The GW Cancer Institute offers programs that educate the general community and healthcare professionals about the prevention, early detection and treatment of cancer. The Cancer Institute also serves as an information and referral source to inform cancer survivors on local, regional, and national support groups/services available to serve specific cancer needs of DC area residents.

The GW Cancer Institute has implemented, as part of our Community Education, to take our programs to “where the people are”.   Our staff, trained in medicine, nursing, social work, cancer genetics, and public health is available to go out to community centers, schools and universities, church groups, and other places where people congregate.

The GW Cancer Institute is also able to provide cancer education and limited cancer screening at the workplace. Healthy and informed employees add up to a productive and successful work force. Our outreach staff can work with you to communicate culturally-focused and user-friendly cancer information.

GWCI’s Office of Cancer Education and Outreach

The GW Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer Education and Outreach has just recently launched its “Community-by-Community Cancer Control Campaign, (CxC-C3).” The program uses community-by-community outreach and social marketing to encourage increased participation of African-American men and women in cancer prevention activities. The goal is to help African-Americans gain a better understanding of cancer; increase their trust in the healthcare system; and mitigate their aversion to screenings.
           
The CxC-C3 program has tri-fold initiatives with outreach programs focusing on educating African Americans within the DC population via worksites, congregations, and community events. The Campaign includes three programs: the Congregational Cancer Wellness Initiative, the Workplace Cancer Wellness Program, and the Neighborhood Cancer Wellness Initiative. Through connections made through the Congregational Cancer Wellness Initiative, our initial project, the Campaign will extend out into worksites, community events, and other social networks in the community to reach a wide range of people within the African American community. The Campaign will build a community coalition that involves all relevant sectors of the community (economic, government, faith and social outlets), to promote cancer prevention and control for all.

Current projects that the Office of Education and Outreach are working on:

Barbershop Cancer Prevention Initiative- Through partnerships with the American Cancer Society, the GW Cancer Institute is working with local barbershops in Wards 4, 7, and 8 to educate African American males about prostate cancer prevention.

Community Screening Programs- The Office of Education and Outreach is also collaborating with Dr. Bianco, Head Physician in the GWCI’s Prostate Program, to implement community screenings programs in local churches in Wards 4, 7, and 8. The GW Cancer Institute is working with local organizations to host bi-monthly screenings programs throughout the DC area. For information on setting up a to schedule your free prostate testing and digital rectal exam offered by the GW Cancer Institute, GW Medical Faculty Associates, GW Hospital and the GW Medical Center please call 202-741-3106 or visit http://www.gwcancer.com/.

If you would like to work with The GW Cancer Institute on a cancer  health event at your organization, please call
Jacqueline Burgess, Cancer Education and Outreach Specialist, at 202-994-2062 or
e-mail her at canjsb@gwumc.edu.

Ideas for events include, but are not limited to:
Health Fairs
Cancer Educational Series at Worksites, Churches, & Community Centers Congregational Cancer Educational Series for the Whole Family
Barbershop Health Promotional Events
Cook-outs for Cancer Prevention
Men’s Cancer Summit
Educational Series for Women Coping with Cancer in the Family…etc.

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Support Groups

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Cancer Screening

The purpose of cancer screening is to find a pre-cancerous condition or a cancer at its earliest stages. Finding a pre-cancer or an early stage cancer increases the likelihood of cure. Cancer screening should be an important component of your regularly scheduled check-ups with your primary care physician. The following guidelines from the American Cancer Society are recommended for individuals not experiencing any symptoms of cancer. If you have symptoms, you may need special diagnostic testing. Therefore, it is important to discuss your symptoms with your primary care provider as soon as possible.

American Cancer Society Screening Guidelines for Asymptomatic Individuals :

Cancer-Related Check-up

A cancer-related check-up is recommended every 3 years for people aged 20-39 and annually after age 40. This exam should include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as health counseling about tobacco, sun exposure, diet, nutrition, risk factors, sexual practices, and environmental and occupational exposures.

Breast

Breast Self-Exam: Age 20 and over, monthly. Breast Exam by healthcare provider: 20-39, once every 3 years.40 and older, once a year.

Mammogram: Yearly beginning at age 40.

Colon & Rectum

Colon & Rectum: Beginning at age 50, fecal occult blood test every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy and digital rectal exam every 5 years or Colonoscopy and digital rectal exam every 10 years or Double contrast barium enema and digital rectal exam every 5 to 10 years.

Prostate

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) may be offered annually, beginning at age 50.

Uterus

Cervix : Pap smears and pelvic examinations should begin about three years after a woman becomes sexually active but no later than 21 years of age. After 21, screening should be done every year. At or after age 30, women who have had three normal tests results in a row may discuss less frequent screening tests with their healthcare provider. Endometrium : Women at high risk for uterine cancer should have a sample of endometrial tissue examined when menopause begins.

Wellness Tips

A risk factor may increase your chance of developing certain types of cancer. Most people with risk factors do not develop cancer, and many people who develop cancer have no known risk factors. However, it makes good sense to decrease your risk whenever possible by making the recommended lifestyle changes. Whether or not you have any risk factors, it is important to always have regular cancer checkups and screening.

Although there is no sure way to prevent cancer, healthy lifestyle habits are key to lowering your risk of cancer.

Nutrition and Cancer (Coming Soon)

Check out tips on how to make changes in your diet to fight and prevent cancer.

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