Cancer is killing Georgia residents who could have been saved. In Savannah and across Southeast Georgia, too many people are being diagnosed too late simply because they don’t have access to screenings. Without nearby doctors, affordable options, or reliable transportation, families are left waiting until symptoms become unbearable. By then, it’s often too late.

At a recent state hearing, lawmakers were told exactly how bad the crisis is. Rural hospitals are closing. Primary care doctors are in short supply. Older residents are being left behind. Cancer is now one of the biggest drivers of health care costs in the state, yet Georgia still relies on a patchwork system that forces patients to go without early detection.

This is not just a rural issue. Families in Savannah are suffering too. Without action, more parents, grandparents, and neighbors will face painful, expensive, and avoidable outcomes.

Lawmakers must act now. They can fund mobile screening programs, require nonprofit hospitals to provide free cancer screenings, and ensure that every Georgian—no matter where they live—has a fair shot at early diagnosis and treatment.

Call on Rep. Jesse Petrea, Speaker Jon Burns, and Governor Brian Kemp to fix this crisis before more lives are lost. Bring cancer screenings to Savannah now.