New Cancer Screening Program at CAMP
Rehoboth
We all are aware that cancer is a very
serious issue for many people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender individuals. There is research out there that shows that the
GLBT community might be disproportionately affected by some types of
cancer. According to the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, these
cancers include breast cancer, cancers related to AIDS, lung cancer,
rectal cancer and cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). So, why
are we disproportionately affected?
There are many reasons why our community is
at higher risk not only for cancer but other diseases. Besides genetics, I
still believe there are barriers of homophobia and heterosexism that
influence the reasons why gay men and women don’t get tested or get
preventive care. How many times have we been afraid to tell our doctors
that we have same sex partners or have sex with someone who is the same
gender? If it isn’t an issue of homophobia, it could be that many of us
have limited health insurance or have no insurance at all. Don’t let
these barriers stop you from being screened.
For these reasons, CAMP Rehoboth and the
Beebe Medical Center will bring health programming to the GLBT community
in Sussex County. As our space and programs grow and we are able to
provide more services to the community, we will continue to focus on
important issues and partner with agencies in the community to bridge any
gaps.
This past year, we were asked by Beebe
Medical Center to become a community partner by bringing the “Champions
of Change” program to CAMP Rehoboth. The program targets community
groups in Delaware by working in their own communities to get people in
for screenings or other health programs. We were asked by Beebe Medical
Center to work within the GLBT community. For us, the goal of this program
is to reach out to men and women in our community who have no or limited
health care and get them into preventive screening programs for cancer.
Here’s how it works:
If you have no (or limited insurance) and
are interested in a mammogram, prostate, rectal or colon screening, call
me at 302-227-5620. I will help make the arrangements with Beebe Medical
Center.
Get the screening, and we will give you a
gift card worth $25.00.
See how simple this is!
We can’t do all this work alone. We need
your help. Here is a way that you can be involved in this program. Talk to
your family, your friends, your partner about getting screened. If you
know someone who is afraid of getting a screening, has put it off or
can’t afford it—get them in. Don’t let money be a barrier when there
are programs in place that will provide these screenings. HELP US TAKE A
STAND, get involved and let’s take responsibility for a healthy GLBT
community in Sussex County.
Here are screening guidelines according to
the American Cancer Society:
Breast Exams: All women should have
their breasts examined by a doctor or other health professional once a
year.
Mammograms: Women age 40 and older
should have regular mammograms, as recommended by their doctors or health
professionals.
Colorectal Tests: Men and women age
50 and older should have regular colorectal cancer screening tests, as
recommended by their doctors or health professionals.
Prostate Exam: Starting at age 50,
men should have a prostate exam. Men at high risk (African-American men
and men with a strong family of one or more first-degree relatives
[father, brothers] diagnosed before age 65) should begin testing at age
45.
Sal Seeley is Program Director of CAMPsafe, an HIV/AIDS program
funded through a contract with the Delaware Division of Public Health.
E-mail salvatoreseeley@aol.com.
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