Intermountain Press Release

St. George, Utah—

After only four years, the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) clinic at Dixie Regional Medical Center has now screened more than 2,000 patients.

"It is great to have had the chance to help so many people," said Becky Barlow, RN and RESEP program director.

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. Last year, Dixie Regional's RESEP clinic saw 34 percent of all RESEP patients for all clinics (there are six other RESEP clinics).

RESEP was established by the United States Government to aid thousands of individuals potentially affected by the nuclear testing. 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 (HRSA), RESEP can provide free cancer screenings, follow-up services and referral (if needed) to the appropriate doctors for your particular health needs.

The RESEP clinic also helps eligible individuals receive compensation from the government through the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA). Over the last 15 months, Dixie Regional's RESEP clinic has helped over 2,000 people with their RECA claims, and over 114 people 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.

Who staffs RESEP? Craig Booth, MD is the physician who sees patients at the clinic. Becky Barlow, RN directs the program, assisted by Carolyn Rasmussen, RN. Becky and Carolyn are two of only 20 nurses nationwide that are certified in both pediatric and adult oncology.

For more information and/or to schedule a free cancer-screening appointment, call 435-688-5990.