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The GW Cancer Institute offers programs that educate the general community and health care 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 offers free or low-cost screening programs for both colorectal and breast cancer. Colon cancer screenings are available for DC residents 50 years and older who do not have health insurance. If you or someone you know would like more information on how to receive a free screening kit, please contact JoiAisha Bland at 202-994-2223 or canjeb@gwumc.edu
For more information about Education and Outreach programs please contact Jacqueline Burgess at 202-994-2062 or canjsb@gwumc.edu
If you would like to work with The GW Cancer Institute on a cancer health event at your organization:
Contact Jacqueline Burgess, Cancer Education and Outreach Specialist at 202-994-2062 or e-mail her at canjsb@gwumc.edu
Ideas for community 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 Reunions
- Barbershop Health Promotional Events
- Cook-outs for Cancer Prevention
- Men’s Cancer Summit
- Educational Series for Women Coping with Cancer in the Family…etc.
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.
Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer:
- Don't smoke or chew tobacco. Smoking is the biggest cancer risk. Second-hand smoke also increases your risk.
- Get regular cancer-related checkups
- Maintain an ideal weight. Cut down on high-fat foods such as butter, margarine, fried foods, and rich desserts.
- Eat more high-fiber foods: whole grains, pastas, cereals, and beans.
- Eat at least five servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits every day.
- Limit how much meat you eat. Bake, broil, or braise lean cuts of meat, skinned chicken or turkey, and fish. Cut down on smoked and salt-cured meat like ham, bacon, and hot dogs.
- Limit your sun exposure. Use screen of SPF 30 or higher that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Wear protective clothing and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 pm .
- Get daily exercise. Even 15 minutes a day can make a difference. Choose any type of exercise you enjoy.
- Limit alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day. Your cancer risk increases further when you combine heavy drinking with smoking.
- If you work with or near harmful chemicals or fibers, wear protective clothing and follow directions carefully. Learn emergency procedures.
- Protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
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