Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 October 2005 — Page 19

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C SECTION FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Breast cancer looked at differently today

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

Years ago women diagnosed with breast cancer saw the disease as a death sentence, something that they could not recover from. Today with advances in technology, medicine and awareness, breast cancer is not only a survivable disease but also one of the most talked about among women. “We’re diagnosing more breast cancer, but most are smaller breast cancers,” said Dr. Ruemu Birhiray, medical oncologist at St. Vincent Hospital. “The thing about breast cancer is that if you diagnose it when it is very small removing it surgically will cure the vast majority of women. That is the case with most women today.” Many professionals believe because women communicate with one another, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American women. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 90 percent of breast cancers are now diagnosed at localized and regional stages, for which five-year survival rates are 97 percent and 79 percent, respectively. This year marks the 20th year that the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

organization has educated women on the disease. Birhiray believes awareness and understanding has been key to more women being concerned about their health. “Women no longer view breast cancer as a curse because of the awareness that they now have,” he said. “In the old days women felt ashamed, they felt as if they had done something wrong and basically went into hiding and didn’t talk about it. Today that is no longer true.” Research has also changed significantly says Birhiray. “The research is targeted towards the biology of the disease itself,” he said. “In the old days, chemotherapy was just given in a non-specific manner, which means it only killed cells thatwere dividing. Nowthere are drugs that actually target abnormal proteins that are present on the cancer cell, specifically breast cancer.” While treatment remains one of the most important options when dealing with breast cancer, Birhiray reminds women, physicians, researchers and educators notto forget about prevention. “Prevention of all diseases - not only breast cancer - saves lives,” he said.

•Breast cancer only affects older

women.

• If you have a risk factor for hr east cancer, you’re likely to get the disease. •If breast cancer doesn’t run in your family, you won’t get it. •Only your mother’s family history of breast cancer can affect your risk. •Using antiperspirants causes breast

cancer.

•Birth control pills cause breast cancer. •A monthly breast self-exam is the best way to diagnose breast cancer. •Abreast cancer diagnosis is an automatic death sentence.

Steve Scott promoted to VP of ancillary services at Wishard

Steve Scott

Staff report

Steve Scott has been appointed Wishard Health Services’ new vice president for ancillary services. Scott comes to Wishard from the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, where he held leadership positions of increasing responsibility since 1997He served as an associate hospital director there and provided senior level leadership and operational direction to imaging services as well as several other service lines. Scott also served as an ad-

ministrator at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and at hospitals in New York City. At Wishard, Scott has administrative responsibilities for BioMed Engineering, Cath/ Echo Stress Lab, Facilities, Imaging Services, Marion County Jail Health Pathology, Pharmacy, Rehab/Respiratory Care and Senior Care/Palliative Care. He holds a master of public health degree in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from

Morehouse College in Atlanta. Certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives, he was honored by the Regents Advisory Council of Southern Cook County, Ilk, to be the recipient of its 2004 Regents Award. Among his many community and professional activities, Scott serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and is a member of the National Association of Health Services Executives and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

HEALTH BRIEFS

Drive against prostate cancer Join theUrive Against Prostate Cancer mobile unit Oct. 8 at Wal-Mart, 3805 N. Keystone Ave. The exams are free and will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood needed for Gulf Coast The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston, has requested help from America's Blood Centers (ABC) in order to meet its blood needs. Indiana Blood Center began assisting the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center by shipping 50 blood products last week. IBC is requesting blood donations of all types. All branches are open six days a week and no appointment is needed. For more information call 1-800-632-4722. Wcstsidc Community Health Fair On Saturday, Oct. 15, Wishard Health Services will present the eighth annual Westside Community Health Fair. The fair will be open to the community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Westside Community Health Center, 2732 W. Michigan St. In addition to the fair and the free health screenings, a town hall meeting will be held during the event with a panel of community leaders and local physicians discussing and answering health care related issues. Dr. Judith A. Monroe, Indiana State Health Commissioner, will be one of the members on the panel. Health screenings provided during the fair will include blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, colorectal cancer, osteoporosis and dental. For more information about the Westside Community Health Fair, call (317) 554-4600. Health Beat Health Fair Wishard Health Services and WTHR Channel 13 will team up Saturday, Oct. 29 to present Harvest of Health, a Health Beat Health Fair. A comprehensive team of health care professionals will be on hand to answer questions and administer free health screenings and flu shots. Harvest of Health will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cottage Corner Community Health Center, 1434 S. Shelby St. Health screenings provided at no cost include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, oral cancer and depression. The Indianapolis Police Department will be on hand to give information about trick or treat safety. Refreshments will be offered and free children's books will be passed out. Parents are encouraged to bring their children as staff will be dressed in costumes and sharing Halloween snacks. Fore more information about Harvest to Health, call Cottage Corner Community Health Center at (317) 655-3200.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR "FLU SEASON" WITH A SIMPLE VACCINATION

Submitted by the Health Education, Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department The weather is becoming crisp and the leaves are making their final descent to the ground. Fall is coming to an end and winter is steadily approaching. These changes also provide a signal that the “flu” season is approaching. For many of us, it will mean an annual trip to receive our flu shot. If you are one of those persons who has never considered making the flu shot a priority, please take a moment to contemplate the following information. Influenza, commonly referred to as “the flu ,” is an infection of the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus. Compared to other respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the influenza infection often causes a more severe illness. Typical influenza illness includes fever and respiratory symptoms like cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle ache and fatigue. Although nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can sometimes accompany the flu, especially in children, these symptoms are rarely the primary symptoms. Most people who get the flu recover completely within 1 to two weeks, but some people can develop serious and potentially life-threatening medical complications, including pneumonia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 36,000 people die from flurelated causes. It is estimated that influenza is responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations, as well. It is important to remember that flu-related complications can occur at any age; however, the elderly and people with chronic health problems are much more likely to develop serious complications after influenza infection. Although many tend to think that flu shots are just for children, it is important to know that there are shots that are recommended for adults, as well. It is very important for adults who have chronic health conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart or lung disease) to receive annual flu shots, and also to be evaluated for a pneumococcal shot. Much of the illness and death caused by influenza can be prevented by an annual influenza vaccination. This year flu vaccine will be limited to individuals in the following priority groups until October 24, 2005: • Persons age 65 and older • Residents of long-term care facilities • Persons age 2 to 64 with long-term health conditions such as: heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or a weakened immune system • Persons with any condi-

tion that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions such as: spinal cord injuries and seizure disorders • Children age 6 to 23 months • Pregnant women • Health care personnel who provide direct patient care • Household contact and out-of-home caregivers of children age 6 months and younger Beginning October 24, flu vaccine will be available to anyone who wishes to be protected from influenza. The flu shot is considered a safe vaccination, but as with other vaccinations, there can be side effects. The most common side effects are soreness and/or redness at the injection site, fever and aches. This soreness generally lasts for only one to two days followingthevaccination. Although some people believe that the flu shot gave them the flu, this is not the case. The flu vaccine is made from killed viruses, and therefore it cannot give a person the flu. However, it takes about two weeks for the flu shot to be effective in preventing the flu. Please call the Marion County Health Department Immunization Program at (317) 221-2121 or (317) 2212122, for more information mid updates about flu shot locations.

2005 Priority Group Flu Clinic Schedule

VACCINATIONS AVAILABLE:

Influenza (flu shot) S10 Pneumococcal $20 Tetanus $10

Shots for children under age 2 are free. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted. No appointment necessary. For more information, contact the Immunization Program or call the Flu Clinic Hotline at (317) 221-2121. The flu vaccine will be limited to individuals in the following priority groups until October 24, 2005: • Persons age 65 and older • Residents of long-term care facilities • Persons age 2 to 64 with chronic health conditions such as: heart disease; lung disease; diabetes; cancer; HIV/AIDS; a weakened immune system; or blood disorders like anemia. • Children age 6 to 23 months • Pregnant women • Persons with any condition that can comprimise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions such as: spinal cord injuries and seizure disorders. • Health care personnel who provide direct patient care • Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children age 6 months and younger Additional clinics are scheduled starting October 24. Anyone who wishes to be protected from influenza may receive a flu vaccine at that time.

Wednesday, October 12

1-3 p.m. Mid-North Shepherd Center 3808 North Meridian Street

Thursday, October 13

9-11 a.m. Beech Grove Senior Center 602 Main Street

Friday, October 14

9-11 a.m. John Boner Center 2236 East 10th Street 10 a.m. - Noon Southport Presbyterian Church 7525 McFarland Boulevard

Monday, October 17

9-11 a.m. Raymond Park 8575 East Raymond Street 1-3 p.m. OASIS West 6012 Crawfordsville Road

Tuesday, October 18

1-3 p.m. OASIS East at Washington Square (L.S. Ayres) 10202 East Washington Street

1-3 p.m. St. Paul Episcopal Church 10 West 61st Street

Wednesday, October 19

9-11 a.m. Southport United Methodist Church 1947 East Southport Road 10 a.m. - Noon Washington Park Center 3130 East 30th Street

Thursday, October 20

9:30-11:30 a.m. Southeastern Church of Christ 6500 Southeastern Avenue

Friday, October 21

1-3 p.m. OASIS at Center Township HealthPlex 860 West 10th Street

Immunization Program

3838 N. Rural St.

Indianapolis, IN 46205

(317) 221-2122

www.mchd.com

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