Download October 2012 Healthy Tips

October 2012 Healthy Tips
This month is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Bully Prevention
Month, National Eczema Month, Latino HIV Month and Mental Health Month
Breast Cancer-What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells. To better understand breast
cancer, it helps to understand how any cancer can develop. Cancer occurs as a result of
mutations, or abnormal changes, in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of
cells and keeping them healthy. Malignant cells eventually can spread beyond the
original tumor to other parts of the body. The term “breast cancer” refers to a
malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. 1 in 8 women in the
United States — 12%, or about 12 out of every 100 — can expect to develop breast
cancer over the course of an entire lifetime. Men can also get breast cancer. Risk
Facters: Many of the most important risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your
control, such as age, family history, medical history, reproductive history, lifestyle,
environment, and others. Risk factors you can control, such as weight, physical activity,
and alcohol consumption. Follow up with your doctor or medical provider for futher
information on cancer, risks and treatment.
The Health Department is in collaboration with Mercer County NJ CEED Program. You
can get free cancer screening though that program if you have no insurance and live in
Mercer County. Contact Mrs. Linda Johnson Coordinator at 609-989-0236.
National Bully Prevention
This month, groups across the country committed to stop bullying will release new
resources, campaigns, and efforts aimed at bringing awareness to this important issue
facing our youth. Bullying is when a person or group repeatedly tries to harm someone
who is weaker or who they think is weaker. Sometimes it involves direct attacks such as
hitting, name calling, teasing or taunting. Sometimes it is indirect, such as spreading
rumors or trying to make others reject someone. Bullies might hit, kick, or push to hurt
people, or use words to call names, threaten, tease, or scare them. A bully might say
mean things about someone, grab a kid's stuff, make fun of someone, or leave a kid out of
the group on purpose. Some bullies threaten people or try to make them do things they
don't want to do. Often people dismiss bullying among kids as a normal part of growing
up. But bullying is harmful. It can lead children and teenagers to feel tense and afraid. It
may lead them to avoid school. In severe cases, teens who are bullied may feel they need
to take drastic measures or react violently. Others even consider suicide. For some, the
effects of bullying last a lifetime. Bullying can make kids not want to play outside or go
to school. It's hard to keep your mind on schoolwork when you're worried about how
you're going to deal with the bully near your locker. Our advice falls into two categories:
preventing a run-in with the bully, and what to do if you end up face-to-face with the
bully: Don't give the bully a chance, Stand tall and be brave, Feel good about you, Get a
buddy (and be a buddy). Get involved if you see bullying going on in your school — tell
an adult and your parents, stick up for the kid being bullied, and tell the bully to stop.
Eczema
The cause unknown, it is thought to be linked with an overactive response by the body's
immune system to an irritant. eczema is commonly found in families with a history of
other allergies or asthma. The condition is not contagious and can't be spread from person
to person. Eczema is a term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to
become inflamed or irritated. The most common type is atopic dermatitis or atopic
eczema. The diseases is often inherited tendency and develop othe allergic conditins such
as asthma and hay fever. Eczema affects about 10% to 20% of infants and about 3% of
adults and children in the US. Most infants who develop the condition outgrow it by
their tenth birthday and some people continue to experience symptoms on and off
throughout life. With proper treatment, the disease can be controlled in the majority of
sufferers. Some people may suffer "flare-ups" of the itchy rash in response to certain
substances or conditions. For some, coming into contact with rough or coarse materials
may cause the skin to become itchy. For others, feeling too hot or too cold, exposure to
certain household products like soap or detergent, or coming into contact with animal
dander may cause an outbreak. Upper respiratory infections or colds may also be triggers.
Stress may cause the condition to worsen. Follow up with your doctor or medical
provider for more information.
Latino HIV Month
HIV has had a devastating and disproportionate impact in our Latino/Hispanic
communities. It is estimated that approximately 200,000 Latinos are currently living with
HIV/AIDS in the United States. HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus
that can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or AIDS. The CDC estimates that
about 48,100 people in the United States contracted HIV in 2009. We at the Health
Department want to encourage and enhance the importance of HIV testing among Latino,
destigmatize AIDS and HIV testing in Latino communities, draw attention to HIV/AIDS
among Latino as a local, regional and national issue, not just a problem for one
community, and advocate for LHTM to become a nationwide campaign, in order to reach
more Latino communities across the country and territories. At the health clinic at 218
North Broad Street, you can get a Rapid HIV test free if you live in Mercer County, free.
The clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am until 3:30pm. You can get more
information on the LHTM web site by asking your doctor or medical provider.
Mental Health
Mental Illness Awareness Week 2012: Oct. 7-13, 2012. The National Day of Prayer for
Mental Illness Recovery and Understanding is Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. Mental Illness
Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn more about serious mental illnesses such as
major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Mental illnesses are medical
illnesses. One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year. One
in 17 lives with serious, chronic illness. Many people in our community are directly
affected by mental illness. The good news is that treatment does work and recovery is
possible. We want people to understand mental illness and join a dialogue in our
community. The more people know, the better they can help themselves or help their
loved ones get the help and support they need. So take the initiative, you will free up
others to learn and talk about mental health issues which are often kept in the closet. You
will bring hope and help to many people, some who have never spoken about their
struggles. Ask your provider where you can get more information.
Until Next Month, Live Healthy
Gwendolyn Carter, MSN, RN