Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of cancer through education, outreach, and research funding. Established in 1985 by Carolyn Richardson Aldigé, following her father's battle with cancer, the foundation has evolved from its original title, the Cancer Research Foundation of America, to its current name, emphasizing its commitment to cancer prevention. Over its history, the organization has raised more than $130 million to support various initiatives, including cancer screenings and educational programs.
The foundation focuses on empowering the public with knowledge about lifestyle changes—such as improved nutrition, physical activity, and avoiding tobacco and excessive sun exposure—that can reduce cancer risk. It offers resources in both English and Spanish and engages the community through innovative programs, including interactive educational exhibits and campaigns targeting younger audiences, like the "Too Young for This Sh*t" initiative addressing colorectal cancer awareness.
In addition to educational efforts, the Prevent Cancer Foundation provides grants to enhance cancer screening availability, particularly among underserved populations. It has also played a role in supporting cancer research, awarding grants to researchers and advocating for policies that improve cancer prevention and early detection. By fostering awareness and collaboration, the foundation seeks to make impactful strides in reducing cancer incidence and improving health outcomes.
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Prevent Cancer Foundation
ALSO KNOWN AS: Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA)
DEFINITION: The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit fund-raising organization supporting educational programs, cancer screenings, and research to prevent cancers.
History: Carolyn Richardson Aldigé, a former endocrinology researcher, initiated the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA) in 1985 after her father’s death due to cancer. She felt that increased knowledge and use of prevention methods might effectively lessen the number of cancers and enhance survival. Aldigé, who became the foundation’s president, designed CRFA to encourage and support cancer prevention research, educational resources, and screenings.
The CRFA’s board of directors, medical advisory board, and scientific review panel oversee its work. In 2002, the CRFA became the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. Five years later, the organization’s name changed again, becoming the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Throughout its history, the organization secured over $130 million for cancer research, education, outreach, and advocacy.
Education: The Prevent Cancer Foundation emphasizes public awareness of basic strategies, such as improving nutrition, changing habits regarding smoking and sun exposure, and engaging in exercise to prevent cancer or control it after diagnosis. The foundation provides educational material on its website and pamphlets in English and Spanish. Its Smart & Healthy Living Updates is an electronic newsletter containing research updates, news, and advice.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation made a name for itself through innovative public education programs. The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s educational exhibits have included Check Your Insides Out from Top to Bottom, which contained a twenty-foot-long, eight-foot-high Super Colon that people could enter to see examples of cancerous polyps. The foundation’s Save Your Skin web portal emphasized the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) rays. It revealed the aging effects of UV rays on facial skin, explaining how to examine skin for malignancies, and discussed ways to avoid UV damage. During the 1990s, the Prevent Cancer Foundation introduced software for children called Dr. Health’nstein’s Body Fun. Players virtually thrived or declined according to their decisions regarding what they ate, how much they exercised, and whether they used tobacco and other substances. Some public schools incorporated that software into their curricula. In the 2020s, the Prevent Cancer Foundation introduced its Too Young for This Sh*t campaign, which aimed to increase awareness regarding colorectal cancers among young people. The Prevent Cancer Foundation has also held yearly national meetings for medical professionals. Its workshops demonstrate how new technologies might improve cancer prevention.
Outreach: Throughout its history, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has provided grants to community organizations. One such grant enhanced cancer screening availability by sponsoring displays at state fairs and mobile health services like George Washington University Cancer Center’s Mammovan, which screened uninsured women for breast cancer. Since 1994, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has funded ¡Celebremos la Vida! (let’s celebrate life) to screen Latina women for cervical and breast cancers. The foundation has also provided money for the Cancer Preventorium, started by Elmer Huerta, a board member and physician, to screen both Latinos and Latinas for cancer.
Between 2001 and 2010, the Prevent Cancer Foundation sponsored Project Early Awareness, which provided breast education for minority teenage girls so that they could learn breast cancer screening methods and teach them to other young women. The foundation has also promoted Make the Connection, Make the Commitment, emphasizing the human papillomavirus (HPV) link to cervical cancer.
In March 2000, the Prevent Cancer Foundation initiated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The foundation distributed buddy bracelets to encourage people to schedule colonoscopies.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation has funded cancer education services for children and pediatric cancer research through Hope Street Kids and Tracy’s Kids. The foundation has also supported the Congressional Families Action for Cancer Awareness Program, a bipartisan, non-political effort to prevent cancer through early detection, education, and outreach.
Research: By 2024, the Prevent Cancer Foundation had awarded over 590 cancer prevention and early detection research grants and fellowships. Each year, the Prevent Cancer Foundation Scientific Review Panel evaluates proposals, including representatives from the National Cancer Institute and major cancer centers. Researchers who have received money from the tobacco industry cannot apply. The Prevent Cancer Foundation provides funds for various grants financed with allied groups, including the American Society for Preventive Oncology.
Advocacy: The Prevent Cancer Foundation issues policy statements concerning cancer prevention issues. It has supported legislation regarding colorectal cancer and stem cell research and has urged medical professionals and pharmaceutical manufacturers to increase the availability of the human papillomavirus vaccine to uninsured and low-income young women.
Bibliography
“All about the Prevent Cancer Foundation.” Prevent Cancer Foundation, preventcancer.org/about-us. Accessed 5 July 2024.
“Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Kicks Off With Giant, Inflatable Colon in Times Square.” ABC News, 1 Mar. 2013, abcnews.go.com/Health/colorectal-cancer-awareness-month-kicks-off-giant-inflatable/story?id=18632999. Accessed 5 July 2024.
Geiger, Brian F., et al. “Using Technology to Teach Health: A Collaborative Pilot Project in Alabama.” Journal of School Health, vol. 72.10, 2002, pp. 401–7.
Lippman, Scott M., et al. “Cancer Prevention and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.” Journal of Clinical Oncology, vol. 22.19, 2004, pp. 3848–51.
“Prevent Cancer Foundation Efforts Successful in Gaining Federal Government Support of Lung Cancer Screening.” PR Newswire, 29 July 2013, www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prevent-cancer-foundation-efforts-successful-in-gaining-federal-government-support-of-lung-cancer-screening-217444361.html. Accessed 5 July 2024.
Rigney, Ryan. “Speeding Through Classic Games to Beat Cancer.” Wired, 6 Jan. 2014, www.wired.com/2014/01/awesome-games-done-quick-2014. Accessed 5 July 2024.
Sawyer, Kathy. “Breast Cancer Drug Testing Will Continue: Potential of Tamoxifen Is Said to Outweigh Risks.” Washington Post ,12 May 1994, p. A3.
“Think You're Too Young for Colorectal Cancer? Think Again.” Prevent Cancer Foundation, preventcancer.org/education-outreach/too-young-for-this. Accessed 5 July 2024.
Trafford, Abigail. “On the Streets of Philadelphia, Prescriptions for Progress.” Washington Post 8 Aug. 2000: Z5.