AARP Launches Detroit Cancer Initiative
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-08-04 12:44:22
Detroit is second only to Washington, DC in the national death rate from prostate cancer. The incidence rate of prostate cancer for black men in Detroit is 62% higher than for white men, and black men have double the death rate.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Detroit, and once again, African-Americans have a higher incidence rate, and a higher death rate.
AARP Michigan is working to increase the screening rates for prostate and colorectal cancer in Detroit so as to cut the death rates and close the disparity in survival rates between whites and blacks.
AARP is scheduling educational forums and screening days at various community sites like hospitals, churches and senior centers. (Watch for dates and times on Announcements section).
We are encouraging turnout and general screening awareness through a combination of direct mail, public service announcements, advertising, marketing and patient incentives targeting our members and others they know who need to be screened.
Of great importance is the teamwork we have developed with other groups and organizations to address this issue. More than 60 Detroit community leaders were AARP Michigan's guests for breakfast in late June to launch this citywide cancer awareness initiative.
The community leaders were asked to become involved with AARP Michigan to advance the project, and they responded enthusiastically.
State President George Rowan was among the speakers at the breakfast along with Aiyshen Padilla from AARP's national Office of Diversity and Inclusion, who was also an in-studio guest on an hour-long radio program with Paul Bridgewater, a member of AARP Michigan's Executive Council and the executive director of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. Padilla later joined State Director Steve Gools in meeting with New Detroit, a coalition of Detroit area leaders addressing race relations and economic and social equity.
Our cancer awareness campaign is being coordinated by AARP Michigan Associate State Director Jacqueline Morrison, who can be reached for more information by e-mail [jmorrison@aarp.org], or toll-free at 1-866-227-7448.
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- Preventing and Controlling Cancer
- Cancer Screening: What You Need to Know If You ' re Over 50 (radio program)
Detroit and Michigan Resources
- Greater Detroit Area Health Council
- Detroit Area Agency on Aging
- Michigan Department of Community Health
- Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
- Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research
Other Resources
- National Prostate Cancer Coalition
- Colon Cancer Alliance
- American Cancer Society
- American Institute for Cancer Research
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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