Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center hosted free cancer screening in Baton Rouge

Sudan Britton
·1 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Mary Bird Perkins Center hosted a free cancer screening and education event on Saturday, May 18.

This free community event was part of the Mary Bird-Perkins’ Prevention on the Go (POGO) program, which allows residents and patients to take advantage of four types of cancer screenings such as breast, colorectal, prostate, and skin cancers. Health professionals offered blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose checks.

In 2023, 91 of the metropolitan area residents received 171 screenings, with 21 requiring additional patient navigation.

Patient Terry Potts said as he gets older, the need to make his health a priority is top tier.

“I have diabetes and heart problems,” said Potts. “I have a stent myself, so I had a 90% blockage in my chest. So since then, I’ve been on the health tip, getting checked out, going to the doctors in time of need.”

About 42% of participants had never been screened for cancer before the event, according to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. They said 60% of participants reported being uninsured, and 71% of those patients had no primary care physician.

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“So in the state of Louisiana, nearly 30,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year,” said Medical Oncologist at Mary Bird-Perkins Dr. Constance Blunt. “Early detection and cancer prevention is where we’re going to make the most meaningful impact. Events like this help serve the medically underserved populations.”

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