Front Row (Left-Right): Donna McGinley, Ruby Dow, Jennifer Froh
Back Row (Left-Right): Darcy Gaston, Josette Buehlman
Not Pictured: Peg Saylor
Surprising facts about cancer deaths in Juneau County have sparked a unique, countywide outreach effort to save lives now and in the future.
A UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) project that assessed cancer-related needs in south-central Wisconsin found that the cancer death rate (210 per 100,000) in Juneau County was more than 17% higher than the state average (177 per 100,000). The assessment, by UWCCC outreach specialist Rebecca Linskens, included deaths from all types of cancer.
The Juneau County assessment looked at demographic and cancer risk factors as well. Local stakeholders were interviewed, including leaders from public health, the local hospital, non-profit and volunteer groups and the Wisconsin Well Woman Program. This assessment found that cancer disparities were associated with higher-than-average cancer risk factors, like smoking and obesity, low use of preventive health services, and a lower household income.
“In Juneau County, the assessment results opened the discussion about cancer as a public health issue, and our local partners agreed that it’s time for a coordinated public education plan to improve cancer prevention, screening, and survival rates,” said Linskens.
The UWCCC and its Juneau County partners—Juneau County Health Department, Mile Bluff Medical Center, Juneau County UW-Extension, Aging and Disability Resource Center of Eagle Country-Mauston Office, Hatch Public Library, Juneau County Department of Human Services—are at the beginning stages of implementing a public education program, titled Cancer Clear & Simple.
Jennifer Froh from the Juneau County Health Department and Darcy Gaston from Mile Bluff Medical Center lead local trainers—Josette Buehlman, Ruby Dow, Donna McGinley, and Peg Saylor—in implementing the Cancer Clear & Simple program.
All Juneau County residents now have access to the Cancer Clear & Simple educational sessions, which are taught by local trainers and focus on cancer basics, prevention, and screening. The educational sessions are offered throughout the county and are free of charge.
“With Cancer Clear & Simple we hope to make a long-term impact on the health and well-being of Juneau County residents by addressing cancer and chronic-disease prevention,” said Jennifer Froh, Juneau County Health Department’s Community Health Educator.
The next scheduled Cancer Clear & Simple training will be held in conjunction with the Mauston Sharing Supper, at the Mauston High School. Session dates and times are:
Session 1 – Cancer Basics will be held on February 26, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Session 2 – Cancer Prevention and Self Care on March 26, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Session 3 – Cancer Screening and Detection on April 30, 2015 from 6:00 – 7:30pm
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a Sharing Super Cancer Clear & Simple session please call Jennifer Froh at (608) 847-9373 or Darcy Gaston at (608) 847-1437. Also, if you have an organization that would like to host a future sessionplease contact Jennifer or Darcy.
The project is supported by Juneau County’s Health Department, Mile Bluff Medical Center, and the National Cancer Institute’s National Outreach Network.
Article contributed by Gina M. Pokorney