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 address medication access and cancer screenings; foster the establishment and expansion of primary care access with integrated behavioral and oral health services; and to develop a strategy around related medical manpower issues. 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 unit. The 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 clinical breast exams, digital mammograms, cervical exams, Pap smears 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 Screen Van:
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 clinical breast exams, digital mammograms, cervical exams, Pap smears and FIT colon cancer screening take-home tests. These services are free of charge for Central Louisiana residents who have no medical insurance and who meet the following age requirements:
- Women ages 40-64 - Pap smear, pelvic exam, clinical breast exam, digital mammography
- Women ages 50-64 - all of above services including colorectal cancer screening
- Men ages 50-64 – colorectal cancer screening
Appointments are required. To request an appointment, please call Cancer Screening Specialist Kayla Edwards at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027.
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Community Health Advisor Project
CMAP’s Community Health Advisor Project is a community-based program that trains community volunteers to help educate their peers about the importance of cancer screenings and to reach out to those who are diagnosed with cancer. Once trained, Community Health Advisors provide education, outreach and information to men and women throughout Central Louisiana. They encourage people to practice early detection of colon, breast and cervical cancer while it is in the most treatable stages.
Community Health Advisors are trained by the Cancer Screening Project’s Community Health Advisor. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Community Health Advisor, please contact CMAP at 318-767-3028.