Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC to Hold Free Breast Cancer Screening
"Early Bird" Mobile Medical Clinic Coming to Town
(Houma) -- A free community-based breast cancer screening will be held on Friday, October 16, from 10 a.m. -- 2 p.m. at Cannata's Supermarket Eastside, 1977 Prospect Boulevard, Houma, LA. The screening, sponsored by Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and its partners, will take place inside the Network's mobile medical clinic known as "The Early Bird" in reference to its mission of early detection. Appointments are required. Please call (toll free) 1-888-616-4687.
The customized mobile screening clinic allows Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to dramatically expand the availability of free community cancer screenings for the 1.7 million residents of the Center's Southeast Louisiana service area and beyond.
Explaining that cancer incidence rates for most common cancers are in line with the rest of the nation, Mary Bird Perkins' Early Detection and Education Manager Charity Gay said it is the inordinately high cancer mortality rates that are the problem. "This clearly indicates the need for early detection interventions. Screenings offer the potential to diagnose cancer at its earliest stage when the greatest chance for a cure exists."
Since 25% of Louisiana's population is uninsured, the focus of Mary Bird Perkins at TGMC is to reach those who otherwise would not have access to cancer screenings.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC: Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center at TGMC is nationally accredited with commendation for excellence in cancer care by the American College of Surgeons (ACoS) Commission on Cancer (CoC) -- the gold standard for community-based cancer care. The multidisciplinary cancer program offers immediate access to a wealth of technology and clinical expertise for the Houma community and the greater Bayou region.