Project FAROS
Facilitated Assistance, Research & Outreach Services (FAROS)
Research shows that many Hispanics don’t get cancer screening exams as often as other populations. Cancer screening exams include mammograms, pap tests, colonoscopies and prostate exams. These tests help prevent cancer or find it early when the chances for successful treatment is greatest.
The goal of Project FAROS is to increase the use of cancer screening exams among Hispanics with Medicare. This program also hopes to find out if Hispanics would use these services more often if someone helped to guide them through the health care system. Project FAROS is a collaborative program between The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
If you choose to participate in Project FAROS, you will receive free educational brochures on cancer prevention, a free $25 gift card from HEB or Walmart and a free $10 national long distance phone card. In addition, some participants will be assigned to a guide who is specially-trained to give detailed instructions on how to obtain health care services. This person can also help to understand complicated medical information.
To join Project FAROS, you must meet all of the following criteria. You must be:
- A resident of Harris County or its surrounding 12 counties (Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Walker, Waller or Wharton Counties)
- Enrolled in Medicare A & B (Those enrolled in a Medicare Managed Care Plan or under the care of hospice are not eligible.)
- At least 40 years old
- Of Latino or Hispanic descent
If you decide to participate, a member of Project FAROS will meet with you at least once a year to ask a series of questions about the types of cancer screening exams you’ve had. These meetings will last approximately one hour and can be scheduled at your convenience.
If you have questions about Project FAROS or if you’d like to participate, call 713-563-6288 or e-mail us at faros@mdanderson.org.
If you know someone who would be interested in participating, please feel free to download our FAROS Information sheet (English/Spanish) (pdf) and pass it on.