NATCHEZ — The first goal of the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is to improve survivor rates and to lessen burdens on patients, two representative told members of the Rotary Club of Natchez last week.

“Our goal is to align and collaborate with local hospitals and physicians,” said Ethan Bush, vice president and chief development officer for the center, which came to Natchez in March after acquiring Caring River Cancer Center.

With a rise in cancer rates nationwide, Bush said, survivorship numbers are improving as well.

“We are a cancer care organization,” Bush said. “We think about cancer prevention, not just treatment 100% every day.”

In terms of preventative measures Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers screenings and has access to many doctors and facilities locally and in the region, Bush said.

“We provide radiation therapy and access to physicians, not just local,” Bush said, adding that early diagnoses help with patient survival rates. “The goal is prevention through education and diagnosis at the earliest stage.”

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center is a regional cancer care organization that has been fighting cancer for approximately 50 years and provides care at nine centers in Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond, Houma, Gonzales, Zachary and Natchez, and its service area encompasses southeast Louisiana and southwest Mississippi regions.

Bush said every dollar raised locally for the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center stays in the local community.

Gregory W. Cotter, MD, FACRO, radiation oncologist, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Natchez, said recent statistics show that one out of three people in the United States will develop cancer.

“That is 1.3 million people per year,” Cotter said. “That is 17,000 per year in Mississippi. Prevention is the best treatment for cancer.”

Skin cancers are the most prevalent forms of cancer, Cotter said.

“Precaution could save you from having to deal with melanoma or other skin cancers down the line,” Cotter said, adding screening for other forms of cancer also are important, including mammograms and colonoscopies. “We’re here to improve the lives of our patients.”

Bush agrees.

“As a regional cancer care facility, Mary Bird Perkins can bring our supportive patient care programs to Natchez, and we are also able to make these resources and services available to other cancer specialists in the area when needed,” Bush said. “Partnership between the cancer center, local physicians and the community will make even more programs possible and we look forward to engaging Natchez businesses and individuals as we move the mission forward.”

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Natchez is located at 133 Jeff Davis Boulevard.

For more information, visit marybird.org.