November- 2009
Making Sense of Potential Changes in Women’s HealthCare Screenings
October the designated month of Breast Cancer Awareness has come to a close and with the closing its goal to significantly raise the consciousness of society and the importance of being informed, was a success. Although as all of you are mindful of, it is still an ongoing present health issue for our women (the majority) and men in today’s society. The recent controversy on US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) plan to investigate the diagnostic efficacy initiated by our former president, George W Bush, has raised some potential challenges to women’s health and wellness programs and the tools by which they employ to discover potential health risks, and discovering breast cancer.
Use of the mammograms both as a routine diagnostic tool and as a gradient picture to enhance the lump discovered is still a helpful indicator to explore further the lump felt in self exam. The statistics of mammography and its efficacy is not perfect especially in women under the age of 49 depicting only 20% useful in diagnosing. While the positive predictive value for women 50-69 years of age raises significantly to 60-80% according to the “American Journal of Preventative Medicine September/October 1996;12 (5):340-41”. The statistics have not changed since this report. The reason for the USPSTF is to investigate one of these diagnostic tools used routinely in diagnosing breast cancer and its effectiveness. The controversy also involved self breast exams (SBE). SBE s continue to be the higher percentage (32-36%) of discovery than any tool to date, most especially in women under 52 years of age and women whose breast are large and dense.
It is important to remember that the tools we do have will reveal a more discerning light on the potential for early screening in capturing breast cancer in its early stages. There are imaging exams to supplement mammography and SBE, they are:
Breast Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Sestamilbi Nuclear Medicine Imaging
Electrical Impedence Imaging
There are also, digital infrared thermal imaging which is FDA approved that also helps in discovering questionable “hot or cold spots” to lead to further screening such as biopsy of the lump and surrounding tissue. This tool has been researched and is not widely recommended or recognized as a diagnostic tool and is not reimbursed by most health insurances.
This is not the time to provoke anger, frustration or rebel against the establishment but instead to remain diligent in performing self breast exams, you live in your body, you are its care giver, become acquainted with all aspects of it and serve it well.
We have come a long way in improving the outcome of breast cancer with early detection techniques that have statistically improved the treatment and healing of breast cancer. Let us as a society continue to be strong in our faith to heal, hopeful in mindful awareness, empowered by informed knowledge, gain wisdom in understanding the bodies language and giving through financial contributions awarding new techniques for detection and treatments that promote a better state of health in our ongoing path to healing.
Karen A Raisch, RN BSN
September 25,2009
The Wealth of Wellness
How wonderful that we have this new information forum at Jefferson Home Health Care Network. As a Registered Nurse who is passionate about whole person care, I am ecstatic to be the point person for the Health and Wellness segment. When I was asked to participate in this newsletter, deciding what to tackle first was my biggest challenge. The decision was made for me this past weekend in September.
I am currently in training for the Susan G Komen 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk, and it involves walking 60 miles over the course of three days. The shear dedication needed to physically get the body in shape, to build muscle memory, and to listen to the subtle cues of the body adapting, (or not) to the training is, literally, a “feet”. Nutrition is definitely one of the most important aspects in maintaining the physiology of the body. What is ingested will provide the fuel for sustainability and promote the success or failure of your training.
I have gotten emails from friends who are participating in the walk describing what they are doing as preparation for the training and what is happening to them physically. As the training miles stretch from 4-6 miles per day to 12-15 miles, what they are discovering is they are not functioning at optimal levels. One reason for this stems from mis-information. For example, the information they “thought they knew” about good nutrition and the quality of the content provided, leaves the person having to piece together facts in hopes of functioning optimally. Thanks to mis-information carbs get a bad rap.
First, let me ask you a question. What is a carbohydrate? A Carbohydrate is any food that is not a protein or a fat. Carbohydrates are one of the 3 most important elements to providing sustainable fuel for the body; they provide the main source of energy and the first to be used in exercising. In a daily optimal nutritional program 50-60% of the foods you ingest must come from carbohydrates! Carbohydrates are your friend not your enemy.
I am a certified nutritional coach in Transitions Life Style System ™. This is a nutrition education program that emphasizes a life style, which is scientifically proven and focuses on the Glycemic Index (GI) and Glycemic Load (GL). GI is the ranking system for foods containing carbs- it is the quality of a carbohydrate. The GI number signifies how fast a food triggers a rise in blood sugar- the higher the number, the greater the impact.
Foods with a low GI, break down slowly during digestion, resulting in a gradual release of sugar into the blood stream. This is what your body needs for optimal functioning. Glycemic Load (GL) is the quantity of the carbohydrates being consumed.Beans, for instance, are carbohydrates.
They are also a significant protein and a high source of fiber. It is the fiber that binds to the starch of the carb and slows the digestion of foods, resulting in gradual release of sugar so that there is a longer sustainable fuel source for optimal functionality. It is recommended that 25-35 grams of fiber must be consumed daily as stated by the American Heart Association; yet the typical American diet consumes less than 10 grams.
Proper understanding of carb impact is not just for marathons trainers, body builders or athletes. Carbohydrate education is key for everyone. The rising rate of insulin sensitivitiesand Type II Diabetes Mellitus is an indicator of their lack of awareness. Our hope is to provide content rich informative knowledge to better serve the home care network team and the individuals who benefit from their service.
Karen A. Raisch RN BSN CNC
