The “Impacting Cancer Health Disparities and Facilitating Cancer Health Equity in Breast, Multiple Myeloma, and Prostate Cancers in Underserved and Minority Populations: The cancer-Community Awareness Access Research & Education II (c-CARE II) Initiative” team is located at the Medical College of Georgia’s main campus in Augusta, GA (Richmond County) and is led by Dr. Martha Tingen. The Study is a collaboration with the Georgia Cancer Center.
The c-CARE project framework was originally introduced in 2015, and utilizes the “train the trainer” method to deliver culturally-tailored educational intervention sessions at various community sites. Funding for the c-CARE II project was obtained through a grant from the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, $3.38M.
The c-CARE II project seeks to recruit 600 African American (AA) adults (over 18 years of age) at 20 faith-based sites, rural and urban, from five Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) counties with a high percentage of AAs to include Burke, Jefferson, McDuffie, Richmond, and Wilkes. In general, the study target area ranks poorly in multiple socio-economic and health indicators, and the population has an increased risk for preventable cancer and poorer cancer outcomes.
The c-CARE II initiative is a research study designed to improve cancer outcomes—specifically
breast, multiple myeloma, and prostate—in minority and underserved populations in
a sustainable and collaborative community-based approach.
This will be achieved by:
Participants will attend five 90-minute c-CARE II curriculum sessions, which emphasize
prevention, screening, and early detection behaviors. We will assess modifiable behavioral
risk factors, including tobacco use and obesity; we will implement an obesity intervention
for all participants, and provide navigation to tobacco cessation resources if the
participant is motivated to do so. Also, we will assess non-modifiable risks through
navigation to genetic testing for those meeting established eligibility criteria and
willing to do so. The genetic testing will be an optional component of the study.
c-CARE II also has a global component and we work with six countries in Africa.
Dr. Marlo Vernon
Dr. Mina Tsai
Dr. Anand Jillella
Dr. Priyanka Raval
Dr. Zachary Klaassen
Dr. John Henson, IV
