Representative Mike Garcia (CA-27) participated in the unveiling of City of Hope’s new mobile cancer prevention and screening program in Lancaster. The program, the first in the U.S. to provide this level of mobile comprehensive cancer prevention and screening services, marks an important advancement to address community health needs across CA-27. Rep. Garcia secured funding for City of Hope’s first mobile screening clinic through community project funding (CPF) within the congressional appropriations process.

“I’m so proud to have secured this funding for our community’s state-of-the-art mobile cancer screening unit,” said Rep. Garcia. “The Antelope Valley is one of the most socioeconomically diverse and medically vulnerable regions in California. The fact that members of the black and Hispanic communities are dying of treatable cancers at a rate 45% higher than average is unacceptable. This van was designed and fielded to help end that disparity.

“For many individuals, early detection and preventative care create better outcomes and reduce long-term medical costs when diagnosed with cancer. City of Hope has been leading in cancer research and treatment across our communities and our nation. That’s why I am thrilled to bring this first-in-the-nation mobile clinic to the AV. We must continue to work to build more capacity in the AV, but, through this mobile clinic, City of Hope will help bridge the gap by expanding optimal care to more patients, families and communities.”



The program will feature two highly advanced mobile clinics with a full staff, including nurse practitioners, nurses, mammography technologists and support staff. Mobile clinic clients will receive personalized screening recommendations based on a novel risk assessment, along with any necessary lab tests, genetic testing for mutations associated with increased risk for developing cancer, and vaccines for viruses, which may be linked to multiple types of cancer. The mobile clinic assesses the risk and screens for at least 15 different types of cancer, including state-of-the-art mammography technology.

"Our comprehensive mobile cancer prevention and screening program is the next step in our mission to expand access to optimal cancer care, bringing our expertise outside the walls of our campus and into the communities we serve,” said Harlan Levine, M.D., president of health innovation and policy at City of Hope. “We know that identifying and addressing cancers early saves lives, and we want to do our part to ensure every person has access to these services and help create a healthier, more equitable future for all.”

The new program is currently scheduling screening events with community organizations and businesses. Organizations interested in partnering with this program to offer mobile prevention and screening services at their location can visit CityofHope.org/mobile-screening for more information and call 844-238-HOPE (4673) to schedule a screening event.