Winship Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Program reaches 1,000 patients screened

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University is celebrating a major milestone: its Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening Program has now provided 1,000 screenings across communities in Georgia. The 1,000th screening took place on Jan. 21 at the Sam Moss DeKalb County Family YMCA.

The program, launched with generous support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and in collaboration with Mount Sinai Health System, brings free, convenient prostate cancer screenings directly to neighborhoods, with a focus on reducing longstanding disparities in care.

“What a proud moment and outstanding accomplishment to have screened our first 1,000 men,” says F. Kennard Hood, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Family and Preventative Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and medical director of the Prostate Cancer Screening Program. “This initiative has made a tremendous impact on the lives and families of men all over Georgia. We appreciate the efforts and hard work from our team on the bus and from our staff behind the scenes.”

Since its launch, the Winship Mobile Prostate Cancer Screening bus has traveled all across Georgia, bringing free, convenient screenings directly to communities that need them most. From Warner Robins to LaGrange, the mobile unit has visited local schools, health fairs, sporting events, community centers and more, ensuring men have access to life-saving prostate cancer screenings without having to travel far or take time away from work. Each stop provides an opportunity for early detection, helping men take control of their health and access follow-up care when needed.

Bringing prostate cancer screening directly into neighborhoods helps break down the barriers that too often keep men from getting tested,” says Martin Sanda, MD, Louis McDonald Orr Distinguished Professor of Urology at Emory University School of Medicine and director of Winship’s Prostate Cancer Program, who leads the team running the screening initiative. “By making prostate cancer screening more convenient and accessible, we can find the disease earlier, when it’s most treatable and ultimately save more lives.”

The mobile unit provides PSA blood tests, often the first step in detecting prostate cancer, with results delivered either on-site within an hour or shortly after via Emory Healthcare’s MyChart portal. If follow-up care is needed, patients can seamlessly access Winship’s prostate cancer experts and Emory Healthcare’s primary care teams.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the U.S., with Black men facing a 70% higher risk of developing aggressive disease. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, yet many men lack access to screening. By bringing the program directly into communities, Winship and its partners aim to reach men who might not otherwise seek care due to work schedules, transportation barriers or misconceptions about screening.

With the 1,000th screening now complete, the mobile program continues to travel across Georgia, bringing no-cost screenings to community events. Organizers hope to reach thousands more men in the coming years.

“Now, the work must go on. This is just the beginning,” says Hood, emphasizing the program’s commitment to meeting people where they are and ensuring that more men have the opportunity to take charge of their health.

For more information about upcoming screening events or to host the mobile unit at your organization, visit online.