HRSA Outreach Seeks to Raise Cancer Awareness Among People Who Lived Near Nuclear Sites or Min...( Effort includes updated Web pages...),Health

Effort includes updated Web pages, brochure, advertisement, and informational letters to partner organizations, other Federal agencies

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On May 8, HRSA's Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) will launch a nationwide outreach effort to raise awareness about the need for cancer screening among people who lived near nuclear weapons testing facilities in the mid-20th century. The effort also targets former test site employees and workers in the uranium mining industry.

Individuals who could have been affected by radiation from above-ground nuclear blasts are known as "downwinders." Most downwinders lived or worked for at least two years near the Nevada Test Site (NTS) (http://www.nv.doe.gov/nts/default.htm) during parts of 1951-58 and 1962. NTS is about 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas; 100 atmospheric nuclear explosions took place there.

Other eligible RESEP participants include nuclear test site employees who worked at the Trinity (N.M.), Pacific, or South Atlantic test sites between 1945 and 1962.

Miners, millers and transporters of uranium may also be eligible to receive RESEP services and compensation from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) if they worked in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington or Wyoming between 1942 and 1971.

Individuals who believe they have been exposed to radiation, as described by the program, or who have family members that have been exposed are encouraged to visit the RESEP Web pages (http://ruralhealth.hrsa.gov/radiationexposure/) and download an informational brochure, also available through the HRSA Information Center (1-888-ASK-HRSA).

Web site visitors will find frequently asked questions, and will learn which
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