October is Organize Your Medical Information Month

When we saw our primary physician in June, I picked up a couple of little cards at the desk. These had places for name, allergies, medications, and physician name and phone number. We carry them in our wallets. In case of emergency, we’ve got that information with us. We keep it with our medical insurance card. It’s also useful when we go to the doctor since we’ll have a list of our medicines with us.

A more “high tech” device involves a USB flash drive for your keychain containing your medical information. Two of these are available. See http://www.medictag.com/ or http://www.medicalert.com/E-Health/.

It’s useful to have a record at home as well. This should include:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Allergies
• Prescription medicines with dose and schedule
• Medical problems
• Doctor’s name and telephone number
• Preferred hospital
• Health insurance information

One way make this available in case of emergency is through the Vial of Life program. A form can be printed out and stored in the refrigerator; a decal is ordered to be placed on the refrigerator so emergency responders will know where to look for the information. Details, printable forms, and ordering instructions for decals are found at http://www.vialoflife.com.

Another consideration is finding a next of kin in case of emergency. If you have a cell phone, try ICE. In your contact list, list ICE (in case of emergency) with the number of your next of kin. A sticker on your phone would assist emergency responders as well.

Take care to protect your identity—do not include a social security number in any of these places. Emergency responders do not need this information.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Although more women have mammograms today than ever before, breast cancer is the most common cause of death in women between the ages of 45 and 55. It is the most common cancer in women. Finding the cancer early leads to early treatment and a better outcome.

Most breast cancers are found with mammograms, but some are discovered when women examine their breasts on a monthly basis. The American Cancer Society recommends woman start breast self-exam at the age of 20. Instructions are found at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-self-exam/WO00026/UPDATEAPP=0.

There are some signs women can look for as they examine their breasts:

• Changes in how the breast or nipple feels.
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or under the arm.
• Tenderness of the nipple.
• Changes in how the breast or nipple looks.
• Changes in the size and shape of the breast.
• Changes in the skin of the breast, such as scaly skin, redness, swelling, ridges, or pitting.
• Any fluid coming from the nipple.

Women who find any of these changes should see their physician.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly mammograms beginning at the age of 40. Women who have a mother, sister or daughter with breast or ovarian cancer (or both) or a male relative with breast cancer, especially before age 50, run a higher risk. About 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are related to two defective genes. Women with these risks should discuss with their physician whether they need to begin yearly mammograms at a younger age.

Some other risk factors for breast cancer include:

• Age older than 50.
• Radiation exposure.
• Excess weight, especially if the weight was gained in the teen years or after menopause, or if there is more body fat in the upper body.
• Early start of menstruation.
• Menopause after age 55.
• First pregnancy after 30.
• White women are more likely to have breast cancer, but black women are more likely to die of it.
• Use of hormones for symptoms of menopause.
• Use of birth control pills.
• Smoking
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
• Pre-cancerous changes in the breast.
• Dense breast tissue may hide tumors and may also be a cause of increased risk.

Excellent information is found at http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm

SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Of all the cancers, ovarian cancer is the fifth highest cause of death in women. Usually, by the time the cancer is identified, it has spread beyond the ovary. Pap smears do not detect this cancer. The chance of surviving the cancer is much higher when it is found early.

Recently some symptoms of early ovarian cancer have been identified. These include a feeling of pressure, fullness, swelling or bloating in the abdomen; an urgent need to urinate; and pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen. As you can see, these symptoms are common to a lot of problems.

Certain women are more likely to get ovarian cancer: Those who have a family history of breast cancer with inherited breast cancer genes, family history of ovarian cancer, women past menopause (although it does occur in younger women as well), women who did not have children, those who had difficulty getting pregnant, and those who took hormones after menopause. Also, young women who were overweight by the age of 18 seem to have a higher risk of ovarian cancer before menopause.

Women who are at risk of ovarian cancer would be wise to see a gynecologist who is familiar with ovarian cancer regularly. Women who develop the symptoms listed above should see a doctor. If treatment advised by the doctor doesn’t help the symptoms, a visit to the gynecologist and pelvic examination would be advised.
More information on ovarian cancer can be found at http://www.ovarian.org/ or at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/ovarian/