March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the colon or rectum, it is called colorectal cancer. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short.

In the United States, it is the third most common cancer for men and women.  People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you are African American, smoke, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancers are found early and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.

Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don't always cause symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.

If you have symptoms, they may include:

    Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).

    Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that don't go away.

    Losing weight and you don't know why.

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.  Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don't always cause symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50. There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that’s why it’s so important to get screened.

Everyone can take these healthy steps to help prevent colorectal cancer:

    Get screened starting at age 50.

    Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

    Get active and eat healthy.

While screening rates have increased in the U.S., not enough people are getting screened for colorectal cancer—  As of 2008, 62.9% of adults aged 50–75 years were screened as recommended. In 2002, only 51.9% of Americans were screened as recommended.

While screening rates continue to rise in the U.S., 22 million people are still not up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening.

If your doctor has recommended colon cancer screening, you might be able to choose from various colon cancer screening tests. If you're reluctant to make a decision, remember that any discomfort or embarrassment from colon cancer screening is temporary — and detecting problems early could save your life.

If you are aged 50 or older, get screened now. If you think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened early.

The health center has Fecal Immunoglobulin test kits available at our office for the cost of $35.  This test screens for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer.  The recommendation is to have this test beginning at age 50 as part of a routine examination to screen for colon cancer or as directed by your doctor based on family medical history. The procedure requires taking home a test kit and collecting fecal samples, which are then submitted to our lab.  The test must be paid for in advance. 

Source: CDC

March Mom of the Month - Kenda Oster

My name is Kenda Oster. I am the mother of 4 month old Daniel. I regularly go to the breastfeeding support group once a month. I enjoy going there. It gives me an opportunity to talk to other breastfeeding mothers. It also helps answer any questions I may have. Plus it’s also nice to see all the babies and see how much they have grown each month.

One of the most important things I have learned is if an infant doesn’t latch on when you try to feed or falls asleep there is still hope. Even though I consider myself a breastfeeding mother, I am actually a pumping mom. I didn't think there was any hope until I talked to Rachel and Anita. They made me realize you can still pump and make sure your child gets the nutrition of breast milk.

Along with the ladies at group meeting, I also have my boyfriend Tim. He is a breastfeeding father. His main job is to encourage me and be there for support. He also liked the job of waking me up every two hours to make sure I pumped and fed my son right after he was born.

In the beginning there were many times that I just wanted to give up and quit. I never thought I was making enough milk for my son. That's when I learned you have to take it one day at a time and don't give up so easy.

The thing I love the most about being a pumping mother is watching my son grow up happy and healthy. It is the strongest bond any mother can make with their child. It makes me sad that one day I will be weaning my son. Right at this moment, I don't even want to think about it.

Health Center Offers Sports Physicals to Area Athletes

The Livingston County Health Center is sponsoring its annual spring Sports Physical Clinics for all student athletes in the county.  Application forms have been delivered to all county schools and must be completed and turned into area schools by Friday, March 7^th.

Students in grades 6-11 who are planning to participate in a sport next year are eligible for a sports physical at no out of pocket cost, thanks to a partnership between local health care providers and the health center.  The health center is accepting donations for the service from parents who choose to contribute.

Parents are encouraged to make sure their child turns in a completed form by the upcoming deadline.  Forms are available at all schools, and at the health center office, located at 800 Adam Drive. 

Athletes in all schools are required to have a sports physical on file with the school before they will be allowed to participate in any sport.  The physical is then valid for one school year.  The sports physical form has a new look, but asks basically the same medical history information from the parents.

The medical history allows you to record any health conditions or concerns your child may have, including injuries and any special information regarding medical care you want on file. The exam concentrates on sports related health to ensure each student will have a safe and enjoyable athletic experience, and be able to reach their full potential.   

Local doctors and nurse practitioners will provide the exams at several scheduled clinics in the county, usually at your child’s school.  For about 76% of adolescents, the sports physical examination is the only yearly physical they receive.  Often, health conditions are detected through this exam, and students are referred for follow up with their local physician. 

Forms can be picked up at any school in the office, or at the Livingston County Health Center, located at 800 Adam Drive. Parents must fill out the exam form and follow the instructions given in the attached cover letter. If the exam form is not signed by a parent or guardian, the child cannot receive a physical. 

Forms are due back at the school office by Friday, March 7^th.   Parents are urged to make sure their child turns in his or her form to their school office. Those students with completed forms turned in will be given appointments at their clinic location.

 

For more information about sports physicals, call the health center at 646-5506. 

Health Center To Hold Special Screening Clinic

Livingston County Health Center is offering a Specialized Screening Clinic by appointment on Wednesday, February 26th from 8 to 10 a.m. at their office, located at 800 Adam Drive. 

Testing available through these special clinics includes:

 Hepatitis C Antibody for a cost of $20. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, more than 75% of adults infected are baby boomers, people born from 1945 through 1965. Most people with Hepatitis C don’t know they are infected.

Fecal Immunochem for $35. This test screens for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer.  The recommendation is to have this test beginning at age 50 as part of a routine examination to screen for colon cancer or as directed by your doctor based on family medical history. The procedure requires taking home a test kit and collecting fecal samples, which are then submitted to our lab.  The test must be paid for in advance. 

None of the tests require fasting.

To make an appointment for our Specialized Screenings, call our office at 646-5506.  We are able to take cash or check for payment of services, and we cannot bill insurance at this time.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Several local businesses honored by the State for their efforts

Left to right:

Colby Baker, Social Services, Cindy Hayes, BOM, Angela Quick, DON, Rachel Snider, LCHC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, Brittney Depuy, Activity Director, Becky Clark, MDS, JoEllen Anderson, Administrator, Anita Perry, IBCLC, LCHC

Several local businesses have been honored with a “Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Award” through the Missouri Department of Health and the Missouri Breastfeeding Coalition.

The program is a collaboration to educate employers on the value of providing lactation support in the workplace and to recognize businesses that support their breastfeeding employees.

The award evaluates employers on criteria for three levels of support: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Businesses that meet one of the three levels will be recognized in their community and statewide.

North Central Missouri College in Trenton was awarded the Gold status due to lactation equipment they provide to students and staff, availability of resources, as well as their family friendly policies. Chillicothe Correctional Center was awarded the Silver award and is taking additional steps to achieve Gold status. Grand River Health Care was also awarded Silver Award and Livingston County Health Center was awarded Gold.

Letters have also been sent out to all local businesses so more can get recognition for having a lactation room or for offering support of breastfeeding patrons.

Employer support of breastfeeding provides many benefits to businesses:

·     Cost savings of $3 per $1 invested in nursing support

·     Reduced absenteeism to care for sick children because breastfed infants have less illness

·     Lower health care costs

·     Improved employee productivity with higher morale and greater employee loyalty

·     Increased ability to attract and retain valuable employees

·     Family-friendly image in the community

Women who return to work while continuing to breastfeed need the support of their employers. Their needs are simple: a safe, private and comfortable location at the worksite and the opportunity to pump two or three times during the work day. The Missouri “Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite Program” is available to help businesses in becoming a nursing friendly workplace by:

·     Identifying and setting up a suitable private room

·     Scheduling appropriate breaks for nursing employees

·     Reviewing written polices

·      

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite or the requirements, please call 646-5506 and ask to speak to Rachel Snider, Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Health Center.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

Livingston County Health Center is offering “Hands-Only” CPR

In recognition of American Heart Month, Livingston County Health Center is offering “Hands-Only” CPR at their office on this Friday, February 14^th over the noon hour.   Those interested should call to reserve a spot, as there are only ten kits available per session.  Those who can’t come at noon should call to find out about an alternate time on Friday.  If we receive an overwhelming response, more sessions may be added during the day or at a future date.

Hands-Only CPR is CPR without mouth-to-mouth breaths. It is recommended for use by people who see a teen or adult suddenly collapse in an “out-of-hospital” setting (such as at home, at work or in a park). It consists of two easy steps:

·         Call 9-1-1 (or send someone to do that).

·         Push hard and fast in the center of the chest.

Every five years, the American Heart Association publishes updated guidelines for CPR and emergency cardiovascular care. These guidelines reflect a thorough review of current science by international experts. The 2010 guidelines reported that in studies of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, adults who received Hands-Only CPR from a bystander were more likely to survive than those who didn’t receive any type of CPR from a bystander. In other studies, survival rates of adults with cardiac arrest treated by people who weren’t healthcare professionals were similar with either Hands-Only CPR or conventional CPR.

When interviewed, bystanders said panic was the major obstacle to performing CPR. The simpler Hands-Only technique may help overcome panic and hesitation to act.

Learning basic CPR skills may help save the life of a loved one in case of heart attack.

Call 646-5506 to find out more, or reserve your spot.

All services of the health center are provided on a non-discriminatory basis.

February Mom of the Month - Tiffany Yount Winfrey

As I come to a close on my breastfeeding relationship with my almost 19 month old, I like to look back at what made me decide to choose this path of nourishment for my daughter Madeline, difficulties we encountered, what kept me going all this time, and the highlights of this special time with her.

When I found out I was pregnant, I instantly knew I would breastfeed her. It was a no brainer to me. I've not been around any breastfeeding moms, but for some reason, it was engraved in my heart to nurse her.

My original goal was six months, but really hoping to make it to twelve. Twelve months came and went way too fast, and she just wasn't ready to stop. Honestly, that was perfectly fine by me, as I really enjoyed our time together. We were a rare fortunate breastfeeding case of having a smooth time with little problems.

When she got a bit older, I started to feel embarrassed by the fact that I am nursing a toddler because it isn't the "normal" thing to do. Those embarrassing feelings soon passed when I realized I am doing the BEST thing for her. There are still so many benefits of nursing past a year.

I give so much credit to breastfeeding for our close bond we have. She is my best bud, and I am incredibly sad to be leaving this chapter behind us