ST. GEORGE -- Since its opening in March of 2004, the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program clinic at Dixie Regional Medical Center has screened more than 2,500 patients - many of whom have received compensation for cancers found.

“It is great to know that we have had the chance to help so many people,” said Becky Barlow, R.N. and RESEP program director. “With another year of government funding we are happy to be able to continue providing screenings to those who might not have the opportunity otherwise.”

RESEP was established by the United States Government to aid thousands of individuals potentially affected by nuclear testing and was recently awarded more government funding. These individuals are at a greater risk for leukemias, lymphomas, breast and thyroid cancers. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, RESEP can provide free cancer screenings, follow-up services and referral, if needed, to the appropriate doctors for particular health needs.

More than 40,000 people were exposed to radioactive fallout in Southern Utah from 1951 to 1958 and July of 1962 during nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site. The RESEP clinic at Dixie Regional exists to aid those individuals who were exposed to the testing, as well as those who worked in the uranium industry.

The RESEP clinic also helps eligible individuals receive compensation from the government through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. Over the last 15 months, Dixie Regional’s RESEP clinic has given out RECA information to more than 2,000 people, helped more than 750 people with their RECA claims and more than 114 people have received compensation through RECA.

Who is eligible to be seen at the RESEP clinic?

• DOWNWINDERS – Those who lived in Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Wayne or Garfield counties in Utah; Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine or northeast Clark counties in Nevada; and northern Mohave, Coconino, Apache, Gila, Navajo and Yavapai counties in Arizona for at least one year from 1951 to 1958 or the month of July 1962 during the nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site.

• NEVADA TEST SITE WORKERS – Those who worked on-site at the Nevada, Pacific, Trinity and South Atlantic nuclear test facilities during an atmospheric detonation.

• URANIUM INDUSTRY WORKERS – Those who were miners, ore transporters, or millers of uranium for at least one year from 1942 to 1971.

For more information or to schedule a free cancer-screening appointment, call
688-4500. Cedar City residents can make a local call to 868-5051.