TAMPA, Fla. — First lady Jill Biden met with doctors Friday at the Moffitt Cancer Center to discuss the "Cancer Moonshot" initiative that is focusing on cancer prevention through screening.

Biden spent a few hours touring labs at Moffitt and learning about screenings and research.

She said it’s an issue very close to her and her husband.

“It’s all about the 'Cancer Moonshot,'” she said. “This hospital is doing such an amazing job.”

Biden met doctors, researchers and patients to hear about their experiences.

“Joe and I are continuing our work in cancer. As you know, early detection is the key,” she said. “So, because of the pandemic, so many people have put off their cancer screenings.”

Her tour included a stop at the “mole patrol” RV, which offers free skin cancer screenings in local communities.

She was accompanied by Dr. Ned Sharpless, the head of the National Cancer Institute, who praised the work Moffitt does in Tampa Bay.

“President Biden has said one of his top priorities is ending cancer as we know it,” Sharpless said. “So to do that, we’re going to need places like Moffitt.”

One of the things that makes Moffit unique is that it connects patients directly with cancer researchers.

The hope from Moffitt researchers is that some attention from the White House will put more emphasis on these kinds of programs across the country.

“I think hopefully a lot more attention towards this issue and topic would stimulate more centers across the nation to maybe implement similar programs like we have where we automatically bring together patients and researchers,” said Dr. Eric Lau, a tumor biology researcher.

The first lady said she will continue to travel the country, encouraging folks to get screened and see more of the research being done.