TOPICS Preventing Lung Cancer A thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere Be your own stress Becoming a better parent Osteoporosis |
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Oakwood Healthcare System Preventing Lung Cancer Lung cancer death rates are increasing. Cancer of the lung is the number one cancer killer in men and women combined. We can prevent this tragic and unnecessary trend by learning the early signs of lung cancer and stopping smoking. A smoker who quits today, reduces their risk of developing lung cancer after five years. There are also many risks of cancer and asthma from second hand smoke inhalation. You should consult a doctor if you have the following symptoms: coughing up blood, unexplained chest and shoulder pain, unexplained cough, shortness of breath, and weight loss. These may be early signs of cancer, especially in patients older than 35 who smoke. Unfortunately, many of these symptoms may not occur until the cancer is too advanced and difficult to cure. Modern medicine, with sophisticated surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, increases the chances for cure. If you smoke, do yourself and your loved ones a favor, get rid of the cigarettes, watch for the early signs of lung cancer, and see your doctor regularly. Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding jobs. It can also be one of the toughest. And most of us, at one time or another, don’t really feel up to the task. The first step to being a better parent is to improve communication. The more time you spend with your child, the greater number of teachable moments will arise, often at unexpected times. For example, you and your child may be listening to the news on the car radio, as the announcer describes a boy who was hit by a car while crossing the street. You could use that opportunity to remind your child how important it is to look both ways before crossing the street. Children often ask difficult questions. The key is to determine the amount of information your child wants based upon his or her age, developmental level, prior knowledge in that area and curiosity. Once you are armed with that information you will be better prepared to provide appropriate answers. Remember to always answer questions simply and honestly and that difficult questions are a natural part of your child’s journey to become a responsible adult. Be Your Own StressOur bodies are designed to respond to physical stress, but these days we are more often subjected to the stress that comes from abstract and mental conflicts. When confronted with stress, our bodies react with increased heart rate, tense muscles, rapid breathing and widening of the pupils. Learning to deal with these situations without anger or fear will help reduce the risk of heart disease. The most effective way to deal with stress and reduce the heart damage it may cause is to change your attitude about the situation that causes the stress reaction. This may require assistance from a health care professional and should be discussed with your primary care physician. Healthy lifestyle habits such as maintaining a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and maintaining an appropriate weight level all help cope with stress.
Cancerous lumps are most commonly found within the breast. A woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is one in eight. All women are at risk of developing this most common cancer in females. Women with a history of breast cancer, an early onset of menstruation, along with women who experience menopause, have children late in life, of have never given birth are at an increased risk. Physicians recommend a two-part approach to breast cancer prevention. The first past is self exam. All women should perform periodic self exams to check for breast lumps. The second is to have an initial mammogram between the ages of 35-40 and every two years after that. All women over 50 should have a yearly mammogram. Breast cancer is most curable in its earliest stages. Osteoporosis Building strong bones before the age of 35 is an important part of osteoporosis. You can help build bone density by making sure your diet contains the required amounts of calcium and vitamin D supplements by avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption. You should also do "weight bearing" exercises such as walking, swimming, and bicycling. To help discover early if a patient is at risk for osteoporosis, physicians use a
simple procedure to measure bone density.. Home | Upcoming Stories | Previous Stories |Survey | About Healthy Living | E-Mail
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