We are often surprised at the individual struggles with cancer that are hidden from public view, as recently experienced with Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman’s struggle with colon cancer. This experience, coupled with September’s designation as prostate and ovarian cancer awareness month, and October’s designation as breast cancer awareness month, has moved JNA to increase its cancer awareness and prevention efforts in the Caribbean Diaspora, and more specifically, the Washington DC Metropolitan Area Jamaican community. The risk of developing these cancers is higher in Caribbean and US Black populations.
On Sunday, October 18th at 4:00 P.M. EST, JNA will host a virtual presentation on “Cancer Awareness and Prevention in the Caribbean and the US Black Population: An Honest Discussion from Genes to Survivorship.” This initiative is in association with National Cancer Institute’s grantee, the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium Research Working Group. Invited presenters include:
- William Aiken, MD: Urologist, focusing on prostate cancer deaths and morbidity in Jamaica as a public health problem, Head of the Department of Urology, University of The West Indies, Jamaica.
- Marshalee George, PhD: Oncology Nurse Practitioner focusing on access to care and treatment, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
- Sophia George, Ph.D: Molecular Cancer Geneticist focusing on breast and ovarian cancer in Caribbean and US born Black women, University of Miami School of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- Jarrett Johnson, Ph.D: Jamaican Post-Doctoral Student focusing on cancer health disparities in underserved populations. The National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health.
We are still working out the details for registration, but stay tuned.
JNA’s cancer awareness efforts involve Dr. Elaine Knight and JNA’s Community Service & Development Committee, Co-chaired by Delores McKoy, Moye Stephenson-Fairweather and Jennifer Wilson
