I talk with a lot of parents who have questions about the relatively new vaccine that decreases risk of cervical cancer.  This vaccine, called Gardasil, helps protect against four types of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that commonly cause cervical cancer and genital warts.  The CDC recommends that the shot be given to all girls at age 11 or 12 and to girls and women ages 13-26 if they haven’t previously had it.  The vaccine is meant to be given in a series of three shots–the initial shot, another 2 months later and another 6 months after the first.

The timing of the shot is its biggest controversy in my experience.  Parents take exception to the fact that we are giving a vaccine that protects against a sexually transmitted virus at an age that they don’t want their children having sex.  I totally agree–age 11 is NOT an age we want our children having sex!  But this worry ignores some major issues.  It ignores that fact that it takes time to build up immunity once they receive the vaccine.  It ignores the fact that even though we start protection against an STD, it does not condone having sex.  Consider the fact that we give our children their first Hepatitis B vaccine while in the hospital after birth and this is sexually transmitted as well.  It ignores the fact that even though you get your child the vaccine, it doesn’t mean that they have to know every detail about what and why they are being vaccinated.  Medical information should be divulged to a minor on the level that they are mature enough to understand.  For some eleven year-olds this may mean a generic statement like “You need to get a vaccine to protect you against a virus that could make you sick if you get it.”  For others, it may mean that they need to know about means of sexual transmission and risk of genital warts and cancer.  We want to protect our children from knowing too much too soon, but we can’t burry our heads in the sand about what knowledge and pressures they are being exposed to at what ages.  I have seen many pregnant twelve year-olds and their parents thought it “could never happen” to their baby.  Knowledge comes best from parents no matter how uncomfortable a conversation it may be.

Controversy aside, it is important to know what you are protecting your child against.  HPV will affect about 80% of males and females in their lifetime!  While it is possible to detect early changes due to HPV through a pap smear (we all know how much we love to get those right ladies?), about thirty women per day are diagnosed with cervical cancer!  Think of how many women that means have to seek treatment for cervical cancer . . .and unfortunately how many times that treatment may not be succesful.  And that does not account for the many treatments that women go through to help clear the changes due to HPV before they become cervical cancer.  And it doesn’t account for the many treatments to help men and women clear genital warts that may be unsightly and physically and emotionally painful.

Of course, it is important that you be informed about all the risks and benefits of receiving the Gardasil vaccine and talk with your doctor about your specific situation.  You can also go to www.cdc.gov and www.gardasil.com for more information.

Well you here this term a lot, but what does breast cancer awareness mean to you?  Does it make you aware of prevention? detection? remembering those affected?  Does it make you freeze with fear or does it make you take action?

I hope it makes you take action and feel empowered.  And to me, when I hear breast cancer awareness, it makes me think in broader terms of women’s health awareness.  And when I think health, I think about more than physical health.  I think about physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual balance that so many women are missing.  In fact, I believe everyone is in a constant process of balancing these areas.

I am so excited to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago this weekend.  It is a weekend where thousands of women get together and walk up to 39 miles.  Each walker commits to raise a minimum of $1,800 for the Avon Foundation.  They do awesome work to support breast cancer awareness and other causes.  But this weekend will be about more than thinking about breast cancer.  It will be about celebrating the successes of many many women and reminding other women of their ability to suceed!

Check out Five Things to Tell Your Friends About Breast Cancer from the American Cancer Society:

1. All women get breast cancer — even those with NO family history of the disease.

2. The two most important risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older.  (Any girlfriend YOU know avoiding those??)

3. Women diagnosed with breast cancer early, when it is small and hasn’t spread, have a HIGH chance of surviving it.  Mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early and you should get one starting at age 40.  Tell your doctor if you notice any changes in your breasts.

4. You can help reduce your chances of developing breast cancer by engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake.

5. Through early detection and improved treatments, more women than ever are surviving breast cancer.

For more information about breast cancer or the Avon Foundation go to. . .

www.cancer.org

www.avonwalk.org

One more mention of awareness this month. . .May is ALS awareness month!

If you’re not familiar with ALS, you may be surprised at what a devastating disease it can be.  And unfortunately advances in treatment are sorely needed.  ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain.  With the progressive destruction of nerve cells, those afflicted lose their ability to control mucle movement.  As this progresses, the muscle control of arms, legs, swallowing mechanism, speaking mechanism and even breathing mechanism is affected.   

Even though a cure is not known, there are many treatments that can help ALS patients stay active and involved in their everyday life activities.  Many organizations are doing great work to raise money for reasearch and to support patients are their families.

Visit www.alsa.org for more information!

Every year our practice walks in the Walk to Defeat ALS in memory of a dear family friend and patient, Joene Fraley, who died of ALS after a brave battle.  This year’s walk is September 26th, 2010.  Join us!

May is stroke awareness month!

Stroke is such an underrecognized cause of death and disbility, I think it’s SO important to put it on your radar.  Many people tell me that they are more concerned about the effects of a stroke than a heart attack and there are some good reasons for that.  But then again, many people also describe to me classic signs of stroke and don’t give them the attention that they need. 

At www.stroke.org you can learn ways to. . .

• STOP stroke through risk factor management.
• Act F.A.S.T. to increase recognition of and response to stroke symptoms.
• Spread HOPE about recovery from stroke.

Spread the word!

I was struck my an e-mail forward I received from a friend.  I often dread these emails, but I actually read this one about stroke.  I am surprised quite often in the office that many people do not take the symptoms of stroke very seriously.  Perhaps some people aren’t aware, but many admit that they are concerned that they may be having or have had a stroke, but yet they do not seek medical care quickly.

A stroke is like a heart attack for the brain.  It means your brain, the captain of all your body functions, is not getting the blood flow that it needs.  If you think you are having a stroke, go to the emergency room.  Many strokes can be treated successfully when you receiver treatment within 3 hours.

Here’s part of that e-mail. . .

STROKE: Remember  the 1st Three Letters…. S. T. R. 
 
   During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall – she assured  everyone that she was fine (they offered to call  paramedics).  She said she had just tripped over  a brick because of her new shoes.  They  got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of  food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the  evening.

   Jane’s husband called later  telling everyone that his wife had been taken to  the hospital – (at 6:00  pm  Jane passed away).  She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ.  Had they known how to identify the  signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with  us today.  Some don’t die.  They end up in a  helpless, hopeless condition instead.

   A  neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke  victim within 3 hours he has the best chance of totally reverse the  effects of a stroke…totally. He said  the trick was getting a stroke recognized,  diagnosed, and then getting the patient  medically cared for within 3 hours, which is  tough…

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the ’3′ steps, STR.  Read and Learn!

   Sometimes symptoms of a  stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,  the lack of awareness spells disaster. The  stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage  when people nearby fail to recognize the  symptoms of a stroke.  Doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three  simple questions:

   S  *Ask  the individual to SMILE.

   T  *Ask  the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently)(i.e. It is sunny out  today.)

 R  *Ask  him or her to RAISE BOTH  ARMS.

   If  he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these  tasks, call emergency number immediately  and describe the symptoms to the  dispatcher.

Other  Signs of a Stroke. . .

Stick out Your  Tongue.  If the tongue  is ‘crooked’ (if it goes to one side or the  other), that also can be an indication of a  stroke.

Trouble swallowing or coordinating or finding your words

Weakness of arm and leg on one side of the body

Dropping eyelid, cheek, mouth on one side of the body.

Remember. . .if you question a stroke, go to the emergency room.  Do not “wait & see” if it gets better or make an appointment to be evaluated later.  Better safe than sorry!

A super good friend of mine is pregnant and it has lit a fire in her to take care of herself. 

She has the desire to eat responsibly. . .not only responsible to her bambino, but also to the environment and the animals products that she is eating.  She’s viewing food as nutrition that is meant to nourish her and her baby so she chooses the best choice possible given the circumstances.  She is thinking about that fact that all those preservatives, pesticides, hormones antibiotics & additives in foods don’t do anything positive for her and may even be harmful in the long run, so they don’t look so appetizing afterall.  She noticed that even some of the so-called responsible food companies aren’t so humane.  They sacrifice humane practices for time and profit and sometimes risk cleanliness and safety as well. 

While she’s more concerned about her eating, she doesn’t obsessively count calories.  She doesn’t worry about how many points a food is worth.  She doesn’t measure out portion sizes.  She doesn’t stuff herself and she doesn’t starve herself.  She does what feels natural–she eats when she feels hungry, she eats slowly and enjoys her food and she stops when she’s satified (not stuffed).

She’s also resting, destressing and moving more.  When she’s tired, she breaks–it’s the best thing for her.  At night before bedtime, the computer looks less enticing than an invigorating night’s rest.  When things come by that would typically annoy her, she makes the choice to blow them off.  She read that stress can actually lead to dereased blood flow to the placenta, so she avoids it whenever she can.  She also notices that it makes her feel a lot better to take a few deep breaths and have a postive attitude.  She took up a walking program after work.  She knows it will help her have a healthy pregnancy and easier labor.  She notices that it boosts her energy and mood and her dog LOVES it.   

Does this sound reasonable to anyone?  It sounds like a pretty common sense way to make healthy changes to me.  It occured to me that if we all approached eating, activity and stress management this way, it would be a lot easier to be well, maintain a healthy body weight and prevent chronic disease.  We don’t need the motivation of supporting the growth of a baby to heighten our awareness of these things, do we?  We have the motivation of supporting our health and happiness already! 

Baby steps lead to BIG changes!