Community Outreach & Support

With the help from the Foundation, Auxiliary, and volunteers and staff, the Wellness Center is able to offer an array of health screenings throughout the year. These screenings encourage individuals to actively participate in their health by identifying diseases and risk factors at the earliest stages, when they are most treatable.

Screenings

Blood Pressure Screening

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. You can control high blood pressure through healthy lifestyle habits and taking medicines, if needed. Free blood pressure checks are available at:

HealthQuarters (first floor of IU Health La Porte Hospital) every Thursday from 9 to 11 am
Wellness Center, Monday-Friday 5:30 am to 8 pm and Saturday 7 am to noon.

Bone Density Screening

A bone density screening is often used to screen for and detect the early stages of osteoporosis, a condition defined by a decreased density of normal bone. This free screening is recommended for women over 40.

Breast Cancer Screening

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates approximately 211,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year. Physician screenings are available during a free community screening in October. In addition to the physician screening, women have the opportunity to learn breast self-exam techniques and acquire information on the importance of self-exams, mammograms, and overall breast health.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Women, ages 20 to 65, are urged to take advantage of this free screening if you have not had a pap smear in three years and have not had a hysterectomy. Offered annually during November.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and free take-home kits will be available throughout the entire month at select locations. Screening kits are available to aid in the early detection of colorectal cancer. While colorectal cancer affects both men and women equally, there is a higher risk for individuals who:

• are 50 years or older
• are of African-American or Hispanic descent
• have a personal or family history of benign colorectal polyps, colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
• Hemoccult kits and instructions for use are provided at various locations during the month of March.

Heart Screening

Individuals should consider taking advantage of this screening if they are over 40 years of age and have two or more of the following risk factors:

• A family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Habit of smoking
• Overweight and do not exercise

Persons previously diagnosed with heart disease should not participate in this screening.
This Heart Screening includes the following:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Full Cholesterol Panel & Glucose Test**
• Body Fat Analysis
• Health Risk Appraisal

*A 10-12 hour fast is required for accurate results. Test includes: Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and blood sugar.

Pediatric Developmental Screening

Indiana University Health La Porte Hospital's Pediatric Rehab Team periodically offers free developmental screenings for children of all ages several times annually. Children are screened for appropriate gross motor, fine motor, self-care, cognitive, social, speech and language skills, and sensory integration.

Preventive Wellness Screening

Body Fat: $5
Glucose Testing: $6
Cholesterol Profile: $24
Personal Health Screening: $40 (includes blood pressure, cholesterol profile, glucose, body fat analysis, and personal consultation)
To schedule any of the preventive wellness screenings, call 219.326.2480 to register.

Prostate Cancer Screening

September is Prostate Health Month. Prostate Cancer is the rapid growth of tumor cells in the prostate gland. The American Cancer Society recommends men 50 years and older have yearly rectal exams and a blood test to screen for this cancer. It is advised that African-American or Hispanic men or men with a family history of Prostate Cancer should begin this screening at the age of 40.

This screening is not appropriate for men diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

This prostate cancer screening includes:

• Digital Rectal Examination
• Prostate Specific Anitigen (PSA) blood test

Skin Cancer Screening

May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention month. About one million new cases of cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year - and nearly half of all cancers are skin cancers. The key to success is early detection and treatment.

Individuals are highly encouraged to participate in this screening if they have experienced one or more of the following changes in a mole, birthmark or freckle:

• increase in size
• change of color or additional colors appear
• change in elevation
• change in surface (scaliness, erosion, oozing)
• area becomes tender, itchy or painful

Vascular Screening

A stroke is America’s third leading killer. There is a higher risk for stroke in individuals:

• 50 years or older
• having a personal or family history of vascular disease, hypertension, high cholesterol or diabetes
• who smoke
• who are overweight

This screening is not recommended for persons who have had a vascular surgical procedure or have been diagnosed with vascular disease.

• Blood Pressure Check
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
• Coratid Carotid Ultrasound
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening

For more information on any of the above screenings, call the Wellness Center
at 219.326.2480

Specific dates for each screening will be advertised prior to each event.