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cancer Community Awareness & Access Research Education

The “Impacting Cancer Health Disparities and Facilitating Cancer Health Equity in Breast, Multiple Myeloma, and Prostate Cancers in Underserved and Minority Populations: The cancer-Community Awareness Access Research & Education II (c-CARE II) Initiative” team is located at the Medical College of Georgia’s main campus in Augusta, GA (Richmond County) and is led by Dr. Martha Tingen. The Study is a collaboration with the Georgia Cancer Center.

Organization Overview

The c-CARE project framework was originally introduced in 2015, and utilizes the “train the trainer” method to deliver culturally-tailored educational intervention sessions at various community sites. Funding for the c-CARE II project was obtained through a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, $3.38M.

 

woman with cancer ribbon on chest

 

 

Target Area & Objectives  Site Locations   Community Health Workers Project Contacts  Co-Investigators  

Target Area & Objectives

The c-CARE II project seeks to recruit 600 African American (AA) adults (over 18 years of age) at 20 faith-based sites, rural and urban, from five Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) counties with a high percentage of AAs to include Burke, Jefferson, McDuffie, Richmond, and Wilkes.

In general, the study target area ranks poorly in multiple socio-economic and health indicators, and the population has an increased risk for preventable cancer and poorer cancer outcomes.

The c-CARE II initiative is a research study designed to improve cancer outcomes—specifically breast, multiple myeloma, and prostate—in minority and underserved populations in a sustainable and collaborative community-based approach.

cancer patient in doctor consult

Rev. Favors and CHWs

 

This will be achieved by:

  1. Using trusted community- based trainers (i.e. Community Health Workers, CHWs), who the participants know and respect, to deliver cancer literacy and education materials
  2. Providing access and navigation to high-quality cancer screening and early detection services
  3. Assisting with navigation to proper care as indicated
  4. Sharing information about relevant medical and health related community-based resources
  5. Measuring pre- and post-intervention knowledge, attitudes and beliefs and changes in cancer health behaviors and outcomes.

The c-CARE Team, Pastors, and CHWs were featured in a podcast at the Georgia Cancer Center.

Site 1 - Rev. Dr. Augusta Hall

  • Bethel AME Church
Site 1 - Rev. Dr. Augusta Hall

Site 2 - Rev. Anthony Booker

  • Broadway Baptist Church
Site 2 - Rev. Anthony Booker

Site 3 - Rev. Dr. Tommie Benjamin

  • Trinity CME Church
Site 3 - Rev. Dr. Tommie Benjamin

Site 4 - Rev. William Blount, Sr

  • Greater Young Zion Baptist Church
Site 4 - Rev. William Blount, Sr

Site 5 - Rev. Dr. Johnny Hampton

  • Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Site 5 - Rev. Dr. Johnny Hampton

Site 6 - Rev. Elliot Bing

  • Phillip Grove Baptist Church
Site 6 - Rev. Elliot Bing

Site 7 – Rev. Karlton Howard

  • Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church
Site 7 – Rev. Karlton Howard

Site 8 – Rev. Earnestine Patterson

  • Cornerstone Christian Center Church
Site 8 – Rev. Earnestine Patterson

Site 9 – Rev. Frederick Favors

  • Springfield Missionary Baptist Church
Site 9 – Rev. Frederick Favors

Site 10 – Rev. Eugene Beverly

  • Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Site 10 – Rev. Eugene Beverly

Site 11 – Rev. Micah Rouse

  • Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Site 11 – Rev. Micah Rouse

Site 12 – Rev. Xavier Creekmur

  • Beulah Grove Baptist Church
Site 12 – Rev. Xavier Creekmur

Community Health Workers (CHWs): The Heartbeat of c-CARE II

The c-CARE II project has strengthened trust between communities and the healthcare system by training Community Health Workers (CHWs) chosen by pastors to serve as trusted bridges to care. Equipped with skills in cancer prevention, early detection, and culturally sensitive communication, CHWs create supportive environments where participants feel safe to ask questions and engage in preventive care. 

CHW Spotlight

Ccare image

Participants will attend five 90-minute c-CARE II curriculum sessions, which emphasize prevention, screening, and early detection behaviors.  We will assess modifiable behavioral risk factors, including tobacco use and obesity; we will implement an obesity intervention for all participants, and provide navigation to tobacco cessation resources if the participant is motivated to do so. Also, we will assess non-modifiable risks through navigation to genetic testing for those meeting established eligibility criteria and willing to do so. The genetic testing will be an optional component of the study.

c-CARE II also has a global component and we work with six countries in Africa.

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Project Contacts

photo of Martha S. Tingen, PhD, RN, FAAN

Martha S. Tingen, PhD, RN, FAAN

  • Project Director/Principal Investigator

mtingen@augusta.edu

photo of Dr. Marlo Vernon

Dr. Marlo Vernon

  • Co-Principal Investigator

mvernon@augusta.edu

photo of Matthew Humphries, MS, CCRP

Matthew Humphries, MS, CCRP

  • Research Operations Manager

mhumphri@augusta.edu

photo of Kiara Houston, MPH

Kiara Houston, MPH

  • Community Program Coordinator

khouston@augusta.edu

photo of Jenna Anderson, BS

Jenna Anderson, BS

  • Community Program Assistant

janderson19@augusta.edu

photo of Danielle Jackson, BS

Danielle Jackson, BS

  • Community Program Assistant

danjackson@augusta.edu

 

Co-Investigators

photo of Dr. Mina Tsai

Dr. Mina Tsai

photo of Dr. Anand Jillella

Dr. Anand Jillella

photo of Dr. Priyanka Raval

Dr. Priyanka Raval

photo of Dr. Zachary Klaassen

Dr. Zachary Klaassen

photo of Dr. John Henson, IV

Dr. John Henson, IV

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