Fighting Cancer in Northern Arizona Through Early Detection

Early detection is often the key to saving the lives of cancer patients. That’s why each year, the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare host a series of free or low-cost screenings designed to help residents in our communities identify issues as soon as possible. The screenings, which are offered in conjunction with local physicians, include tests for colorectal cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer.

In FY 2010, the Cancer Centers screened 429 patients during the three events. Thirty-eight percent or 165 of the patients screened had positive results and were referred for follow-up care with their physicians. The highest number of positive findings were for skin cancer, with 142 patients being found to have a pre-cancerous or cancerous condition.

Other benefits the Cancer Centers of Northern Arizona Healthcare provide to the community:

• The Expressive Arts Discovery Program allows cancer patients the opportunity to be artists through hands-on workshops with professional artists from the Dry Creek Arts Fellowship. The patients’ works of art developed from the workshops are displayed in a gallery-type setting at The Taylor House, FMC’s hospitality house.
• A monthly cooking class and weekly yoga classes.
• Van transportation for patients.