Cancer Outreach Programs at Levine Cancer
At Atrium Health Levine Cancer, we believe that where you live shouldn’t determine how you fight cancer. Through our Disparities and Outreach program, we’re working to eliminate barriers to care and improve health throughout the communities we serve.
The programs we offer continually change in response to the changing needs of the communities we serve. Learn more about some of our dedicated programs below.
Cancer screening programs
Screenings can help find cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Our programs bring free cancer screenings directly to our communities, with a special focus on those with limited access to care.
If needed, participants in these programs also receive help navigating follow-up care and accessing other resources, like transportation.
Some of Levine Cancer's screening programs include:
- Breast cancer screening: Through our Project PINK programs, we offer breast health education and free mammograms to uninsured individuals.
- Colorectal cancer screening: Our comprehensive colorectal cancer education and screening program, FIT for Life, improves access to care and community resources for underserved and uninsured individuals.
- Head and neck cancer screening: We offer free physical examinations to screen for certain types of head and neck cancer.
- Lung cancer screening: Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life, the nation’s first mobile lung cancer screening program, brings free screenings, education and support to underserved communities.
- Prostate cancer screening: Levine Cancer offers free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to screen uninsured and high-risk men for prostate cancer.
- Skin cancer screening: Through partnerships, Levine Cancer provides free skin cancer screenings throughout the community.
Project PINK and Project PINK Plus provide access to free screening mammograms and breast care in a convenient, compassionate environment.
To be eligible for Project PINK, participants must:
- Be 40 years or older
- Not have insurance covering a mammogram annually
- Not have Medicare or Medicaid
- Have a primary care provider
- Be one year since previous mammogram
- Not be pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have no new breast lumps/concerns or pre-existing conditions
Project PINK Plus provides patients who have an existing breast lump or other concerns the opportunity to receive a free diagnostic mammogram and follow-up care.
To see if breast cancer screening is available in your area, email us at LCIOutreach@AtriumHealth.org.
Lung B.A.S.E.S. (Bringing Awareness, Screening & Education to improve Survivorship) 4 Life improves access to cancer screenings, treatment and education in rural populations across our region.
We have two mobile CT scanning units – also known as “lung buses” – that travel to community sites to provide free screenings for lung cancer and head and neck cancer. Participants also receive one-on-one support from a nurse navigator, as well as help quitting tobacco use, if needed.
To qualify for a free screening, participants must:
- Be between the ages of 55 and 80
- Be uninsured, underinsured or have Medicaid coverage
- Have a 20 pack-year smoking history (equal to 1 pack a day for 20 years, or 2 packs a day for 10 years)
- Currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years
You do not need to be an Atrium Health patient to qualify.
Report: How Mobile Screening Drives Equity in Cancer Care
In its first 4 years, the Lung B.A.S.E.S 4 Life program demonstrated the value of mobile cancer testing, with significant improvements in screening rates, early diagnosis and treatment outcomes. Download our white paper, “Cancer Care for All,” to learn more about the program, its initial results and Levine Cancer’s ongoing effort to make high-quality care accessible in every community.
Download the report (PDF)Cancer education and prevention programs
Our community-based cancer education and prevention programs teach participants how to reduce their cancer risk, access screenings and improve their overall health.
Some of Levine Cancer's cancer education and prevention programs include:
- I CAN Cancer Ambassador Program: The I CAN program offers cancer prevention education for school-aged children (grades K-12) in underserved communities.
- Levine Cancer Shadow Day and Medical Explorer: These programs offer youth the opportunity to learn about important life and career skills as well as cancer prevention through immersive experiences and mentorship.
- Tea, My Family Tree, A Healthy Me: This educational event is a celebration of womanhood that focuses on improving community members’ understanding of women’s cancers, genetic risk and the importance of HPV vaccination.
- Renacer: This community-based cancer survivor support program for Hispanics/Latinos focuses on 5 key areas: recurrence prevention, nutrition, screening, physical activity and emotional support.
Firefighters have higher rates of cancer than the general population due to exposure to hazardous materials on the job. Code T.O.M. (Taking on Melanoma and other high-risk cancers) is a free cancer education, screening and prevention program that aims to raise awareness and help firefighters protect their health.
Code T.O.M. travels to firehouses across the region to host workshops that include:
- Education about the risk factors, signs and symptoms of cancer
- Tips for communicating with doctors about cancer risk
- Access to free screenings that can catch cancer early
The program was created in honor of Tom Robinson, a dedicated husband, father and firefighter who died from advanced melanoma in 2013. His son, James Robinson, an Atrium Health teammate and volunteer firefighter, co-founded Code T.O.M. with LCI in 2016.
Patient programs
The people we serve are at the center of everything we do. With support from philanthropic partners, we’ve developed special programs that directly benefit patients, families and caregivers at Levine Cancer.
Some of Levince Cancer's patient programs include:
- Cancer Survivors Day: Patients, survivors, their families and caregivers are invited to this annual celebration of life, which honors those affected by cancer with a day filled with fun activities and live music.
- Hope in Focus: Funded by the Taylor Soloff Memorial Endowment, Hope in Focus offers patients and their loved ones a professional photography session to bring joy and capture lifelong memories.
- Farm to Family: Funded by the Taylor Soloff Memorial Endowment, Farm to Family delivers fresh fruits, vegetables and protein directly to patients bimonthly.
- Levine Cancer Patient Special Needs Fund: This program provides short-term assistance to help eligible patients with costs such as household bills, transportation and temporary lodging.
Community impact
2021 at a glance for Levine Cancer’s Disparities & Outreach programs:
- 34,011 lives impacted through programs and screenings
- 2,505 patients screened
- 45 cancers diagnosed
- 177 education, advocacy and awareness events
- 16 counties served
- 200+ community partners
- $2,511,502 provided in screening costs
- $671,512 provided in community benefit, including sponsorships, special needs funding and programmatic expenses
To learn more about our impact, check out our latest annual report.
Open the Annual Report