Program Outcomes from a Novel Outreach Network to Increase Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Washington, DC

Authors

Hannah Safron, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Shayla Scarlett, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Claudia Campos Galvan, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Julie E. Bauman, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Sherrie Flynt Wallington, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
Jacqueline Beale, Cancer to Jasmine and Butterflies Consulting, Glenn Dale, MD, USA.
Bettye Muwwakkil, Access to Wholistic and Productive Living, Inc., Brentwood, MD, USA.
Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, GW Cancer Center, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street, NW Suite 8000, Washington, DC, 20052, USA. mandi@gwu.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

11-1-2025

Journal

Journal of community health

DOI

10.1007/s10900-025-01528-9

Keywords

African immigrant; Breast cancer screening; Community Health Worker; LGBTQI; Latina

Abstract

After the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and ethnic minority groups experienced disproportionate delays in returning to breast cancer. The GW Cancer Center's Community Outreach and Engagement team developed a novel Neighborhood Health Ambassador (NHA) network to increase knowledge and access to breast cancer screening in the Washington, DC metropolitan region. First, we recruited NHAs to complete a paid 100-h Community Health Worker (CHW) training and 44-h practicum. We coached NHAs to conduct community outreach and breast cancer screening education in their neighborhoods. Second, we partnered with two community-based organizations to arrange direct screenings for Hispanic/Latina and African immigrant women. Twenty-six NHAs completed the CHW Curriculum. Nineteen NHAs completed the practicum. NHAs reached 2,189 direct beneficiaries at 108 events over a year. GW Cancer Center staff navigated 21 women to mammograms. Out-of-pocket costs were paid to allow an additional 102 uninsured women to obtain mammograms. This project piloted a community-based network to strengthen breast cancer screening in the GW Cancer Center catchment area. Creating a grassroots network of community health workers is feasible and impactful, but time-intensive. Directly partnering with longstanding community partners yielded faster screening uptake among priority groups for breast cancer screening.

APA Citation

Safron, Hannah; Scarlett, Shayla; Galvan, Claudia Campos; Bauman, Julie E.; Wallington, Sherrie Flynt; Beale, Jacqueline; Muwwakkil, Bettye; and Pratt-Chapman, Mandi L., "Program Outcomes from a Novel Outreach Network to Increase Breast Cancer Screening Uptake in Washington, DC" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 8172.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/8172

Department

Medicine