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  • The role of Dana-Farber's Community Benefits office is to support the Institute's goal to reduce cancer risk among medically underserved populations.

    We work with city and state health departments, community partners, and Boston-based coalitions to assess and monitor the needs of local residents with respect to cancer control.

    In collaboration with staff throughout Dana-Farber, we serve as a bridge with community organizations and establish evidence-based and sustainable outreach programs.

    We are on the front lines of supporting and collaborating on programs designed to eliminate disparities in breast, colon, and skin cancer; educate diverse populations about tobacco cessation, human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention and screening; and strengthen the support system for medically underserved populations. In short, we are committed to making Dana-Farber's care and research findings more accessible to everyone within and outside its walls.

    AssessYourRisk

    AssessYourRisk is a free online cancer education tool designed for all persons at risk of breast or ovarian cancer. By using a brief, 5-10-minute quiz/evaluation, you receive personalized recommendations and resources to help you manage or reduce your risk of cancer in the future.

    This tool and its accompanying resources are designed to serve members of our diverse community who can benefit from early detection to help them reduce their overall cancer risk.

    Determination of Need Community Health Initiative Funding

    Dana-Farber has released the first round of funding for its Request for Proposals (RFP) funding opportunity aimed at ensuring all residents, particularly those impacted by cancer and other chronic conditions, have access to coordinated and equitable health and support services. Through this funding opportunity, up to $4 million will be awarded to community organizations in Greater Boston over the next four years to support initiatives that address root causes of health inequities and support needs across the cancer spectrum.

    Mammography Van

    The only mobile digital mammography program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dana-Farber's Mammography Van provides screening mammograms and breast health education to women 40 years of age and older.

    Mammography Suite at Whittier Street Health Center

    A Dana-Farber cancer care team at the Mammography Suite at Whittier Street Health Center — including board-certified mammography technologists, program coordinators, and breast health educators — connects low-income, elderly, and medically underserved women to high-quality care screening for breast cancer.

    Cancer Care Equity Program

    Led by Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, Faculty Director for Cancer Care Equity, the Cancer Care Equity Program (CCEP) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute bridges research and outreach efforts to address cancer disparities. Through a variety of efforts, including a clinical outreach program at Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury, health equity reporting, and support for cancer disparities research, among others, CCEP aims to broaden access to vulnerable patient populations and join our community partners in the quest for equitable care across the spectrum of cancer-related disease.

    Community Health Needs Assessment Reporting

    Dana-Farber's Community Benefits Office also engages in a number of comprehensive reporting processes in collaboration with local, state, and federal health agencies and other community-based partners to satisfy applicable regulatory requirements and demonstrate measurable outcomes in reducing the cancer burden in our priority neighborhoods.

    Dana-Farber's Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention Program

    Dana-Farber's Sun Safety/Skin Cancer Prevention Program works to reduce the incidence of skin cancer in Massachusetts through free education and free skin screenings for the public.

    HPV and Related Cancers Outreach Program

    Dana-Farber's HPV and Related Cancers Outreach Program uses a multi-pronged approach to prevent six types of cancer caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV-related cancers can be prevented with vaccination, screening, and early detection.

    Tobacco Control and Lung Cancer Prevention

    Tobacco use is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, tobacco use is linked to about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As part of our comprehensive approach to reduce smoking and tobacco-related cancers, Dana-Farber provides several clinical programs to patients and community members, including smoking cessation counseling, lung cancer screening, and treatment.

    Read more stories in the Community Benefits brochure
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    Dana-Farber in the Community

    Dana-Farber is dedicated to meeting the health needs of high-risk and medically underserved populations in our communities.

    patient outside

    Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity

    At Dana-Farber, we are committed to doing everything in our power to eliminate racial, socioeconomic, cultural, and other disparities in patient care, cancer research, and cancer treatment and outcomes.

    Judy Garber, MD, MPH talking with a patient

    Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

    Dana-Farber offers a wealth of supportive services and programs to help individuals reduce their risk of a cancer occurrence or recurrence.