Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey's Community Outreach and Engagement Approach to Cancer Prevention

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cancer Prevention Research
• Health Equity

Background:

• Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ) is dedicated to cancer prevention, education, and clinical services within its catchment area (CA).
• A comprehensive approach is employed, considering individual, sociocultural, environmental, biologic, system, and policy factors through an equity lens.
• Understanding the CA's cancer burden and intervention opportunities is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the impact of RCINJ's cancer prevention initiatives over the past five years.
• To highlight the development and utilization of a data dashboard for evidence-based cancer control.
• To detail the engagement with community partners and diverse populations.

Main Methods:

• Ongoing surveillance of cancer burden and intervention opportunities.
• Leveraging community partnerships (357 healthcare and community partners, 522 sites).
• Providing professional education, technical assistance, and community outreach.

Main Results:

• Facilitated over 60,000 screenings, detecting more than 2,000 malignant and premalignant lesions.
• Reached over 87,000 community members through direct educational outreach.
• Contributed to health policy advances and population-level improvements in risk reduction, screening, and incidence.

Conclusions:

• RCINJ has demonstrated substantial impact on cancer risk reduction, screening, and early detection.
• The institute's multifaceted approach, including data utilization and community engagement, is effective in cancer control.
• Future assessment will focus on long-term impacts on cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, mortality, and disparities.