Research on American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society, established in 1913, is a national community-based organization that is dedicated to fighting and eliminating cancer through prevention, research, education, advocacy, and service. The organization was established by 15 physicians and businessmen, in New York City, under the name American Society for the Control of Cancer. The name was changed to American Cancer Society in 1945, when the society was reorganized to recognize the new era. The symbol is composed of two serpents and a sword of hope which represent the scientific medical focus and the crusading spirit of the movement against cancer. The society is currently run by volunteers. The number one goal of the organization is to “save lives and create a world with less cancer and more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back,” (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2013). Over the years, the society has become the “global leader in the fight against cancer,” (ACS, 2013), with close to 12 million survivors in the United States alone. The purpose of this paper is to examine the services as well as health, psychosocial, and educational benefits that the organization provides to their clients and the community. The paper will also discuss the application of the available services in a healthcare setting during the patient discharge planning process.
The services provided by the American Cancer Society are divided into two categories: preventive and supportive. The preventive services offered include: Upstate lung cancer screening program, yearly mammograms starting at age 40, colorectal screenings starting at age 50 and cervical cancer screenings. These are just a few of the many preventive services that the society offers to patients, survivors, and caregivers. The supportive services include: Patient Navigator Program, Hope lodge or Sarah House, Road to Recovery transportation services, Strive and Thrive: Live strong at the YMCA, and