Why We Exist
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Georgia. Our 53 county region represents close to 56% of the total cancer deaths. The EGCC works to prevent cancer and provide services to cancer patients and families in our community.
Our citizens come from a distinctive mix of backgrounds, many with high levels of intergenerational poverty and low educational attainment levels. This mix of backgrounds enriches the culture of our region but also presents unique challenges to cancer prevention and treatment. The EGCC’s programs are uniquely tailored to address the problems of our target populations.
Cancer outreach activities and programs must involve the entire community: government, schools, faith community, private sector and media. The EGCC brings together different sectors and uses their resources and expertise to combat cancer.
Flexibility and innovative planning must be an integral part of the region’s health care initiatives. The EGCC integrates evidence-based practices and unique approaches when developing programs.
Our Programs
Education.
Focus groups conducted on behalf of the East Georgia Cancer Coalition indicated there are a lot of myths about cancer and a lot of fears that hold people back from getting cancer screenings. The Coalition works to dispel cancer myths in our region by helping people learn the facts of cancer and how early screening helps increase survival rates.
We provide cancer health education programs and community and patient navigation in a variety of formats and tailor each presentation to the needs and interests of the people in each group.
Presentations can be held at your worksite, church or other location of your choosing. Presentations may be scheduled by calling 706-821-1949 or emailing info@eastgeorgiacancer.org.
The EGCC also engages communities through media campaigns related to cancer and health fairs in order to maintain a constant presence of healthy behaviors and cancer screenings in the minds of residents.
Check out our free resources!
Screening.
There can be many reasons people do not get screenings: fear of results, lack of money or insurance, not knowing when or where to get screenings. The EGCC emphasizes the importance of early screening in all of its programs because we understand that cancers detected early are more treatable than those detected later. We also understand that sometimes the cost of screenings are more than what some families can afford, so the EGCC negotiates with providers in our region to offer lower cost screenings to our residents.
In some cases, reduced cost screenings are still unaffordable, so the EGCC has offered programs that pay for the screenings of un-or underinsured patients. In order to address the issue of cost, the EGCC raises provider awareness of the latest research discoveries in cost effective cancer screenings and makes every effort to bring these methods to the mainstream such as through the EGCC’s colorectal cancer screening program. The EGCC’s mammography program also provides mammograms and other breast cancer screenings to un/underinsured women at no cost to them while we control costs by negotiating low rates. The EGCC also provides prostate screening through the prostate specific antigen test. The EGCC provides the test at no cost to the patient if their insurance does not cover the test or if he is uninsured.
Find out more about Mammograms and Colorectal Screenings!
Survivorship.
Exercise is beneficial for survivors but can be difficult to start after treatment, so the EGCC has started an exercise program specifically for survivors and their needs. Trainers are certified as Cancer Exercise Specialists and tailor the workouts to the needs of the survivors.
Check out our Happy, Alive and Built to Survive program!
All over the state of Georgia, cancer patients are unable to go to the grocery store – or they are putting themselves at increased risk when going to the store – to purchase the essential items they need to stay at home in the midst of treatment. To help meet this need, the EGCC initiated a new program: Food for Fighters!
If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, please email: info@eastgeorgiacancer.org .
Prevention.
Preventing cancer can mean lifestyle changes: weight management, regular exercise and active lifestyles and healthy nutrition. The EGCC brings cancer prevention knowledge to individuals and their communities, civic groups, schools and churches so they can make a difference in their own communities.
Behaviors formed in childhood are more likely to be maintained, so initiatives such as the EGCC’s farm to table program have the ability to impact lives for decades to come. Limited budgets and busy schedules can make it difficult for children to maintain healthy eating habits so the EGCC also offers a program that teaches kitchen safety to children and healthy meal preparation for families on a budget.
Check out our Hearty at Home program!
The EGCC has begun working with the homeless population, as this population is medically vulnerable and is at particular risk for skin cancer due to constant sun exposure and a lack of skin cancer prevention behaviors. The EGCC is addressing these issues by distributing sunscreen and hats through area homeless agencies along with educational information on the importance of wearing these items.
Treatment.
The EGCC does not provide treatment. However, if you need assistance in finding a provider for treatment the EGCC can assist in connecting you with a local provider. We also provide supportive measures and updated research.
Supportive measures for newly diagnosed cancer patients include providing mental, medical and material support to newly diagnosed cancer patients to ease the side-effects of cancer and its treatment. Support provided comes in the form of our “Warrior Bags,” and includes items such as creams to relieve burning or skin irritation from treatment, ginger chews for nausea, blankets and socks for warmth during chemotherapy, tea, phone numbers for relevant resources, mouthwash for dry mouth, chapstick and more.
Massage and skin care are considered complementary therapies for cancer patients. Complementary therapies have a goal of treating the whole person, not just the symptoms of the disease. While massage and skin care cannot treat cancer in itself, it can help reduce the side effects of medical treatments and medication resulting in the improved mental health, overall sense of well being and quality of life of the patients. Through our “Healing Hands” program, the EGCC provides massages and skin care at no-cost to cancer patients who have low-incomes and would otherwise be unable to pay for massage and skin care therapy. Massages and skin care are provided by local certified medical massage therapists and certified oncology estheticians.
To request a Warrior Bag or find out more about our Healing Hands program, contact us at (706) 542-6449 or by emailing us at info@eastgeorgiacancer.org.
We are able to provide a listing of all clinical trials (research) through Georgia CORE. Acceptance for a clinical trial is dependent upon the type of cancer and other factors. In addition, the Coalition’s community health advocates help provide assistance in this area.
Family Support.
The EGCC recognizes that cancer affects more than the patient. A patient’s family and loved ones are faced with fears, anxieties and needs they may have never experienced before. In an effort to address these concerns, the EGCC offers support groups for children with parents who have cancer. The EGCC also offers support groups for the patients that aid in the unique difficulties parents with cancer face.
Contact us to find out more.
The EGCC also holds an annual 5K run/walk, called Miles for Moms. This race is an opportunity to recognize our mothers who bravely face cancer whether they are previvors, in treatment, survivors or have passed.
Learn more about Miles for Moms!
Free Mammograms
Uninsured and underinsured people in our region are able to get mammograms at low or no cost through our partnerships with regional hospitals. We are constantly expanding our outreach and screening efforts. Contact us to see if you are eligible for this important screening.
Email: info@eastgeorgiacancer.org
Phone: 706-821-1949
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is an x-ray picture of the breast.
Screening Mammogram: A mammogram is used to check for breast cancer in women. They may not have any signs or symptoms of the disease. This type is called a screening mammogram. The x-ray images make it possible to detect tumors that cannot be felt.
Diagnostic Mammogram: This type is used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other symptoms of the disease have been found. Besides a lump, other symptoms include: breast pain, nipple discharge or change in breast size or shape.
2. What should I wear the day of the exam?
It is not a good idea to wear deodorant, perfume, or lotion the day of the mammogram. These products can distort the mammogram. Also, you will be asked to undress from the waist up, so wear a skirt or pants.
3. How is a mammogram done?
The patient stands in front of a special x-ray machine. A radiologic technician takes the x- rays one breast at a time. The breast is compressed between a plate and an x-ray plate. It may cause some discomfort, but it only lasts for a few seconds. The x-rays are then read by a radiologist, who will decide if there is a need for a diagnostic mammogram.
4. What are the benefits of screening mammograms?
Early detection of breast cancer can help reduce the number of deaths in women ages 40 – 74, especially for those over age 50.
5. What if my screening shows a problem?
If you have a screening test that suggests cancer, you will be scheduled for a diagnostic mammogram, to focus on a specific area of the breast.
An ultrasound, an imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture of your breast, may be used along with a mammogram.
Also, you might be scheduled for a biopsy, a test in which fluid or tissue is removed from your breast to help find out if there is cancer.
6. How can the EGCC help?
The EGCC can connect you with a healthcare provider to get a mammogram at little to no cost to you, the patient. Contact us to find out how!
Colorectal Screening
In order to address the issue of cost for cancer screening, the EGCC leverages relationships with healthcare providers to provide colorectal cancer screening to patients at a cost of $13 per patient.
Please contact us to see if you are eligible for this very important service: info@eastgeorgiacancer.org or 706-821-1949.
Miles for Moms
Annual 5K Run/Walk
The East Georgia Cancer Coalition’s annual Miles for Moms 5K Run/Walk provides the community with an opportunity to recognize our mothers who bravely face cancer whether they are previvors, in treatment, survivors or have passed. The race is also an opportunity to honor the families who journeyed with their loved ones through doctor’s appointments, treatments and all the changes cancer brings.
Miles for Moms recognizes those who have faced all cancer types because the East Georgia Cancer Coalition does not limit its services or focus to one type of cancer. We are a resource for all cancer types. Immediately following the race we host a health expo in an effort to increase awareness of cancers and screenings. The expo features health related organizations who provide screenings not limited to cancer and vendor tables from our business related supporters in the community as well as children’s activities.
Proceeds from the event go towards the program costs of prevention, education and screening related to cancer as well as ensuring we can continue to bring the latest cancer related information to the residents of our 53 county region.
Building Strength and Community through Exercise Training.
In January 2018, the East Georgia Cancer Coalition began implementing an exercise program specialized for cancer survivors and their needs. As there are over 355,870 survivors in the state of Georgia, (cancer.org, 2014), an exercise program specifically for cancer survivors to help improve both their physical well-being and their overall quality of life could have an impact on a significant proportion of survivors.
“This class makes me feel more motivated, stronger physically. I’m getting older, but at the same time, I’m feeling stronger”
One Step at a Time Survivor Luncheon.
The East Georgia Cancer Coalition and the Georgia Cancer Center co-sponsored a Survivor Luncheon in Augusta, Georgia during Cancer Survivor month. The program was designed to nourish the mind, body, and spirit of cancer survivors and caregivers from East Georgia by offering panel discussion and various workshops.
“I enjoyed meeting/fellowshipping with other survivors and hearing their story.”
Cooking 101.
Cooking 101 is a program designed to teach school aged children and teenagers who come from low-income homes how to cook healthy meals that are also affordable a 6-week long program for teenagers taught by an instructor who led the classes in hands on cooking of a healthy meal.
“Kinsley really enjoyed the cooking class. She has been making us stuff from her recipes. Yesterday was her dad's birthday and she made him the apple crisp. It was very good!”
-Kinsley’s Mom
CLIMB – Support groups in East Georgia for Parents with Cancer and their Children.
The child and parent support groups provided children and teens who have a parent with cancer with a 6-week long program called CLIMB® (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery). The two-hour session each week was taught by social workers trained to help children ages 6-17 years old understand cancer and manage the stresses of having a parent with cancer.
“(The part of the CLIMB® program I liked the best was) talking to other kids and knowing that I'm not the only one with this situation.”
– Child