American Cancer Society, Patriots award $100k to help fight breast cancer – News – MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

The American Cancer Society and the New England Patriots have awarded a $100,000 grant to Codman Square Health Center to deal with disparities in breast cancer mortality by offering entry to breast cancer screening, observe-up of irregular mammograms and well timed entry to specialty care if wanted.

The grant funding was made doable via the Society’s partnership with the NFL and the league’s Crucial Catch marketing campaign. Codman Square Health Center has been a protracted-standing accomplice of the Kraft Center for Community Health internet hosting clinicians in training and neighborhood health champions.

The grants are the newest within the Society’s Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, which supplies funding alternatives as a part of the Society’s dedication to cut back disparities in cancer mortality. The grants are centered totally on African American communities but additionally goal different underserved populations. Codman Square Health Center will obtain the $100,000 grant over two years.

Breast cancer mortality has steadily declined over the past 4 a long time, largely due to enhancements in early detection and remedy. However, not all girls have benefited equally from this progress. A sooner drop amongst white girls has widened the mortality hole between white and black girls. Despite related charges of illness and screening charges, breast cancer loss of life charges in 2015 had been 39 p.c larger for black girls than white girls within the nation as a complete and up to 60 p.c larger in some states.

Access to well timed observe-up and excessive-high quality remedy are key drivers of those disparities, particularly in underserved communities. Differences in stage of cancer prognosis, tumor traits, weight problems and different comorbidities are additionally contributing elements.

“We’re so proud to partner with Codman Square Health Center because it is an innovative community health center providing comprehensive, holistic and integrated services in the heart of Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood,” stated Lynn Basilio, senior supervisor, Primary Care Systems, American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is committed to saving lives and addressing the unequal burden for cancer.”

“We are thrilled any time the Patriots can be included in our community and we can help provide access to first-class treatment, especially with something so vital as cancer detection,” stated Josh Kraft, president, New England Patriots Foundation. “Catching cancer at an early stage, when the most treatment options are available, truly is the biggest ‘crucial catch’.”

“Cancer remains the leading cause of death for Boston adults. However, our city’s health officials estimate 30 to 50 percent of all cancers can be prevented or treated, through prevention and early detection,” stated Sandra Cotterell, chief government officer, Codman Square Health Center. “The American Cancer Society agrees screenings can help find cancers earlier when more treatment options are available. Community health centers like ours play a critical role in reaching this goal.”

In October 2017, as a part of the Crucial Catch marketing campaign, the Society awarded a $75,000 grant to Boston’s South End Community Health Center to implement cancer prevention and early detection actions aimed toward enhancing cancer outcomes via training, outreach, navigation and entry to cancer screenings within the South End. The 18-month marketing campaign is specializing in growing breast cancer screening charges by 21 p.c and colorectal screening charges by 10 p.c.

Between 2015 and 2016, the Society additionally awarded a complete of $100,000 via the Crucial Catch marketing campaign to Hilltown Community Health Center which serves the cities of Huntington, Worthington and Amherst, and surrounding communities. Over the course of the mission, the breast cancer screening price elevated from 44 p.c to 57 p.c. During that point, 13 sufferers had been recognized with breast cancer and handled successfully, reinforcing the significance and affect of the mission and significantly the one-on-one training serving to to encourage sufferers to full screenings.

Since 2009, the NFL’s Crucial Catch marketing campaign has raised greater than $18 million in assist of the American Cancer Society. Funding raised since 2012 has supported the Society’s CHANGE program and been invested in underserved communities to enhance cancer training and consciousness and promote life-saving screening exams.

To date, health system grantees have reached greater than 632,000 people with training, affected person reminders and navigation to screenings and contributed to 138,000 breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings. These new grants will enhance well timed entry to observe up care together with a continued give attention to entry to excessive-high quality breast cancer screening for underserved girls.