Breast Education and Early Detection Project (BEEP)

Mission/Goal

Breast cancer affects one in eight women annually (American Cancer Society, 2007). According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer affects nearly a quarter million women in the United States. The American Cancer Society calculated an approximate number of 178,480 new cases of breast cancer will occur among women in the United States in 2007 and of this number 40,910 women will die. Breast cancer as a cause of cancer related deaths is second following that of lung cancer. There are an estimated number of 3,390 new cases of breast cancer that were be diagnosed among women in Mississippi and a total of 460 women died from breast cancer in 2007. Breast cancer in Bolivar County and Washington County, Mississippi is ranked as the second highest cancer killer in statistics compiled by Trust for America’s Health (2006).

The mission for the Breast Education and Early-detection Project is to “Eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through provision of innovative and creative approaches in teaching breast cancer awareness and prevention to women within the Bolivar and Washington County communities who have limited access to preventive care”. The project focuses on increasing the number of women who adopt early cancer detection methods such as monthly breast exams and mammograms. It is the programs goal to increase the number of low-income females in Bolivar County who receive adequate screenings for breast health and to educate as many women as possible about their breast health.

Program Description

The BEEP program started on January 2007 through funding from the Central MS Steele Magnolia Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Since its inception many individuals have received breast health education and screenings through the program.

BEEP has also established two youth programs: Girl Power and Boyz 2 Men. Girl Power, is a year round program for young girls’ ages 6 – 17 years old in Bolivar and Washington Counties. Currently there are three hundred and fifty girls participating in BEEP’s Girl Power. Girl Power Events are hosted throughout the year. BEEP along with My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. has hosted Prevention for African Americans Community Health Education Instructor Courses on Breast Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases free of charge on a quarterly basis at the Delta State University Center for Community and Economic Development. The second youth program, Boyz 2 Men, is a program for troubled underprivileged young men in the community. Over thirty five young men ages 6- 17 are participating in the program. Both youth programs are currently operating on community donations.

Workshops

In addition to the services already mentioned, BEEP offers workshops through two other programs on an as needed basis. The BEEP program was awarded $20,000 from the National Susan G. Komen Cure for the Foundation to start the Breast Education for African American Women Awareness Responsibility and Empowerment program (B.E.A.W.A.R.E.). This program offers breast health education workshops to low income uninsured African American women in Bolivar, Sunflower, Washington, Coahoma and Leflore Counties. Workshops through the B.E.A.W.A.R.E. program are offered on an as needed basis. The second program, Self-management Motivating Awareness and Reduction (S.M.A.R.T), promotes cardiovascular health through Educational Workshops and Free Cardiovascular Health Screenings. The program was initially funded by a grant from the Delta Health Alliance however, continuation of the program is contingent on future funding.

Of the women who attend one of the BEEP workshops during 2011-2012, a total of seventy will be chosen to receive free breast health screenings. Eligibility requirements for these screenings will apply. Workshops are held year round throughout Bolivar and Washington Counties and are open to the general public.

B.E.E.P. provides these workshops for churches, schools, businesses and organizations or programs that are willing to host breast education workshops in Bolivar and Washington Counties. B.E.E.P. can host workshops on Monday- Friday from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. and Saturday’s from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon at your location or ours. We will travel to any destination in Bolivar or Washington Counties to provide our program’s breast health education services. Refreshments will be provided by the BEEP Program.

Signature Events

BEEP also manages several signature events throughout the year such as

• October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Events
• Paint the Stadium Pink
• Wear Pink Day
• Miss Pink Diva Pageant
• Saving Our Sisters
• Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
• Holiday Outreach
• BEEP Girl Power
• Teen Domestic Violence Workshops

Free Mammogram Screenings

• Must be 40 or older
• Must be a resident of Bolivar or Washington Counties
• Does not have insurance for breast cancer screening
• Is financially unable to pay for a mammogram

Program Success

Contact Information

Funders

Partners