Wednesday, July 30, 2025–9:55 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
A number of free screenings will be available during the annual Health Initiative for Men and Women.
The event begins at 8:00 a.m. on August 16 at the Floyd County Health Department, located on East 12th Street.
“This is our 23rd year doing this,” said Alvin Jackson with the 100 Black Men of Rome and Northwest Georgia. “It’s a free event, and we have vendors, information, and certain processes that you can go through. It’s just a wonderful time and a wonderful occasion for people to come out, and it’s free.”
According to Erin Hernandez with the Northwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, there will be a number of health screenings for both men and women.
“We do a lot of cancer prevention screenings,” she said. “Cholesterol and glucose are available for everyone. PSA’s for men, and we also run a women’s clinic that day, so people will be able to get the Pap test. They can get a clinical breast exam, and we will also have Atrium Health’s mammography bus there. You can register for mammograms ahead of time. If you need a mammogram, we will do about 25 on-site that day, and then we will register another 50 beyond that. So, if something is discovered in your exam that day, we will get you on the list, or if you are there and decide you need a screening, we will get you on that list as well.”
To schedule a mammogram, call (706) 509-6640 and select “Option 1.”
Of course, with cancer, the sooner it is detected, the better the outcome.
Jackson said these free screenings can provide that early detection.
“We’ve often had survivors come in to speak, and they tell us their diagnosis was discovered at our health initiative,” he said. ” The amazing thing about that is when you get these tests, you can go back to your primary physician and discuss them with them.”
Other screenings that will be offered include dental and vision.