Cancer Screening Project

Recognizing the importance of early detection of cancers, The Rapides Foundation in 2009 unveiled the Cancer Screening Project in response to its 2005 Community Health Assessment that found too many Central Louisiana residents were not getting screened for breast, cervical and colon cancers. Early screening for certain cancers can be cost-effective and promote longer, healthier lives.

The Cancer Screening Project is part of The Rapides Foundation’s Healthcare Access Initiative, which is designed to foster the establishment and expansion of primary, behavioral and quality patient-centered health services through integration with community health clinics, and address screenings, medication access and related medical manpower. CMAP administers the Cancer Screening Project.

The project seeks to increase access to important cancer screenings by bringing them to Central Louisiana parishes via a mobile cancer screening unit. The mobile unit is a partnership between The Rapides Foundation, CMAP and the Partners in Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport. It travels to communities for two-day clinics, where patients receive digital mammograms, cervical screenings and FIT colon cancer screening take-home tests. These services are offered for free for people who meet age, income and insurance guidelines.

Request an Appointment on the Cancer Screening Mobile Unit:

The Cancer Screening Project’s mobile unit travels throughout Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn parishes for two-day clinics, where patients receive digital mammograms, cervical screenings and FIT colon cancer screening take-home tests.  These services are free of charge for Central Louisiana residents who have no medical insurance or are on Medicaid, are at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and who meet the following age requirements:

  • Women ages 40-64 - Digital mammography
  • Women ages 25-64 - HPV cervical screening
  • Women ages 45-64 - all of above services including colorectal cancer screening self-administered take-home test
  • Men ages 45-64 – colorectal cancer screening self-administered take-home test

Appointments are required. To request an appointment, please call Cancer Screening Specialist Stephanie Heinen at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027.

Request a FIT Test:

The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a reliable self-administered take-home colorectal cancer screening test for early detection of colorectal cancer. We offer the FIT test to uninsured Central Louisiana residents between the ages of 45-64. Call us at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027 to see if you qualify for a free test.

  • FIT test can be performed in the comfort of your home;
  • No dietary restrictions before using the FIT test;
  • The test kit will include step-by-step instructions;
  • If your FIT test is positive, we'll help you schedule a colonoscopy.

Cancer Screening Mobile Unit Schedule

Start Date Upcoming Dates Location Patient Appointment Deadline Remove From Site Date
9/19/2024 12:00:00 AM December 17-18 Rapides Parish Call by December 12 12/19/2024 12:00:00 AM
11/19/2024 12:00:00 AM January 7-8 Allen Parish Call by January 2 1/8/2025 12:00:00 AM
11/19/2024 12:00:00 AM January 21-22 Natchitoches Parish Call by January 16 1/22/2025 12:00:00 AM

CMAP Screening Guidelines

The CMAP Cancer Screening Project follows the screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society.

The Cancer Screening Project follows the screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society. Recommended guidelines for mammograms for women at average risk:

  • Ages 40-44 – have the choice to start annual mammograms
  • Ages 45-54 – once per year
  • Ages 55-64 – every two years or can continue yearly screenings if preferred

The Cancer Screening Project follows the screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society. Recommended guidelines for cervical cancer screening for women at average risk:

  • Ages 25-64 – HPV cervical screening every five years
  • Women who have had a total hysterectomy should stop cervical cancer screenings.

The Cancer Screening Project follows the screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society. Recommended guidelines for colon cancer screening for men and women at average risk:

  • Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) once per year starting at age 45

Want to learn more?

Phone
Toll Free
Fax
318-448-4473

Resources

The CMAP Cancer Screening Project suggests the following websites as additional resources for people seeking information about cancer screenings, prevention and treatment.

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
1.800.227.2345

National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
1.800.4.CANCER

Susan G. Komen
ww5.komen.org
1.877.GO KOMEN

CancerCare 
www.cancercare.org
1.800.813.HOPE

Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program
www.lbchp.org
1.888.599.1073

Patient Advocate Foundation
www.patientadvocate.org
1.800.532.5274

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