Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go program recently celebrated a significant milestone of 100,000 cancer screenings. This achievement, which occurred during the Cancer Center 50th anniversary year, was recognized at a recent free breast and colorectal cancer screening at LSU Mid-City clinic.
Prevention on the Go is a comprehensive program that provides prevention and early detection services to detect cancer in its earliest stage when better outcomes are more likely. Using mobile medical clinics, Prevention on the Go provides services in locations where people live, worship, and shop throughout southeastern Louisiana, southwestern Mississippi, and beyond. Since the program began in 2002, more than 750 cancers have been detected from more than 2,500 screening events.
“Everyone involved with Prevention on the Go is excited to celebrate this important milestone of providing 100,000 free cancer screenings for our communities,” said Heather Johnson, director of early detection and education, Mary Bird Perkins. “Our Prevention on the Go team is fortunate to experience the positive impact our program is making in Louisianans’ healthcare each and every day, but it’s important to remember that our free program is made possible by generous, compassionate donors. We couldn’t do it with them.”
Screening participant Tonya Truehill received the 100,000th screening and has been a participant of the program for more than 10 years. Truehill was recognized at the screening event with a special certificate and gift basket.
“I believe this program is beneficial for people because early detection is so important,” says Truehill. “I make it a point to receive my free breast cancer screening every year because of my family history of the disease. I am extremely grateful to Mary Bird Perkins for offering these free screenings to our community and I know that they are saving lives.”
The Prevention on the Go program also includes a workplace screening component. It is designed to easily integrate with existing wellness initiatives in the corporate setting and is able to fill the gap in cancer prevention by offering cancer specific education and screenings that can help save lives and reduce employer and employee healthcare expenses.
During COVID-19, the Cancer Center has taken extra steps to ensure the safety of both screening participants and staff. A number of practices are in place to ensure the safety of everyone, such as increased frequency of our cleaning and disinfecting practices for high-touch areas and appointments for all screenings to ensure social distancing.
To learn more about Prevention on the Go, visit marybird.org/services/get-screened.
The Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go team celebrating with a participant receiving the milestone 100,000th cancer screening are pictured, left to right, in front of the Cancer Center’s mobile media unit. They are Tokelia Richardson, Heather Johnson, Johnnay Benjamin, Tonya Truehill, Sharneitha Bradford, Ashlee Shreve, and Renea Austin-Duffin.