Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader Theresa Paiva-Weed (D-Newport, Jamestown) and State Representative Bruce J. Long (R-Middletown, Jamestown) are offering Jamestown’s firefighters the opportunity to be screened for bladder cancer. The screenings will be administered from 6-9PM on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the Jamestown Fire Department Headquarters, 50 Narragansett Avenue, Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Dr. Barry Stein, a urologist and an original member of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Expert Panel on Screening, will speak to the firefighters about the benefits of screening. “Bladder cancer is a difficult cancer to treat if caught in the later stages, but is far easier to treat if detected early” Stein said. He continued, “Early detection is the key to saving lives.”

Several studies have found that the incidence rate of bladder cancer among firefighters is roughly twice the national average. Furthermore, a study in the American Cancer Society’s medical journal Cancer found that screening a high-risk population for bladder cancer saves healthcare costs as well as lives. According to this study, over $100,000 in healthcare costs are saved per 1,000 high-risk individuals screened.

State Senate Majority Leader Paiva-Weed stated, “Firefighters rush into burning buildings and put their lives on the line every day to help serve and protect our community.” Paiva-Weed continued, “I am happy to sponsor cancer screenings that may help save their lives and wish to thank them for their service.” Earlier this year, former State Representative and now State Senator Roger Picard (DWoonsocket) introduced House Bill 7171, that would give all Rhode Island firefighters the opportunity to be screened for bladder cancer Representative Long co-sponsored the legislation.

“It is my hope that the passage of House Bill 7171 will not only save firefighters’ lives, but also save the taxpayers’ money through the reduction of treatment costs” Long stated. He continued, “this is exactly the type of legislation we should all be supporting.”

The Jamestown screenings are being administered by a national occupational wellness and screening company, Provant Health Solutions. Provant is using Matritech’s NMP-22 BladderChek device for the screenings and is making screening personnel available for the event at no charge as a community service.

###

[ PRESS RELEASE ]

UroToday.com Bladder Cancer Detection and Monitoring Center

Please log-in or register in order to submit comments.

Powered by AkoComment!