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lanuaiy 9, 2008
MATTERS
H ea lth
Lupus Worse for Black Men
A recent lupus study by researchers at Emory University in
Atlanta has found stark differences in the disease between African-
American men and women. Though the disease is far more common
in African-American women, the study found African-American
men had more severe symptoms and were more prone to have heart
and kidney complications of lupus.
Previous research has found that Lupus affects two to three
times as many African Americans as Caucasians. Sam Lim, an
assistant professor at Emory and principal investigator of the
study, says there is a big picture in understanding how lupus affects
different groups of people. "The differences in the disease may be
clues as to how lupus works and what makes people susceptible,"
he said.
Lupus has been called the "great imitator" because there are so
many symptoms associated with the disease that it is often misdi­
agnosed.
Lim says people who suspect they may have the disease need
to educate themselves about it—especially if they belong to a high-
risk group—and discuss their symptoms with their physicians.
Ouch! Groundbreaking Vaccine Stings
J
(AP) - The groundbreaking vac­
cine that prevents cervical cancer
in girls is gaining a reputation as the
most painful of childhood shots,
health experts say. As Austin Pow­
ers would say; "Ouch, baby. Very
ouch."
Health officials have touted the
Gardasil vaccine as an important
new protection against a cancer-
causing sexually transmitted virus.
I n recent months, they've also noted
reports of pain and fainting from
the shot.
"This vaccine stings a lot," said
Patsy Stinchfield.an infectious dis­
ease expert at Children's Hospitals
and Clinics of Minnesota, speak­ Lauren Fant, 18, winces as she has her third and final applica­
ing at a recent meeting of vaccina­ tion o f the HPV vaccine administered by a nurse in Marietta, Ga.
tion experts in Atlanta.
(AP photo)
It sure does, said 18-year-old
Lauren Fant. She said other shots
tend to hurt only at the moment of
the needle stick, and not after the
vaccifte plunges in.
" It bums," said the college fresh­
man from Marrietta, Ga.
The pain is short-lived, girls say;
many* react with little more than a
grimace. But some teens say it's
uncom fortable driving with or
sleeping on the injected arm for up
to a day after getting the shot.
Gardasil is the first vaccine ap­
proved specifically to target the
human papilloma virus, or HPV,
which causes cervical and vaginal
cancer. The Food and Drug Admin­
istration approved it for girls ages
9 to 26.
ftMMNMMMMWWI
State Farm®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
New Medicines for Treating Breast Cancer
Home Office. Bloomington, Illinois 61710
L arry L ucas
by
Michael E Harper
Agent
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9713S.W . Capitol, Portland, OR
503-221-305«
Fax 503-227-8757
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perfection
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www.genevas.net
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
Business Award of Excellence
Best of Portland (Willamette Week)
“ Wt da M ti/pet of, fiaui”
The word hope can in­
spire a range of feelings.
But to someone facing can­
cer, as I have, hope is a
lifeline to a better tomor­
row, a breakthrough treat­
ment, a cure.
In the African-American com­
munity, the hope to win the fight
against breast cancer is particu­
larly profound. Our community is
disproportionately affected by a
variety of cancers, including breast
cancer. African-American women
are 28 percent more likely to die
from breast cancer than white
women.
There are a variety of complex
factors that contribute to this health
disparity. One is that African-
American women are more likely to
be diagnosed later with more ad-
e-mails: paulsr(5> genevas net
USPS959-680 Established 1 9 7 0
4 7 4 7 NE M artin Luther King, Jr.
Blvd., Portland, OR 9 7 2 1 1
D istribution M anager :
Mark Washington
C reative D irector : Paul Neufeldt
A dvertising : Kathy Linder
O ffice M anager : Sharon Sperry
R eporter : Raymond Rendleman
G roovin’ a New W eight: W om en Only -Thursdays,
Jan. 24 to March 13, from 6:30to 8:30p.m. Women will
work on food, weight and body issues with a dietitian
and fitness specialist in a fun, motivating environ­
ment. To register, call 503-574-6595.
ChorlesH. Washington
Michael Leighton
E ditor :
missions. Manuscripts and photographs should he
by a self addressed envelope
display ads become the sole property o f the news­
paper and cannot be used in other publications or
personal usage without the written consent o f the
general manager, unless the client has purchased
the composition o f such ad O 1996 TH E PORT­
R E P R O D U C TIO N IN W H O L E OR IN P AR T
W IT H O U T PERMISSION IS P RO HIBITED
The
200 N.E. 20th Ave., Ste 100
Portland, OR 97232
Free parking
P o rtla n d
Sm oke-Free Support G roup - meets Mondays, 7 to
8 p.m. For more information, call 503-256-4000.
A ll created design
L A N D OBSERVER A L L RIGHTS RESERVED.
Melanie Block, L.D. D enturist
503-230-0207
We 've Moved!
H ealth W atch
Breastfeeding Preparation - Thursday, Jan. 10, from
6:30 to 9:30 p.m., this class is prepare expectant
parents on the stra te g ie s and techniques o f
breastfeeding; $42 fee per couple. To register, call
503-574-6595.
E dtiiir - in -C hii . i . P ublisher :
clearly labeled and w ill be relumed if accompanied
• Professional Services • Affordable Prices
Payment Plans: OAC
• Over 20 years experience
• Full & Partial Dentures • Natural Appearance
Full Service Lab • Accepting Oregon Health Plan
sponsored by A merica's pharma­
ceutical research companies, pro­
vides a single point of access to475
patient-assistance programs. More
than 2,500 brand-name and generic
prescription medicines are avail­
able through the participating pro­
grams. So far, the program has al­
ready helped more than 4.3 million
people in need nationwide.
One of our community’s great­
est leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
once said, "We must accept finite
disappointment, but never lose in­
finite hope.” As we remember those
who have won and lost the battle
against breast cancer, may we also
preserve that infinite hope for a
new treatment that helps save a life,
ushering in a cure to cancer forever.
Larry Lucas is the vice presi­
dent fo r Pharmaceutical Research
and Manufacturers o f America.
iim m m m m m m h m
The Portland Observer welcomes freelance sub­
Dentures Worth
Smiling About!
improve the quality of life for people
undergoing cancer treatment.
But, just knowing about the treat­
ments available to you isn’tenough.
If you are diagnosed, it’s very im­
portant to follow through with the
treatments prescribed by your doc­
tor. Columbia University Medical
Center researchers found that Afri­
can-American women with early
stage breast cancerare less likely to
finish chemotherapy treatment,
contributing to lower survivorrates.
There are likely a variety of fac­
tors for why patients might not take
their medicines as prescribed; cost
may be one of them.
For those who need help afford­
ing their prescription medicines,
there are programs that can help.
The Partnership for Prescription
Assistance ( I-888-4PPA-NOW or
www.pparx.org ), a national program
^ IJn rtla n b (Obscrucr
Hair, Nail. Pedicure, Shoe Shine
Hours: 9-6 Mon-Fri: 8-6 Sat: 10:30 - 3 Sun
(503)285-1159
5601 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland OR, 972 i f
vanced cancer - which is
much more difficult to treat.
That’s why it’s so critical
that women be vigilant
about doing monthly self­
examinations and getting
regular mammograms as di­
rected by their physicians.
These steps help detect any irregu­
larities earlier and can make a Iife-
or-death difference.
More than ever before, medi­
cines also have the power to pro­
vide hope to cancer patients. Until
recently, killing cancer cells with­
out harming healthy cells in the
body has proven to be extraordi­
narily difficult. But that’s chang­
ing. Right now, researchers are cre­
ating new “smart" medicines that
ignore healthy cells and go straight
to the cancer. In addition, compa­
nies are working on medicines to
O b se rv e r--O re g o n 's
O ld e st
M ulticultural Publication—is a member o f the Na­
tional Newspaper Association—Founded in 1885.
and The National Advertising Representative A m al­
gamated Publishers, Inc, New York. NY. and The
V egetarian S ta r te r K it — Healthy vegetarian eat­
ing made easier with inform ational resources,
samples, coupons and delicious recipes. Kits are
$7.50 each (includes shipping). To order, call 503-
256-4000.
Diabetes and Foot Care - Friday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m., the
Summerplace Assisted Living Center, 15727 N.E.
Russell St., will host the informational free class.
Free Body Basics — This physician-recommended
class is appropriate for all ages and health conditions.
Plan to attend this one-session class and learn the
simple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretch­
ing. Call 503-256-4000 to register.
For Big Brothers & Big Sister-To-Be — Saturday,
Jan. 19, from 10 to 11 a.m., special sibling class for
children ages 3 to 6 helpi ng to prepare for their role as
anoldersibling;$20fee(2adults, 1 child). To register,
call 503-574-6595.
Birthing N aturally — Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 5,
from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., this six-week series prepares
new parents-to-be to experience as natural a birth
experience as possible. To register, call 503-256-4000.
Newborn C are - Saturday, Jan. 19, from noon to 5
p.m., expectant parents will learn tips and techniques
for caring for their newborn; $45 fee per couple. To
register, call 503-574-6595.
W elcom e to M edicare — Make informed Medicare
choices, attend the free class to explain Medicare
options, Jan. 17, and Feb. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the
Bruning Center in Gresham, 1484 N.W. Civic Dr. For
registration information, call 503-491 -7572.
West Coast Black Publishers Association • Serving
Portland and Vancouver.
Posnusiw: Send address changes to
Portland Observer PO Bo* 3137
Portland, OR 97208
Periodical Postage paid In Portland. OR
Subscriptions are $60.00 per year
5 0 3 -2 8 8 0 0 3 3
FAX 5 0 3 -2 8 8 -0 0 1 5
news@portlandobserver.com
>ubscriDtions@>Dortlandobserver.con
ads@portlandobserver, com
classifieds@Dortlandobserver.com
Becom ing Sm oke-F ree, Staying Sm oke-Free -
Mondays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., gain
freedom from nicotine addiction through practical
guidance and ongoing support; $40 fee. To register,
call 503-256-4000.
M anaging C hronic H epatitis C - Third Wednesday
of each month at 5 p.m., the informative session led by
a registered nurse to help manage side effects of
medications and dosage preparations and adminis­
tration: doctors referral required to register call 503-
251-6313.
M am m ograp h y S creen in g - Early detection is a
key factor in the prevention o f breast can ter. Call
503-251-6137 to schedule your high-tech, soft-
touch mammogram.
C ancer Resource C enter — Providence St. Vincent
Medical Center and the American Red Cross have
joined forces to create the first in-hospital resource
center providing books, printed material, computer
access and more for individuals and families dealing
with cancer. The center is open Monday through
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s not your standard funeral home...
it’s the new standard in funeral homes.
RKY FAMILY
UNERAL H O
You see, when we w ent info business we
In a business where things seemingly stay
the same, a change has taken place. A
change that may raise the bar on the
level o f service a family can experience
aspired to be so far and away the best
that a new level of excellence was to be
created. We w ould like you to know that
we've achieved our goal.
from a funeral home.
T erry
2337 N Williams Ave
(503) 249-1 7 8 8
• www.terryfamilyfuneralhome.com
I Jtfle le a g u e RarehaH. Incorporated doer not lim it parilclpatton In Mr activMler on the h ath of dlrahilMy. race, creed, color, national
origin, gender, ren tal preference 0» religion« preference.