EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
HEALTH MINISTRY (VOL 10)
Dr. Patricia D. McKenzie
Episcopal Coordinator for Health Ministries
PART I. NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES FOR OCTOBER
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Source American Cancer Society.
www.cancer.org
FACTS:
“FACTS: “Breast Cancer accounts for 30% of all new female cancer cases per year and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. There are nearly 3.8
million breast cancer survivors in U.S. Some types of benign breast lumps can
increase a woman’s risk of getting breast cancer. All lumps and changes should be
checked by your Dr.
Risk factors:
- 1. Drinking alcohol, women who have 1 alcoholic
drink a day, can increase risk by 7%-10%; women who drink 2-3 drinks a day, the
increase 20% higher.
2. Being overweight or obese after menopause can lead to
increase in estrogen levels; therefore, increase chances; also, overweight can lead to
higher blood insulin levels and high levels have been linked to increase.
3. Being physically active may reduce; therefore, it is recommended that adults get 150-300
minutes of moderate intensity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous intensity (or a
combination of these) and consult your Dr. before any planned program of exercise.4. Women who had their first child after 30 have a slightly higher risk.
5. Birth control-Oral contraceptives have a slightly higher risk than women who never used
them.
Screening recommendations: Women with no personal history of breast
cancer and no strong family history are 40yrs-44yrs and 45-54yrs schedule every
year. Women 55 and older may follow every other year. Women continue with
mammograms for as long as they are in good health and is expected to live at least
10 more years. Remember to do regular breast self-exam (look and feel) and report
any changes immediately to your Dr. When the Dr. decides that a woman is at high
risk, breast MRI with the mammogram is ordered every year and some women start
at age 30.”
B. “Breast Cancer in Men:
Male breast tissue is present until 9 or 10 yrs. and after
puberty boys also have low levels of female hormones. Some men have cancer cells
in the lymph nodes, but never develop metastases to other areas. Men can also have
some benign (no Cancerous) breast disorders. One example is gynecomastia which is
an increase in the amount of the man’s breast tissue.
Their risk factors include aging, occurring at 72 yrs.; 1 in 5 men will have a close
relative (male or female) with the disease; heavy drinking, liver disease (as cirrhosis),
obese men have higher levels of estrogen.
Early detection is hindered because men ignore breast lumps.”
C. National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Sources: 1. U.S. Dept of Health and
Human Services, Office of Women Health, https://www.womenshealth.gov
2.National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, https://ncadv.org FACTS: “ 475 gun
related domestic violence fatalities this year, 10 million people are physically abused
by an intimate partner, 20,000 calls are placed a day to hotlines. Domestic or
intimate partner violence includes physical, sexual or emotional abuse, as well as
sexual coercion and stalking by a current or former partner. It can happen to
married couples living together or apart and to same sex couples. One partner is
always trying to maintain power or control over the other. It is an epidemic and
results in psychological trauma and in severe cases even death. The person should
make a plan to leave, domestic violence usually does not get better, look for a safe
place in the community, save the evidence of injuries. Talk to someone as family
member, friend, co-worker or spiritual leader. Effects on children-if it is witnessed or
they are victims it increases the risk for long-term physical and mental health
problems; may later lead to violence in their relationships.
No one should feel unsafe in a relationship. Children do best in a safe, stable and
loving environment.
What to do if immediate danger, call 911; if not immediate danger, call a hotline for
free, anonymous help 800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 800-787-3224 (TDD); help for LGBTO
victims, call 212-714-1411 for 24hours support in English or Spanish.”
D. National Healthy Lung Month
- Source: The American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/
- FACTS: “Approximately 37 million Americans live with chronic lung disease. Be alert to warning signs because these could be the first signs of lung disease including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma and lung cancer. The signs include: chronic cough (lasts for eight weeks or longer), shortness of breath after little of no exertion, chronic mucus production (lasted one month or longer), wheezing (noisy breathing), coughing up blood, chronic chest pain (lasted one month or more) and seems to get worse when you breath or cough. See your Dr., early detection could save your life. Ways to protect your lungs and reduce the risk of lung disease include: 1. Don’t smoke. Major cause of lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, but it is never too late to benefit from quitting. Regular physical exercise can help, avoid excising outdoors when pollution levels are high. Contact your Dr. before starting because exercising with lung disease requires a fitness plan that will work for you.
Need help, call the Lung Helpline-1-800-586-4872.”
support in English or Spanish.”
E. National Bullying Prevention Month
- Source Stomp Out Bullying. https://www.stompoutbullying.org/
- FACTS: “Bullying and Cyberbullying are problems that affect millions of students of all races and classes. 1outof 4 kids is bullied and up to 43% of students have been bullied online. Some kids are so tormented that suicide has become an alternative solution. Types of bullying includes hazing, cyberbullying, and teen dating violence. Popular kids can be bullied as easily as others. Teach students to be tolerant, kind, respectful and to stand up for each other. Bullies are more likely to get in frequent fight, steal and vandalize property, drink alcohol, smoke, carry a weapon, make fun of the way others look or speak, spread nasty rumors at school, post negative photos on email; happy when others experience fear, discomfort or pain. Teach kids how to act in school-be a positive leader and treat others with kindness and respect, be open to make apologies to people if you hurt their feelings, think about your actions, how would you feel if someone treated you that way. Learn to be compassionate, always think about your behavior and learn from it. If you are between the ages of 13-24 and are being bullied or cyberbullied and even going through a rough time, you may contact:
Help Chat Crisis Line-Counselors are available Tuesday 6pm-11am CST and Wednesday 7pm-11am CST. Call the National Youth Talk Line at 1-800246-7743. Remember if it is an emergency, call 911. “
PART II.
HEALING AIDS FROM THE BALM IN GILEAD
Source:
Click on Education and Inspiration and find to topics-Sunday Morning Health Corner and Resources