The Cobb County Public Library distributed the following announcement:
The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University’s Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit is returning to Cobb County libraries to provide no-cost cancer screenings. The prominent “Big Blue Bus” will host two community events from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. before the Thanksgiving holiday week:
- Thursday, Nov. 19: South Cobb Regional Library, 805 Clay Road, Mableton
- Friday, Nov. 20: Charles D. Switzer Library, 266 Roswell Street, Marietta
To date, the successful partnership with Cobb County Public Library has provided 218 men with access to vital health screenings. The clinical team administers rapid, no-cost prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. The process requires no physical exams or long wait times.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Georgia. The mobile program actively works to reduce geographic and financial barriers, closing critical care gaps for men at the highest risk, including Black men.
Supported by the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and developed in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System, the mobile clinic prioritizes making healthcare accessible for men ages 40 to 75.
Holiday Gatherings Offer Opportunity for Family Health Conversations
The upcoming November dates align with National Family Health History Day, observed annually around Thanksgiving Day. Health experts encourage families to use holiday gatherings to discuss familial medical histories. Sharing background details regarding prostate cancer, as well as breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers, helps healthcare providers accurately assess patient risks and pursue early detection.
The Medical Director of the Winship Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Unit says every man should consider the far-reaching impact of their health.
“One of the most responsible things a man can do during his lifetime is to look after his own health. His longevity and quality of life will have a profound and generational impact on not only him and but also his loved ones,” said F. Kennard Hood, MD, FAAFP, Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and Medical Director for Primary Care at Emory Healthcare.“That’s why prostate cancer screening programs such as the Arthur M. Blank Emory Winship Mobile Unit, and the early detection we offer are so important.”
Walk-ins are fully welcome at the upcoming Emory Winship library events. Pre-registration is optional. Participants can secure a timeslot for Emory Winship mobile clinics in advance and view additional upcoming clinic stops in Georgia by visiting emoryhealthcare.org/prostatebus
Among the resources on collecting family health history details is the Prostate Cancer Family Tree worksheet of the non-profit ZERO Prostate Cancer at zerocancer.org/educational-materials/prostate-cancer-family-tree-worksheet-pdf