Witness Project©
THE WITNESS PROJECT
NEW! VIEW THE WITNESS CONFERENCE NEWSLETTER
Moving Witness Forward: Lessons Learned and New Networks: In an effort to expand the evidence-based Witness Project throughout the state, the South Carolina Cancer Alliance Community Education Subcommittee submitted a successful proposal to the Southeastern U.S. Collaborative Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities (SUCCEED) at Morehouse School of Medicine . The Witness Project is designed to use Witness Role Models (WRM) and Lay Health Advisors (LHA) to inform African American women on the importance of breast and cervical cancer screening and to assist in access to screening. The awarded money will be used for a January 30, 2010 conference designed to train women as LHAs and WRMs as well as refresh those previously trained LHAs and WRMs. Currently the Subcommittee is searching for women who are willing to participate in the January training and then incorporate the program in their communities. Partners in developing the South Carolina Witness Project include the South Carolina Cancer Alliance, NCI/CIS, American Cancer Society, Best Chance Network, Clemson University, YWA, SCCDCN, Second Chance, and the Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks and the Lowcountry Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
For additional information, please contact Carolina Community Based Health Supports Networks.
Phone: (803) 988-1014
Email: witnessconference@gmail.com
DOWNLOAD PROGRAM REGISTRATION:
VIEW PICTURES FROM THE MOVING WITNESS FORWARD: LESSONS LEARNED & NEW NETWORKS
UPCOMING WITNESS PROJECT COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS
Please continue to check our site for updates on scheduled community presentations or contact Kimberly Comer, Witness Project Coordinator, for the latest list. 803-988-1014 TRAINING OPPORTUNITY IN THE CHARLESTON AREA:
Are you interested in becoming a Witness Role Model (WRM) or a trained Witness Lay Health Advisor (LHA)? There are plans to have a training in Charleston, SC during April. The training will be held at the Charleston Breast Center in April. For more information, contact Cherry Seabrook at (843) 722-6245.
National Witness Project
Additional Information for the Witness Project can be found at
http://www.thenationalwitnessproject.org.
Saturday, March 20, 10:00a.m.
Providence Baptist Church
320 Mount Olive Road
Santee, SC 29142
Contact Person:
Minister Barbara Mavins
(803) 534-6690
Saturday, March 20, 11 am
New Beginning Outreach Baptist Church
Address: 519 Rochester Hwy
Seneca, SC 29672
Contact : Rasheda Walker
(864) 275-4917
Saturday, March 20, 10:00a.m.
Providence Baptist Church
320 Mount Olive Road
Santee, SC 29142
Contact Person:
Minister Barbara Mavins
(803) 534-6690
Poverty by County
Breast Cancer Mortality
Cervical Cancer Subcommittee
January 2009 Billboard Campaign
World Health Organization releases position paper on HPV vaccination
This important policy document provides guidance for countries considering introduction of HPV vaccine. It also sends an important signal to policymakers and donors that cervical cancer is a public health priority and that HPV vaccination programs merit financial and political support from the international community. The paper acknowledges the importance of a comprehensive approach to cervical cancer and the key role played by early screening and treatment programs alongside of cost-effective vaccination programs. It also issues a definitive statement on vaccine safety and recommends appropriate vaccination strategies.
The paper was drafted in consultation with the World Health Organization Strategic Advisory Group of Experts after a lengthy review of the potential impact of HPV vaccines, the safety of current vaccines, the viability of vaccine introduction in developing countries as demonstrated in current initiatives and the extent of demand for improved cervical cancer prevention worldwide, and especially in the developing world.
Please click to read more:
- The World Health Organization position paper on HPV vaccines (see second page)
- Other vaccine position papers and documents related to the HPV position paper
Cervical Cancer Subcommittee Meeting Minutes
February 26, 2009
December 16, 2008
November 25, 2008
October 28, 2008
September 23, 2008
August 26, 2008
Moving to Action: Addressing Cervical Cancer in South Carolina
South Carolina is a state with excess cervical cancer mortality, a disease closely associated with high-risk or cancer-causing types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Recent innovations in HPV prevention and control, including HPV testing and vaccination, have raised the profile of HPV in cervical cancer prevention and control efforts. The audience has expanded to include pediatricians, parents, policymakers, and many others. As a result, stakeholders, including researchers, public health practitioners, clinicians, community- and faith-based leaders, survivors, and advocates, from across the state have started an effort, “Moving to Action: Addressing Cervical Cancer in South Carolina,” to develop, implement, and evaluate a strategic plan to address excess cervical cancer mortality from prevention, control, and policy perspectives while continuing to support discovery work in the field of cervical cancer. “Moving to Action: Addressing Cervical Cancer in South Carolina” is supported by funds received by the USC Institute for Partnerships to Eliminate Health Disparities and USC-Claflin EXPORT Center. A statewide event was held June 2008 to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to identify ways to address cervical cancer and most importantly implement such solutions on the local level. Below are the events and activities that have occurred as a result of the Moving to Action initiative.
Agendas of Planning Group Meetings:
Minutes of Planning Group Meetings:
Resources for Planning Group Members:
- HPV article, Dr. Covia Stanley
- Eliminating Cervical Cancer, Dr. Covia Stanley
- Faith Community Perspective on HPV vaccine
- Report on Cervical Cancer in South Carolina as a result of a Legislative Proviso South Carolina Cervical Cancer Study: A Report on the Status of Cervical Cancer Prevention and Control, Report to the Governor and General Assembly
- Example of Community Action Plans:
Action Plans for the State Baptist Young Woman’s Auxiliary developed at “A Call to Action” in March 2007 - Article on HPV in State Cancer Plans
Steele CB et al. (2008). Human Papillomavirus-Related Content in State and Tribal Comprehensive Cancer Control Plans. Journal of Women’s Health, 17(1), 5-10. - SC Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan with Cervical Cancer Content Highlighted
The full plan (without highlighting) is available at:
http://www.sccanceralliance.org/UserFiles/SC Cancer Plan.pdf - Abstract submissions to:
- Report on Excess Cervical Cancer Mortality:
Freeman HP, Wingrove BK. Excess cervical cancer mortality: A marker for low access to health care in poor communities. Rockville, MD: National Cancer Institute, Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities; 2005. Report: NIH Pub. No. 05-5282. - Article on Cervical Cancer in South Carolina:
Brandt HM, Modayil MV, Hurley D, Pirisi-Creek LA, Johnson MG, Davis J, Mathur SP, Hebert JR. Cervical cancer disparities in South Carolina: An update of early detection, special programs, descriptive epidemiology, and emerging directions. J S C Med Assoc. 2006 Aug;102(7):223-30. - Overview of Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations
- Cervical Cancer Incidence (1996-2002) and Mortality (1995-2003) in South Carolina
- Cervical Cancer Incidence in the United States by Area of Residence, 1998-2001 (Benard et al., 2007)
- Article
Moving to Action Strategic Planning Meeting held June 13 -14, 2008
Meeting participants included clinicians, public health professionals, policymakers, survivors, advocates, and others committed to preventing and controlling cervical cancer in South Carolina.
Moving to Action Registration Flyer Click here to view meeting photo gallery
Results of the Moving to Action Strategic Planning Meeting
Moving to Action Items - June 13, 2008
Moving to Action Items - June 14, 2008
Moving to Action Items - Summary
Moving to Action Meetings & Conferences on Cervical Cancer & HPV to be held in South Carolina from August - December 2008
- South Carolina HIV/STD Conference: Honoring Yesterday, Celebrating Today, Creating Tomorrow, October 15-17, 2008, Columbia, SC – MTA sponsored a Plenary Session on HPV and Cervical Cancer on October 16, 2008; keynote speaker - Dr. Mark Dignan (Video)
- For additional information about Moving to Action future meetings and activities on cervical cancer and HPV, visit http://www.sccanceralliance.org
Acknowledgment:
The EXPORT Center for Partnerships to Eliminate Disparities in Cancer and HIV (A Partnership between the University of South Carolina and Claflin University) is supported by a research grant from the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health (1P20MD001770-01). “Moving to Action: Addressing Cervical Cancer in South Carolina” is an effort undertaken by many dedicated individuals representing several organizations and agencies from across the state and nationally.