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WE CAN! shares importance of prevention, screening to curb colon cancer death rates among African Americans
February 14, 2010
Community events throughout the
Midlands by the WE CAN! Colon
Cancer Program raise visibility about
the importance of prevention and
early screening to curb colon
cancer death rates.
In observance of Black History Month, the Arnold School of Public Health's WE CAN! Colon Cancer Program will present a discussion on colon cancer screening from 1 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22.
The program, titled "WE CAN! Prevent Colon Cancer: The Power Is in Your Hands," is open to USC faculty, staff and students and will be held in Room 302, Russell House.
African Americans have higher rates of death from colon cancer compared to other groups in South Carolina, but prevention and early screening are key to curbing the rate of death, said Dr. Heather Brandt, who leads the WE CAN! program and is a faculty member in the Arnold School's Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior.
"Colon cancer is one of the most common, deadly and preventable forms of cancer," she said. "Today, in South Carolina, two people will die from colon cancer and six people will learn that they have colon cancer. Far too many South Carolinians do not participate in colon cancer screening as recommended because of limited understanding of how to access and actual access to screening services."
The WE CAN! (Wellness, Education, Community Awareness, and Navigation) Colon Cancer Program, funded by The Duke Endowment, began in 2008 to address the high rates of colon cancer and low rates of colon cancer screening in South Carolina, Brandt said.
"The goal of WE CAN! is to increase awareness and participation in colon cancer screening among African-American men and women aged 45 and older in Richland and Lexington counties," she said. "To date, almost 4,400 South Carolinians have participated in the WE CAN! educational program, and thousands of others have been exposed to our message through billboards, exhibits, and print campaigns."
The WE CAN! Colon Cancer Program is supporting and participating in the following events during Black History Month:
- 22nd Annual Harambe Festival: The event, to be held Saturday, Feb. 26, at Benedict College's Benjamin E. Mays Human Resources Center Arena, is one of the largest college-sponsored festivals in the nation. It will include gospel music, a baking contest, exhibits and more. Visit http://www.benedict.edu/events/harambee/bc-afr_hist_mth-events.html to learn more.
- Word Empowerment Zone 2011 Health Fair: The event will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at 201 Columbia Mall Boulevard. Healthy lifestyles will be the focus of this event, which will feature information and exhibits by various organizations.
"During Black History Month and every month of the year, WE CAN! work together to prevent, treat, and beat colon cancer among African Americans living in South Carolina," Brandt said.
Earlier this month, WE CAN! was a participant in the African-American Men's Health Forum at Brookland Baptist Church.
For more information about the WE CAN! Colon Cancer Program, contact Anna Ehrhardt at 777-4250 or email wecanbeatcoloncancer@gmail.com.
For updates on WE CAN! events, check out www.twitter.com/wecanbeatcc or visit the program on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wecanbeatcoloncancer.
