IT'S TIME FOR BUSY WOMEN TO THINK OF THEIR HEALTH.

Byline: VICTORIA GIRAUD

In observation of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center in Val Verde is offering low-cost breast and cervical exams, and on Nov. 16 will be giving free mammograms.

The nonprofit family practice clinic is focusing on getting busy women to come in for screenings. ``Women don't take care of themselves,'' said nurse practitioner Leslie de la Flor. ``I've been guilty of it myself, and I'm a nurse.''

The low-cost Pap smear and breast exam will be available through October and November. A special mammogram van sponsored by the Breast Cancer Early Detection Program will be available at the clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 16.

In operation since 1980, the clinic at 30257 San Martinez Road, Val Verde, fills a need in the Santa Clarita Valley, especially for those who have low incomes and no health insurance. The clinic accepts Medi-Cal, Medicare, private insurance and cash. A sliding-scale fee is available, and de la Flor emphasizes, ``We will work with you'' to make timely care affordable.

``Lower-income patients don't have money, so they wait. The longer you wait, the more it can turn out to be serious,'' de la Flor cautioned.

Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, the clinic has three full-time health personnel.

``We try to see walk-ins, but we recommend appointments, since providers are not always there,'' de la Flor said.

In addition to serving women, the clinic provides a range of services including pediatrics, immunizations, school physicals, family planning, lab services and HIV testing. The clinic also dispenses medications, which is handy for families without a car.

Family planning is a major aspect of the clinic's services. Before advising on family planning, however, the clinic does a full medical exam, obtains a complete medical history and gives a breast exam.

De la Flor said the clinic's clientele tends to be young, and many are teen-agers.

The clinic is named for the Rev. Samuel Dixon, whose Val Verde church was adjacent to the original clinic. Dixon died before his vision of a nonprofit community health center became a reality. In his memory, local community groups such as the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs donated labor and got materials to complete the clinic.

When the clinic briefly closed in 1990 because of state budget cuts, the Val Verde Civic Association organized a music festival and community awareness campaign. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and his local deputy, Jo Anne Darcy, helped the clinic obtain a community-development block grant - mainly federal aid distributed through local government. The clinic opened again, but in a new location across from Val Verde Park.

Three physicians, one teacher and one attorney serve with Evelyn Dixon and her five children on the honorary board of directors to try to continue Dixon's vision into the future.

In keeping with that vision, the clinic's motto is: ``We serve the under-served and unserved.''