June is Men's Health Week 9th -15th

Goal of Men's Health Month

The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with hundreds of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe. For a partial list of activities, click here.

Public Service Anouncement
http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/psa/PSA.mp3
If you not sure you really wish to visit your healthcare provider, read some Healthcare Facts.
http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/menshealthfacts.pdf

National Men's Health Week
Men’s Health Network
236 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Suite 301
P.O. Box 75972
Washington, DC 20013
(888) MEN-2-MEN (636-2636) Men's Healthline
(202) 543-MHN-1 (543-6461) x101
(202) 543-2727 Fax
info@menshealthweek.org
http://www.menshealthweek.org/
Materials available
Contact: Theresa Morrow

June is Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month

What is myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular, autoimmune disorder that causes varying degrees of weakness involving the voluntary muscles of the body. Myasthenia gravis means “grave muscle weakness.” It can affect people of all races and in both sexes from infancy to senior citizen. The prevalence rate of patients with MG is estimated to be 20 per 100,000 population. MG may affect any voluntary muscle, but most commonly affects those that control eye movements, eyelids, chewing, swallowing, coughing and facial expression. Muscles that control breathing and movements of the arms and legs may also be affected. At present, the cause of myasthenia gravis is unknown, and there is no cure.

Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
1821 University Avenue West, Suite S256
St. Paul, MN 55104-2897
(800) 541-5454
(651) 917-6256
(651) 917-1835 Fax

mgfa@myasthenia.org

http://www.myasthenia.org/

Materials available

June is National Scleroderma Awareness Month

Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The disease has been called “progressive systemic sclerosis,” but the use of that term has been discouraged since it has been found that scleroderma is not necessarily progressive. The disease may take several forms which will be explained later. There is also much variability among patients.

What scleroderma is not
Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant.

How serious is scleroderma?
Any chronic disease can be serious. The symptoms of scleroderma vary greatly from individual to individual, and the effects of scleroderma can range from very mild to life-threatening. The seriousness will depend on what parts of the body are affected and the extent to which they are affected. A mild case can become more serious if not properly treated. Prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment by qualified physicians may minimize the symptoms of scleroderma and lessen the chance for irreversible damage.

How is scleroderma diagnosed?
The diagnostic process may require consultation with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists), and/or dermatologists (skin specialists) and require blood studies and numerous other specialized tests depending upon which organs are affected.

Who develops scleroderma, and when?
There are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma. Since scleroderma presents with symptoms similar to other autoimmune diseases, diagnosis is difficult and there may be many misdiagnosed or undiagnosed cases as well.

Localized scleroderma is more common in children, whereas systemic scleroderma is more common in adults. Overall female patients outnumber male patients about four to one, and the average age at diagnosis is in the forties.

Factors other than sex, such as race and ethnic background, may influence the risk of getting scleroderma, the age of onset, and the pattern or severity of internal organ involvement. The reasons for this are not clear. Although scleroderma is not directly inherited, some scientists feel there is a slight predisposition to it in families with a history of rheumatic diseases.

However, scleroderma can develop and is found in every age group from infants to the elderly, but its onset is most frequent between the ages of 25 to 55. When doctors say "usually" or "for the most part," the reader should understand that variations frequently occur. Many patients get alarmed when they read medical information that seems to contradict their own experiences, and conclude that what has happened to them is not supposed to happen. There are many exceptions to the rules in scleroderma, perhaps more so than in other diseases. Each case is different, and information should be discussed with your own doctor.

What causes scleroderma?
The exact cause or causes of scleroderma are still unknown, but scientists and medical investigators in a wide variety of fields are working hard to make those determinations. It is known that scleroderma involves overproduction of collagen.

Is scleroderma genetic?
Most patients do not have any relatives with scleroderma and their children do not get scleroderma. Research indicates that there is a susceptibility gene which raises the likelihood of getting scleroderma, but by itself does not cause the disease.

What is the treatment for scleroderma?
At the present time, there is no cure for scleroderma, but there are many treatments available. Some are directed at particular symptoms like heartburn, which can be controlled by medications called proton pump inhibitors or medicine to improve the motion of the bowel. Some treatments are directed at decreasing the activity of the immune system. Some people with mild disease may not need medication at all and occasionally people can go off treatment when their scleroderma is no longer active. Because there is so much variation from one person to another there is great variation in the treatments prescribed.

Source: Scleroderma Foundation

National Scleroderma Awareness Month
Scleroderma Foundation
300 Rosewood Drive, Suite 105
Danvers, MA 01923
(800) 722-HOPE (4673)
(978) 463-5809 Fax
sfinfo@scleroderma.org
http://www.scleroderma.org/
Materials available
Contact: National Office or Local Chapters

June 1st. is National Cancer Survivor Day

National Cancer Survivors Day is a big day on The Healing Project's calendar. Our organization was founded by Debra Lachance, a breast cancer survivor, and many in our community are continuing to deal with cancer in its many forms.

This year The Healing Project would like to highlight two leading members of the medical community contributions to changing the way in which cancer is being treated.

H. Michael Shepard, PhD

Dr. Shepard is a member of The Healing Project's Board of Directors. For more than three decades, this Alpert Prize winning scientist has been redefining the treatment of cancer and the development of therapeutics. This extremely humble man was the team leader of the Herceptin discovery team at Genentech. The team's work not only produced one of the most efficacious oncology agents in history but also changed drug discovery forever by demonstrating the potential of targeted therapies. Although this single discovery has changed the lives of millions of breast cancer patients across the world would represent crowning achievement of any researcher's career, Michael remains in the lab and at the bench. He, is a founder, president and CSO of Receptor BioLogix, a California-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing a newly discovered class of protein therapeutics called Intron Fusion Proteins™ (IFP™) to treat cancer, autoimmune, metabolic and other diseases.

Dr. Shepard's work has been game-changing. You may not know his name, but you should. He is one of the world's great scientists whose actions and results speak louder words. As Michael would say, "Science First."

Stephanie F. Bernik, MD, FACS

Dr. Bernik is Chief of Breast Surgery for the comprehensive breast program at St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center in New York City. She is a scientific advisor for The Healing Project. A board certified surgeon specializing in breast diseases, Dr. Bernik has been at St. Vincent's Comprehensive Cancer Center since 2000. In that time, she has developed a specialty in treating young women under 40 diagnosed with the disease.

Stephanie's work with women afflicted with cancer at an early age is designed to tailor treatments for patients hoping to live long, healthy and fulfilling lives. Dr. Bernik defines the current generation of cancer clinicians that approach these diseases from the point of view that many, if not most, are chronic conditions. The key is to give science the time to cure these conditions.

We highlighted these brilliant individuals on Cancer Survivors Day to remind everyone in our community that since the War on Cancer was declared 40 years ago we have made enormous strides, but we have along way to go. All survivors, families and loved ones must continue to support the drive for cures across all cancers. This not only involves demanding funding for cancer research but also volunteering for clinical trials, offering cells and providing tissue to the scientific community. It may require another 40 years but the end of most cancers is within reach if the scientific, clinical and patient communities cooperate and coordinate their efforts.

About National Cancer Survivors Day®

National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual, worldwide Celebration of Life that is held in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada, and other participating countries. Participants unite in a symbolic event to show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.

In most areas, National Cancer Survivors Day is traditionally observed on the first Sunday in June, although this is not always possible due to scheduling conflicts and time differences. Celebrating its 21st year in 2008, NCSD is the world’s largest and fastest-growing annual cancer survivor event.

The non-profit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation supports hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities by providing free guidance, education and networking. Anyone considering hosting an NCSD event can obtain a free NCSD Planning Kit.

Who is a cancer survivor? The National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation defines a "survivor" as anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life. National Cancer Survivors Day affords your community an opportunity to demonstrate that it has an active, productive cancer survivor population.

So be sure to attend an official National Cancer Survivors Day event in your area. To locate an event near you, e-mail info@ncsdf.org or call 615-794-3006.

National Cancer Survivors Day
National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation
P.O. Box 682285
Franklin, TN 37068
(615) 794-3006
(615) 794-0179 Fax
info@ncsdf.org
http://www.ncsdf.org/
Materials available
Contact: None designated

Voices of Autism is Published by The Healing Project

New Resource Available for Families Living with Autism
-- “Voices of Autism” Anthology Shares Real-Life Accounts of 40 Patients and Caregivers--



Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S., with an approximate 10 - 17 percent increase in the 1990s. As more is learned about the disease, more resources for patients and caregivers are being developed. One new resource is a new anthology, Voices of Autism: The Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength chronicling the stories of more than 40 families living with autism.

Each person has their own tale to tell from the frustration of an autistic teenager unable to speak, yet knowing he is being left out of conversations in “The Price of Talk” to the sadness and fear of a mother as her son becomes a man in “Postpartum Blues Plus Twenty.”

The book has attracted the writing of Lynda Geller, PhD for the Introduction where she explains the disease state, diagnostic criteria and outlines current research in the field. Additionally, one Foreword was written by Aaron Liebowitz, MSW, who speaks of the challenges of being part of the solution for families and applauds the “unified voice” that the book brings to these individual situations. The other is written by a mother of an autistic son explaining the impact of autism on her son, her relationship, her family and household, her community and society-at-large.

Voices Of Book Series
The Voices Of book series was conceptualized by Debra LaChance, a breast cancer survivor who, when diagnosed, was overwhelmed by the vast amount of information available. She found solace in the personal account of another woman diagnosed with breast cancer and wanted to provide that opportunity to all patients coping with chronic and life-threatening diseases.

LaChance Publishing is donating 100% of profits to LaChance’s other entrepreneurial venture The Healing Project (www.thehealingproject.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and support of those living with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. LaChance is also a Senior Vice-President at The Corcoran Group, a major real estate company in New York City.

Voices of Autism and all of the Voices Of books are available at bookstores everywhere and online at The Healing Project Website.

Voices of Autism, scheduled for release this month, received its first rave review from Library Journal

From the Library Journal:

The fifth entry in the “Voices” anthology project from The Healing Project, this work includes over 40 different stories and vignettes written by parents, teachers, and people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) that showcase how families and caregivers measure perseverance, understanding, and success. Many of the selections stand out, including an author’s account of her autistic son, a seventh grader’s perspective on her two siblings with autism, a memoir by an adult with autism who relied on a tire advertisement to get through tough times, and an account of the challenges of dating an adult with Asperger’s. The book’s real strengths are the adult-penned passages, which will give readers a better sense of what autism truly is. Taken individually, the stories show glimpses of the impact that autism has on individuals and those they love. Taken collectively, they paint a rich landscape that many will find familiar. Highly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with disability collections.—Corey Seeman, Kresge Business Administration Library, Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Voices of Autism can be ordered at Amazon. Profits from the "Voices of Book Series" go to support The Healing Project.

Veterans Administration Saving Pennies by Failing to Diagnos PTSD

The Veterans Administration was caught again running roughshod over our service members.

A few weeks ago we posted an item about the VA and DoD avoiding dealing with the suicide problem. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington and VoteVets release email telling VA staff to “refrain from giving a diagnosis of PTSD straight out.” Please take a moment and read the e-mail. James Peake, MD, the head of the VA, repudiated the employee, but she remains on the job.

Well done. If you get caught doing what the boss wants done (General Peake has been party to ignoring PTSD and Mental Health since his days as the US Army Surgeon General), we will make a public statement and you keep your job (Dr. Peake make sure she gets a bonus for all those cost savings).

I gather the next revelation will be regarding traumatic brain injury. All the phony screening, bogus research, delay in disabilities payments has been ochestarted by the DoD and US Army since the beginning of OIF/OEF. General Peake and his flunkys at AMEDD rejected a series of proposals to fully screen all troopers for TBI pre-OEF. If you don't identify the injured, don't treat them, you need not pay for them.

Look at how much money we save. DoD and the VA have had the support of the highest reaches of government in this despicable mistreatment of American citizens. The Legislative Branch's inability to deal with these matters for years is almost equally distgusting.

Somewhere between 300,000 and 700,000 troopers have suffered PTSD, Mental Health Problems, and/or TBI. But knows knows who they are or the treatment they have received. The time for special committees, centers of excellence, blue ribbon commissions, fake research conducted by politically connected charlatans is over.

Call your Senator or Representative and demand investigations and prosecutions.

CDC Recommends People 60 and Older Receive the Shingles Vaccine

The Center’s for Disease Control has created guidelines that all citizens 60 years of age or older should receive the shingles vaccine ZOSTAVAX. Insurance companies should now reimburse the cost of the vaccinations.

One million cases of shingles are reported each year with half the cases occurring in people 60 years old or older. 50% of all people reaching the age of 85 will contract shingles. Shingles is caused by chickenpox virus, and its effects range from mild to debilitating.

ZOSTAVAX reduces the likelihood of getting shingles by 50%. The cost of the Merck vaccine is approximately $150.

DEPRESSION: Out of the Shadows PREMIERES ON PBS MAY 21, 2008

The Healing project wishes to alert the community about the presentation of DEPRESSION: Out of the Shadows premiering on PBS. Depression and related disorders touch almost every family. THere is no reason to be ashamed and there is help. Both talk-therapy and pharmaceutical interventions can help many, if not most, patients. It is OK to seek help and get treatment.

About the Program
A lot of Americans are keeping an important, possibly deadly secret.
The National Institute of Mental Health reports that approximately 18.8 million American adults have a depressive disorder. The disease is not discriminating, seeping into all age, race, gender, and socioeconomic groups. Depression stalls careers, strains relationships, and sometimes ends lives.

So if this many people are living with the disease, why the silence? DEPRESSION: Out of the Shadows is a multi-dimensional PBS project that explores the disease's complex terrain, offering a comprehensive and timely examination of this devastating disorder.

The first component of the project is a 90-minute documentary, premiering May 21, 2008, at 9:00 pm ET (check local listings). By weaving together the science and treatment of depression with intimate portrayals of families and individuals coping with its wide-ranging effects, the film raises awareness and eliminates the stigma surrounding this prevalent disease, underscoring the fact that whether we are battling it in our families, our workplaces, or in our own minds, depression touches everyone.

Through the voices and stories of people living with depression, the film provides a portrait of the disease never before seen on American television. Along with consumers, DEPRESSION: Out of the Shadows also follows acclaimed scientists as they describe the latest neurological research and groundbreaking new treatments for depression. Following the film, broadcast journalist Jane Pauley will host a 30-minute roundtable discussion titled TAKE ONE STEP: Caring for Depression, with Jane Pauley in which nationally acclaimed experts will offer advice on recognizing and treating depression.

May 11th-17th is Women's Health Week

National Women's Health Week

The 9th annual National Women's Health Week will kick off on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008 and will be celebrated until May 17, 2008. National Women's Check-Up Day will be Monday, May 12, 2008.

National Women's Health Week empowers women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life. During the week, families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease, like:

1. Engaging in physical activity most days of the week
2. Making healthy food choices
3. Visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventive screenings
4. Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt

Office on Women's Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 712 E
Washington, DC 20201
(202) 690-7651
(202) 401-4005 Fax
www.womenshealth.gov/whw
Materials available
Contact: None designated