The UVA Cancer Center is expanding its outreach in Central, Southside and Southwest Virginia. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)
To expand access to cancer screenings for underserved residents of Central, Southside and Southwest Virginia, UVA Cancer Center is establishing partnerships with community health centers serving those regions.
One partnership is with Central Virginia Health Services and Tri-Area Community Health and a second is with Blue Ridge Medical Center. Both partnerships are supported by $500,000 grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve equity in cancer screenings. The three health centers serve all patients, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay.
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. and nearly 600,000 people die from the disease each year, according to the federal health agency. The agency notes significant disparities remain in cancer screenings and follow-up care based on patients' income, health insurance and race or ethnicity.
The grants are designed to support President Biden's "cancer moonshot" initiative, which includes closing gaps in cancer screenings among its goals.
The partnerships will have three core elements:
- Provide easier access to breast and colorectal cancer screenings.
- Raise awareness of cancer screenings.
