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City of Hope is launching a first in the United States, a high-level mobile cancer prevention and screening program in Antelope Valley to advance City of Hope’s “longstanding mission to bridge health equity gaps and address community health needs,” it announced on Monday, Feb. 26. The program will assess the risk and screen for at least 15 different types of cancer, including using state-of-the-art mammography technology.

The mobile clinic will begin seeing patients on March 19 in the Wesley Health Center parking lot in Lancaster. City of Hope cited American Cancer Society data that 2 million new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer deaths are projected in the U.S. in 2024 — but about 42% of cancer cases and 45% of deaths could be attributed to “modifiable risk factors.”

Harlan Levine, president of Health Innovation and Policy at City of Hope, said in a prepared statement, “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.”

Rep. Mike Garcia and Harlan Levine, president of health innovation and policy at City of Hope, cut the ribbon in celebration of City of Hope’s new mobile cancer prevention and screening clinic on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Lancaster. Rep. Garcia used earmark funds to cover the cost of the mobile clinic truck which will begin seeing patients on March 19 in the Wesley Health Center parking lot in Lancaster.

U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia, who got funding for the program through the Congressional Appropriations process, said in a prepared statement, “The Antelope Valley is one of the most socioeconomically diverse and medically vulnerable regions in California. … 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.”

City of Hope officials say that thanks to donors Steve and Farah Gozini of BH Properties, and leaders of the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI), the program will expand. Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope, said in a statement, “We are grateful to Congressman Garcia, the Gozinis and the leaders of our MFEI group for helping us increase access to early detection and prevention services.”