Free Skin Cancer Screening
The John Stoddard Cancer Center is
pleased to again offer free skin cancer screenings. Appointments will
be scheduled in 15 minute increments. Appointment times are limited
and will be filled on a first come first served basis. Remaining
appointment times are listed below.
Check-in for the screenings will take place in the John Stoddard Cancer Center at 1221 Pleasant Street in
Des Moines. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment time.
Free parking is available in the parking ramp on the West side of the
hospital. To check in go directly to the 4th floor of the cancer center,
to suite 450.
Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Although melanoma
accounts for only about 4 percent of skin cancer cases, it causes about
79 percent of skin cancer deaths. The number of new cases of melanoma
in the United States is on the rise.
Early detection is crucial! Register today!
Scope it Out
John Stoddard Cancer Center, in collaboration with area physicians and clinics, will be providing free colonoscopies to uninsured men and women in the central Iowa area. Early diagnosis is key to treating cancer and increases the chance of survival. "Scope it Out" will take place on Saturday, April 13 at various clinic locations. The free colonoscopies are for men and women, age 50-64, who do not have health insurance or health savings accounts.
Scope it Out
Free Colonoscopy Screening Day
Saturday, April 13
(Registration due by March 29, 2013)
If you or someone you know may qualify for this screening, call 515-241-3343 or click here to register. Participants must meet qualifying criteria and registration is required by March 29, 2013.
Thank you to our "Scope it Out" partners: Iowa Digestive Disease Center, Iowa Endoscopy Center, UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Iowa Pathology Associates, Pathology Laboratory at Iowa Methodist, Polk County Public Health and The Iowa Clinic, P.C., The Iowa Clinic Endoscopy Center.
Iowa Health - Des Moines to Become the Presenting Sponsor of the Downtown Farmers' Market
DOWNTOWN DES MOINES - The Downtown Community Alliance (DCA) is pleased to announce opening day for the Downtown Farmers' Market is Saturday, May 4, 2013. The DCA is also excited to announce Iowa Health - Des Moines is the new presenting sponsor for 2013 Downtown Farmers' Market season. The Market spans nine city blocks and is held in the Historic Court District in Downtown Des Moines, every Saturday morning, rain or shine and even holidays, from May 4 - Oct. 26, 2013.
"Our new presenting sponsor Iowa Health - Des Moines is the perfect partner to help educate our community on living a healthier life. People are taking a step in the right direction by purchasing fresh local food at The Market and Iowa Health - Des Moines will help take it to the next level," says Kelly Foss, Downtown Farmers' Market Director.
Iowa Health - Des Moines plans to offer special programming every Saturday during the season that will focus on living well. Market patrons can expect to interact with Iowa Health - Des Moines staff on all topics from eating healthy, child safety, screenings and weight loss.
"We are proud to be the premier sponsor of the 2013 Downtown Farmer's Market," said Eric Crowell, Iowa Health - Des Moines President and CEO. "This partnership provides us a wonderful opportunity to support our local farmers, to reinforce the health benefits of eating fresh, locally grown foods, and most importantly, it confirms our commitment to the community we serve."
The Downtown Farmers' Market supports producers from 47 counties across Iowa, offering seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables and so much more. The Market also offers specialty and artisan food, provides a variety of local art and entertainment and offers learning opportunities. Foss says, "We are looking forward to sharing even more great news in the near future about additional enhancements to the Downtown Farmers' Market in 2013."
The Downtown Farmers' Market began in 1976 with just 15 vendors and an average of 200 shoppers and operated July - September. Today, The Market has grown to more than 200 vendors and an average of 20,000 visitors each Saturday during May - October. The Market also produces a Wednesday Farmers' Market in the fall and a Winter Farmers' Market in November and December. Last year opening day attracted a record crowd of nearly 40,000 people.
The Downtown Farmers' Market is produced by the Downtown Community Alliance and is presented by Iowa Health - Des Moines. Media partner is Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. In 2012, The Downtown Farmers' Market was named one of America's Best Farmers Markets by Country Living magazine.
January is Radon Awareness month, so please take this opportunity to learn more about radon and how it can affect your health and the health of those around you.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by the decay of uranium in the soil. It can get into our homes due to the pressure differentials between outdoor and indoor environments. Radon enters through any building opening including cracks in walls and floors, construction joints, gaps around pipes/wires and sump pits.
Exposure to radon is the most common cause of lung cancer in non-smoking adults and takes the lives of 400 Iowans each year. To compare, that is roughly the same number of deaths in the state due to traffic fatalities.
Radon exposure can happen in any type of home, new or old. Many households have carbon monoxide detectors, however there is no such thing as a radon detector. The only way to determine if your home has high levels of radon is to test. Testing kits are available through the American Lung Association by calling 1-800-788-5864. Testing kits and processing costs run around $10. It is recommended that all buildings, especially your home, be tested every two years.
Source: American Lung Association's "Radon & You: What you need to know to protect you and your family."