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About Siletz news / (Siletz, OR) 199?-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2007)
Siletz Community CHA-MAY WEEYA - MEDICINETALK < ¥ ir- £ Clinic Health Clinic Offers HPV Vaccine Last spring, the national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a panel of immunization experts that advises the federal government on vac cine policy, approved the HPV vaccine for girls and women from ages 9-26, with a specific recommendation that all girls ages 11-12 be routinely given the three-dose series of HPV vaccine to provide maximum protection. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the country. The HPV vaccine is remarkably effective against the two strains that cause 70 percent of all cervical cancer in women. The Siletz Clinic offers the vac cine to female Siletz Tribal members between the ages of 9-26, Although the state of Oregon has provided the Siletz. Clinic with the vaccine for female tribal members between 9-18 years old, the Siletz Tribe has purchased addi tional vaccine for female tribal mem bers only, ages 19-26. Enrolled patients can get the immunization at a sched uled visit either with their PCP or RN. Cervical cancer used to be a com mon cause of cancer death for women in the United States, but the widespread use of Pap tests has dramatically re duced the frequency and rate of death from cervical cancer. Even so, each year more than 100 Oregon women develop invasive cer vical cancer and 40 die of the disease, says Lorraine Duncan, immunization manager in the Oregon Department of Human Services Public Health Division. “HPV vaccine is a powerful tool in the fight against cervical cancer." says Duncan, “We are very pleased that the federal government has added it to the list of vaccines they will provide un der the VFC program. This means that life-saving protection is available to these young women in Oregon." The Vaccines for Children program is administered by the DHS Public Health Division. It supplies federally pur chased vaccines at no cost to public and private health care providers. Patients through age 18 are eligible if they are uninsured, enrolled in Medicaid, or are an American Indian or Alaska Native. The VFC program is one of many public health programs that focus on prevention and helping people manage Bloomstrom Tells Story of Cancer Diagnosis, New Network for Survivors Article first published in the newsletter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Oregon and SU' Washington affiliate, earlier this year Carol Blomstrom, a 60-year-old breast cancer survivor and member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz, has created a network of cancer survivors. Her journey began when she was diagnosed with Stage III infiltrating, in flammatory ductal carcinoma in March 2006. She knew something was wrong when the doctor told her she needed to have someone with her for their next appointment. Being a single mom, Carol took her two sons and her daugh ter. She was told she had cancer. While she was a little shocked by the diagnosis and the family worried about how much time she had. she set her goal: To see her six grandsons, age 1 to 20, grow up. Carol entered three months of chemotherapy, had a mas tectomy and five weeks of radiation. This journey of nearly one year was not just about medical treatment. While battling recurrent nausea, growing fa tigue. and the loss of 33 pounds, Carol began educating herself. In November 2006, she attended a Susan G. Komen-Oregon & SW Wash ington Foundation-funded Leadership and How to Start Your Own Cancer Support Group training presented by the Native People's Circle of Hope. NPCOH is a coalition of Native cancer survivors and support groups. When asked how to improve this training, Carol said, “Make it longer and teach us more about cancer." Her thirst for knowledge is high. Carol's cancer education expanded while staying at the Mario Pastega House, another Komen-supported cancer project that provides housing to cancer survivors who are receiving treatment from the Community Hospital Cancer program in Corvallis, Ore. (The Siletz Tribal Chari table Contribution Fund also has provided funding for the Mario Pastega House.) To overcome feelings of isolation, she and other residents gathered each evening for mutual support, learning ^0 • Siletz News • Sandra Hahn RN (nurse navigator) or DeAnna Pearl (tobacco prevention and community navigator) at the Siletz. Clinic, 541-444-1030 or 1-800-648-0449. The nextTillicum Siletz Community Cancer Support Group meeting is scheduled for noon on June 19 at the Siletz Public Library. Carol Blomstrom of how to cope with their treatment side effects, and receiving further cancer education. She is particularly grateful to the volunteers who made themselves available at any time, day or night, to listen to the residents’ concerns. Carol's network of cancer support ers has grown to 30 people. The net work began with the many friends who helped her manage her household chores and grew to include the men and women she met during her various medical appointments. She now accompanies the tribal pa tient navigator. Sandra Hahn, to cancer support group meetings and encourages early detection. Carol recently celebrated the end of her radiation treatments and looks forward to expanding her network with more cancer support group meet ings, regional and national gatherings. She enjoys and appreciates each day. each person she meets, and any opportunity to expand her knowledge. Congratulations Carol! Welcome to the world of cancer survivors and thrivers! Update: Carol recently saw her on cologist. who reviewed her latest tests and said she can celebrate being cancer-free! For cancer-related issues, including learning more about cancer, contact June 2007 their health so they can be as produc tive and healthy as possible. Additional information about the program is on the DHS Immunization Web site - www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/ imm/vfc/index. shtml. For more information on HPV. visit http://search.oregon.gov/ query.html?ql=, and specify the search requirements “must include" “HPV" to find various DHS articles on this topic. Also, you can e-mail your ques tions to dhs.info@state.or.us, or call the DHS office at 503-945-5944. Siletz Tribal members wishing to make an appointment to receive the vaccinations through the Siletz Clinic can call 1-800-648-0449, ext. 9604, or 541-444-1604. Out-of-Area Health Care by Judy Muschamp, Health Director Call-in dates for pre-authorization are July 2 and Oct. 1. Calls are answered starting at 8 a.m. in the order received. Be sure to register for health care before these dates. Only one authorization per year per tribal member is allowed. Members have a choice of selecting medical, dental, vision, or hearing services. Numbers to call: 541-444-1236 or 1-800-628-5720.
