Press Releases
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC to Hold Free Colorectal Cancer Screening
Early Bird Mobile Medical Clinic Coming to Houma
(Houma, LA) - March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: the type of cancer people are often too embarrassed to talk about. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately ten percent of all cancer deaths in Louisiana are from colon and rectum cancers. However, it is also one of the most preventable, treatable and beatable cancers. More than 90 percent of colorectal cancers can be cured when caught in their earliest stages. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is dedicated to providing early detection and educational opportunities within the community to help fight cancer on every front possible.
"Sharing the message of early detection is a priority," said Phyllis Peoples, president and CEO, TGMC. "Taking cancer screenings directly to the community is the single, most proactive way to help save lives and Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is committed to providing access to these vital services."
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is providing its first free community-based colon cancer screening in Houma in conjunction with its Early Bird Mobile Medical Clinic. The event will be held on Thursday, March 19, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Wal-Mart Westside, 1633 Martin Luther King Blvd. For the screening, take-home kits are provided to those 50 and older who have not been screened in the last 12 months. No appointments are necessary.
Renea Duffin, executive director, CARE Network, Mary Bird Perkins, added that she is very excited to be able to offer these types of educational events and free cancer screenings in this region. "Part of our mission is to reduce the incidence and mortality of cancer and to improve the quality of life of those with cancer. This type of event enables us to have a positive impact on the communities served by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC."
Statistics show that among men, the death rate from colorectal cancer is significantly higher in Louisiana than in the rest of the country. Additionally, for white men in the Bayou region, the incidence rate is significantly higher than anywhere else in the U.S. "Since this is a preventable, treatable and beatable disease, it is of utmost importance that we educate the residents of the Bayou Region about the importance of early detection," explained Charity Gay, outreach coordinator, Houma/Terrebonne region, Mary Bird Perkins.
Colorectal cancer usually does not have symptoms in its early stages. This makes screening vitally important. Because colorectal cancer starts with benign polyps that often bleed, staff members from Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC will be distributing kits that test for occult, or hidden, blood in the stool. If you are seeing bright red blood with your bowel movements, you should go directly to your doctor.
The primary risk factor for colorectal cancer is age. More than 90% of cases are diagnosed in individuals older than 50. The take-home kit, which must be picked up by the user, is not a substitute for a colonoscopy but is just one form of colorectal screening. The gold standard for colorectal cancer screening is the colonoscopy.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center has been fighting cancer for over 35 years with locations in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma and Gonzales. It has comprehensive cancer programs with Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington. These programs are accredited by the American College of Surgeons – the gold standard for community-based cancer care. For more information visit www.marybird.org.
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