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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 8, 2012)
îl’' ^ìnrtlanò (DbscrUrr Page 4 For Your Health A m e r i c a n s b e g in h a p p i l y s p e n d in g m o re tim e o u td o o rs . W h e th e r h a v in g a p ic n ic , p la y in g sp o rts, g o in g fo r a lo n g w alk o r ju s t e n jo y in g the su n sh in e , m an y o f o u r fa m ilie s ’ a c tiv itie s - an d m e m o ra b le m o m en ts - w ill tak e p la ce o u tsid e. But it’s im p o rtan t th at w e d o n ’t fo rg et ab o u t o u r h e alth d u rin g the su m m e r m o n th s. N ot o n ly d o es th e sea so n b rin g lo n g e r d ay s and h ig h e r te m p e ratu res, it a lso b rin g s a g re a te r risk o f m e la n o m a, the fa s te s t g ro w in g c a n c e r in th e U n ited S tates. I t’s e asy to lose tra c k o f tim e w h en y o u ’re h a v in g fun in th e sun. A m o rn in g h ik e can e a sily lead to an a fte rn o o n sw im an d then an e v e n in g b a rb e q u e. U n fo r- BY L arry L ucas tu n a te ly , all o f th a t tim e o u td o o rs can resu lt in irrev e rsib le skin d a m age c a u s e d by th e s u n ’s ra y s. A c ro ss the U .S ., a p p ro x im a te ly o ne in fiv e p e o p le w ill get skin c a n c e r in his o r h e r life tim e , the m ost d a n g e ro u s fo rm o f w h ich is m elanom a. M elanom a is often caused by intense, occasional UV exposure that frequently leads to sunburn, and if not treated early, m elanom a can cause m alignant tum ors. U n fo r tunately, as few as 48 percent o f m elanom as in A frican A m ericans are d iagnosed at an early stage. August 8, 2012 Preventing Skin Cancer com pared to 84 percent in C au ca sian s. W hen m elanom a goes undetec ted, the cancer can advance and spread to oth er parts o f the body, m aking it hard to treat. So although C aucasians are the prim ary victim s o f m elanom a, the can cer is m ore fatal for those in the A frican A m eri can com m unity: The overall m ela noma survival rate for African Ameri - cans is only 77 percent, versus 91 percent for C aucasians. R ecognizing the w arning signs o f m elanom a is vital. T h a t’s why p h y s ic ia n s re c o m m e n d re g u la r head-to-toe self-exam inations for any skin changes. A ccording to the A m erican M elanom a Foundation, a sudden or co n tin u o u s change in the appearance o f a m ole is a sign that you should see y o u r doctor. T o help you know w hat to look for, rem em b er these signs: A sy m m etry - one h alf o f the m ole is differ ent than the other half. B orders - edges o f the m ole are irregular, blurred o r uneven. C o lo r - uneven color, o r shades o f brow n, tan, or black. D ia m e te r-th e m ole is greater than 6 m illim eters in diam eter. The good new s is that there are easy steps w e can take to prevent m elanom a before it starts. P ro tec tion from the sun is the single g reat est w ay to prevent m elanom a. W hen spending tim e outdoors, m ake sure you w ear sunscreen w ith an S P F o f 15 o r higher, and reapply every tw o h o u rs. D uring the hours o f 10 a.m . and 4 p.m ., try to seek the shade w hen possible, and use a broad-brim m ed hat and U V -blocking sunglasses to co v er up. A s w e give a w arm w elcom e to the sum m er m onths and the fun they bring, it’s critical that w e rec ognize the im portance o f taking care o f o u r skin. Enjoy the great o u t doors, but rem em ber to protect your self and your loved ones from the su n ’s dangers. For patients w ho need help p ay ing for their prescriptions, the P art nership for Prescription A ssistance is available to help. For m ore infor m ation, visit pparx.org or call 1 -888- 4PPA -N O W . Larry Lucas is a retired vice president for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. anmKemmemMnnBnwnMiiHnoasnagRmHaHnnnnMsannMsnnMHnnMnnRinHHHSoanMMo H e a l t h V v r c h F ree B ody B asics - T his physician recom m ended class is appropriate for all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one-session class and learn the sim ple guidelines fo r safe exercises, including stretching. C all 503-256-4000 to register. C holesterol P rofiles — G et the resources to help you keep an eye on your cholesterol and other indicators o f heart health. E ducational m aterial provided. For m ore inform ation, call 503-261-6611. B ereavem en t S u pport G rou p s — Free, safe confidential group m eetings for those w ho have ex p erien ced the death o f a loved one offered on various nights and locations. F o r inform ation and registration, call 503-215-4622. Red C ross C ertification -- The O regon Trail C hapter R ed C ross now offers credits to helps professionals m aintain licensing or certification. F or a cum ulative list, visit p d x in fo .n et. , Dr. Billy R. Flowers (above center) and his skilled s ta ff are ready to help those in need. ___________ THE______________ SPINACOLUMN An ongoing series of questions and answers about Americas natural healing profession. Part 13. Shoulder Pain: Why many people cannot, and should not, take it lying down. : M y shoulders hurt so bad bursitis at one office, tenosynovitis the cause w as there long before at tim es, I can hardly sleep. [ at an o th er and so on until they the pain itself. By treating the W hat can C hiropractic.do for me return hom e confused, frustrated cause, w e not only relieve the pain, that no one else has been able to? and still in agony. As C h iro p rac d o n ’t s u ffe r th ro u g h a n o th e r : Shoulder pain ism w ithout tors, w e are concerned about nerve sleepless night. C all for an a p question, one o f the m ost flow to the various parts o f the pointm ent to find out how C h iro debilitating types o f pain w e e body. n O f course, w e look to see if a practic can elim inate the cause o f counter. B ecause the shoulder is bursal sac has been trau m atized or the problem once and for all. O r so intricately related to the spine, if a tendon has been injured. But feel free to call us if you haVe any virtually any m ovem ent can be m ore im portantly, w e look to see questions w hatsoever about your excruciating. It is not at all uncom w hat cau sed the injury. Y ou see. health. m on to see cases like yours w here p a tie n ts’ hurt so bad. they cannot even get a decent n ig h t’s sleep. 2124 N.E. Hancock Street, Portland Oregon97212 T o C om plicate m atters, m any p a tients go from doctor, to do cto r seeking relief, being told they have Q A Flowers' Chiropractic Office Phone: (5 0 3 ) 2 8 7 *5 5 0 4 I i E m pow erm ent through Relaxation - Free informal m editation classes that address breathing techniques, som e gentle ancient A frican yoga poses and m ental balancing techniques. People have left these classes jo y fu l and with a peaceful view o f their lives. Call Dr. M arcelitte Failla at 503-228- 6140. Il"|Jortta«b© b»erucr Established 1970 USPS 959-680 ___________________________ ______ 4747 /VE Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Portland, OR 97211 Charles H. Washington EDiTOR.Michael L eighton A ssistant to P ublisher , P ublic R elations : M ark W ashington C reative D irector : P aul N e u feld t A ssistant to P ublisher , O ffice M anager /C iassifieds : Lucinda Baldwin A ssistant P ublisher : Leonard Latin A dvertising M anager , P ubuc R elations : Tony Washington S taff W ritfr /P hotographer : Mindy Cooper E ditor - in - c h ie f , P ublisher : P ostmaster : Send address changes to Portland Observer, PO Box3 1 3 7 , Portland, OR9 7 2 0 8 CALL 503-288-0033 FAX 503-288-0015 n fw s^ portlandobsfrver.com ads @portlandobserver, com subsciiption@Dortlandohserver.com The Portland Observer welcomes freelance submissions. Manuscripts and photographs should be clearly labeled and w ill be returned i f accompanied by a self addressed envelope. 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