Screen to Save: Message from the Branch Chief
, by Dr. LeeAnn Bailey
One of the new initiatives that is a priority for the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) is Screen to Save (S2S). The program is housed in CRCHD’s Integrated Networks Branch (INB) which seeks to identify and leverage opportunities to address unmet needs in cancer health disparities research. As INB Branch Chief, I want to personally provide updates about S2S efforts to encourage screening to save lives and increase outreach, awareness, and care provision in racially/ethnically diverse communities and rural areas.
The S2S initiative is unique in part because of its holistic approach, and the recognition that these communities have distinctive characteristics. A primary goal of S2S is to provide culturally-tailored education and outreach about colorectal cancer (CRC) and CRC screening to populations that are disproportionately affected by CRC. Racially and ethnically diverse communities experience increased CRC morbidity and mortality and screening is a vehicle for supporting prevention and early detection.
Working through our community health educators, outreach activities will be conducted within American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander communities. The initiative also seeks to engage partners at all levels to support transparency and trust within the target populations and provide access and services for sustainability.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month, and I encourage you to visit our S2S webpage as we will be making updates frequently. Throughout the month we have several activities planned to increase communication about the importance of screening while this topic is receiving nationwide attention.
We are very excited about the opportunity to address cancer health disparities associated with CRC in racially and ethnically diverse populations. We hope that the activities and actions will be impactful for all.