HealthBeat Message
Cancer impacts the lives of too many Alaska Natives. As a people, we have some of the nation's highest rates for several cancers. Many of these cancers are preventable, which is why cancer prevention is a top priority at SEARHC.
SEARHC recently received some exciting news from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, that our new colorectal cancer screening program will receive funding for a second year. This funding will help us screen more of our patients for the most common cancer among Alaska Natives.
I'm pleased to announce that Jeannette Chavez, our new colorectal cancer patient navigator, has identified more than 2,000 of our Native patients who are at high risk and need screening. As indicated in our cover story, Jeannette makes sure our health providers know who needs a current colonoscopy, and she works with our communities to get more people screened. When patients receive positive test results, Jeannette helps them navigate our health care system so they receive timely and appropriate care.
At SEARHC, we are continually working towards better care for our patients and communities. One of SEARHC's 17 strategic goals is to increase efforts to impact cancer through prevention, screening, early detection and treatment. This new colorectal cancer screening program is one way we are striving to meet this goal.
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