DetecTogether Inc

Early cancer detection is a lifesaving advantage all deserve. We do not want anyone to lose their life to a delayed cancer diagnosis.

There are more than 100 types of cancer and two methods for detecting them early: screenings and recognizing and acting on cancer symptoms. Screenings can detect cancer when it is asymptomatic. They are available for breast, colon, cervical, skin, prostate, lung cancers. A majority of cancer is diagnosed only after it presents with symptoms. Recognizing and acting on cancer symptoms early saves and improve lives. Yet, would you recognize a cancer symptom?

DetecTogether is deploying education programs to empower all with the ability to seize the power of early cancer detection. In the process it is changing the cancer conversation and defining the important role the patient plays in diagnosis. Detecting and treating cancer early can also reduce costs to both the patient and the general public.

DetecTogether has defined the most common cancer symptom, when to seek healthcare, how to collaborate with a provider and play an active role in saving and improving your own life. Our educational outreach is built around our core program, 3 Steps Detect.

To cause change, we are building awareness of the impact of delayed diagnosis and delivering engaging education programs that provide actionable steps that empower early detection. The education is delivered online, virtually, in person with the support of on-site trainers and through digital and social media outlets. Our train the trainer certification program, is particularly effective in high schools. Certified teachers are able to download curriculum and incorporate it into their lesson plans annually.

To bring the education across the country, we are focused on building on success and advancing our impact while adding the resources required to empower all with the lifesaving advantage of early cancer detection. DetecTogether is using its current resources to cause the greatest impact with the largest number of people as possible. To do so, we prioritize and target audiences that provide access to larger groups and those at higher risk for cancer such as firefighters.

High school and university audiences reach young adults who are particularly vulnerable to a delayed diagnosis due to the perception of invincibility and attempts to self-diagnose symptoms. Learning 3 Steps Detect provides them with knowledge and habits that reward for a lifetime.

Corporate and community group audiences are most receptive to online and virtual trainings that allow participants to learn anywhere at any time. In these audiences, 3 Steps Detect training changes their perception about their role in their own health care and provides a timeline for seeking care when subtle health changes persist. While invincibility is less of an issue, prioritizing timely action in response to subtle health changes that persist are significant issues that 3 Steps Detect corrects. 3 Steps Detect has also led to the early detection of heart and vascular disease for some of these participants, likely saving their lives.

Firefighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer than the general public. They are particularly grateful for 3 Steps Detect training. Fire Departments in general are confined to specific geographic areas and many have limited training opportunities. DetecTogether works with local leaders to determine the best education delivery model for their departments.

DetecTogether digital and social media engages audiences across the country. We target groups that are unaware of the importance of the patient’s role in early detection, as well as those who have been taught 3 Steps Detect to reinforce lessons learned.

With the support of a talented board and staff, we have both the guidance and expertise to develop effective and engaging education programs and deliver them cost effectively. Collectively, we have expertise in medicine and healthcare, education and training, finance, marketing and communications, leadership and management, fundraising, entrepreneurship, and public relations. We have invested in technology and people that allow us to execute efficiently and develop and deliver quality education that is driving change.

In addition, our culture of “say it straight” and a true appreciation for constructive input, new ideas and connections, we are fortunate to have an extended group of passionate advisors and advocates. They include cancer patients who share their experiences so that people can experience 3 Steps Detect through their lives. They are also technology and learning management system consultants and advisors who have felt the impact of delayed diagnosis in their own lives and want to help others. Philanthropists drive all that we do. From those who provided angel funding and continue to support DetecTogether to our new donors to the annual fund, we are grateful for every donor.

DetecTogether has:
• Defined the most common cancer symptom so there is no need to memorize lists of symptoms for specific cancer types.
• Developed and tested three actionable and easily understood steps for early cancer detection.
• Repositioned the patient’s role in their own health care.
• Developed additional trainings to support 3 Steps Detect to support patient action. Training modules such as “Your Job as a Patient” provided additional tips and support for developing collaborative patient-doctor interactions that accelerate time to diagnosis and save and improve lives.
• Hired development, communications and education professionals to further improve performance and drive success in saving more lives.
• Expanded its board of directors to add additional expertise to the team as well as seasoned guidance.
• Changed the cancer conversation. People are talking about symptoms today more than ever before.

What next?
• Continue to drive scale. More education offered on a learning management system (LMS) platform to reach more people sooner and cost effectively.
• Continue to expand growth and impact in young adult, corporate and community groups and at risk industry groups.
The patient’s role is central to early cancer detection but so too is the personal interaction between the patient and the practitioner. Policy that supports the early detection and diagnostic process is needed.
With additional funding, enhance outreach through social and digital media.