The year 2001 marked a milestone for the CEED Program (Cancer Education and Early Detection), which is organized under the Office of Public Health Nursing.

For the first time, funds were made available to cover the cost of treatment for women diagnosed through the program. And for the second year in a row, CEED also offered free prostate and colorectal screening to men who qualify.

The CEED Program has provided breast and cervical cancer screenings for women age 50 since 1996. In the last two years the program was expanded to include colorectal screening, breast screening for women age 40 and cervical cancer screening for women as young as 18.

The initiative promotes awareness, provides outreach and education, and offers screenings and diagnostic services for the underinsured and uninsured. Some ethnic and minority groups experience higher cancer incidence and mortality rates, and their cancers are often detected at later stages.

The program is coordinated in cooperation with the CEED Coalition, a working group of the Partnership for Community Health, which acts as an advisory body. The coalition includes participation from multiple sectors of the community. Partners providing screening services include all six local hospitals: Bergen Regional Medical Center, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, Holy Name Hospital, Pascack Valley Hospital, and Valley Hospital. Coalition projects included the development and distribution of a calendar of events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (September).

In 2001, 408 women and 101 men were screened. During 2001, no clients were diagnosed with cancer through the CEED program. More than 60 percent of program participants identified themselves as from minority racial or ethnic populations. In an effort to serve these clients more effectively, male and female interpreters were available to assist clients through screening and follow-up. Educational materials were available in English and five foreign languages: Chinese, Korean, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Key personnel included public health nurses, hospital nurses, health educators, outreach workers, physicians and interpreters. Public health nurses and interpreters comprised the case management teams. Team members assisted and guided clients through the intake, screening, referral and follow-up phases of the program.

During 2001, grant funds awarded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation were used to provide client transportation for 101 women (nearly 25%) to and from screening or follow-up appointments. This award effectively eliminated one of the greatest barriers to healthcare access.

Over 5,587 flyers were distributed, and a total of 3,190 women and men were educated on the importance of early detection for breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer. A total of 455 flyers were posted and distributed promoting screenings during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Staff also reached out to Native Americans at the Ramapough Indian Reservation.

• Materials were distributed at educational table displays at senior centers, churches, post offices, supermarkets, pharmacies, health fairs, fundraisers and flea markets.
• Education programs were provided through health departments, home health agencies, hospital screenings, the National Education Association and senior centers.
• Outreach sites included libraries, barbershops, bars, delicatessens, bakeries, travel agencies, doctors’ offices, social service agencies and minority cultural groups and celebrations.
• Outreach methods included press releases, announcements in cultural newsletters, a guest appearance on a cable television program and the distribution of mother’s and father’s day cards promoting screenings.