COMST Distinguished Alum Now CEO of the American Cancer Society

Alumni coordinator Todd Jenks recently conducted a web-meeting interview of Shane Jacobson, the inaugural recipient of the Communication Studies Distinguished Alumni Award (Fall 2024) for his work as CEO of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Shane recently became CEO of the American Cancer Society (Fall 2025). Let’s catch up with Shane as he briefs us on the work of the American Cancer Society (ACS) to aid those with cancer and to advance the cause of cancer treatment and prevention.

Shane’s journey with the American Cancer Society

We began by asking Shane, “What attracted you to take this new position as CEO of the American Cancer Society?”

Shane responded, “The breadth of the impact of ACS. American Cancer Society carries a half-a-billion dollar cancer research portfolio. We fund researchers very early on in their research process, knowing that this is a crucial stage of the work. Fifty-three of our researchers have gone on to win a Nobel Prize for their research!”

The capacity to bend the arc and make a difference

We next asked Shane to describe his personal goals in his new role as CEO of the American Cancer Society.

Shane replied, “Creating a new strategic plan focused on preventing cancer and early detection of cancer. I want to see us diminish the suffering that comes from a cancer diagnosis. Hope should be there for everyone—and not just for those who can afford it. This year, 2.1 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer. In our nation, more than 600,000 individuals will die from cancer this year. That’s 1,700 people dying from cancer per day! We have the capacity to bend the arc and to make a difference.”

After hearing this sad news, we inquired of Shane, “What’s the best news lately in the fight against cancer?”

Shane told us, “Cancer mortality rates have dropped 34% since 1991, preventing 4.8 million deaths. Over the same period, 5-year survival across all cancers has risen to 70%. We are making such great progress—and that is due to team effort. At American Cancer Society and our advocacy arm, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, we view teamwork as our superpower—donors, partners, researchers, and community leaders all working together through our nationwide network of roughly 1.3 million volunteers. We all have the same goal: to end cancer as we know it, for everyone!”

We next inquired of Shane, “What is a key area of the cancer fight where we need to do more work?”

Shane informed us, “People under age 50 are being diagnosed far more frequently with colorectal cancer. We need to determine what is behind this and the means to address this. In the U.S., colorectal cancer incidence is increasing roughly 3% per year among 20 to 49-year-olds and has become a leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50.”

Lead with your ears. Don’t just “listen.”

Since Shane is an alumnus of our program with a major in Communication Studies, we queried Shane to explain, “How does your background in communication help you in your work at American Cancer Society?”

Shane confidently replied, “It helps me to communicate a vision, including sharing it with clarity and simplicity, in order to make the science understandable and to illustrate the challenges and the opportunities. My communication background also empowers me as I communicate and work with many different teams to capitalize on the strengths of all the team members as we collaborate to take the work further.”

We asked Shane if he could pass on any communication advice to the students currently in our program, as they prepare for their future professions as communication experts.

Shane spoke sagely as he stated: “Lead with your ears. Don’t just ‘listen,’ but really hear what other people are saying. Hear what they are saying as an individual, but also listen to hear what is going on more deeply at the institutional level. Really hear what the system-level challenges are, in order to form effective solutions and actions. Besides that, be a leader and a valuable team player, so you can galvanize your whole team and become a force multiplier.”

No one is going it alone

As we concluded our interview time together, we asked Shane one last question: “Anything else you would want for people to hear about the cancer battle and the American Cancer Society?”

Shane spoke with empathy as he told me, “We want anyone coping with cancer and their loved ones to know this: No one is going it alone! American Cancer Society is there, and we care. We care for you, and about you.”

To see how the American Cancer Society can help you if you or a loved one are coping with cancer—and to hear how you can help the cause of cancer prevention, detection and treatment—visit the American Cancer Society website.