Achieving Cancer Equity through Identification, Testing, and Screening
Achieving Cancer Equity through Identification, Testing and Screening (ACE-ITS) seeks to increase the proportion of Black women and Black breast cancer survivors who follow the recommended guidelines for receiving mammography screening and genetic testing, in an attempt to address disparities in breast cancer mortality in the DC metropolitan area.
The project, funded by a grant sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Pfizer Inc., takes an integrated, multi-level, community-engaged approach toward this goal.
Participating research organizations and individuals include:
- Breast cancer researchers from Georgetown Lombardi’s Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Research (OMH) and the Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Program
- Oncologists and primary care physicians at MedStar Georgetown facilities and Unity Health Care
- Patient navigators at the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Prevention
- Ongoing collaborations with the DC Department of Health through Project WISH (Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program)
- Community-based organizations that represent the interests of Black women and breast cancer survivors in the DC metropolitan area, including the Thelma Jones Breast Cancer Fund, a nonprofit grassroots organization that promotes early detection strategies for breast health led by breast cancer advocate Ms. Thelma Jones; and the African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association, led by Ms. Ify Nwabukwu, a breast cancer survivor dedicated to promoting breast health awareness among women of African origin.
The goal of ACE-ITS aligns closely with the mission of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: to prevent, treat and cure cancers by linking scientific discovery, expert and compassionate patient care, quality education and partnership with the community — guided by the principle of cura personalis, “care for the whole person.”