Improving the Health of Our Communities
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 management. We aim to serve as a bridge between evidence-based and sustainable outreach programs, and community organizations.
Community Health Needs Assessment Reporting
Dana-Farber's Community Health 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.
Determination of Need Community Health Initiative Funding
Through the Massachusetts Determination of Need (DoN) program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute invests in community-based initiatives that address priority health needs and advance health equity. These efforts support partnerships with community organizations and other stakeholders to improve access to care and address the broader factors that influence health and cancer outcomes.
Early Detection, Screening, Cancer Prevention and Education
Our office is 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 care committed to making Dana-Farber's care and research findings more accessible to everyone within and outside our walls.
AssessYourRisk Tool
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.
Cancer Care Access Program
Led by Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, Faculty Director for Cancer Care Access, the Cancer Care Access Program (CCAP) 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, CCAP 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.
Centers for Early Detection and Interception
When we can detect cancer early, we have a greater chance of treating and curing that cancer. Dana-Farber’s Centers for Early Detection and Interception is a new multidisciplinary clinical and research program for individuals who are at increased risk of developing cancer due to genetic conditions, precursor conditions, positive result from a multi-cancer early detection test, family history of cancer, or previous cancer. Through dedicated centers and clinics, the Centers aims to detect cancer sooner and stop pre-cancerous conditions from progressing.
Community Outreach and Education Program
Our Community Outreach and Education team partners with local organizations to provide cancer prevention education to historically marginalized populations in Greater Boston. Our evidence-based, culturally-tailored curriculum is designed to inform diverse communities on cancer screening recommendations, cancer disparities, and available resources. We also partner with our expert faculty and survivors to bring cancer-specific education directly to the community. Our bilingual Community Outreach Specialists are able to present in English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Haitian Creole.
HPV-Related Cancer Outreach Program
Dana-Farber's HPV-Related Cancer 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.
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.
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.
Survivorship Program
Dana-Farber’s Adult Survivorship Program aims to improve the health and quality of life for people living through and beyond a cancer diagnosis by providing clinical care, education, counseling, and conducting innovative, patient-centered research. The program utilizes a personalized approach to follow-up cancer surveillance, prevention, management of late and long-term effects, behavior modification, and coordination of care. If you were treated for cancer as an adult (age 21 or older), you may benefit from our expertise and services. You do not need to have been treated at Dana-Farber to be seen in our Adult Survivorship Program.
Tobacco Treatment Program at Whittier
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 tobacco cessation counseling to Whittier Street Health Center patients.
