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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
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E ditor - in - c h ie f , P ublisher :
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