LOS ANGELES – California Health Collaborative Every Woman Counts Los Angeles has joined forces with Comprehensive Community Health Centers (CCHC) and Cedars Sinai Cancer to celebrate Women’s Health and Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. We have developed a month-long campaign called “Mabuhay Ang Mga Pilipina 2022” that aims to increase cancer screening rates among the Filipino community. The coronavirus pandemic has caused disruptions in already low cancer screening rates nationwide. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program saw sharp declines of up to 87% in breast and 84% in cervical cancer screenings during April 2020. As screening rates decrease, several cancer incidence trends are on the rise in the Los Angeles Filipino community. The rate of Filipinas receiving a mammogram within the past 2 years is well below the national goal in the U.S. Additionally, Filipino women often experience breast cancers that grow more quickly and spread more aggressively. Research also indicates Filipino women have the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer compared to Whites and other Asian American subgroups. Breast and cervical cancer screening rates are as low as 33% and 26% in the community, respectively.
The goal of Mabuhay Ang Mga Pilipina 2022 is to educate the Filipino community in Los Angeles on the importance of early detection and encourage them to get screened. The community is encouraged to support this campaign by participating in any of the following activities: 1) share our social media messaging throughout the month (@ewclosangeles), 2) schedule a tailored health workshop for your community group, and 3) attend our virtual campaign closing workshop, open to the public entitled Women’s Health Workshop on Wednesday, May 25th at 6:00 p.m. Zoom Meeting ID: 898 0129 7433 Passcode: 108240
Every Woman Counts provides FREE breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to eligible individuals in California. To qualify, individuals must not have health insurance (or have limited coverage), and have a household income at or below 200% of the FPL. For more information, contact (310) 775-1276 or email [email protected] n