A cancer education and prevention center. A community program

The Cancer Education and Prevention Center at Samuel Merritt Hospital in Oakland, CA is one of the 27 American Cancer Society (ACS)-National Cancer Institute (NCI) breast cancer demonstration projects. In 1980 it was converted to a General Cancer Screening Clinic for men and women. Its goal is to not only detect cancer, but to teach patients about the most current methods of self-examination and surveillance. In addition, there is a thorough assessment of each patient's risk factors for cancer, and attempts are made to assist them in altering life styles and habits by reducing potential for future cancer. Many community physicians perceived the hospital-based Screening Center as a potential duplication of medical services to their private patients. Several methods were used to solve this and other problems. Many innovative projects at the Center were used to promote both professional education and training to physicians and other health professionals, as well as public education for the community. Five thousand nine hundred thirty-four patients have been screened. There were 175 presentations to the community and 508 Clinic classes with 76 training sessions at the Center. A hospital-based Cancer Education and Prevention Center of this type can offer a service to the community and be a rich source of in-depth education for both professionals and for the public.