Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center (MECC) joined healthcare providers across the country to promote the benefits of early cancer screening and detection during National Cancer Screen Week in December.
See how the MECC team helped to educate the community about the benefits of early cancer screenings at events across our Bronx campuses.
The main goal: to demystify cancer screening and lessen fears by providing information about the process and preparation, among other things. “During screen week, many people were surprised to learn they did not have to have symptoms to get screened,” said Denise Galeano, Program Manager, Colorectal Screening Program.
“Cancer Screen Week activities at MECC drew praise and thanks from Bronx residents and staff who stopped by information tables at the Moses, Wakefield and Weiler campuses,” she said.
The Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) program, Montefiore Einstein Department of Radiology and MECC breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer screening programs collaborated to provide educational materials, screening program information, nutritional guidance, free snacks and giveaways to those who attended.
In 2022, Montefiore Einstein performed 67,374 prostate, breast and colorectal cancer screenings. Montefiore Einstein started participating in Cancer Screen Week in 2018, and the program has grown exponentially since then, thanks to outreach efforts with churches, neighborhood groups and other community organizations.
“Education is the best power you can have over your health, and our aim is to make sure our community has the best information available,” said Shirin Lalezari, Research Specialist, Neurosurgery, Montefiore Einstein. “The incidence of cancer is equivalent among different communities but the access to healthcare is not.”
Some screenings, like colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, can prevent cancer from developing by allowing doctors to remove precancerous tissue, polyps or other abnormalities. Early detection also leads to better survival rates and health outcomes for all cancers, which is especially important in the Bronx.
The key is making sure that the Bronx population of 1.4 million is aware of the services that Montefiore Einstein provides when it comes to cancer prevention, awareness and diagnosis of major cancers that affect this community.
For more information, or to book your cancer screening please contact MECC’s screening helpline at 718-430-3613 or check out the community outreach screening page.
