WestGlen Endoscopy Center Gives Back to Uninsured Residents of Shawnee

 

SHAWNEE, KAN. – May 20, 2011 – As part of its efforts to promote colon cancer prevention and screening, the WestGlen Endoscopy Center will provide free colonoscopies to a group of pre-screened, uninsured residents in the Kansas City area on Saturday, May 21. Through a partnership with Kansas City Free Health Clinic, 24 uninsured residents were individually evaluated to meet certain criteria to qualify for a free colonoscopy.  
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Kansans.  More than 1,440 new colon cancer cases will be diagnosed in the state this year, and 500 Kansans will die from it.
“Those numbers could be much lower if people would just get screened,” said Dr. Mark Molos, gastroenterologist at WestGlen Endoscopy Center and member of StopColonCancerNow.com.  “Colon cancer is more than 90 percent curable if it’s caught early and colonoscopies can do that.  That’s why it’s important that days like this are offered to those who otherwise couldn’t afford preventative healthcare.  We’re proud to partner with Kansas City Free Health Clinic to provide this service.”
 “We can’t thank WestGlen Endoscopy Center and their doctors enough for donating their time, their skills and their center and allowing us to offer this free service to some of our patients who need a colonoscopy,” said Carol Varland, manager, Kansas City Free Health Clinic.  “Our mission is to provide quality healthcare for those who cannot afford it and just because someone doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive potentially life-saving screenings.”
A colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that allows a doctor to view the inside of the colon via a flexible tube, or endoscope, equipped with a camera to look for potential cancer-causing polyps. If a polyp is found, it can be removed during the procedure, allowing for both diagnosis and treatment at the same time.  It is a recommended procedure for anyone who is 50 and older or has a family history of colon cancer or polyps.
“We don’t want to just be located in the community, we want to be part of it,” said Molos.  “And that means serving our neighbors who need help.  Colonoscopies can mean the difference between life and death and we are happy to offer our time and do our part to help keep our fellow Kansans healthy.”
The May 21 event will be held at WestGlen Endoscopy Center, 16663 Midland Drive, Shawnee, Kansas, 66217, (913) 248-880, www.westglengi.com.
About StopColonCancerNow.com
StopColonCancerNow.com is a community of more than 700 physicians who have joined forces to promote education and awareness about colon cancer screening and prevention. AmSurg, provider of one in every 10 colonoscopies in the United States, launched the campaign in 2009 as part of its commitment to provide the highest level of care and information to people at risk for colon cancer. For more information on colon cancer and the importance of screening, visit www.StopColonCancerNow.com. 
About Kansas City Free Health Clinic
The Kansas City Free Health Clinic was formed in 1971 to promote health and wellness by providing quality services, at no charge, to residents in Kansas City without access to basic care.  The Clinic helps keep the uninsured and underinsured healthy.
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Local Gastroenterologists Provide Free Colon Cancer Screenings

SHAWNEE, KAN. – May 20, 2011 – As part of its efforts to promote colon cancer prevention and screening, the WestGlen Endoscopy Center will provide free colonoscopies to a group of pre-screened, uninsured residents in the Kansas City area on Saturday, May 21. Through a partnership with Kansas City Free Health Clinic, 24 uninsured residents were individually evaluated to meet certain criteria to qualify for a free colonoscopy.  

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Kansans.  More than 1,440 new colon cancer cases will be diagnosed in the state this year, and 500 Kansans will die from it.

“Those numbers could be much lower if people would just get screened,” said Dr. Mark Molos, gastroenterologist at WestGlen Endoscopy Center and member of StopColonCancerNow.com.  “Colon cancer is more than 90 percent curable if it’s caught early and colonoscopies can do that.  That’s why it’s important that days like this are offered to those who otherwise couldn’t afford preventative healthcare.  We’re proud to partner with Kansas City Free Health Clinic to provide this service.”

 “We can’t thank WestGlen Endoscopy Center and their doctors enough for donating their time, their skills and their center and allowing us to offer this free service to some of our patients who need a colonoscopy,” said Carol Varland, manager, Kansas City Free Health Clinic.  “Our mission is to provide quality healthcare for those who cannot afford it and just because someone doesn’t have insurance, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive potentially life-saving screenings.”

A colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that allows a doctor to view the inside of the colon via a flexible tube, or endoscope, equipped with a camera to look for potential cancer-causing polyps. If a polyp is found, it can be removed during the procedure, allowing for both diagnosis and treatment at the same time.  It is a recommended procedure for anyone who is 50 and older or has a family history of colon cancer or polyps.

“We don’t want to just be located in the community, we want to be part of it,” said Molos.  “And that means serving our neighbors who need help.  Colonoscopies can mean the difference between life and death and we are happy to offer our time and do our part to help keep our fellow Kansans healthy.”

The May 21 event will be held at WestGlen Endoscopy Center, 16663 Midland Drive, Shawnee, Kansas, 66217, (913) 248-880, www.westglengi.com.

 

About StopColonCancerNow.com

StopColonCancerNow.com is a community of more than 700 physicians who have joined forces to promote education and awareness about colon cancer screening and prevention. AmSurg, provider of one in every 10 colonoscopies in the United States, launched the campaign in 2009 as part of its commitment to provide the highest level of care and information to people at risk for colon cancer. For more information on colon cancer and the importance of screening, visit www.StopColonCancerNow.com. 

 

About Kansas City Free Health Clinic

The Kansas City Free Health Clinic was formed in 1971 to promote health and wellness by providing quality services, at no charge, to residents in Kansas City without access to basic care.  The Clinic helps keep the uninsured and underinsured healthy.

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This release filed under: Colon Cancer Screenings, Gastroenterologists, Kansas Department of Health, Shawnee, colon cancer prevention, free colonoscopy, free health clinic, stopcoloncancernow, WestGlen Endoscopy Center