Community Cancer Action Board Newsletter |
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CDC: Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
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COVID-19 vaccination efforts began in December of 2019. The current vaccines available from Pfizer and Moderna are using mRNA technology. The following article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helps us understand the mechanics of these new mRNA vaccines.
December 18, 2020
Messenger RNA vaccines—also called mRNA vaccines—are some of the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States.
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New Approach to Vaccines
mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein—or even just a piece of a protein—that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.
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Research Corner:
Health Disparities Focus Group
By Dorothy Reed
Chair, Community Cancer Action Board
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My experience as a breast cancer advocate motivated me to host a focus group on health disparities, because statistics have not improved. Sister2Sister’s (S2S) Memory Book with 39 deceased members, reminds me of why S2S was formed - to save lives by educating Black women and letting them know that they did not have to die from breast cancer. Well, 20 years later “The breast cancer death rate during 2013 through 2017 was 40% higher in Black women than in white women” (American Cancer Society). A change is needed and if we begin to dismantle health disparities, address distrust and fear this may increase Black participation in clinical trials and then we may see improvements in statistics.
“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Methodology
The Focus Group “Addressing Health Disparities in Minority Communities” was held with the Somerset community to find out why there is so much distrust and fear between minorities and the Health Care system. How can this mistrust and fear be fixed and if so where do we begin? If we can address these two factors, it would help to increase the percentage of minorities in clinical trials and genetic testing.
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Don't forget
to get your
flu shot.
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Our Next CCAB Meeting
Feb 8 | 4pm - 6pm
This month's focus is Breast Cancer
in the Black/African American Community
Speakers
Coral Omene, MD, PhD
Mridula George, MD
Bonnie Jerome-D'Emilia, PhD, MPH, RN
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Rose Maruca, BSN, RN, MBA
Sr Market Development Manager, Acadia Pharmaceuticals
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I work in a market development role for Acadia pharmaceuticals, a neuroscience company dedicated to bringing innovative therapeutics to patients with central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
As a nurse, equitable access to healthcare and improving health literacy have been longstanding passions. From a patient advocacy standpoint, the CCAB has provided insights to help engage our local communities in cancer research opportunities. I value this learning opportunity as I seek new ways to contribute to this endeavor.
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Arts & Media Working Group
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Citizen Scientist Clinical Trials Working Group |
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The Arts & Media and Citizen Scientist Working Groups are excited to announce a collaboration with the Mason Gross School of the Arts to produce videos for both the community and professionals. The community videos will promote the safety of clinical trials and dispel common myths. The Oncology Nurse Navigators will have a video highlighting how to discuss clinical trial myths that will be distributed to their patient population. |
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Newsletter Naming Contest!
Get those creative juices flowing!
We are looking for a new name for our CCAB Newsletter.
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COE Community Events Calendar |
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Atlantic Health Systems: Stop Cancer Before it Starts: HPV-Related Cancers & Prevention, Jan 27 at 4pm. Learn about prevention, vaccination and screening for cervical cancer. Register today at: https://bit.ly/3jU2Xjh
Newark Office of Early Childhood Education: Vivir Mi Vida, 29 ene. a las 3pm. Únase al Instituto del Cáncer Rutgers de Nueva Jersey y la Oficina de Educación Infantil de Newark para aprender sobre la nutrición y los cambios en el estilo de vida que pueden reducir su riesgo de cáncer. Regístrese hoy para esta sesión de Zoom en: http://bit.ly/2JS02Li
Burlington Camden County Regional Chronic Disease Coalition: Day 1 Quit, Feb 1 at 12pm. The first day of many! Join us on February 1st, 2021 for Day 1 Quit! Throughout the month, visit our event page for free quit resources and information about being Tobacco Free! Link to join: https://www.facebook.com/events/309178220534787/
Jersey City Public Library: Eating Healthy for Cancer Prevention, Feb 1 at 1pm. Learn how to portion your plate with cancer-fighting foods and the different food groups that can promote your health. Learn which foods you should avoid for optimal health. Link to join: https://www.facebook.com/events/2048825375254051/
Westfield Recreational Center: Controlling Your Health Risk, Feb 4 at 1pm. Identifies the difference between hereditary and sporadic risk factors for cancer. Learn Best practices for reducing/managing personal cancer risk, and understanding why you might have heightened risk. Also includes information on genetic risk assessment and genetic testing resources. For registration, please go to: https://secure.rec1.com/NJ/westfield-nj/catalog
Westfield Recreational Center: Nutrition for Colorectal Health and Cancer Prevention, Feb 5 at 1pm. Foods that can help maintain good colorectal health and act
Jersey City Public Library: Nutrition for Colorectal Health and Cancer Prevention, Feb 8 at 1pm. Learn about foods that can help to maintain good colorectal health and act to prevent cancer. Also learn about current cancer screening guidelines for colorectal health. Link to join: https://www.facebook.com/events/208171117583568/
HomeFirst: Cancer 101, Feb 16 at 6pm. A basic program on cancer development, screening and prevention. For registration, please go to: http://bit.ly/RutgersCancer101
NJ Congregational Center for Cancer Care: Controlling Your Health Risk, Feb 18 at 6:30pm. Identifies the difference between hereditary and sporadic risk factors for cancer. Learn Best practices for reducing/managing personal cancer risk, and understanding why you might have heightened risk. Also includes information on genetic risk assessment and genetic testing resources. Email to register: nj4cancercare@improvingnj.org
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Let us know what you think!
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