Cancer Support Community Indiana’s Community Navigation Program enters its second year. Led by Nina Coley, a breast cancer survivor, the program was created to reduce health disparities in cancer care among underserved populations and create a robust community of inclusion and belonging, with a specific focus on the African American community.
African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group in the US for most cancers. In Indiana, African Americans represent 9.8 percent of the population. When compared to US cancer incidence, African Americans in Indiana have similar incidence rates, but their mortality rate is significantly higher. African Americans have a 4% percent greater incidence of cancer and more than a 21% higher mortality rate. These trends hold true in Indianapolis where African Americans represent 28 percent of the population. CSCI’s Community Navigation Program has created a roadmap of current challenges faced by participants. The Community Navigator serves as a foundation for the comprehensive program addressing the entire continuum of wellness/prevention before a cancer diagnosis, adequate and accurate cancer diagnosis, access to needed cancer care, and tools for success in long-term survivorship.
As a result of the program’s work after its first year, CSCI is adding a two-day cancer screening event in April. On Wednesday, April 26, free mammograms and breast cancer resources will be available to the public. Ascension St. Vincent’s Mobile Mammogram unit will provide the free mammograms and requires advance registration. On Saturday, April 29, free cancer screenings will be available for prostate and skin. Additional resources onsite will include colon cancer risk assessments, cholesterol testing, blood pressure and HPV and Hepatitis B vaccinations. CSC is grateful for Franciscan Health Cancer Center and the Marion County Health Department’s partnership with screenings and testing. CSC partners including Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, End Lung Cancer Now, Pink-4-Ever, Indiana Immunization Coalition and more will also be onsite providing resources and vaccinations for attendees. The Cancer Screening and Resources Event will take place at Martin University and is free to all.
CSC is grateful to the donors to the Community Navigation Program including Fifth Third Bank for sponsoring this event.
To learn more about the Cancer Screening and Resources Event, visit our website or contact Nina Coley, our Community Navigator, email nina@cancersupportindy.org. To make a gift to support the Community Navigation Program, visit our donor webpage.