Cervical Cancer and HPV Prevention in North Georgia

October 01, 2020

The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition (NWGRCC) has created and delivered programs on HPV and breast/cervical cancer for mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, women and men of different cultures and ethnicities. The mission of the NWGRCC’s Cervical Cancer and HPV Prevention program is to increase the number of individuals receiving the HPV vaccine in order to lower the incidence of cervical cancer in Northwest Georgia. The HPV prevention program began in 2008 with the Let’s Talk educational program. Let’s Talk offers a dinner and presentation designed to encourage open communication and discussion within families of middle school boys and girls. These programs are offered throughout the 15 county region.

The NWRGCC has delivered Mother-Daughter Dinner programs in English and Spanish across Northwest Georgia to educate and encourage discussion among mothers and their daughters about Cervical Cancer prevention and HPV Vaccination for over 12 years. Since its inception, the NWRGCC has educated over 1200 mothers and daughters. The programs are led by a female healthcare provider and consist of dinner, a presentation about cervical cancer prevention and facts about HPV vaccination, as well as a discussion session for mothers and daughters to ask additional questions regarding women’s health. The discussion focuses on cervical cancer prevention (CCP) rather than sex education and resonates more broadly and positively with the intended audience. Success of this program has contributed to partnerships with public health districts, local school systems, and members within the Hispanic community.

The “Someone You Love” Movie Viewing is a documentary shown in classrooms across Northwest Georgia to educate males and females 13 and up on the dangers of HPV. The” Lady Ganga Virtual Lesson” was developed to cater to those who aren’t in a traditional classroom setting and has been extremely valuable during the COVID-19 outbreak. Annually the NWGRCC educates approximately 250 program participants and provides navigation services to participants seeking healthcare providers. The NWGRCC provides funding for 50-75 cervical cancer screenings (CCS) (Pap Tests) and navigates them to further diagnostic services if needed.

The NWGRCC also provides materials to providers that can be used with patients in their office. An ongoing provider tool is distributed annually to 100 healthcare professionals to encourage vaccine uptake amongst patients that includes: a guide to implement evidence-based strategies for clinicians, talking points, printable patient educational materials, data and statistics on HPV, and other tools helpful to a provider’s practice in helping to reduce the incidence of cancer in their patient’s lifetime.

Annually the NWGRCC hosts approximately 300 program participants, educates over 8000 students across the region, and provides navigation services to participants seeking healthcare providers for screening or vaccination. The NWGRCC provides funding for 150 cervical cancer screenings and navigation for further diagnostic services if needed.

Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition

The Northwest Georgia Regional Cancer Coalition, Inc. is a collaboration of ten counties in Northwest Georgia whose vision is to build a national model of comprehensive rural cancer control.

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