Mitchell Cancer Institute provides free prostate cancer screenings to nearly 500 underserved men across lower Alabama
The Mitchell Cancer Institute, in partnership with ADPH, reached out to uninsured and underinsured men across lower Alabama during the nine-month effort.
By Jessica Jones
[email protected]
The Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI), in partnership with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Prostate Cancer Prevention Program, recently wrapped up a nine-month effort to provide free prostate cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured men across lower Alabama.
From January through September, the MCI mobile RV clinic hosted 23 screening events across seven counties – Baldwin, Butler, Conecuh, Jackson, Mobile, Monroe and Washington, reaching men in 18 zip codes. In total, 459 men were screened for prostate cancer.
Of those screened, 43 men were found to have elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) levels, requiring further evaluation.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, affecting 1 in 8 men nationwide, with Alabama experiencing some of the highest rates in the United States. USA Health recommends that men at average risk begin screening at age 50, while African American men and those with a family history should begin screening at age 40.
The program was supported by a $50,000 ADPH grant, which covered testing, follow-up care, and counseling services for eligible men.
These screenings were a success thanks to the efforts of the Cancer Control and Prevention Division at MCI, USA Health University Urology, and nurses who volunteered their time to serve the community. Special thanks go to Stephanie Lett, Wilma Baliem, Tracy Bunn, Roytesia Moore, Stephanie Hardin, Allie Boudreaux, Allie Brown, Mikelle Holcombe, Celestia Slater, Michael Flott, Kinsey Carlson, Annette Bouie, Allie Grimm, and Abby Castillo.
“Through teamwork, compassion, and community outreach, we’ve helped hundreds of men take control of their health,” said Janel Lowman, MHA, senior manager of community outreach at the MCI. “This effort would not have been possible without our partners and volunteers.”
To learn more about the MCI’s prostate cancer community screenings, visit usamci.com or email [email protected].T
