From the Desk of the County Manager, February 20, 2026
Greetings, Durham:
We have all likely been touched by a disease that has directly impacted the lives of millions. February is National Cancer Prevention Month. This month reminds us that nearly 40 percent of cancer cases are linked to preventable causes, and that the steps we take today can make a real difference in the lives of those we love. The choices we make every day can meaningfully shape the health of our families and communities for years to come.
In 2025 alone, there were an estimated 2,041,910 new cancer cases in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. If there is a silver lining, the rate of cancer deaths has decreased in the past 19 years, with the five-year relative survival rate landing at nearly 70% from 2015-2021. Every individual’s story is different, outcomes vary greatly, and each diagnosis requires a physician’s specialty treatment plan in consultation with the patient.
This topic is one I know personally. Seven years ago, I lost my husband to colon cancer. Since then, others close to me — family members and dear friends — have faced diagnoses of their own. Those losses and those journeys changed the way my family thinks about our health: how we push for early screenings, how we listen to our bodies, and how we show up for each other without waiting to be asked. This month, I hope it prompts all of us to consider the steps we can take — for ourselves and for the people we love — to get ahead of this disease
For insight into this important health issue, I asked Dr. Rodney E. Jenkins, Durham County’s Public Health Director, to provide a few essential tips and resources to help members of the Durham community and beyond live healthy lives.
“Early detection through regular cancer screenings remains one of our strongest tools in the fight against cancer. At the Durham County Department of Public Health, we offer free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screening through the NC Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP)-ensuring access for uninsured or underinsured residents aged 40-64 for mammograms and 21-64 for Pap/HPV tests,” he shares. “During National Cancer Prevention Month, we are redoubling our efforts to encourage routine screenings – because every day, lives are saved thanks to early diagnosis.”
Dr. Jenkins also notes that, with North Carolina’s age-adjusted cancer incidence rate at 475.5 cases per 100,000 residents (2017-2021), Durham’s rate closely tracks the state average, underscoring the importance of local screening and prevention programs.
“The Men’s Health Council (MHC) of the Durham County Department of Public Health works year-round to promote awareness, early detection, and prevention of prostate cancer. Through education, outreach, and community partnerships, MHC actively engages men and their families in life-saving prostate cancer screenings and broader preventive health services,” said Dr. Jenkins.
Each year, MHC members recruit participants and volunteers for major community screening events, including:
- Duke Cancer Institute’s Men’s Health Screening Event (September)
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s “Check Up, Lift Up: Men’s Health & Family Event” (November)
Beyond annual screenings, MHC provides ongoing support and education. Council members lead a monthly Prostate Health Support Group at WD Hill Recreation Center, creating a safe and trusted space for men to share experiences, receive encouragement, and access reliable health information.
Throughout the year, MHC also hosts prostate health and men’s health forums featuring medical experts and survivors of prostate cancer. These events increase awareness, address myths and stigma, and empower men to take proactive steps toward better health.
Through targeted cancer screening efforts, physical activity, proper nutrition, and easily monitored behavioral factors, such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use, as well as body mass index, assessing risk factors and new measures, such as vaccination against HPV, the prevention or reduction of cancer risks is possible. The National Cancer Institute further notes that only about 5 percent of cancers are hereditary, meaning many can be prevented.
We encourage Durham residents to call and schedule an appointment at 919-560-7608, or visit the Public Health Department’s website. Routine screenings save lives.
Until next time,
Claudia Hager | County Manager