The Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) at Washington University in St. Louis and Siteman Cancer Center held their fifth annual Smart Health Community Education Event in East St. Louis, IL on Saturday, August 24th. More than 40 participants, volunteers, health experts, and health fair vendors took part in the event. Smart Health was created to provide the community an opportunity to learn and ask questions about cancer prevention, ongoing research, and research results.
The event opened with a performance from The Witness Project, a community-based breast and cervical cancer education program that increases awareness, knowledge, screening and early detection behaviors to reduce cancer mortality in the African American population. They educate through mime performances and talks by survivors. The performance was followed by a panel of cancer survivors and caregivers, who shared their experiences with various types of cancer and took questions from the audience. Next, disease experts from Washington University in St. Louis gave presentations and spent time answering questions on a range of topics, including 8 Ways to Prevent Cancer; prostate, colon, and breast health; and HPV screening. Participants enjoyed a free lunch and prize raffle, and a Zumba demonstration provided a fun an energetic way to end the event!
Stay tuned for news on future Smart Health events!