In an effort to change alarming health disparity statistics in South Carolina, American Cancer Society brings Partnering for Life Health and Wellness Tour to Charleston.
Charleston, S.C. – January 12, 2012 – The American Cancer Society, in partnership with NEWorks Productions and Royal Baptist Church will host “Call to Action” a gospel concert to increase cancer awareness and action within Charleston’s African American community. The event, the first of its kind in Charleston, is a combination of music and ministry designed to address the wellbeing of the African American community from a holistic perspective: mind, body and spirit. The concert kicks off the Partnering for Life Health and Wellness Tour which will provide ongoing education and outreach in the Charleston community through health ministry trainings and a health forum.
The Call to Action gospel concert will feature performances by Stellar Award winner Beverly Crawford, Stellar Award winner Micah Stampley, and local favorite John Lakin and Band of Worshippers. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, January 21, 2012, 5:00 p.m. at the Royal Baptist Church, 4761 Luella Avenue, North Charleston (off Montague Avenue). Admission is FREE.
The American Cancer Society is working to increase disease awareness and encourage dialogue and action among African American community members. Despite decreases in overall cancer death rates across all racial and ethnic groups since the early 1990s, racial disparities in cancer mortality persist. African Americans have the highest risk of all major ethnic groups in the United States of being diagnosed with and dying of cancer.
In South Carolina:
- African American women have an 11 percent lower rate of breast cancer, but a 39 percent higher rate of dying from breast cancer.
- White women have higher five-year survival rates than African American women for breast cancer at each stage of disease at diagnosis.
- African Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a 22 percent higher rate than whites.
- African Americans have 47 percent higher death rate from colorectal cancer than whites.
- African American women are diagnosed with cervical cancer at nearly two times the rate of white women.
- African American women die at nearly a two times higher rate than white women
The overarching goal is to encourage community members to talk about cancer and to seek appropriate cancer screenings. Attendees will be given the opportunity to fill out a screening referral card at the event. They will then be contacted by local medical providers who can discuss and arrange for recommended cancer screenings for colon and breast cancers. Higher death rates from colorectal cancer account for about 24 percent of the current disparity in overall cancer death rates between African American and white women and 14 percent of the disparity between African American and white men. While African American women have a lower incidence rate of breast cancer than white women, they are more likely be diagnosed at a later stage and to die from the disease.
“It is absolutely vital that we take steps to close the disparity gap when it comes to cancer,” said Reverend Tawana Thomas-Johnson, director of health disparities for the American Cancer Society. “Too many people are dying of diseases that could be treated if found earlier. African Americans need to learn about cancer risk factors, early detection and treatment. Talking to your doctor and scheduling screenings to detect cancer early can save lives.”
American Cancer Society screening recommendations include:
- Both men and women at average risk of developing colon cancer should choose one of the available screening methods, including flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, or CT colonography, beginning at age 50.
- The fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test or stool DNA test, also starting at age 50, can also be used for finding colon cancer.
- Yearly mammograms are recommended for women starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exam performed about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.
- Individuals at increased risk of developing cancer should talk with their physician to determine whether earlier or more intensive screening is indicated.
“Reaching out and sharing the word is one way we can help reduce the number of deaths in our community from cancer,” said Reverend Nolan Williams, Jr., CEO of NEWorks Productions. “It is my responsibility as a minister in the body of Christ to encourage both physical and spiritual wholeness.”
“We’re very excited to host this important event,” said Reverend Isaac Holt, Pastor, Royal Missionary Baptist Church. “The fellowship created through an event like this is the perfect environment for sharing messages about healthy mind, body and spirit. We hope that those who attend will not only hear the words, but take action.”
Organizations coming together to create the Partnering for Life Health and Wellness Tour include: American Cancer Society, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Charleston Trident Urban League, MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, NAACP, NEWorks Productions, Royal Missionary Baptist Church, TCBNA Tri-County Black Nurses Association, and YWCA.
For more information about this initiative, contact SAEventPartneringForLife@cancer.org or 888-202-7604.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in Americawho have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About NEWorks Productions
NEWorks (‘new works’) Productions, is the production arm of NEWorks, LLC, a tripartite firm based in the nation’s capitol. Since 2001, NEWorks Productions has conceived and produced inspirational arts programming in collaboration with major arts/humanitarian organizations and educational institutions, including (but not limited to): the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Symphony Orchestra, Georgetown University, Oberlin College, Italy’s Amalfi Coast Music and Arts Festival, and the American Cancer Society. NEWorks also produces music for television and film, as well as inspirational CD and DVD recordings. NEWorks.us
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