Posted in: Cancer // 1 Comment
Nurse Highlight of 21st Century Oncology
By: Susan Burnell
21st Century Oncology of Jacksonville Nurse Manager Terry Santa sees her team go the extra mile every work day and sometimes even on their days off. “Every nurse here is committed and engaged,” she says. “Nurses from 21st Century Oncology participate in the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life, for example. They also set up tables outside the chemo unit to help raise awareness for different types of cancer.”
“Most of all, the nurses here are very compassionate,” says Santa. “They sense when a patient is not feeling well, or just needs extra attention. They will take the time to sit with them to listen and comfort them. It gives me peace of mind to know that every one of our patients is well taken care of, just as if they were a member of our family.”
(Sidenote: Terry is also a nominee of the Inspiration Award for Healthsource’s annual Celebration of Nurses!)
Posted in: Cancer, Healthy Eating, Preventative Health // 3 Comments
Men, Get Healthy – We Dare You
By: Nita Crighton
The expected lifespan of the average woman is 5 to 10 years longer than that of the average man, and 85 percent of adults over age 100 are female. Although there are various theories on women’s longevity edge over men, men’s cavalier attitude towards their health could be partly to blame.
Women are far more likely to schedule preventive medical and dental appointments than their male counterparts. A recent study showed men were 25 percent less likely than women to have seen a doctor within the past year, and one-third of men in their 40s report skipping medical check-ups altogether.
“Manly” men appear to be the biggest healthcare neglectors. Boys taught to develop a “shake it off” attitude often carry this macho mentality into adulthood.
Middle-aged tough guys are 50 percent less likely to pursue preventive healthcare than men overall. Surprisingly, the higher the job status of a masculine man, the bigger the decline in preventive healthcare. When men do seek medical care, they are more likely to have a serious condition.
So where does that put all those dads, husbands, sons and other men we love and care about? Often, at the top of the risk category for a number of diseases:
Heart Disease – The number one cause of death in men (and women) is heart disease. Men are at higher risk of heart attack than women and attacks tend to happen earlier in life.
*Cance*r – Men are more likely to get cancer and to die from it than women. The American Cancer Society says men have a nearly 1 in 2 lifetime risk of developing cancer, compared to women with a 1 in 3 chance. Prostate cancer is number one, but among cancers affecting both sexes, over a 30 year period one and a half to two times more men than women died from leukemia, colon, rectal, pancreas and liver cancer.
High Blood Pressure – Up until age 45, high blood pressure is more prevalent among males. The risk levels out between ages 45 and 64. After that, women lead the pack.
Stroke – Men are more likely to suffer a stroke than women, although more women actually die as a result of stroke. Still, it’s still the fourth leading cause of death in men and a good reason to pay attention to cardiovascular health.
So this June, as we celebrate men’s health month and fathers everywhere, guys, we’re begging you – Take better care of yourself! If you won’t do it for your own sake, here’s food for thought for all you macho types…*Do you really want to be beaten by a girl?*
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5 Cancer Tips from 21st Century Oncology of Jacksonville
By: Susan Burnell
•Discuss your family’s medical history, including any history of cancer in close relatives. With My Family Health Portrait, [link] a free online tool from the U.S. Surgeon General, you can create a family health history that you can share with family members and health care professionals.
•Talk to children and teens about the health dangers of smoking. Smoking causes about 30 percent of all U.S. deaths from cancer, reports the CDC. Avoiding tobacco use is the single most important step Americans can take to reduce the cancer burden in this country.
•Learn more about nutrition and exercise and their role in cancer prevention. Teach children how to read and compare nutrition labels. Engage all members of the family in planning healthy meals and snacks, and try healthier substitutes for traditional high-fat, high calorie recipes. Schedule family activities that will get everyone moving.
•Sunscreen for everyone. To minimize the risk of skin cancer, every family member should wear sunscreen. Adults should be role models for the habit of wearing sun protection and applying sunscreen before and during outdoor activities.
•Raise your family’s health awareness. Start with reliable information, such as literature from your doctor and trusted sites such as the National Institutes of Health [nih.gov]; the American Academy of Family Physicians’ consumer site, Family Doctor [familydoctor.org]; and Centers for Disease Control [cdc.gov].
Learn the Seven Warning Signs of Cancer together
