Community Outreach and Engagement Projects

Cervical Cancer Prevention Task Force: The Cervical Cancer Prevention Task Force (CCPTF) was developed in collaboration with SBCC’s Office for Community Outreach and Engagement and the Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ (SCDHS) Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion Coalition (CPHPC). The CCPTF aims to increase cervical cancer screening and promote the HPV vaccine. In collaboration with SBU’s Student Health Service, a student survey is being developed to assess knowledge about the HPV vaccine and to identify opinions on the most effective way to educate and promote HPV awareness among college students. In partnership with Stony Brook Children’s pediatric clinical practice in Center Moriches, COE is developing an evidence-based American Cancer Society quality improvement initiative to educate and increase vaccination rates.
 

Addressing Racial Disparities in Cancer Care: There are significant racial disparities, particularly for black males, that permeate our healthcare system in comparison to men of other ethnicities. The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) brings education to the community, promotes cancer prevention, and encourages awareness and use of screening, diagnostic and treatment services. COE is facilitating focus group discussions with the goal of identifying barriers to care and to help the COE staff to design the most effective educational interventions to increase cancer screenings among black persons in our community. 
 

Mobile Mammography Unit (Mammo Van): The primary goal of the Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU) is to increase the number of underserved women who receive a screening mammogram within our catchment area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Through personal interaction and the mobility of the unit, the MMU is able to address the barriers that affect women’s access to healthcare. The barriers identified include lack of transportation, lack of insurance, distrust in the medical profession, financial insecurity, English as a second language, cultural norms, and lack of time. The MMU visits churches, libraries, community centers, schools, supermarkets, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), foundations, and local businesses. There is no cost to the host site, nor any out-of-pocket cost to the patients, and the screening mammogram is usually complete in just 15 minutes. Staff is bilingual and trained in cultural competency and health literacy. All women screened receive a post-mammogram survey and receive a follow-up reminder one year later.
 

Nicotine Cessation: The Nicotine Treatment and Cessation Work Group was created to connect ongoing efforts and activities of nicotine cessation programs at Stony Brook University and bring together individuals with a shared interest in decreasing nicotine use in our community. Lung and other cancers caused by tobacco/nicotine use create a significant burden on members of our community of Nassau and Suffolk Counties, particularly minority populations. By sharing resources, aligning best practices, and developing collaborative outreach, education, and research projects this committee will develop a comprehensive, united effort towards nicotine cessation. COE is currently investigating ways to streamline patient referrals to the NY QUITS nicotine cessation service and gather relevant information about its success rates.
 

Improving Cancer Clinical Trial Enrollment through Community Outreach and Engagement: Diversity in clinical trials is key to developing a comprehensive understanding of cancer and discovering new treatments that are effective in all populations. Conversely, all cancer patients and communities benefit from clinical and scientific advances that are brought about by robust clinical trials. The Clinical Trials and Community Outreach and Engagement Committee (CTCOE) was created to broaden clinical trial participation via targeted monitoring of clinical trial enrollments within minority, underserved, and hard-to-reach populations in our catchment area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties. A ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page was created in partnership with the Suffolk County Department of Health Services Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion Coalition.

Stony Brook Cancer Screening Resources: 

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