(Houma, La.) – Many Houma-area residents took proactive measures to protect their health by participating in Terrebonne General | Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Live Well Bayou event at the Terrebonne General Health System Drive-Thru Center. Funded by Cenac Marine Services, Bayou Region residents received screenings for four different types of cancers and other health screenings at no cost at the Nov. 6 event.
Live Well cancer screenings included breast, colorectal, prostate and skin. A total of 195 cancer screenings took place resulting in 12 participants receiving an abnormal finding at the time of their screening. Over 35 percent of participants had never screened for a particular cancer type. Any participants who received an abnormal finding are being assisted by a Cancer Center patient navigator to ensure necessary follow-up care is promptly accessed.
“Nationally, we are seeing a lack of access to healthcare, especially cancer prevention, education and early detection services in local communities due to time constraints or other commitments, and unfortunately, this can result in cancers going undetected,” said Heather Johnson, director of early detection and education, Mary Bird Perkins. “Events like Live Well Bayou provide us the opportunity to offer convenient education and early detection on the weekend for the local community in a safe and accessible environment.”
Due to COVID-19, the Cancer Center took extra steps to ensure the safety of both participants and staff. A number of practices were put in place to ensure the safety of everyone, such as increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting practices for high-touch areas and appointments for all screenings were required to ensure social distancing. All screening participants and staff were required to wear masks.
“Cenac Marine Services’ support as a ‘Fueling the Fight’ Partner was critical to the success of Live Well Bayou,” said Danielle Mack, vice president and chief development officer, Mary Bird Perkins. “Thanks to their generous commitment and yearlong partnership, we were able to offer comprehensive prevention, education and early detection to members of the community who otherwise may not have received a screening. Events of this magnitude require many resources, so we are grateful to the Cenac team for helping make this special day possible.”
The Cancer Center offers free cancer screenings throughout the year. For more information, call (985) 239-5739 or visit marybird.org/houma.
Photo caption: Pictured at the Live Well Bayou event (l-r): Amy Boudreaux, Heather Johnson, Danielle Mack, Richard Watkins, Layne Bordelon, Monica Allen and Rachel Landrus.
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.