Andie MacDowell On Beating Cancer Golden Globe Nominee

Spr ing 2013
vol 6, issue 2
Golden Globe Nominee
Andie
MacDowell
On Beating Cancer
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Cancer Detection
Are You At Risk?
Relay For Life
Community Wellness Fair
West Nile Virus Report
Got the Bathing Suit Blues?
Safe Fun in the Sun
Cancer By The Numbers
Visit: www.loganmemorial.com
A Message from the CEO
Supermodel/Super-Advocate
Andie MacDowell Is Speaking Out About Ovarian Cancer
Andie MacDowell has starred in such enduringly popular movies as Groundhog Day
and Four Weddings and a Funeral, graced the covers of countless magazines, and
modeled for fashion icons Bill Blass, Yves St. Laurent and others. She’s an international
James L. Bills, CEO
Logan Memorial Hospital
We’re In This Together
Cancer is a disease that
can strike anyone at any
age. We all know someone
who has been diagnosed
and watched with a sense of
fearfulness and uncertainty. At Logan Memorial Hospital
we believe part of being
your community hospital, is
to improve cancer
awareness and offer ample
opportunities to diagnose
this terrifying disease in the
earliest possible stages. Some examples include
digital mammography,
colonoscopy and our annual
prostate cancer screening. This issue of HealthPoint is
dedicated to educating you
and your family about
reducing the risk of cancer. While it is impossible to
eliminate your risk, it is our
goal that knowledge
coupled with early diagnosis
will lead to improved
outcomes and a longer
healthier life. We encourage you to join
the fight against cancer on
June 14 at Logan County
High School for the annual
American Cancer Society’s
Relay For Life. Together we
can make a difference. supermodel and actress who’s also a longtime and passionate advocate for ovarian
cancer research and education. She recently sat down with HealthPoint to discuss her
work to raise awareness about this often forgotten disease.
When did you first begin to raise awareness about ovarian cancer?
I first learned about ovarian cancer when I began working as a spokesperson for
L’Oreal Paris. I’m proud to say that L’Oreal has raised more than $18 million for ovarian
cancer causes since 1997.
Why are you so passionate about educating women about the disease?
In 2012, more than 22,000 women in America were diagnosed with ovarian cancer,
and more than 15,000 mothers and daughters, sisters and friends died from the
disease. That’s just too great a loss.
Why is education so important?
Cervical cancer can be detected
early with a Pap test. But there’s no
easy way to diagnose ovarian
cancer. There’s no routine screening
test that provides early detection.
As a result, ovarian cancer is all too
often a silent killer. But that can
change if women know the signs
of ovarian cancer and see their
doctor if they suspect
something is wrong.
Common warning signs
for ovarian cancer
• Swelling in the stomach or bloating caused by a build-up
of fluid
• Pelvic pressure or stomach pain
• Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
• Having to urinate often or feeling like you need to go right away.
If you experience these symptoms
almost every day for more than a few
weeks, you need to see a doctor.
Each woman needs to know
her body so she can detect
some of the more vague and
(continued on following page)
subtle changes that may indicate ovarian cancer: feeling tired,
upset stomach, back pain, pain during sex, constipation and
changes in the menstrual cycle. Early detection is critical. In fact,
when the disease is detected before it has spread outside the
ovary, the five-year survival rate is 94 percent! But sadly, only about
15 percent of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at this stage.
Are there other precautions women can take?
Seeing your personal physician for a pelvic exam is one way
to detect the disease early, but it’s no guarantee. It’s difficult to
find ovarian tumors during this type of examination.
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
Most cases of ovarian cancer occur after menopause. Half of
the cases of ovarian cancer are found in women age 63 and
older. Women who have not had children also have a higher risk
as well as overweight and obese women. Ovarian cancer can
also run in families.
Are You At Risk?
No one is immune from the risk of cancer.
The disease strikes people regardless of age, race
or gender. But there are certain risk factors that
make a person more likely to develop cancer.
Here are some of the more common risk factors:
Growing Older: Most cancers occur in people
after the age of 65.
Tobacco Use: The use of tobacco causes
approximately 174,000 cancer deaths each year
in the United States and costs $96 billion in
direct healthcare costs.
Excessive Exposure to Sunlight: Ultraviolet
radiation from the sun or tanning booths can
increase the risk of skin cancer, the most
common form of cancer.
Family History: Cancer of the skin, breast,
ovary, prostate and colon tend to run in families.
Any final thoughts?
Knowledge is the key. Talk to your doctor. Ask questions.
Educate yourself. We’ve made great progress since the early
80s, when the five-year survival rate was as low as 10 percent.
Thankfully, the overall five-year survival rate today is 46 percent.
We need to keep moving in that same positive direction.
For more information, call or
visit us online at:
www.loganmemorial.com
Live What You Learn
The bad news first. One in every two men and one in every three women will be diagnosed with cancer
Kushal Singh, M.D.
Internal Medicine
during their lifetime.
Now here’s the good news. According to a recent study, making a few lifestyle changes can prevent
about 40 percent of cancers in women and 45 percent of cancers in men. Each of us has the power to
reduce our risk for cancer by almost half. Here are three ways you can.
1) Quit Tobacco Smoking
Stopping your smoking habit is one of the best ways to lower your risk of cancer. Talk to your doctor or
contact your local hospital for information about smoking cessation classes.
2) Lose Weight
If you’re overweight or obese, you have a higher risk for many cancers, including breast, colorectal,
uterine, esophageal and kidney. Studies have also shown that increased physical activity, which can
help you lose weight, decreases the risk of cancer.
3) Drink Less Alcohol
There is a clear link between alcohol consumption and an increase in the risk for breast cancer.
In addition to these lifestyle changes, regular cancer screening tests for colon, prostate,
breast and cervical cancers can help detect the disease at an early stage, when successful
treatment is much more likely. Talk to your doctor about scheduling these screenings on a
regular basis.
Sources: American Cancer Society, National Institute of Cancer
West Nile Virus Report
West Nile Virus is a potentially dangerous disease spread by mosquitos. The summer of 2012 saw
one of the largest outbreaks of West Nile Virus since it was first reported in the United States in
1999. During 2012, 48 states reported cases of West Nile Virus in people, birds and mosquitos. More
than 5,000 cases were reported nationwide, with 534 deaths.
The disease flares up during the summer and continues through the fall. August and September are
usually the peak months. In the past, hot spots for human infection have included Louisiana,
southern California and Texas, especially the areas around Dallas and Houston.
Many people are infected with the West Nile Virus and never know it. That’s because about 80
Muhammed Ahmed, M.D.
percent of people who have the virus do not experience any symptoms. And only one
Internal Medicine/
in 150 with the virus develop a severe illness. Symptoms can include high fever,
Pulmonology
headache, neck stiffness, tremors, disorientation, muscle weakness and
vision loss.
Preventing mosquito bites is the most effective way to avoid the
disease. Protect your family by following these recommendations.
• Use an insect repellant when outdoors. Make sure it has an EPA-registered active ingredient such as avobenzone or benzophenone.
• Check the screens on your windows and doors for holes.
• Be more careful during the hours of dusk and dawn, when mosquitos are most active.
• Get rid of or replace any standing water near your house. Mosquitos love to breed in the stagnant water found in flower pots, bird baths and wading pools.
Source: CDC
For more information, call or
visit us online at:
www.loganmemorial.com
Got the Bathing Suit Blues?
Talk about depressing. With summer just around the
corner, you try on your bathing suit for the first time in nine
months, and it’s feeling, well—a bit snug. Uh-oh!
Losing weight is practically a national pastime these days,
with hundreds of diets and gimmicks to choose from. But if
you really want to lose weight, your best first move is to
remember the basics.
Eat Healthy: At least five servings of fruits and vegetables a
day. Add fiber to your diet and reduce fat.
Exercise: At least 150 minutes per week. That’s a 30-minute
walk five times a week, for example. Exercising with a friend
or group increases the likelihood that you’ll stick with it.
Set A Realistic Goal: Losing a pound or two a week is a
good place to start. It’s much better to set a modest goal you
can reach rather than shoot for the stars and become
discouraged if you fail.
Sources: American Heart Association. Cleveland Clinic
What About Weight-Loss Surgery?
Tried everything and nothing has worked? People who
are severely obese may want to consider weight-reducing
bariatric surgery. Patients who have the surgery not only lose
weight and keep it off, they also have fewer weight-related
diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Talk to your physician for
more information.
Safe Fun in the Sun
How To Protect Your Family This Summer
Summer is the season when people love to be outside. But if
you’re not careful, the summer heat can cause any number of
serious health issues. Here are four ways to play it safe.
1) Avoid Sunburn
Just one serious case of sunburn increases the risk of skin
cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United
States. There were more than two million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States each year. Excessive
exposure to sunlight also causes age spots and wrinkles.
Unfortunately, about one-third of American adults
experience some form of sunburn each year. So use plenty of
sunscreen (30 SPF or higher) when you’re outside. If you don’t
have sunscreen handy, cover up exposed skin. Wear a long
sleeve shirt and a hat. And remember that sunburn can occur
on cloudy days, too.
2) Protect Your Eyes
Overexposure to sunlight can damage the eyes. Wear
sunglasses that offer 99 - 100 percent UV (ultraviolet)
protection. And be sure to teach your children to never look
directly at the sun, which can cause eye damage.
3) Don’t Overdo It
Any combination of high temperatures, strenuous activity
and not drinking enough water can cause heat exhaustion.
Wearing too much clothing and drinking alcohol are also
contributing factors. Heat stroke, a much more serious heatrelated illness, can cause brain damage, even death. So
whenever it’s hot outside, limit your physical activities, wear
light clothing and drink plenty of water.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Confusion
Dark-colored urine (a sign of dehydration)
Dizziness and fainting
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Pale skin
Profuse sweating
Rapid heartbeat
Signs of Heat Stroke
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Throbbing headache
Dizziness and light-headedness
James Dodson, M.D.
Lack of sweating despite the heat
Internal Medicine
Red, hot, and dry skin
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid heartbeat, which may be either strong or weak
Rapid, shallow breathing
Behavioral changes such as confusion,
disorientation, or staggering
Seizures
Unconsciousness
4) Be Safe, Not Sorry
NEVER leave a child
or a pet in a parked car.
Temperatures inside a
parked car can soar to a
dangerous level in just a
few minutes.
Sources: American Cancer
Society, WebMD
Free Skin Cancer Screening
will be held on Saturday,
April 27 in Auburn. See page
7 for event information.
HOW WE DETECT CANCER
AT LOGAN MEMORIAL
Everybody knows somebody who’s had to fight cancer. Just this
past year, more than 1.6 million Americans were diagnosed with the
disease, and every day, cancer caused the deaths of more than 1,500
people. At Logan Memorial Hospital, we’ve made a commitment to
provide our community with the technology, resources and
expertise that are critical in detecting and fighting cancer.
Sharon Smith, M.D.
Radiology
The best way to beat cancer is to detect it early, which greatly increases the
chances of a successful treatment. Thanks to new technology and better screening
techniques available at Logan Memorial Hospital, the death rate for cancer has
decreased 30 percent since its peak in 1991.
Diagnostic Imaging: We provide a full range of diagnostic tools used to detect
cancer, including ultrasound, MRI, CT Scan and X-ray.
Screening Tests and Procedures:
• Mammogram to detect breast cancer
• Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy to detect colorectal cancer
• Pap test to check for cervical cancer in women
• Digital rectal exam to check for prostate
cancer in men
Lab Tests: Sophisticated laboratory equipment is used to
analyze blood, urine, or tissue for any abnormalities that
may indicate cancer.
Biopsy: Often performed when an imaging test cannot make
a definitive diagnosis of cancer. Body tissue or a sample of
cells is removed and then analyzed in a lab.
For more information, call or
visit us online at:
www.loganmemorial.com
Community
Wellness Fair
Logan County Relay For Life
Helps in Fight Against Cancer
Saturday, April 27 from 8-11 AM
The American Cancer Society is the official sponsor of
birthdays…did you know that because of research for life
saving treatments, that the overall death rate for cancer in the
U.S. continues to decline? This means we are now saving more
Auburn Senior Center
169 Wrenwood (in Auburn Park)
than 400 lives a day! Our continued fight against cancer relies
on the generosity of volunteers and donors through
fundraisers like Relay For Life.
The Logan County Relay For Life is in full gear for the 2013
event, to be held June 14th at the Logan County High School
starting at 6pm. The fundraising goal this year is $115,000 with
30 teams. A great start has been created with 21 teams
registered so far. It’s never too late to form a team at your
workplace, school, church or friends and family. For more
information on starting or joining a team, contact 2013 Chair,
Melynda Riley at 270.726.0127.
The focus for Relay For Life is Survivors and those we have
lost to the fight. The annual Relay For Life Survivor Dinner will
be held on April 19, 2013 at 6pm at the United Methodist
Temple, 395 South Main Street in Russellville. The menu will
include lasagna, green beans, salad and garlic bread. Dessert
will be a birthday cake! We formally invite all survivors to
come to this dinner so that we may honor you and a caregiver
because of the hope you give us in this fight! Please RSVP
Beth Clark at 270.725.7543.
Patricia Webb and Sally Clark at last year’s Relay For Life
Screening Opportunities
• Blood Glucose*
• Blood Pressure Checks
• Body Fat Analysis/Body Mass Index
• Cholesterol Testing (LDL, HDL, Risk)*
• Colon Cancer Screening
• Lung Function Testing
• PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
* Indicates fasting recommended
For Christ’s Sake!
Foraacomplete
completelist
listof
ofscreenings
screeningsgo
goto
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For
www.LoganMemorial.com or
or call
call 725-4601
725-4601
www.LoganMemorial.com
www.loganmemorial.com
Sp r i n g 2 01 3
vol 6, issue 2
LO G A N M E MO R I A L H OS P I TA L
HealthPoint is published as a community service by Logan Memorial Hospital. It in no
way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical
care. For individual guidance, consult your physician. For more information about Logan
Memorial Hospital or anything in this publication, please call 270-725-4601.
Logan Memorial Hospital
1625 Nashville Street
Russellville, KY 42276
Important News and Helpful
Advice for a Healthier Life inside:
Cancer Treatment
Are You At Risk?
West Nile Virus Report
Got the Bathing Suit Blues?
Safe Fun in the Sun
Cancer By The Numbers
Community Wellness Fair
Cancer By the
Numbers
• Decrease in the death rate from cancer since its peak in 1991: 30 percent
• Number of cancer deaths avoided because of this lower death rate: 1.2 million
• Number of new cancer cases that will occur in the United States in 2013: 1.6+ million
• Number of cancer survivors alive in the United States today: 13.7 million
• Percentage of women over 40 who had an annual mammogram in the last year: 50 percent
• Approximate number of cancer deaths caused by tobacco each year in America: 174,000
• Percentage of people with cancer who survive more than five years: 68 percent
Source: American Cancer Society