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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2005)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, April 7,2005 Health ltrtw__________ _______ Many could benefit from simple at-home screening test Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the number two cancer killer in the United States. Although March is Colorectal Cancer Aware ness month, this killer ravages lives year-round. Despite the fact that it is highly preventable, approximately 145,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2005. More than 56,000 people will die from the disease. “Colorectal cancer is one of our most preventable cancers,” says Dr. Anthony Simons of Longview Surgical Group. “Thousands of people will be affected by colorectal cancer this year. Many of those pa tients could be diagnosed and cured, often without surgery, if the cancer is discovered early using something as simple as a stool test. There are several screening options for colorectal cancer, and all of them can be successful.” A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - can be used to dis cover occult (hidden) blood in feces. Because blood vessels at the surface of colorectal polyps or cancers are often fragile and easily damaged by the passage of feces, the dam aged vessels usually release a small amount of blood into the feces. With the FOBT, a thin smear of stool is taken at home and then examined in a labora tory for the presence of blood. Smali specks of blood in the stool can indicate the presence of colorectal cancer or pre-can- cerous polyps. If the FOBT is positive for blood, further inves tigation is needed to determine if the blood is from a polyp or a cancer. The FOBT requires the col lection of three stool samples. Because colon cancers may bleed inconsistently, the sam ples are taken one day apart. Many doctors recommend an annual fecal occult blood test for all adults beginning at age 50. This test should be done along with a flexible sigmoi doscopy every 5 years to check for colorectal polyps or cancer. “Everyone over age 50 should have a set of stool cards tested for microscopic blood every year,” says Gastroen terologist Dr. Donald Kirk patrick. “Once that simple test is being done by a higher per centage of the population, we will be able to identify the pa tients who need further evalua tion.” Dr. Kirkpatrick suggests that an innovative and effective way to impact colon cancer screening could be as simple as “Putting stool cards in the grocery store checkout line.” “The best test is the one that is actually done,” says Dr. Si mons. “For many people, stool testing is the easiest. Doing nothing is not a logical option anymore." For more information, talk to your health care professional. Now at Featuring: • • • • • • • Shiatsu Swedish Prenatal Relaxation Reflexology Deep Tissue Injury Management Lic #£ Call today for Appointment 503-866-4329 503-429-4961 712 Bridge Street, Vernonia Should you work out when feeling ill? When sneezing and sniffles overtake you, it’s hard to know if maintaining your regular workout schedule will hurt you more than help you. The aver age adult gets two to four respi ratory infections each year, with children getting even more. The type and severity of the in fection indicates whether or not to exercise. Many people confuse colds with influenza. Influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a specific virus. It is character ized by fever and cough, often accompanied by a headache, congestion, fatigue, body aches or sore throat. Cold symptoms may include nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and scratchy throat, but fever is experienced only 10 percent of the time. So, when do you opt to curl up on the couch rather than curling up from your exercise mat? Many health experts ex hort the neck up rule. If your symptoms are located from the neck up - runny nose, conges tion, headache - go ahead and exercise. Just take it easy, as you’re obviously not at your physical best. If your symptoms include body aches and fever, however, stay home and get some rest! While you’re recuperating, drink plenty of fluids, down some Vitamin C and eat well- balanced meals. Fluids help flush toxins from your system. Although research indicates that Vitamin C doesn’t do much to prevent colds and fiu, taking 200 to 500 milligrams per day does appear to speed recovery, and healthy meals spur the body’s virus fighters into action. Of course, your best de fense is a good offense. To pre vent colds and flu be sure to wash your hands frequently, at least five times a day, for a min imum of 15 seconds each time. Germs are spread most often when people touch something infected then touch their own eyes or nose. Protect your immune system as well! Avoid stress and loneli ness, which deplete your dis- ease-fighting reserves. Boost them, instead, by: • Getting plenty of sleep. • Eating a well-balanced diet, low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables. • Drinking lots of water. • Kicking the cigarette habit. Smokers are twice as likely to catch respiratory infections and take longer to recover than non-smokers. • Taking time to relax and do activities that bring you pleas ure. • Keeping a positive outlook. A study at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that people who were negative, moody, nervous or easily stressed had a weaker immune response to a hepatitis vaccination than their more positive peers. • Getting a flu shot. • Exercising! Medical re search supports the connection between regular exercise and improved immunity. One study found that active people have 25 percent fewer colds than in active people. Another found that sedentary women who be gan taking a brisk 45-minute walk five days a week cut their sick days from colds in half. Annual Walk F.A.R. for NAAR H IV testing is is benefit for autism research available at Col. April is National Autism Awareness Month. The Nation al Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR) is participating in the Annual Walk F.A.R. for NAAR which takes place June 4 at Hillsboro Stadium. The Walk F.A.R. for NAAR is a national event with walks tak ing place across the country and Canada. These walks are the primary fundraiser for autism research. The NAAR is the oldest and largest non-governmental or ganization dedicated to funding autism research. Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communi cate, respond to surroundings > > > > and form relationships with oth ers. Most people with autism require lifelong supervision and care, the most severely affect ed will never be able to speak. Recent studies by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention suggest that the prevalence of autism has sig nificantly increased, from ap proximately four in 10,000 in the early 1990s to as many as one in every 166 births today. Despite the strikingly high prevalence, autism research remains one of the lowest fund ed areas of medical research. For more information on the event, call 206-464-5182 or go to <www.autismwalk.org>. System configuration, upgrades and problem resolution Graphics. ads, brochures and Digital Camera help In te r n e t connectivity (D S L) and training Home A business applications (503) 4 2 9 -0 8 1 7 bnb998emsn.com Co. Public Health Columbia County residents who are at risk of HIV are en couraged to be tested at Co lumbia County Public Health. Testing takes about 30 min utes, and results are available in about a week. Charges are on a sliding scale. Appoint ments can be made by calling 503-397-4651. Those who are HIV positive are eligible to enroll in the Case Management Program, which may also qualify them for help with housing emergen cies, gas vouchers, medication cost reductions, and social support. Alice Nemetz, R.N., is Pro gram Manager for Counseling and Testing and Case Manage ment. Anyone with questions can call Nemetz at 503-397-4651, ext. 216. April Showers bring May Flowers
