A Fort Worth-based nonprofit and its partners are offering free services to make it easier for Tarrant County residents to take care of their health.
Cancer Care Services will host its next health expo and community screening event Oct. 28.
Founded in 1946, the organization provides free cancer navigation, financial assistance, counseling, social support and resources to Tarrant County residents.
Cancer Care Services partners with Texas Health Resources and the Black Heart Association to provide free health screenings at the expos, which feature vendors, speakers and wellness activities.
Texas Health Resources’ mobile unit will provide mammograms, well woman exams and colon cancer test kits for home use.
To qualify for a mammography screening, attendees must meet the following requirements:
- Women 40 years and older
- Have no personal history of breast cancer
- No breast implants
- No known breast lumps or other breast problems
- Are not pregnant or haven’t breastfed in last six months
- Have not received a mammogram in the past 12 months
The Black Heart Association will provide blood pressure checks, full lipid panels and glucose results. The organization will also provide a free mental and physical telehealth visit and genetic testing.
“Rather than having someone go chase down a referral from the doctor, we are able to take our screenings into where they can instantly tap into it,” said James Earl, director of outreach and health equity at Cancer Care Services. “They’re able to access services right in the comfort of their community, and all they need to do is just show up.”
IF YOU GO:
What: Cancer Care Services 2023 Health Expo & Community Screening
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 28
Where: Hope Farm Inc., 865 E. Ramsey Ave., Fort Worth
Admission: The event is free. Appointments and health insurance are not required.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women in Texas. In 2022, over 19,900 Texas women were diagnosed with breast cancer and an estimated 3,415 died from it.
When breast cancer is detected at an earlier stage, it improves the five-year survival rate by at least 90%, according to the American Cancer Society.
Colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in both men and women in Texas. An estimated 12,444 Texans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2022 and approximately 4,447 died from it, according to Texas Health and Human Services.
Cancer Care Services launched its health expo events in 2022 to help mitigate the aftermath of millions of people across the U.S. postponing cancer screenings in the early months of the pandemic.
To encourage better health in underserved communities, the organization sets up its health expos in ZIP codes where residents historically seek less preventive screening.
“Having our health first and foremost, physically and emotionally, really sets the foundation for us to live a meaningful and purposeful life,” Earl said.
David Moreno is the health reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
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