Let's talk about colon health
People experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to die from cancer than the average adult in the United States. And the risk from colon cancer is even higher if you're Black or African American.
For Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we put a special focus on addressing misconceptions and prompting clients to get screened! Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of a traditional colonoscopy and don't know they have the option of a noninvasive FIT test, good for one year.
Putting prevention front and center:
- We texted over 600 clients who are overdue for a colorectal screening—and got an overwhelming response back, with all 64 colorectal screening specific slots filled up!
- At our March Front Porch campaign at Fallsway, staff spoke to 70+ clients about the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, while also handing out street safety kits, hot chocolate, coffee, donuts and winter gear.
- Our medical assistants, nurses, and harm reduction staff all got renewed training on addressing cancer screenings with clients.
Header image: Director of Population Health & Care Coordination Tracy Russell, RN, helping out at the outreach table. Right: Tracy and Population Health Nurse Shannon Riley, RN.
Are you or someone you know due for a screening?
Check out our guide to colon health and the screenings we offer. Everyone between the ages of 45 and 75 needs regular screenings for colorectal cancer. Talk to your provider about your options.
More Recent News
We're excited to welcome Kisun Peters as Health Care for the Homeless' new Director of Finance. Kisun brings more than four years of finance leadership experience to this role, along with a commitment to expanding access to health care. Most recently, he served as Director of Finance & Business Development at Tuerk House, a behavioral health nonprofit in Baltimore. A strong believer in using data to make smart decisions, Kisun is passionate about building financial systems that support staff and advance an organization’s mission. He holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh. Read on to get to know Kisun better (and how he spent his summer)!
Spend a day with Patient Navigator Kim Taylor and see how hands-on support helps people experiencing homelessness navigate cancer screenings, treatment and a complex health care system. From coordinating referrals to sitting beside clients during appointments, Kim ensures no one faces a cancer diagnosis alone.
From their headquarters in East Baltimore, Moveable Feast designs and delivers thousands of healthy meals each week for people in Central Maryland and on the Eastern Shore (including some Health Care for the Homeless clients). Read about their approach to improving health through nutrition...
If you drive by the corner of Park, Liberty and Fayette, you'll notice some big changes. See how Sojourner Place at Park, our latest housing project in partnership with Episcopal Housing Corporation, is taking shape!