Health

submitted by the American Institute of Cancer Research and Veterans Memorial Hospital

Early detection can prove to be lifesaving when it comes to detecting and fighting breast cancer. There are four important ways to play a crucial part in finding breast cancer early on, which could significantly increase one’s chances of recovery should one be diagnosed with the disease.

1. Perform a monthly breast self-exam (BSE.) Because 65 to 70 percent of all breast cancers are found by women themselves, there’s no substitute for a BSE. Examine the breasts the week following a menstrual period for anyone age 20 and over. For women who are no longer menstruating, they should perform a BSE the first day of every month.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Patients who would prefer to try just about anything before taking prescription opioids to treat their physical pain are not alone. According to a new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.

Earlier this year, data was collected from nearly 63,000 American adults, and 78% say they prefer to find another option to treat pain rather than taking medication prescribed by their doctors. The use of narcotics is viewed as a “crisis” or a very serious problem, and most people do not want to get caught up in it.

This study could mean that in the future, patients and health-care professionals alike will try drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids.

Instead of using pain medications, those surveyed in this recent study chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain.

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care is now offering flu shots on an appointment-only basis. Appointments can be made by calling 563-568-5660. When the appointment is made, instructions are given for the private location the immunizations will be administered.

Those with an appointment to receive their flu shot should remain in their vehicle until the nurse comes to get them and should bring along their insurance or Medicare card.

Influenza, also called “the flu”, can cause fever, chills, headache, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches to people of any age, and can lead to pneumonia and even death. Most deaths caused by influenza occur in the elderly, the very young or people who have a compromised immune system.

The Center for Disease Control now recommends that everyone age 6 months of age and older get vaccinated against the flu every year.  Flu shots are especially important  for the following people:

Veterans Memorial Hospital will be offering the next recertification course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for health care providers (those working in health related fields such as physicians, nurses, EMS, etc.) Wednesday, November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.    This “Health Care Professional” CPR class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of the hospital.

There is a small fee to participate in this class and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask, if they have one. Upon successful completion of the class, the participant will receive an electronic card certifying them as a BLS Healthcare Provider for a two-year period.

Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required for the class to be held. All participants will be required to physically distance during the class and wear a mask. They will also be screened at the hospital main entrance when they enter the building.

The need for blood has not stopped during COVID-19 and is always in even higher demand over the summer months, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, November 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.   

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Nyles Herman by Mary Ann Hager, Marv and Marge Strike, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jan Brandsmeier, Steve and Sheryl Evanson, and Frank and Patty Goltz.

Memorials were also received in memory of Dean Thorstenson by Connie Delaney, Virgil and Debbie Thorstenson, Roger and Georgia Thorstenson, Sandra and Dennis Deal, Jan and Greg Gordon, Dawn and Todd Muhlbauer, Marv and Marge Strike, Ron and Nancy Adam, Betty White, Orrin and Nan Grangaard and Juanita Thorstenson.

Memorials were given in memory of Tom Bulman by Maury Mooney, Mavis Berns and Laurie Bulman.

In addition, memorials were received in memory of Maxine Elsheimer by Patricia Pettingill, in memory of Walter Johnson by Dave and Laurie Martin, in memory of Karen Donahue by Ryan and Kari Smith and family and friends of Karen Donahue.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. The Rehabilitation staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon works with people of all ages, helping them to reduce pain and regain strength, independence and health. The Healthy Lifestyles Rehabilitation Center at Veterans Memorial Hospital is fully equipped for all rehabilitation patients with 17 weight machine stations, tread mills, exercise bikes, NuStep and elliptical machines. The five private treatment rooms allow one-on-one evaluation and treatment with the therapist.

An estimated 252,710 new invasive cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2020 and about 2,470 new cases of breast cancer are expected in men in 2020. In total, an estimated 40,610 deaths (40,170 women and 440 men) are anticipated from breast cancer in 2020.  These numbers have steadily decreased since 1990. The American Cancer Society states the decrease represents progress in both earlier detection and improved treatment.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital is still holding its seventh annual Masquerade jewelry and accessories sale, but the sale will be offered online this year due to COVID-19.    Masquerade is a company that hosts these sales only for hospital auxiliaries as a fundraiser. All items are offered for just $5 each. They do prefer to hold the sales at the hospitals themselves, but this year the company has expanded to offer online sales due to the pandemic.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital online sale will be offered Monday, October 26 through Friday, October 30. Items can be found at store.masqueradefundraising.com. Items are displayed just like any online sales site.

In order to benefit the Veterans Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, all shoppers are asked to enter 5836 at checkout. The proceeds the Auxiliary receives from the sales will be used to purchase new equipment for the hospital.

The need for blood has not stopped during COVID-19 and is always in even higher demand over the summer months, so the local blood drives continue to be held. Life Serve team members only report to work if they are healthy and only healthy donors are eligible to give blood. Blood drives are essential medical services and not considered mass gatherings. The number of donors is limited to ensure donor separation and staff has strict cleaning and disinfection schedules. Other measures are also in place to ensure the safety of the blood supply so these lifesaving donations can continue during COVID-19.

The next blood drive will be held Thursday, November 5 from Noon to 5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon.