(Winnsboro, La.) – Discovering cancers in the earliest stage through screenings can help lead to better outcomes, making it extremely important for individuals to get screened for appropriate cancers. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation, is hosting free breast and colorectal cancer screenings Thursday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. across from K&S Drugs located on 802 Adams Street.
“We all get busy during the holiday season and it’s easy to forget about important health screenings, but even a month can make a difference in catching cancer earlier when it’s most treatable,” said Heather Johnson, director of early detection and education, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. “Through the generosity of Blue Cross Foundation, we are able to provide expanded screenings throughout the region and we encourage residents to take advantage of this life-saving, free service.”
All screenings are available to those who have not been screened for cancer in the past 12 months. Appointments are required for all screenings. If an abnormality is found, a nurse navigator will assist screening participants with next steps. To make an appointment, please call (318) 414-9758.
During COVID-19, the Cancer Center has taken steps to ensure the safety of both 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 the precautions the Cancer Center is taking or to learn more about our community screening program, please visit marybird.org/services/get-screened.
About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for more than 50 years. The cancer care organization provides care at seven centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Zachary and Natchez, Mississippi, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana, southwest Mississippi and Gulf South regions. Mary Bird Perkins has a strategic partnership with OneOncology and exclusive partnerships with the largest radiation and medical oncology groups from across the area. These include Southeastern Louisiana Radiation Oncology Group, which provides radiation therapy throughout Mary Bird Perkins’ service areas, Northshore Oncology Associates, serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes and Louisiana Hematology Oncology Associates, which services the Greater Baton Rouge area. For more information, please visit www.marybird.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation works each day to improve the health and lives of Louisianians by empowering everyday people to do extraordinary good. By building and funding coalitions of friends, families and neighbors, the Foundation hopes to build a healthier Louisiana, particularly for its children. The Foundation is funded solely by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, but is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. For more information, visit bcbslafoundation.org.