The Hollings Cancer Center focuses on reducing cancer rates and mortality by fostering wellness through education and outreach. We partner with local, regional, and statewide organizations to bring cancer education, prevention and screening, and the latest research finding to the community.  These partnerships enhance opportunities to reach large community to advocate for better health policy to address cancer prevention and control.

Community Compass Project  

The Community Compass Project “Navigating Toward Healthy Living” is a grass-roots movement initiated by Hollings. This collaborative effort with dozens of community organizations throughout the Lowcountry is designed to create an environment where healthy choices are easy choices.The Community Compass Project is also commited to finding new and innovative ways to to help people learn how to make healthier lifestyle choice. One way of doing that is by holding free annual events such as the upcoming Laughter and Lifestyles event to help educate in a fun and stimulating envrionment.  Another way of reaching out to more people is by sending text messages directly to members of the community about health related issues.

To register for the upcoming Laughter and Lifestyles event on April 25 2013, follow this link:

www.point2health.org

Mobile Health Unit

The Hollings Cancer Center Mobile Health Unit is a 40-foot van designed to provide cancer screening, prevention education, early detection and health maintenance counseling. The mission of the unit is to reach adults (18 and older) living in target areas of South Carolina who have difficulties accessing health care and who are at risk of developing cancer.

Each year, the Mobile Health Unit provides more than 2,000 free or low-cost screenings.

Current screening services include:

• Breast health: mammograms
• Prostate health: digital rectal exam, PSA  
• Skin cancer: visual inspection of skin for suspicious moles or lesions
• Cervical health: PAP, pelvic exam

Southeastern Virtual Institute for Health Equity and Wellness (SE View)

The Southeastern Virtual Institute for Health Equity and Wellness, or SE View, is a three-year, partnership with the Department of Defense. The purpose of this project is to address health disparities in the I-95 corridor counties of South Carolina through a community-based research and outreach service program.

Within the SC View project is a cancer-specific program led by Hollings called MOVENUP (Mobile Outreach Van, Educational and Navigational Health Services for Underserved Populations).

The program's goals are to:

• Provide mobile cancer screening and navigation services
• Provide cancer education and education related to nutrition and physical activity to communities in the I-95 Corridor
  
• Develop a cancer research training program with students from the following Historically Black Colleges and Universities:
  
  • Claflin University
    
  • SC State University
    
  • Voorhees College

Patient Navigation Program

The Patient Navigation Program is a project funded by the Avon Foundation Inc. and is designed to ensure medically underserved patients have access to screening and follow-up breast care services. When it comes to accessing our health care system, many patients have tremendous barriers. This program helps patients overcome barriers and is the bridge to all treatment, ancillary, and community services. To provide a seamless system of care, we leverage our Avon-funded navigation program with other outreach efforts. In essence, the patient navigation program not only provides direct navigation services, but also serves as the delivery mechanism for other initiatives to include the Mobile Cancer Screening Services

Cancer Education Guide (CEG) Train the Trainer Program

One of the best ways to disseminate accurate information about cancer, from prevention and screening through diagnosis and treatment, is to empower people to carry the messages into their communities.

Hollings and the South Carolina Cancer Alliance (SCCA) have developed a program called, Train the Trainer, a series of education seminars in medically underserved communities that teach local leaders, health professionals and advocates how to talk about cancer prevention, screening and early detection.

Hollings Cancer Center Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The goal of this project is to increase the number of minority students entering the field of cancer research. Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina (Claflin University, SC State University and Voorhees College) have the opportunity to work with faculty members on the cutting edge of cancer research.

Students are placed with faculty members whose research is closely related to their students' academic interest and professional goals. Since 2007, more than 12 alumni fellows have completed the program.

Robert Wood Johnson Award

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change. For 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org. Follow the Foundation on Twitter www.rwjf.org/twitter or Facebook www.rwjf.org/facebook.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation established the Community Health Leaders Award to recognize individuals who overcome daunting obstacles to improve health and health care in their communities. Today, there are more than 200 outstanding Community Health Leaders from nearly all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.communityhealthleaders.org.

 Debbie Bryant, DNP, RN, assistant director of Cancer Prevention and Control and Outreach at the Hollings Cancer Center, was honored with this award in October 2012......READ MORE