Cancer screening at apostolate

The Hispanic Apostolate is hosting free cancer screenings July 30 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the apostolate at 6380 Hooper Road in Baton Rouge.

The screenings are through Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Prevention on the Go Program. 

“For a variety of reasons – from lack of insurance to the language barrier – many in our Hispanic community don’t always have the information or access to routine health screenings,” Julia Scarnato, executive director of the Hispanic Apostolate, said. “I urge them to take advantage of this opportunity generously provided by Mary Bird Perkins.”

Free clinical breast exams will be performed by a physician or nurse practitioner for women 18 and older. Screening mammograms will be available for women 40 and older who do not have a doctor and have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months. Insurance will be billed for mammograms; there will be no charge for women without insurance.

Prostate screenings will include a PSA blood test and physical exam performed by a physician for men 45 and older who do not have a doctor or who have not been screened for prostate cancer in the past 12 months. Visual skin cancer exams will be available to those who have not had a physician perform a skin screening in the past 12 months. 

Easy-to-use take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be also distributed. Men and women age 45 and older who have not been screened for colorectal cancer in the past 12 months are eligible. 

“Through Prevention on the Go, the cancer center aims to provide critical early detection resources to underserved communities,” Heather Johnson, director, early detection and outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, said. “The health and success of our entire region stands to benefit when access to free and convenient cancer screenings is made available. We thank our generous supporters who help make these services available.”

This is the fifth year Mary Bird Perkins and the Hispanic Apostolate of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge have partnered to promote and provide preventative health initiatives to members of the Spanish-speaking community. 

Translators will be available on-site during the screening event. 

To  find other screening opportunities near you by visiting marybird.org/events.

To make an appointment, call 225-425-8034.