MONROE, La. (AP) - Cancer screenings, prevention and education are at the center of a more than $600,000 grant to a cancer center in Louisiana.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation announced the three-year investment on Thursday in Monroe for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, news outlets reported.
The cancer services were expected to help people in 12 parishes: Caldwell, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Franklin, LaSalle, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, and West Carroll.
“We know that particularly the parishes right along the Mississippi River, the Louisiana delta, have some of the highest rates of cancer but also some of the latest-stage diagnoses,” said Michael Tipton, president of the foundation.
Renea Duffin, vice president of cancer support and outreach for the cancer center, said sometimes patients get screened, but aren’t able to follow up with additional appointments. The funding was expected to bring mobile medical units to the parishes being served by the grant.
Listening sessions were being offered so that the community can offer input. A list of upcoming sessions was available online.
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