Moffitt Launches Project To Expand Ovarian Cancer Education and Prevention

Moffitt Cancer Center has launched a new community outreach initiative called Project COURAGE to help improve education and outcomes of ovarian cancer.  

Project COURAGE was created in response to a request from the Gail Baird Foundation. The foundation honors Gail Baird, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013.  

“My mother, Gail Baird, didn’t have the benefit of early genetic screening; others should,” Eric Baird said. “This is what she would have wanted, and that is why I am proud to create the Project COURAGE program and help bring life-saving prevention tools to our community.” 

Increasing Education 

Through educational workshops, program participants receive information about their cancer risk and complete a guideline-based genetic risk assessment to help determine whether they may benefit from genetic counseling and testing.  

Workshops are offered upon request to partner organizations serving women and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The sessions are available in person or virtually and can be presented in English or Spanish. 

Tina Inman, a genetic risk education and access coordinator at Moffitt, works with a team of experts to educate community members about their hereditary cancer risk.

“Although most cancers occur without a specific hereditary factor, up to 10% of all cancers are due to an inherited predisposition,” said Tina Inman, a genetic risk education and access coordinator at Moffitt. “Through this outreach, we are helping community members connect the dots via risk assessments and tailored recommendations, guiding them through options for screening and prevention.”  

The program places a special focus on women of childbearing age, especially those with personal and family histories of ovarian or breast cancer. Learning about hereditary cancer risk can have the greatest influence on decisions about prevention, early detection and family planning.  

Joint Effort  

The project is a collaborative effort across several specialties at Moffitt, including gynecologic oncologists, genetic counselors and research scientists. It was conceptualized by Susan Vadaparampil, PhD, Moffitt’s Associate Center Director for Community Outreach and Engagement, with a focus specifically on community needs. 

Prior research by our team and others shows that community-based education can increase the uptake of genetic counseling and testing.

Susan Vadaparampil, PhD

According to Vadaparampil, genetic testing is one of the few tools available to identify women at increased risk for ovarian cancer based on personal or family history. About 20% of ovarian cancers are caused by inherited genetic variants. Identifying individuals and family members who have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer compared to those who don’t have a genetic variant gives them the opportunity to take preventive steps or receive earlier screening and care. 

“Prior research by our team and others shows that community-based education can increase the uptake of genetic counseling and testing,” Vadaparampil said. “Through Project COURAGE, we bring Moffitt’s expertise directly to the community by facilitating meaningful conversations about cancer risk perception, family history, genetic testing and screening and prevention strategies for those at increased risk.” 

Future Expansion 

The project currently serves women and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties, where Gail Baird proudly called home. As the program grows, the goal is to expand into neighboring counties throughout the Tampa Bay area, reaching more individuals with education and genetic risk assessment resources.  

“If successful, this is a model for community outreach that can be replicated by other organizations across the state and nationally,” Vadaparampil said.