Three Florida academic cancer centers – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Health System, Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of Florida Health Cancer Center – have joined to fund thousands of dollars for four projects statewide to help people detect and treat cancer early.
The grants will support new and ongoing cancer screening and prevention projects across the state this year. They include a health fair to help people quit smoking, free mammograms and a big walk-thru inflatable colon that shows tumor growth, among other initiatives. The recipients are non-profit groups and part of the Florida Regional Cancer Control Collaborative, which consists of stakeholders in various regions that strive to meet the goals in the Florida Cancer Plan.
The community grants, each about $16,000, will support the following collaboratives:
- North Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative. The star of this show is an inflatable, walk-through colon with tumors called the “Small Town, Giant Colon Experience 2.0.” The device teaches people 40 years and older about colorectal cancer and why screening is important. Three events are scheduled in three locations yet to be determined. The group serves the following counties: Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee and Union.
- Northwest Florida Cancer Control Collaborative. The endeavor aims to reduce tobacco use to reduce breast cancer in women, especially in rural areas of the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Leon, Madison, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Taylor, Wakulla, Walton and Washington. Programs in development include workshops to help people quit tobacco, a community health fair and public service information on the hazards of smoking.
- East Central Florida Cancer Control Collaborative. Administered by the Health Council of East Central Florida, the group seeks to promote cancer prevention in seven counties: Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Lake, Sumter and Marion. Programs emphasize cancer literacy, screenings for at-risk patients, early disease intervention and survivor support.
- Southwest Florida Cancer Control Collaborative. This effort focuses on how to protect women against breast and cervical cancer, with focus on Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. Three community events are in the works, featuring free health screenings, pap testing and mammograms.
