Fall 2012vol 1, issue 4

OTTUMWA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER

Cokie RobertsToday’s

Best Methods ofBattling Breast Cancer

I NS I D E TH I S I SS U E :Bone & Joint Problems

Ottumwa Regional Walk-In Clinic

Choosing A Doctor

ORHC Calendar of Events

Women & Cancer

Visit: www.OttumwaRegionalHealth.com

Phil Dionne, CEOOttumwa Regional

Health Center

Wake-Up Call

For more than 20 years, Cokie Roberts has been a passionate advocate for breast

cancer education and research. The longtime political commentator for ABC News and NPR

recently spoke to MyHealth about her work to raise awareness of a disease that will affect

one out of every eight women.

When did you first become involved in supporting breast cancer research and education?

In January 1992, I was at a funeral home. In the room to my left was a good friend who

had died of breast cancer in her late 40s. Across the hall was another close friend who had

died of breast cancer in her early 50s. That tragic loss of life just made me furious. It was a

real wake-up call for me. At the time, the money devoted to AIDS research was greater than

the research funding for cancer and heart disease combined. I’m all for finding a cure for

AIDS, but in terms of the number of people being killed by these diseases, the numbers just

didn’t make sense. That’s when I decided to get involved and do what I could to increase

awareness and provide more funding for breast cancer research and education.

What changes have you seen in the fight against breast cancer since 1992?

We’ve made tremendous progress. There are 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the

United States alone. Hundreds of thousands of these women would not be alive today if it

weren’t for the increased awareness and improved treatments that have been developed

during the last two decades. The survival rate has improved significantly. Women with

breast cancer are living longer. Millions of women, including myself, have benefitted from the

many advancements made by researchers. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in

2002, for example, I was able to continue working during my chemotherapy because the

For Cokie Roberts, Raising Awareness About Breast Cancer Is A Heartfelt Cause

A Message from the CEO

The Colors of the Season

Fall is here. The weather is cooler, and once again the falling leaves dazzle us with their colors. But along with red, orange, yellow and brown, there’s another color that’s become a natural part of the autumn landscape: pink. Octo-ber is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when many people and organizations proudly wear the color pink to honor breast cancer survivors and show their support. At Ottumwa Regional Health Center, our technology and expertise can play a vital role in helping women fight this all-too-common disease, not only in our Imaging Department, but also the McCreery Cancer Center which has just been acquired from University of Iowa. So the next time you see the color pink, take a moment to think about your mother or wife, your daughter or sister. If they’re 40 or older, encourage them to have an annual mammogram and to see their doctor once a year for a clinical breast exam. By working together, we can help make sure the most important women in our lives enjoy the colors of fall for many years to come.

(continued on following page)

In addition to her work raising breast cancer awareness, Cokie

Roberts is also involved in humanitarian efforts. She’s pictured

here working with refugees in Pakistan after a devastating

earthquake left millions homeless in 2005.

side effects were much less debilitating than earlier chemo treatments.

But there’s still so much work that needs to be done. We’re still losing

more women to breast cancer every year than the number of combat

deaths during the entire Vietnam War. That has to change.

What advice would you give to women who have been diagnosed with

breast cancer?

I encourage women to learn as much as they can about their diagnosis

and become actively involved in planning their treatment. Discuss the

different treatment options with your doctor so you can choose the one

that’s best for you and your family. Contact your community hospital for

information about local support groups. Talk to your loved ones. Their love

and encouragement will give you strength. When you first hear the news,

it’s very easy to be overcome by the feeling that you have no power or

control over the situation, and that can be terrifying. But being diagnosed

with breast cancer is not a death sentence. This is a time to take action.

What’s the one message you want to communicate to women?

Never be afraid of having a mammogram. The worst thing that could

happen is that you’re told you have breast cancer, and that’s OK. You can

live with that. But if you wait too long before having a mammogram, you

may find yourself dealing with a far more serious situation. Early detection

is so important. Don’t let the fear of what you may find stop you from

having a mammogram and finding the truth. As millions of American

women can tell you, it can save your life!

Special Foot Care for Diabetes

Are You at Risk?When it comes to women and breast cancer,

the numbers are alarming: 12 percent, or one

out of every eight women, will develop the

disease. Certain risk factors increase the

chances of developing the disease. But

remember, even women with no apparent risk

factors can have breast cancer.

Four Common Risk Factors for Breast Cancer:Age – As women grow older, the risk increas-

es. About two-thirds of invasive breast cancers

are found in women age 55 or older.

Family History – Having a mother, daughter or

sister with breast cancer doubles your risk.

Being Overweight – Carrying around too

many pounds increases the risk of breast

cancer, especially after menopause.

Use of Alcohol – The more you drink, the

greater the risk. Just one drink a day increases

the risk slightly. But women who have two to five

drinks a day are 1.5 times more likely to have the

disease than women who don’t drink.

www.OttumwaRegionalHealth.com

For more detailed information about the risk

factors for breast cancer, please visit:

It is a brisk walk to stimulate circulation and being aware of any cuts or sores.

Catching these injuries early can mean not loosing a toe or even worse your whole foot!

Ottumwa Regional Health Center recommends the following simple precautions that

can make a difference in the life of a diabetic:

1. Wash your feet daily with warm water and soap.

2. Dry your feet well, especially between your toes.

3. Apply a moisturizing lotion but not between your toes.

4. Check your feet for blisters, sores, cuts or redness, even swelling.

Tell your physician right away if you find anything.

5. Use a gentle hand when using an emery board to keep toenails smooth and short.

6. Wear clean, soft socks or stockings each day, not too big or too small.

7. Keep your feet warm and dry. Having properly fitted shoes and padded socks will help.

8. Never walk barefoot inside or outside.

9. Check your shoes for cracks, pebbles or any sharp objects that could hurt your feet.

For more information about your diabetic care, please call Dr. Sandro Younadam at

641-683-6868.

Dr. Bradley ScottOrthopaedic Surgeon

Bone & Joint Problems:

A Woman’s Weak Link

As we grow older, our bones and joints begin to weaken and wear down. Bone mass decreases. Joints become less flexible. Range of motion decreases. No wonder bone and joint problems are one of the main reasons older people become less active. Women are especially vulnerable to diseases that affect the bones and joints. Osteoporosis and arthritis are two of the most common.

Osteoporosis

The word osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Women are four times more likely than men to suffer from the disease, which causes the bones to become so weak they can break doing normal activities. Osteoporosis is more common in women after menopause, when the body stops producing estrogen. The risk of the disease increases with age. Other risk factors include a slim build, family history and lack of weight-bearing exercise such as walking or jogging.

Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because it can develop and cause damage for many years without any symptoms. That makes early detection and treatment vitally important. Fortunately, a bone density test, which measures the amount of calcium and other minerals in a section of bone, is available. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and whether a bone density test is right for you.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term for any disease that causes inflammation of the joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, which is more prevalent in women than men. Some of the more common kinds of arthritis include:

– Osteoarthritis

This is the most common form of arthritis, affecting almost 27 million Americans. About 60 percent are women. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage that cushions the joints and the ends of bones wears away. Bone rubs against bone, causing pain, stiffness and loss of movement in the joint. Fortunately, medications have proven very successful in managing osteoar-thritis. Talk to your physician if you think you may have this condition.

– Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease. For unknown reasons, the body’s immune system attacks the thin membrane that lines the joints. Fluids build up, causing inflammation and pain. About 1.3 million Americans have rheumatoid arthritis, and women outnumber men 2.5 to 1. If you are experiencing joint pain and swelling that is not improving or is getting worse, or your joints feel warm to the touch, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. There is no cure, but medications and lifestyle changes are usually highly effective in slowing the progress of the disease and reducing its symptoms.

Lupus

More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with lupus are women. With lupus, the body’s immune system attacks tissue and organs, causing inflammation of the joints as well as the skin, kidneys, brain, heart and lungs. In most cases, the cause of lupus is unknown. Diagnosis of the disease is sometimes difficult. The most obvious sign is a rash, located on the cheeks, shaped like the wings of a butterfly. There is no cure, but medications can be used to control the symptoms.

(continued on following page)

ChoosingA DoctorWomen Can Benefit

From SeeingAn OB/GYN

When it comes to a woman’s health, two doctors can often be

better than one. Some women only see an internist or a family practice

physician. Others choose an OB/GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) to

be their primary care physician.

But for most women, there are benefits in developing a relationship

with physicians in both specialties. The American College of Gyne-

cologists and Obstetricians says that nearly every woman age 21 and

older should have an annual well-woman visit with her OB/GYN. An

OB/GYN has extensive experience in performing pelvic exams and

Pap tests. Even after menopause, women can still benefit from

gynecological care.

Your primary care physician is usually either an internist or family

practice physician. These doctors are specifically trained to take care of

your overall health by diagnosing and treating a full range of

medical problems. So choose to have two physicians on your health

team. As a woman, you deserve it.

Joint Replacement Surgery

So what if the pain and lack of mobility caused by severe arthritis do not respond to treatment and start to interfere with the quality of your life? You may want to consider joint replacement surgery. The hip and the knee are the two most commonly replaced joints. Other joints that can be replaced include the fingers, ankles, elbows and shoulder. Joint replacement is a more common proce-dure than most people realize. For example, more than 750,000 Americans have a hip or knee replaced each year. If you’re tired of living with severe arthritis, talk to your doctor to see if you could benefit from joint replacement surgery.

Please call Dr. Scott at

641-684-2684

to schedule an appointment.

www.OttumwaRegionalHealth.com

For more information, call or

visit us online at:

Jeff Bittner, M.D.OB/GYN

Eric Garner, M.D.OB/GYN

Lindsy Alons, M.D.OB/GYN

Call the Ottumwa OB/GYN Clinic at

641-682-8761

99 %PATIENTSATISFACTION

Now we have the proof.exceptional.

We always knew our staff was

Congratulations to the employees of McCreery

Cancer Center at Ottumwa Regional Health Cen-

ter for achieving the highest possible ranking in pa-

tient satisfaction. Press Ganey, the nation’s leading

healthcare satisfaction firm, conducts an on-going

survey to measure patient satisfaction at hospitals

across the country.

When the results were in, McCreery Cancer

Center scored a 99% patient satisfaction!

This achievement powerfully demonstrates the

commitment to excellence that characterizes the

entire staff at McCreery Cancer Center. We’re

proud to recognize your ongoing commitment to

building a people-friendly hospital.

641-684-2300 • www.ottumwaregionalhealth.com1001 Pennsylvania Ave. • Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

641-684-2300 • www.ottumwaregionalhealth.com1001 Pennsylvania Ave. • Ottumwa, Iowa 52501

October • MyHealthLectureSerieskicksoffwith“BreastHealthandotherWomen’sHealthissues”, Oct.10 from5:30-6:30p.m.inConferenceRoomsA-C.SpeakerisLindsyAlons,MD,OB/GYN • ScrubSale10/03/2012,7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. &10/04/20127:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. in Conference Rooms A-C • ThinkPinkandBagelson3rdSt.from7:00to9:00a.m.onOct1. Driveupandgetyourfreebagel and breast cancer information. • JeffersonBridgegoesPINKOct.1-31 • October1-31 ChocolateandChicks(ChocolateforallthethosegettingMammogramsinOctober)

November • MyHealthLectureSeries:“CookingaDiabeticThanksgivingMeal.”Cookingdemonstrationpresentedby ChefDuaneWood,DirectorofNutritionalServicesatORHC. Nov.14,5:30-6:30p.m.inConferenceRoomsA-C • HolidayHappening Gift Sale:11/04/2012,1:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.and11/05/2012 7:00a.m. to 2:30p.m. Conference Room D • ORHCAuxiliarySoup Supper:11/04/2012,4:30p.m.to7:00p.m.,ORHC Cafeteria • Book Sale:11/08/2012,9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.and 11/09/2012,7:00a.m.to 4:00p.m. December • MyHealthLectureSeries: “OhMyAchingFeet,”Dec.12from5:30to6:30p.m.inConference Rooms A-C. Speaker is David Wanner, DPM

Calendar ofEvents

A Walk-In Clinic with

the Heart of a Hospital

Your time is valuable, and so is the health of your family.

We care about both. That’s why our new Ottumwa Regional

Walk-In Clinic is designed to treat less urgent, non-life-

threatening conditions quickly and conveniently, with the same

quality of care you’ve come to expect from our full-service

hospital. And best of all, we’re right here, close to home, where

you need us most.

EASY ACCESS – we’re close to home and easy to find when time matters most

EXPERT CARE – you will always see a medical professional, that’s our promise

EXPANDED HOURS – we’re open from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. every day

LESS WAITING – in and out of the clinic quickly

CONVENIENCE – when you don’t have a regular

doctor, we are here for you

Women and CancerQuick Facts October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean women

should stop being concerned about other types of cancer. Here are some quick facts about the

most common types of cancer among women and ways to help prevent or detect them.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer among women.

Take Action: Use sunscreen outside and wear a full-brimmed hat; see a dermatologist

once a year.

Lung Cancer is responsible for the deaths of more women than any type of cancer.

Take Action: STOP Smoking!

Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among women.

Take Action: After age 50, have a colonoscopy, usually every 10 years, or a sigmoidoscopy,

usually every five years.

Gynecologic Cancers (Ovarian, Uterine, Cervical, Vaginal and Vulvar) affect only women.

More than 80,000 American women are diagnosed each year with a gynecologic cancer.

Take Action: See your gynecologist once a year for a pelvic exam and Pap test.

Bone&JointProblems

Ottumwa Regional Walk-In Clinic

Choosing A Doctor

ORHC Calendar of Events

Women&Cancer

Important News and Helpful Advice for a Healthier Life inside:

Dr. Praveen VikasOncologist

myHealth is published as a community service by Ottumwa Regional Health Center. It in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. For individual guidance, consult your physician. For more information about Ottumwa Regional Health Center or anything in this publication, please call 641-684-2300.

Fall 2012vol 1, issue 4

OTTUMWA REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER

www.OttumwaRegionalHealth.com

1001 Pennsylvania Avenue

Ottumwa, Iowa 52501