Bringing life-saving screenings to rural Louisiana

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year. One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That’s one person every two minutes in the U.S. However, there are over four million breast cancer survivors in the United States, including women currently receiving treatment and those who have completed it.

No matter who you are or where you live, breast cancer may impact your life. can hold different significance for different individuals. For some, it’s a reminder of the disease’s profound impact. For others, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate support for the millions of women worldwide who are diagnosed with the disease each year. For many women, the idea of a routine mammogram is something they take for granted, but for those living in rural areas of Louisiana, access to these essential screenings is often a significant challenge.

The Partners In Wellness (PIW) program, initiated by the LSU Health Shreveport Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, has been a beacon of hope for rural and underserved communities in Louisiana providing cancer screenings. The PIW program, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, was created with an important mission: to reduce the burden of cancer in Louisiana by providing early detection and preventive education. In 2009, the initiative expanded to include a mobile screening van, which travels three to four times a week, serving 23 parishes across North and Central Louisiana. This mobile screening program delivers life-saving services directly to individuals’ doorsteps, regardless of their location or insurance status, ensuring everyone has access to essential cancer screenings.

The PIW mobile screening program provides mammograms for breast cancer screening, HPV/Pap tests for cervical cancer screening, and Cologuard kits for colorectal cancer screening. Mammograms are available to uninsured women ages 40-64, insured women of any age. HPV screenings are performed for women ages 25-64, while Cologuard kits are offered to men and women aged 45 and older. In addition to cancer screening, the PIW program partners with the Wise Women initiative to help women ages 40-64 understand and reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. Through this collaboration, the program provides comprehensive cardiovascular screenings, including checks for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose levels and cholesterol.

Over the past 15 years, the PIW mobile screening program has served more than 10,000 people, with mammography being the most commonly provided service. By combining cancer and cardiovascular screenings, the PIW mobile van plays a critical role in promoting overall health and early disease detection for women in underserved and rural communities. This extensive outreach has been made possible through partnerships with several organizations like the Rapides Foundation, Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program, Louisiana Cancer Foundation and MLK Health Center and Pharmacy, providing crucial grant funding to support screenings for uninsured and underinsured populations.

In addition, PIW’s impact extends beyond just providing screenings. The program is actively involved in research studies that aim to improve cancer prevention and treatment. One significant research initiative within the PIW program is the TMIST (Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial). This randomized trial compares standard digital mammograms (2-D) with tomosynthesis mammograms (3-D) to determine the most effective method for detecting breast cancer in women without symptoms. By comparing outcomes between these two screening methods, TMIST aims to reduce the occurrence of advanced breast cancers and refine the screening process, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for women.

The success of the Partners In Wellness program is evidence of what can be achieved when innovation, commitment and community partnership come together. By bringing health care to the people who need it most, the PIW mobile screening program does more than provide screenings — it provides a lifeline, connecting rural and underserved communities with the important services that can save lives. As we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s essential to remember that the fight against cancer doesn’t stop at city limits. The work being done by the PIW program is a powerful reminder that early detection is vital to survival and that every woman, regardless of where she lives, deserves access to cancer screenings.

With ongoing support, the PIW program will remain at the forefront of reducing cancer disparities across Louisiana, ensuring that more lives are saved through early detection, education and outreach. If you or someone you know needs to schedule an appointment, you can reach the Partners In Wellness office locally at 318-813-4020 or 800-582-4523. Let’s continue to support these vital efforts and make a difference in the lives of countless women in Louisiana.

Deborah Smith, PhD, MPH, BSN, is an assistant professor of public health at LSU Health Shreveport’s School of Allied Health Professions.