Hispanic/Latino Community Cancer Advisory Board (CAB)
Established in 2018, the Hispanic/Latino Community Cancer Advisory Board (CAB) serves as a bridge between the Penn State Cancer Institute (PSCI) and the Hispanic/Latino community in the PSCI focus area. Specifically, the CAB:
- Advises the PSCI on cancer or cancer risk factors affecting Hispanics
- Advises the PSCI on strategies to improve the care and health outcomes for Hispanics
- Advises the PSCI on culturally appropriate clinical care
- Helps conduct outreach and education in the Hispanic community
- Reviews PSCI's research protocols addressing the Hispanic community
- Promotes the participation of Hispanics in PSCI research studies
Composed of 18 community members, the CAB is co-chaired by a community member and an academic member and meets quarterly at a different member’s organization.
Cancer Navigation and Survivorship Network (CaNSuN)
The Cancer Navigation and Survivorship Network (CaNSuN) is a resource hub for patient navigation throughout Pennsylvania. CaNSuN’s mission is to connect, educate and share best practices among patient navigators in Pennsylvania so that together we can reduce barriers and increase access to cancer prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship services for all.
Get Checked PA!: A training program for Community Health Workers (CHWs)
Established in 2022, Get Checked PA! is an evidence-based, multi-component initiative designed to reduce the cancer burden in Pennsylvania through the work of Community Health Workers (CHWs). Get Checked PA! is a train-the-trainer program to support instructors in CHW training programs and CHWs working in the field. A primary component is an interactive curriculum that equips CHWs with the knowledge and competency to improve cancer screening and early detection strategies in their community. Get Checked PA! provides participants with continuing education credits from the PA CHW Certification Board. One participant reported, “I enjoyed the overall content. The detailed information about certain types of cancer was very well explained and illustrated."
Get Checked PA! is developing a mentored, apprenticeship program with health care and community-based organizations who employ one of our graduates for cancer prevention and control.
LionVu
The OCHE has developed LionVu - a free online mapping resource and data portal. LionVu can be used by community members, program managers and researchers to understand the impact of cancer and cancer risk on communities throughout Pennsylvania. LionVu has more than 400 data variables, including social determinants of health, health care access and cancer outcomes.
Precision Cancer Screening Navigation
The OCHE works to increase cancer survivorship by navigating patients to cancer early detection, such as mammography for breast cancer screening. OCHE social workers work closely with individual patients to overcome barriers to screening services and follow-up care.