2016.
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
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.
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.
Post-Graduate Training
Intern in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1993-1994.
Resident in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1994-1996.
Fellow , NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Summer Training Institute on Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, 2003-2003.
Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, 2005-2009.
Executive Leadership Development, Certificate of Professional Development, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2015.
Executive Leadership Development, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), 2018-2019.
Fellow, National Cancer Institute Multilevel Intervention Training Institute, 2022-2022.
Intern in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1993-1994.
Resident in Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , 1994-1996.
Fellow , NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Summer Training Institute on Randomized Clinical Trials Involving Behavioral Interventions, 2003-2003.
Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Amos Medical Faculty Development Program, 2005-2009.
Executive Leadership Development, Certificate of Professional Development, Aresty Institute of Executive Education, the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, 2012-2015.
Executive Leadership Development, Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM), 2018-2019.
Fellow, National Cancer Institute Multilevel Intervention Training Institute, 2022-2022.
Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine, 1996.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2007.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017.
Permanent linkAmerican Board of Internal Medicine, 1996.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2007.
American Board of Internal Medicine, 2017.
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
Guerra CE, Litton JK, Viswanath CE, Fendrick AM: Multicancer Early Detection Tests at a Crossroads: Commercial Availability Ahead of Definitive Evidence. In press. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 45(3), Jun 2025.Maillie L, Sisk S, Coghill A, Guerra C, Aboulafia D, Atkinson T, Barta S.: Geospatial disparities in access to clinical trials for AIDS-defining malignancies in the continental United States. J Clin Oncol 43 (supp 16), June 2025.
Parikh R, Hearn C, Frimpong Y, Li Y, Goel K, Ferber J, Berwanger K, Boyd D, Guerra C: Machine learning–informed navigation of patients in persistent poverty zip codes to improve colorectal cancer screening: A prospective controlled study. J Clin Oncol 23 (supp 16), June 2025.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine : Opportunities and challenges for the development and adoption of multicancer detection tests: Proceedings of a workshop. National Cancer Policy Forum Proceedings. National Academies Press, May 2025 Notes: https://doi.org/10.17226/29114.
Dako F, Karasek P, Seward J, White K, Vachani A, Rendle K, Guerra C.: Measuring Health-Related Social Risks in a Lung Cancer Screening Cohort.Epub ahead of print. J Am Coll Radiol Apr 2025.
Saikali LM, Herrera CD, Chen AT, Rossi L, Conlon T, Plana NM, Lin IC, Swanson J, Goldshore M, Morris JB, Guerra CE, Morales CZ: The Center for Surgical Health (CSH): A Surgical Equity Intervention in Plastic Surgery. Annals of Plastic Surgery 94((4S Suppl 2)): S390-S394, Apr 2025.
McCarthy AM, Mack E, Perez Rojas N, Blumenthal D, Krikorian A, Conant EF, Guerra CE, McDonald ES, Nunes LW, Rendle KA, Ware S, Wheeler BC, Beidas RS, Bekelman JE, & Schnoll R: Interim Analysis of a Pragmatic Stepped Wedge Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Behavioral Economics-Informed Implementation Strategies to Increase Supplemental Breast MRI Screening among Patients with Extremely Dense Breasts. American Society of Preventive Oncology 49th Annual Meeting Apr 2025.
Hoffman RM, Wolf AMD, Raoof S, Guerra CE, Church TR, Elkin EB, Etzioni RD, Shih YT, Skates SJ, Manassaram-Baptiste D, Smith RA: Multicancer early detection testing: Guidance for primary care discussions with patients. Cancer 131(7): e35823, Apr 2025.
Bange EM, Coughlin KQ, Li W, Brown TJ, Ragusano D, Balar E, Arasappan D, Nnaji M, Kim E, Alban C, Uppuluri S, Moriarty E, Bange T, Zinck L, Smith D, Josephs M, Harrigan JJ, Cohen RB, Zubka D, Rosin R, Balachandran M, Long Q, Bilger A, Schuchter LM, Mamtani M, Schulman LN, Guerra CE, Mamtani R.: A Text Message Intervention to Minimize the Time Burden of Cancer Care. NEJM Catal Innov Care Deliv 6(3), Feb 2025.
Bakillah E, Rosenthal JW, Syvyk S, Wirtalla C, Sharpe J, Merchant RM, Mehta SJ, Guerra CE, Kelz R.: Colorectal Cancer and Quality of Life: A Medicare Advantage Study by Race, Ethnicity, and Language. J Surg Oncol Jan 2025.