1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be the program coordinator for the Cancer Services Program?
I’ve worked for the Onondaga County Health Department for a little over 13 years now, and have a true passion for public health. I’ve been the program coordinator for the Cancer Services Program since 2016. My job connects me with the community and brings me such joy knowing I can assist individuals of Onondaga County one resident at a time by providing such an important health screening.
2. For those unfamiliar, what is the Cancer Services Program?
The Cancer Services Program provides breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and diagnostic services at no cost to individuals without health insurance or facing other barriers to completing their screenings. The services that are provided are free: clinical breast exams and mammograms for individuals ages 40 and older; pap and HPV tests for people with a cervix ages 40-64; and colorectal cancer screening beginning at age 45. The Cancer Services Program may also assist individuals who do not have health insurance and have been diagnosed with breast, cervical, colorectal, or prostate cancer to enroll in the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program.
3. How does your department educate the public about the importance of cancer screening?
Our staff works with community partners within Onondaga County to conduct group and one-on-one education sessions within the community about the importance of routine cancer screenings. We attend community events and utilize free and paid media to promote the importance of breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings.
4. How can people get involved with the program and its services?
Uninsured individuals can call our office at (315) 435-3653 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or visit ongov.net/health/cancerscreening to register online for a free cancer screening exam.
