Cancer Answers
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition has established a toll-free line for women who have questions or concerns about the disease. NOCC was established in 1995 as a nonprofit corporation. It will soon begin to license state chapters to help promote education, research and awareness of the disease. Call the hotline at (888) OVARIAN (682-7426). Or visit the NOCC on the Web at https://www.ovarian.org.
Legal Assistance
* Cancer patients who need legal assistance regarding issues related to the disease can contact the nonprofit Cancer Legal Resource Center. The joint program from the Western Law Center for Disability Rights and Loyola Law School will help people with such issues as job discrimination, insurance coverage, estate planning, living wills and durable powers of attorney. Services are available in English and Spanish. For more information, call (213) 736-1455. No fee to call for information or referral.
Diabetes Screenings
* Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is offering free screenings for family members of people with insulin-dependent diabetes. Volunteers will be screened for a predisposition to diabetes and may become participants in a National Institutes of Health study of whether it is possible to prevent insulin-dependent diabetes. To be eligible, volunteers must be from 3 to 45 and have a sibling, parent or child with Type 1 diabetes, or from 3 to 20 with a cousin, niece or nephew with Type 1 diabetes.
For a screening or information, call Julie Valenzuela, (888) 835-3761.
Bike, Skating Safety
* Fewer than 15% of children and teens wear bike helmets regularly, according to safety officials. A recent study concluded that helmet use while biking or skating could reduce injuries and possibly prevent deaths.
To address this public health problem, Prudential HealthCare and the Brain Injury Assn., have named October as National Helmet Safety Month and are making helmets available at reduced prices. The helmets are made by Troxel Inc.
Typically, youth-size bike helmets cost $20 or more. These helmets cost as little as $10 (a few styles are $14.99). They are available in multiple colors and sizes, from toddler to adult. Shipping charges begin at $4.50 for a single helmet. To order, call (800) 694-3258.
Low-Cost Mammograms
* Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys is offering low-cost mammograms this month through its Breast Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Exams, which cost $55, are offered Monday through Friday at Outpatient Services. Results will be mailed to the patient’s physician. For more information, call (818) 902-5772.
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Health Watch appears every Monday in Health. Send calendar items three weeks in advance to Health Watch, Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053.
