Friday, October 31, 2008

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month



Quick Facts About Pancreatic Cancer:

  • It is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the United States.

  • It is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death among 40-59 year old men.

  • Approximately 37,170 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United States.

  • Approximately 33,370 people will die of pancreatic cancer this year in the United States.

  • The number of Americans diagnosed each year of pancreatic cancer continues to rise.

  • For all stages of pancreatic cancer combined, the five year survival rate is only 5%; the lowest survival rate of all major cancers. The average life expectancy after diagnosis with metastatic disease is just 3-6 months.

  • 52% of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed with metastatic. Men are 20% more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than women.

  • African Americans are 40-50% more likely to develop cancer of the pancreas than Caucasians.

  • Less than2% of the National Cancer Institutes was spent of Pancreatic Cancer Research.

It is time to take action against a disease that has been ignored for too long.

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 7000
El Segundo, CA 90245
(877) 272-6226
(310) 725-0025
(310) 725-0029 Fax
information@pancan.org
http://www.pancan.org/
Materials available
Contact: Sue Kim


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

October 31st is Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Day



What is Interstitial Cystitis
IC is a painful and often debilitating chronic condition where the bladder lining becomes irritated and inflamed causing symptoms such as pain in the pelvis, bladder, back or thighs; an increased need to urinate frequently or urgently; and/or pain during/after sexual intercourse.

Research indicates that the number of people who have IC may actually be higher than the current estimate of two million Americans since many people are not appropriately diagnosed and continue to face the daily frustrations associated with IC.

Diagnosis
IC can be tricky to diagnose because symptoms are easily mistaken for other urologic and gynecologic disorders, such as endometriosis, recurrent urinary tract infections and overactive bladder. As a result, it can take years and numerous visits to multiple healthcare professionals to achieve a correct diagnosis. In the survey, more than half of the respondents (58 percent) said their IC diagnosis took a year or more. More than half (56 percent) also said they had seen three or more healthcare professionals before their diagnosis.

Some Education Films





Interstitial Cystitis Awareness Day
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health
505 C Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-9693
(202) 543-9858 Fax
info@npwh.org
www.npwh.org
Materials available
Contact: Susan Wysocki

Friday, October 17, 2008

October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month



What Is Spina Bifida?
Spina Bifida, or “split spine,” is a condition that occurs in the embryo within the first month of pregnancy; it results from an incomplete closure of the spinal column. Spina Bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect. Every day in the US, an average of eight babies are affected by Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine.

What Causes Spina Bifida?
The cause of Spina Bifida is not known with certainty. However, scientists believe that geneti Many things can affect a baby, including family genes and things women may come in contact with during pregnancy. Taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, but it can help.

Many things can affect a baby, including family genetics and things women may come in contact with during pregnancy. Taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, but it can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida.

What is folic acid?
Folic acid is a B-vitamin that helps build healthy cells. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Research has shown that if all women who could possibly become pregnant were to take a multivitamin with folic acid, the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70%. Since Spina Bifida occurs early in pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant, it is important to take folic acid every day. Taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy reduces the risk of Spina Bifida and other neural tube defects.

National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Association
4590 MacArthur Boulevard NW, Suite 250
Washington, DC 20007-4226
(800) 621-3141
(202) 944-3285
(202) 944-3295 Fax
sbaa@sbaa.org
www.spinabifidaassociation.org
Materials available
Contact: Amanda Darnley

Thursday, October 16, 2008

October is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Celiac Sprue Association/ United States of America, Inc. (CSA/USA, Inc) is a member based non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis worldwide through education, research and support.

National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Celiac Sprue Association
P.O. Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131-0700
(877) 272-4272
(402) 643-4108 Fax
celiacs@csaceliacs.org
www.csaceliacs.org
Materials available
Contact: Mary Schluckebier

A Proven Technology Detects mild-Traumatic Brain Injury in Combat

On October 12 at the International Conference on Behavioral Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Paterson, NJ, HeadMinder, Inc., presented results of the first Military IRB-approved prospective study to be conducted in-Theater.

The study compared the HeadMinder Cognitive Stability Index (CSI) computerized test battery and the Department of Defense (DoD) Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric (ANAM) with the Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Symptoms (RBANS), a paper-and-pencil neurocognitive test currently used by the DoD to screen soldiers.

The study was designed by Lt. Col. (sep.) Gerald Grant, MD (USAF), Maj. William Isler, PhD (USAF), Maj. Monty Baker, PhD (USAF), David Erlanger, PhD (Chief Scientific Officer and co-Founder of HeadMinder), Tanya Kaushik, PsyD, and Col. Robert Seegmiller (USAF). The objective was to determine the validity and reliability of both computerized screening measures as compared to the RBANS. The CSI was accurate in assessing the severity of cognitive compromise following concussive blast injuries. The CSI Total Score correlated very strongly with the RBANS Total Score (.789) and also showed strong concurrent validity with the RBANS in the domains of Attention (.706) and Memory (.680), domains critical in the assessment of blast-related concussion. ANAM was not useful for identifying memory problems, the domain most frequently impaired on the RBANS, and only a subset of ANAM measures seemed useful for screening attention problems.

The CSI is a 30-minute, Internet-based, computerized test that provides automated, objective measures of attention, memory, response speed, and processing speed for initial evaluation of cognitive functioning. The CSI produces standardized reports that enable triage and decision-making appropriate to a user's qualifications – from medic to neuropsychologist to neurologist and other treatment team members.

Dr. David Erlanger, Chief Scientific Officer of HeadMinder, commented, "The CSI has now been shown, under combat conditions, to be the only telemedicine tool capable of serving the needs of the armed services. Especially given the large backlog of unscreened service members exposed to blasts, the HeadMinder System offers a simple, accurate, and objective screening method that can play a key role in identifying and treating servicemen and servicewomen with undiagnosed brain injuries. The CSI is unique in its ability to track improvement over time as soldiers travel between the Military Health System and the Veterans Administration and civilian medical resources. We believe the HeadMinder platform provides the Department of Defense the opportunity to fully comply with the Wounded Warriors Act by screening and tracking exposed service members' long-term well-being. If implemented today, the entire backlog could be cleared in less than two years."

After 5 years of ducking the issue, the DoD can get off their collective bottoms and start screening the 400,000 troops that have been exposed to blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the study in no way implied that every service member exposed suffered m-TBI, it did imply that approximately 20,000 service members have suffered the injury. It is time to identify them and treat them. There is no need for mindless dead-end research projects.

Since S. Ward Casscells, MD , Undersecretary of Defense - Healthcare, has actively and willfully avoided detecting and treating both m-TBI and mental health issues, it is time to contact your representatives to start getting answers (find your representative, find your senator). His desire to deny disability payments and under report causalities is repellent.

A special note if you are represented by any of the following members:

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Congressman Jack Murtha (D-PA)
Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-NJ)
Congressman Todd Platts (R-PA)

make an effort to contact them as they have taken leading positions to help service members with mild-Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD and mental health issues.


The study was initially funded by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation. After funding was discontinued, the study was completed with funding provided by PanMedix, Inc., and HeadMinder, Inc.

PanMedix was founded in New York City in 1999. Initially focused on the development and deployment of assessment software, the company has evolved to encompass a full range of pharmaceutical and medical assessment services.

Founded in New York City in 1999, HeadMinder is a technology company that is dedicated to the development of Internet-based neurocognitive assessment tools. HeadMinder tests have been shown to be valid and reliable instruments for evaluating cognitive deficits in a range of injuries and illnesses, including concussion, mild-to-moderate TBI, Multiple Sclerosis, ADHD, Alzheimer's Disease, and chemotherapy-induced cognitive dysfunction in cancer patients.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month


Some Quick Facts:
One in every 733 babies born in the U.S. has Down syndrome. The life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has increased dramatically in recent decades - from 25 in 1983 to 56 today. In that same span of time, advancements in education, research and advocacy have had a tremendous impact on the opportunities that individuals with Down syndrome have to live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Today, many people with Down syndrome:
Attend neighborhood schools and learn in typical classes alongside their peers without disabilities.
Graduate from high school and go to college.
Comprise a vibrant part of the American workforce.
Actively participate in the social and recreational aspects of their communities.
Live independently, make their own choices, and advocate for their rights.


National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
National Down Syndrome Society
666 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(800) 221-4602
(212) 460-9330
(212) 979-2873 Fax
info@ndss.org
http://www.ndss.org/
Materials available
Contact: Educational Services

The Healing Project is Pleased to Announce the Release of Voices of CareGiving

Voices of Caregiving is available for purchase at Amazon.

Monday, October 13, 2008

October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month

First Candle is a national nonprofit health organization uniting parents, caregivers and researchers nationwide with government, business and community service groups to advance infant health and survival. With help from a national network of member and partner organizations, we are working to increase public participation and support in the fight against infant mortality.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month
First Candle/SIDS Alliance
1314 Bedford Avenue, Suite 210
Baltimore, MD 21208
(800) 221-7437
(410) 653-8226
(410)653-8709 Fax
info@firstcandle.org
www.firstcandle.org
Materials available
Contact: Laura Reno

Sunday, October 12, 2008

October 17th is National Mammography Day


The American Cancer Society Reminds You:
•Women 40 years and older should receive a yearly mammogram for as long as they are in good health.
•Women in their 20s and 30s should receive a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam about every three years; women 40 and older should receive a CBE every year.
•Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
•Women at high risk (greater than 20 percent lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year and women at moderately increased risk (15 to 20 percent lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15 percent.

Early Detection and Treatment will Save Your Life. Get Screen Today!

What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows in one or both of the breasts. Breast cancer usually develops in the ducts or lobules, also known as the milk-producing areas of the breast.October 17th is National Mammography Day. Many sites will be offering free and low-cost mammographies.
If you have not had a mammography recently, please sign up.

Free and Low-Cost Mammographies (Some programs are for this month only or on October 17th):
The American College of Radiology - Search for these facilities in your area. The facilities that are participating will be listed with a pink ribbon designation.
Local Susan G. Komen Foundation Affiliate: Komen affiliates raise money to help local underserved women obtain breast health services. The affiliate will have a listing of organizations to which they have granted funding, so call to see what services might be available in your area. To locate your nearest affiliate, log onto the Komen Foundation Web site.
Planned Parenthood Clinics: Women can make an appointment for all types of low-cost or free health services, including breast health, with the clinic nearest them by calling 1-800-230-PLAN (800-230-7526).
YWCA Encore Plus Programs: Services are provided on a sliding scale. Screening mammography is available to women 35 years and older who are medically underserved. Call 1-800-95-EPLUS (1-800-953-7587).
CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs: Offer low-cost mammograms and clinical breast exams to women between the ages of 40-64. States are legally able to narrow the age range, so call your state to find out if you are eligible for this program. They may also have information about other facilities in their area for younger women. Call toll-free 1-888-842-6355 or log onto the above Web site for information specific to your area.

Resources:
• Mammograms: Questions and answers about screening
• National Cancer Institute: What you need to know about breast cancer
• Visit The Healing Project's Resource Page and Select Breast Cancer for an exhaustive list of Breast Cancer Resources.

National Mammography Day
American Cancer Society
250 Williams Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303(800) ACS-2345 (227-2345)
http://www.cancer.org/
Materials available
Contact: National Office

Saturday, October 11, 2008

October 12 through the 20th is Bone and Joint Decade National Action Week

Take care of your bones and joints to have a fulfilling active life.

Bone and Joint Decade National Action Week
U.S. Bone and Joint Decade6300
North River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
(847) 384-4010 (847) 823-0536 Fax
tobyking@usbjd.org
www.usbjd.org
Materials available
Contact: Toby King

Friday, October 10, 2008

October is National Dental Hygiene Month



The Healing Project would like to remind the community that proper care of your teeth and gums is not cosmetic. More and more research indicates that dental well-being impacts your enitre body.

National Dental Hygiene Month
American Dental Hygienists' Association
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3400
Chicago, IL 60611-3980
(800) 243-ADHA (2342)
(312) 440-8900
(312) 467-1806 Fax
media@adha.net
www.adha.org
Materials available
Contact: Communications Division

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

October 10th is World Mental Health Day



World Mental Health Day 2008
MAKING MENTAL HEALTH A GLOBAL PRIORITY: SCALING UP SERVICES THROUGH CITIZEN ADVOCACY AND ACTION.

Its time to reflect and look toward the future. With the final goal of making mental health a global priority in every country – what needs to be changed or what action needs to be taken in order to fulfill that goal? The 2008 WMHDAY material will focus on where we came from and what needs to be done yet for the future. We will highlight different levels of advocacy and its role in creating change and the need for scaling up services so all people have access to information, personalized treatment, and resources to assist them in all aspects of their recovery.

World Mental Health Day
World Federation for Mental Health
6564 Loisdale Court, Suite 301
Springfield, VA 22150-1812
(703) 313-8680
(703) 313-8683 Fax
info@wfmh.org
http://www.wfmh.org/00WorldMentalHealthDay.htm
Materials available
Contact: Deborah Maguire

Friday, October 3, 2008

October 4 is Sarcoidosis Awareness Day



No one knows yet what causes Sarcoidosis. Some physicians believe that Sarcoidosis may result from a respiratory infection caused by a virus. Others feel that exposure to toxins or allergens in the environment are to blame. Most scientists do agree that Sarcoidosis is a disorder of the immune system, with some people vulnerable to getting the disease while the majority of the population remains healthy and unaffected.

Sarcoidosis Awareness Day
National Sarcoidosis Society, Inc. and Affiliates
2525 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 567-6626
(312) 567-6144 Fax
sarcoidosisfriends2@hotmail.com
nationalsarcoidosisfriends.org.tripod.com
Materials available
Contact: Glenda Fulton