The Cancer Prevention and Screening: Basics for Community Health Workers
Overview
The Cancer Prevention and Screening series consists of two short modules. The topics include Cancer Prevention and Risk Factor Reduction and Cancer Screening.
The Cancer Prevention and Risk Factor Reduction module will introduce common risk factors linked to developing cancer.
The Cancer Screening module will briefly introduce what cancer screening is and why finding cancer early can be important.
Intended Audience
Individuals and/or groups, community health workers, or those fulfilling a community health worker role.
Prerequisites/Learning Level
Ability to read and understand spoken English
Learning Goal
The learning goal of this series is to increase awareness of cancer prevention and cancer screening in Iowa.
Each module has specific learning objectives.
Cancer Prevention and Risk Factor Reduction Learning Objectives:
- describe common cancer risk factors
- explain why healthy lifestyle habits matter for lowering the risk of developing cancer
- share practical ways to support healthy behaviors
- encourage people to make small, realistic health changes
Cancer Screening Learning Objectives:
- describe cancer screenings
- explain why cancer screening is important
- educate people on recommended cancer screenings
- encourage people to talk to their healthcare provider about cancer screening
CEUs Offered
CEUs are not available for this training.
Cost
There is no cost for this training.
Modality/Format
Online, self-paced, on-demand.
Length
The total length to complete the two modules is estimated to take about 30-45 minutes.
Each module is approximately between 15-20 minutes.
Competencies Addressed
The following competencies from the Core Public Health Competencies and Community Health Worker 3C Competencies are addressed in this series.
Core Public Health Competencies:
- 3.2 Communities with internal and external audiences
- 8.5 Responds to emerging needs
Community Health Worker 3C Competencies:
- Educating individuals and communities about how to use health and social service systems
- Building health literacy and cross-cultural communication
- Providing necessary information to understand and prevent disease and help people manage health conditions (including chronic disease)
- Motivating and encouraging people to obtain care and other services
Acknowledgements
These modules were supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Infrastructure Center, Division of Jurisdictional Support, under grant #NB01PW000014. Their contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
We gratefully acknowledge the support and contributions of our content subject matter experts.
Cancer Prevention and Risk Factor Reduction: Natoshia Askelson, Hailey Boudreau, Katie Jones, Randy Land, Adam Shanks, Lexie Stoneking, Sarah Taylor Watts, and Suzy Wilson
Cancer Screening include: Natoshia Askelson, Denise Attard Sacco, Hailey Boudreau, Julie Hibbon, Jean Johnson, and Katie Jones
Released: November 2026