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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 9, 2016)
2 B SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2016 Us TOO Flor ence Behind the headlines B Y B OB H ORNEY CANCER SURVIVOR U S TOO CHAPTER LEADER A s I said last month, I was rethinking my desire to grow up to be a urologist. Here are a couple reasons: First and foremost, I note a disturbing lack of respect among health-care profession- als for the work they do. For instance, look at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) buying into the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s (USPSTF) recom- mendation that men should not receive PSA screening for prostate cancer, citing more harm than benefit. All of a sudden, two decades of family/primary care physi- cian referrals of early asympto- matic prostate cancer to urolo- gists due to PSA test results vanished. Looking back at the USPSTF recommendation against PSA screening and its supporting data (13 pages — nearly 9,000 words), they never said who was doing all the over-diagnos- ing, over-treating and causing more harm than benefit. It made me wonder: Who are these doers of evil, according to the USPSTF? Having traveled down the prostate cancer road, I knew they were blaming the urolo- gists, but my word search through the entire document never found the word “urolo- gist.” What the USPSTF and AAFP have collaboratively done is move many men away from a diagnosis of curable prostate cancer to one of slow- ing the cancer’s progress and easing the pain — as much as possible — for as long as possi- ble. That raises an important question: what is the answer to this dilemma? My suggestion? How about supporting the urologists (as before), so they can do what they were trained to do? Having had Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff present at our Us TOO Florence evening meet- ings for more than 11 years, Dr. Doug Hoff at our lunch meet- ings for more than five years and Dr. Roger McKimmy now taking over for Dr. Hoff, our group “knows” from personal experience and listening to the above named urologists, exact- ly how much care, thought and expertise goes into evaluating every PSA test result and, if necessary, biopsy result. We aren’t afraid of the PSA test causing so-called over- diagnosis followed by over- treatment. It is in our best interest to know our PSA number (begin- ning with a baseline PSA at age 40) and then work with the urologists at Oregon Urology Institute to determine our next steps — which is contrary to what the USPSTF recom- mends. Us TOO International, our parent nonprofit prostate can- cer education and support organization, quotes a Chinese Proverb: “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” For 15 years, Us TOO Florence has been the “go-to” group on the Oregon Coast for prostate cancer information. Not just prostate cancer information, but the place to talk with prostate cancer patients about their personal choices for treatment/nontreat- ment and the outcomes of their choices. And, just as important, hav- ing a urologist at nearly every meeting to keep everyone up to date on the latest emerging clinical advances from diagno- sis through life after treat- ment/nontreatment. In short, rather than reacting to statistics taking 10 to 20 years to compile, we are deal- ing with the here and now — both in personal experiences, with those advances occurring while the statisticians are com- piling their numbers, and hear- ing from the urologists who are implementing the improved therapies. The other reason I probably don’t want to become a urolo- gist is because it is much more pleasant to converse with a patient about potential curable therapies for his early prostate cancer than to lament the fact that a PSA test would probably have had him referred several years earlier while the cancer was treat- able. Yes, this is occurring even though it has only been a few short years since the 2012 USPSTF recommendation. What a great feeling it is for urologists to treat men with curable prostate cancer and see them go on to live produc- tive, fruitful lives. On the other hand, it is undoubtedly very dishearten- ing to be the bearer of bad news that the diagnosis came too late for a cure, knowing it was quite possibly due to a family or primary care physi- cian being advised by the AAFP to discontinue the life- saving PSA blood test. Ok, I’m convinced; it’s not my cup of tea... Heart attack symptoms in women often vary from men Paramedics from Western Lane Ambulance District (WLAD) respond to hundreds of heart attack or cardiac related medical calls annual- ly. Of those hundreds of car- diac cases, more women than men are affected, and heart attacks are generally more severe in women than in men. Failing to recognize and respond to symptoms of a heart attacks may be part of the reason women experience a greater proportion of sudden cardiac deaths than men. Women tend to display dif- ferent heart attack or heart disease symptoms than men, which complicates time to treatment. Research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that 95 percent of women studied knew that their symptoms were new or different a month before experiencing their heart attack. According to the NIH study, rather than the common chest pain symptom shown by men, 70 percent of women reported unusual fatigue, 48 percent complained of sleep disturbances and 42 percent suffered from shortness of breath. Fewer than 30 percent had chest pain or discomfort prior to their heart attack. Dr. Roberta Bogaev, M.D., a cardiologist and medical director of heart failure and transplantation at the Texas Heart Institute, stated that, “More and more we're finding out that men and women experience heart disease very differently. “Physicians need to take women’s health complaints seriously and understand that not all guidelines apply to women, whose heart symp- toms may appear more non- specific. “It’s important for women to have a good working rela- tionship with their doctor and be aware of their own risk factors for heart disease.” Other signs and symptoms involved in women’s heart attacks and cardiac-related issues are: indigestion, anxi- ety, unexplained weakness, unusual fatigue, cold sweat and dizziness. Time to treatment is imper- ative for patients. Every minute of delay causes heart muscle to die and can lead to patient illness, disability and death. Dr. Adam Holbrook, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Hospital Emergency Department (ED) physician, said, “Women who are experi- encing heart attack symptoms Local ABSE seeks donations of toys, games, books The Adult Basic and Secondary Education (ABSE) classroom at Lane Community College Florence Center needs donations of games, craft materials, books and puzzles appropriate for children ages 3-12. The ABSE department offers Tuesday and Thursday evening classes at the Florence Center to help adults who are beginning English language learners to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. The 5-hour per week class also offers child care on site at no cost while the parents are in class. Childcare provider costs are paid through a con- tract with Siuslaw School District to help the district’s parents better support their children’s education and English skills. ABSE will accept dona- tions at the main desk at Florence Center, 3149 Oak St. Include your name and email address if you would like acknowledgement of your donation. Contact Leonora Kent at kentl@lanecc.edu in Florence or call ABSE Florence at 541- 463-4835 for more informa- tion. unique to them such as fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety, indigestion, weak- ness and of course chest pain, should immediately call 911 or present themselves to the ED without delay. “When in doubt, always err on the side of caution,” Holbrook said. Paramedics from WLAD have encountered many of these types of critical inci- dents over the years and encourage the women of the community to heed the warn- ing signs of heart attacks and cardiac problems and not delay treatment. Paramedic instructors will be on hand at the Florence Elks Lodge on Monday, March 14, at 7 p.m., to speak to the Ladies of the Elks regarding signs and symp- toms of women heart attacks and cardiac related issues. Breaking news, photo galleries and MORE! Visit the Siuslaw News online at WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM Improve driving skills with AARP Even the most experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on their driving skills. The AARP Smart Driver Course, hosted by Lane Community College Florence Center, is designed especially for drivers age 50 and older, but is open to all drivers. Learn the current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques and how to oper- ate a vehicle more safely in today’s increasingly chal- lenging driving environment. Participants will also learn how to manage and accom- modate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. AARP membership is not required to take the course and there are no driving or graded tests in this small classroom course. Also, most drivers over 55 may save money on car insurance by taking this course, under Oregon Law ORS 742.490. Class fee is $20 with a $5 discount to current AARP members. The next classes are March 17 and April 21. Visit LCC or call 541-997- 8444 to register. Siuslaw Friendship Club to elect new officers Thursday The Siuslaw Friendship Club will elect new officers for the 2016-17 year tomor- row at its March 10 meeting. The nominations are: President Janet Van Kleek, vice-president Pam Thompson, secretary Jeanette Bratcher and treas- urer Dee Darrow. The club meets on the sec- ond Thursday of the month, September through June, for lunch and a general meeting at the Elks Club, beginning at 11 a.m. A primary goal of the club is raising funds to support Florence charities such as Food Share, Food Backpacks for Kids, Siuslaw Outreach Services (SOS) and the Florence Area Humane Society (FAHS). In addition to luncheons and fund raisers, the club sponsors card games: five crowns on Tuesday, pinochle on Thursday and hand-and-foot on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. Annual dues are $15. Come for a meeting and/or a card game and get to know the members. For more information, contact membership chair- man Betty Fieldson at 541- 997-2842. Burns’s Riverside Chapel Florence Funeral Home Your Community Friend- Compassionate Care for you and your loved ones. 2765 Kingwood St. Florence, OR 24 Hours 541-997-3416 burnsriversidechapel.com Buying or Selling? I can help. 5464 Sunny Acres Road – End of the road pri- vacy just minutes from town. 2700 sq. ft. luxury home on 3+ acres. Nice detached garage, beau- tiful cooks kitchen, large family and living room, vaulted ceilings and fireplace. $325,000. #2521- 15532104 Richard Beaudro Principal Broker 541 991-6677 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Brought to you by this newspaper in partnership with PUBLIC NOTICES It’s not like her. Mom has always been so patient, but now when I ask her questions she gets angry. Always in your newspaper: Now in your inbox, too. 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