Community Outreach

The Tisch Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach and Engagement Program provides community-based, culturally relevant educational programs aimed at increasing cancer awareness in vulnerable groups. Through this work, we seek to enhance the involvement of the underserved populations across the continuum of cancer care, including risk reduction, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, as well as palliative services. Those interested in health education programming are encouraged to contact us by filling out this request form.

Cancer Outreach Programs

“Early Detection Saves Lives” is the slogan and guiding principle for our educational programs on breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, lung, and prostate cancers. These targeted initiatives are designed to reach the Black and Hispanic, Chinese, and African and Russian immigrant communities throughout the New York City area. Each program includes a free 30-minute educational presentation, as well as access to a patient navigator who can assist participants in locating screenings.

Beyond our Early Detection initiative, our other collaborative educational efforts include:

The Witness Project® of Harlem

The Witness Project® of Harlem is a breast and cervical cancer education program for Black women designed to increase adherence to recommended screening guidelines. The project trains breast cancer survivors to share their own experiences of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Evaluation of these efforts has revealed that participants report significant increases in breast cancer screening from pre-to post-intervention, and this model has extended to educating Black men and women on colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. 

Esperanza y Vida® – The Latina Witness Project of Harlem

Esperanza y Vida® is a health education program that works collaboratively within the Hispanic/Latino community. Modeled after the Witness Project®, Esperanza y Vida uses innovative technology to provide education on breast and cervical cancer. Esperanza y Vida has expanded its programming to cover colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that affects the Hispanic community. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to call 212-824-7801.

Hepatitis Outreach Network

The Hepatitis Outreach Network works to prevent, screen for, and educate New Yorkers about hepatitis B and C virus infections. The Network focuses on reaching minority communities most affected by these viruses, including West African immigrants, Hispanic, Russian, and Chinese populations. The Hepatitis Outreach Network raises awareness by deploying bilingual health workers to provide culturally relevant education at local events. It also offers free viral hepatitis screenings, and assists those testing positive in accessing care, including low-cost treatment in partnership with the Mount Sinai Health System.

CHOICE Program

Through the CHOICE program, participants stay up to date with screening for colorectal cancer. Screening for colorectal cancer is strongly recommended for everyone, starting at age 45.

Mobile Mammography Program

The Mobile Mammography Program provides breast cancer screening services for women aged 40 and older throughout the five boroughs of New York City. The Mobile Mammography Program couples culturally relevant education and outreach with digital breast tomosynthesis full-field mammography.

Mobile MRI Prostate Unit 

Mount Sinai’s Robert F. Smith Mobile MRI Unit supports prostate health and addresses the high incidence of prostate cancer in the Black community. This mobile unit brings state-of-the-art imaging equipment and specialized staff directly to the communities that need them most. The goal is to lower prostate cancer deaths among Black males in the areas immediately surrounding The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens.

預‧善防 

預‧善防 partners with different community and faith-based organizations within the New York City Chinese community. The program provides engaging education on various types of cancers that disproportionally burden Chinese populations, including breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, and lung cancers. The program’s aim is to improve adherence to recommended screening guidelines. Each session is available in Mandarin, Cantonese, or English. 

Ваше Здоровье

Ваше Здоровье provides education to the Russian community of New York City with aim of combating cancers that disproportionately affect this population. By raising awareness of increased risks while supporting recommended screening guidelines, Ваше Здоровье aims to enhance community screening engagement. It provides community sessions on breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, and lung cancers for Russian-speaking health educators.

Community Partnerships

COE collaborates with community organizations across the five boroughs of NYC to bring culturally-tailored, evidence-based programming to local communities. We work regularly with the following community partners: 

  • SAGE Harlem/Midtown  
  • Food Bank NYC  
  • Mount Eden 
  • Canaan Senior Center 
  • Latina Sisters 
  • Grand Street Settlement 
  • Breaking Grounds  
  • Lantern Community Services 
  • VillageCare 
  • Homecrest Community Services 
  • Crant St. Settlement 
  • HCS Multi-Social Services Center 

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