(Salt Lake City) Fifteen groups will benefit from mini-grants to launch cancer prevention and control efforts. The Utah Department of Health Cancer Control Program (UCCP) has awarded the grants to support projects and studies that include radon exposure; breast, colorectal, and skin cancer; lung cancer screening; patient navigation among minority populations; and cancer survivorship, among others.
Each grant is worth up to $5,000 per project for fiscal year July 2013-June 2014. All projects support the goals established in Utah’s Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (UCPCP), 2011-2015, which include reducing the number of new cancer cases, increasing cancer screenings, and improving survivors’ quality of life.
Mountain West Society for Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (MWSGNA) will use its grant to host a one-day conference to educate nurses and other staff on colorectal cancer. The Society will also teach staff from more than 100 clinics how to increase screening rates.
“As a nursing organization that focuses on gastrointestinal health, this grant will help us help patients understand the importance of screening,” said Anne Jackson, MWSGNA Board Member.
Huntsman Cancer Institute's (HCI) Public Outreach Program also received a grant.
“Huntsman Cancer Institute will use its grant to provide continuing medical education to primary care providers about the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) new lung cancer screening guidelines,” said Lori Maness, Public Outreach Coordinator at HCI.
“Many doctors aren’t yet aware of the new guidelines and which patients can benefit from screening. The program will include a live class and online video, as well as printed materials,” Maness added.
UCCP Manager Kathryn Rowley says the grants all play a role in the state’s ongoing cancer battle. “Giving these funds to help our partners implement evidence-based strategies is critical to efforts to reduce the number of new cancer cases and cancer-related deaths,” said Rowley. “Distributing the funds at the community level ensures we will reach a broad cross-section of the population.”
All grant recipients are members of, or affiliated with, the Utah Cancer Action Network (UCAN). UCAN is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer in Utah. Members of UCAN help to review and score grant applications.
For a description of the projects that will be funded this year, please visit www.ucan.cc/grantrecipients2014.
# # #
Media Contact:
Brenda Nelson
Public Education Specialist
(o) 801-538-6189 (m) 435-849-1759
