Crushing Cancer Radiology Residents as Patient Educators

Liz Lin, MD, and Somiah Almeky, MD, President and Past President of the Massachusetts Radiological Society Resident-Fellow Section, contributed to this piece.

Stepping outside of the comfort of the reading room, radiologists are more than a doctor’s doctor. We are specialists on the frontline. We support women the first time they are told about suspicious breast calcifications. We field the page for active pelvic bleeding, rushing to the angiography suite. Radiologists always answer the call to take care of patients. It starts earlier than medical school, and continues past residency.

As senior residents (how strange to be in this position–time flies!), we look forward to fellowship and beyond. Meanwhile, we also look back at an opportunity we created for trainees to break free from the stereotypical role of a radiologist hidden away in a dark room. The urgent imaging needs of our patients juxtaposes with, and sometimes hides, the real person behind every pixel.

We are proud to introduce Communities Crushing Cancer (CCC), a resident-led initiative aimed at raising awareness about cancer screening. In partnership with the Radiology Health Equity Coalition (RHEC), the CCC program aims to improve and advance health equity in the community.

CCC began as a modest recurring tabling event within Boston Medical Center’s Menino lobby, with residents handing out standardized easy-to-read brochures in multiple languages about breast, lung and colorectal cancer screening. For example: What is a mammogram? When should someone start lung cancer screening? Which colorectal cancer screening method is best? By improving access to ACR guidelines and other information through distributing brochures and connecting patients to resources, we bridge gaps in care. Perhaps this type of work is the small step needed to start addressing disparities such as Black-White differences in mammography rates. Ideally, the CCC will uncover barriers to cancer detection while facilitating treatment and improving outcomes.

Pilot events evolved into a state-wide initiative involving eight residency programs across the state of Massachusetts. On November 16, 2023, more than 70 radiology residents united in a collaborative effort to spearhead community outreach within their respective institutions. Attending radiologists, radiology residents and technologists joined forces. Residents educated patients, families and even other hospital employees! The CCC initiative served as an outlet for radiology trainees to reconnect with their community, each other and renew a sense of purpose as patient advocates.

We hope you’ll get involved with this year’s initiative by participating in our Taskforce and joining the conversation on social media using #CommunitiesCrushingCancer and #CCC2024. This year's event will be taking place on Wednesday October 30, 2024. If you are interested in taking the lead at your institution, sign up to join the CCC team! In collaboration with our liaisons and the Radiology Health Equity Coalition, our goal is to light a CCC fire across the nation. Together we can crush cancer!    

Visit RadHealthEquity.org to learn more.