The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $35,000 one-year grant to Cooper University Health Care’s Cancer Outreach and Screening Program to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the sixth year that the program has received funding from the Avon Foundation for Women to support its work on this important health issue, and in recognition of the program’s excellence.
Cooper University Health Care’s Cancer Outreach and Screening Program hosts home health parties throughout the year, with the goal of educating 800 area women and conducting 500 no-cost screening mammograms and clinical breast exams through these parties.
In 2012, Cooper’s Cancer Outreach and Screening Program provided 1,988 no-cost screening mammograms and clinical breast exams to Camden County women. Through this program, an additional 1,111 cervical cancer screenings, 112 prostate cancer screenings and 407 colorectal cancer screenings were provided to Camden County residents, all at no cost.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the United States, and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death from breast cancer every 14 minutes. While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as Cooper’s Cancer Outreach and Screening Program help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically underserved women.
“We are proud that the Avon Foundation for Women shares our mission and has chosen to support our program,” said Generosa Grana, MD, Director, Cooper Cancer Institute and Head, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology at Cooper University Health Care. “With these funds we will be able to reach women about the importance of mammograms and clinical breast exams in a fun, comfortable way.”
Since 1993, the Avon Foundation has awarded 1,550 grants to community-based breast health programs across the United States, including Cooper University Health Care. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them to early detection screening services.