HHCGA Takes Action: Prevention-Focused Certification Through ACS Cancer Training
A few weeks ago, the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia (HHCGA) took part in a training hosted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) aimed at raising awareness about breast, colon, and prostate cancer screenings through education.
Dr. Sharon Allison-Ottey led the HHCGA team through an engaging and informative training session. Team members actively participated in a webinar that sparked meaningful discussion, beginning with a foundational understanding of cancer and progressing to more complex topics, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer. A central focus throughout the session was how best to communicate this critical information to the communities we serve.
As a result, the HHCGA team is now well-equipped to address questions from community members and provide up-to-date, accurate information about breast, colon, and prostate cancer. This includes knowledge about risk factors, warning signs, screening recommendations, and available treatment options.
During the breast cancer segment, we explored various recommendations that may be offered to individuals at risk. For example, mammograms are standard, while breast MRIs may be considered for women at very high risk. However, it’s important to note that MRIs are not universally recommended. They are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We also learned that colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. However, the conversation took a deeper turn when the focus shifted to prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, with Hispanic men ranking as the third most affected group nationally. Within the Hispanic/Latino(a) community, conversations about prostate cancer are often avoided due to stigma and discomfort. However, we learned that the most effective way to break this stigma is simple, talk about it. Open dialogue is essential. By encouraging men to discuss prostate health and overall wellness with one another, we can begin to normalize these conversations and promote early detection and care.
One of the key takeaways from the training was understanding the factors that can place certain groups at higher risk for various types of cancer. These factors include dietary habits, the tendency for diagnoses to occur at more advanced stages, and underrepresentation in clinical trials.
This led to an important reflection for the Hispanic/Latino(a) community: Are we being represented in clinical research? The answer is yes, but not nearly to the extent we should be. Representation is still very low, and much of that can be attributed to hesitancy, mistrust, and lack of information. Instead of accepting this as a norm, we must ask why this hesitancy exists and explore ways to overcome it in order to improve our participation in clinical trials.
In a previous training held during Día de la Mujer, one participant made a thought-provoking comment: when she arrived in the U.S., her husband joined a clinical trial, but she was fearful and skeptical. This reaction is not uncommon, and it highlights a broader sentiment of fear and
mistrust within our community. Addressing those concerns with empathy and education is essential to building confidence and ensuring our communities are not left behind in medical advancements.
The overall message from the training is clear: Prevention is key.
With the knowledge gained, our team is now better equipped to guide community members toward informed, proactive decisions about their health—grounded in education, empathy, and cultural understanding.
Rafael Bernal
HHCGA Social Media Director - ACS Certified Ambassador
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