September Cancer Screening Event Comes to Childs Park in St. Petersburg

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the Childs Park Recreation Center will be transformed into a cancer screening clinic. Led by the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, experts from Moffitt Cancer Center and community partners will offer free cancer screenings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Experts will check for signs of head and neck, lung, breast, skin and cervical cancers during the event, sponsored by the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. The event was planned in coordination with the Child’s Park Neighborhood Association and Front Porch Association, a Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network partner. 

While appointments are recommended for a 3D mammogram or a lung screening, they aren't required. No appointment is needed for the other screenings on-site. 

A Few Moments Could Save Your Life 

“It only takes a few minutes to get screened and it is noninvasive and painless,” said Vernon Sondak, MD, chair of the Cutaneous Oncology Department. “If there is a need for privacy, we are set up for that as well. We are here to help.”  

It only takes a few minutes to get screened and it is noninvasive and painless.

Vernon Sondak, MD

According to Deepa Danan, MD, vice chair of Moffitt’s Head and Neck-Endocrine Oncology Department, the event gives residents an opportunity to address any concerns or catch potential threats early.  

Deepa Danan, MD“Our hope is to catch people who may not regularly go to the dermatologist or know that head and neck cancer is really an issue,” Danan said.  

Head and neck cancer screening is also noninvasive, Danan said. And as with all cancers, early detection and prevention are key to successful outcomes and healthy living. 

Mammograms and Lung Screenings Take Less Than 20 Minutes 

Mammolink’s 3D mammogram will be on-site and uses a low-dose X-ray system and computer reconstructions to create 3D images of the breasts. It is digital and allows radiologists to review clearer, more precise images. Most mammograms take 10 to 20 minutes. Appointments are preferred and can be made by calling 844-546-5871. 

Bethany Niell, MD, PhD“Screening mammograms decrease breast cancer deaths by detecting cancers when they are still small,” said Bethany Niell, MD, PhD, section chief of breast imaging at Moffitt. 

Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. When it is found early, the prognosis is usually good with appropriate treatment. 

Lung cancer screenings also save lives. Only 5.7% of eligible Americans were screened for lung cancer prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 2022 State of Lung Cancer Report from the American Lung Association, Florida ranks 41st in the United States for lung screening with only 3% of Floridians getting screened. 

Lung cancer screenings are also brief and last approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Call 813-745-6635 for more information and to schedule an appointment at the Childs Park event. 

“Our screening team is remarkably efficient and collaborative,” Sondak said.