National Child Abuse Prevention Month

By Terry Orr

What is Child Abuse?

Child abuse is the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child or children. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department for Children And Families (DCF) define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Child abuse can occur in a child's home, or in the organizations, schools or communities the child interacts with. There are four major categories of child abuse: neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and sexual abuse.

Different jurisdictions have developed their own definitions of what constitutes child abuse for the purposes of removing a child from his/her family and/or prosecuting a criminal charge. According to the Journal of Child Abuse and Neglect, child abuse is "any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm." (Source: Wikipedia)

Child Abuse Types (can take several forms – but the four main types are):

1. Physical - physical aggression directed at a child by an adult.
2. Sexual - is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation.
3. Psychological/Emotional - is defined as the production of psychological and social deficits in the growth of a child as a result of behavior such as loud yelling, coarse and rude attitude, inattention, harsh criticism, and denigration of the child's personality.
4. Neglect - is the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.

10 Ways to Prevent Child Abuse:

1. BE A NURTURING PARENT Children need to know that they are special, loved, and capable of following their dreams.
2. HELP A FRIEND, NEIGHBOR, OR RELATIVE Being a parent isn't always easy. Offer a helping hand - take care of the kids so the parents can rest or spend time together.
3. HELP YOURSELF When big or little problems pile up and you feel overwhelmed or out of control, take a time out. Don’t take it out on your kids.
4. IF YOUR BABY CRIES It can be frustrating hearing your baby cry. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying. Never shake a baby - shaking can result in severe injuries or death.
5. GET INVOLVED Ask your local community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families.
6. HELP TO DEVELOP PARENTING RESOURCES IN YOUR COMMUNUTY See about organizing a Parent Resource Center or be sure families know about the parent helpline at 1-800-FLA-LOVE.
7. PROMOTE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS Teaching children, parents and teachers prevention strategies can help keep children safe.
8. http://www.cmskids.com/families/child_protection_safety/documents/10_Ways_to_Prevent_Child_Abuse.pdfWatching violent films, TV programs, and video games can harm young children.
9. VOLUNTEER AT A LOCAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM For information on volunteer opportunities, call 1-800-CHILDREN.
10. REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT If you have a reason to think a child has been or may be harmed, call and make a report: 1-800- 96-ABUSE. (Source: Child Medical Services)

“The 2013 Resource Guide for Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action” is available for review and download at http://www.carescac.org/april-is-child-abuse-prevention-month/1201/.

They are many good resources available to parents, caregivers, friends, family members and communities to assist in preventing Child Abuse – all it takes is being Proactive – and doing something to help a child! As Nike states – Just Do It!

References and Links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_abuse

http://www.childabusecouncil.org/what-is-child-abuse.html

http://www.carescac.org/april-is-child-abuse-prevention-month/1201/

http://www.childrensadvocacycenter.org/article_20WaysToPreventChildAbuse.cfm

http://www.cms-kids.com/families/child_protection_safety/documents/10_Ways_to_Prevent_Child_Abuse.pdf

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

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By Terry Orr

(Former Smoker)

Sadly, but true, I was a heavy smoker for far more years that I’d like to admit – and quick cold-turkey walking back to work after lunch with my good friend Ron Ziegler who asked me when are you going to quit.  I said right now – and tossed my cigarettes and lighter into the trash can on the sidewalk.  That day was March 31, 1987 and I have not had once since then.  About 12 years later, my doctor and I were discussing my recent chest x-ray which still depicted scar tissues from all that smoking.  Happily – my lungs today are clear. Thanks Z and happy birthday.

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What Is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells do not develop into healthy lung tissue; they divide rapidly and form tumors. As tumors become larger and more numerous, they undermine the lung’s ability to provide the bloodstream with oxygen.

Although lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. in both men and women, it is also one of the most preventable kinds of cancer. At least four out of five cases are associated with cigarette smoking, and the cause-and-effect relationship has been extensively documented. (Source: WebMD)

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What are the key statistics about lung cancer?

Lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the second most common cancer in both men and women (not counting skin cancer). In men, prostate cancer is more common, while in women breast cancer is more common. Lung cancer accounts for about 14% of all new cancers.

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The American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for lung cancer in the United States are for 2012:

• About 226,160 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed (116,470 in men and 109,690 in women).
• There will be an estimated 160,340 deaths from lung cancer (87,750 in men and 72,590 among women), accounting for about 28% of all cancer deaths.
• Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women.
• Each year, more people die of lung cancer than of colon, breast, and prostate cancers combined.
• Lung cancer mainly occurs in older people. About 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; fewer than 2% of all cases are found in people younger than 45. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 71.
• Overall, the chance that a man will develop lung cancer in his lifetime is about 1 in 13; for a woman, the risk is about 1 in 16. These numbers include both smokers and non-smokers. For smokers the risk is much higher, while for non-smokers the risk is lower.

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Lung Cancer Causes

Cigarette smoking is the most important cause of lung cancer. Research as far back as the 1950s clearly established this relationship.

About 90% of lung cancers arise due to tobacco use. The risk of developing lung cancer is related to the following factors:

• The number of cigarettes smoked
• The age at which a person started smoking
• How long a person has smoked (or had smoked before quitting)

Other causes of lung cancer, including causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers, include the following:

• Passive smoking, or secondhand smoke, presents another risk for lung cancer.
• Asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer nine times.
• Lung diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also create a risk for lung cancer.
• Radon exposure poses another risk.
• Certain occupations where exposure to arsenic, chromium, nickel, aromatic hydrocarbons, and ethers occurs may increase the risk of lung cancer.
• A person who has had lung cancer is more likely to develop a second lung cancer than the average person is to develop a first lung cancer.

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Lung Cancer Treatment

There are four basic ways to treat lung cancer: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy.

Surgery

A surgical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in treating cancer using surgery. For lung cancer, a thoracic surgeon is specially trained to perform lung cancer surgery. The goal of surgery is the complete removal of the lung tumor and the nearby lymph nodes in the chest. The tumor must be removed with a surrounding border of normal lung tissue (called the margin).

The following types of surgery may be used for lung cancer:

Lobectomy. The lungs have five lobes, three in the right lung and two in the left lung.

A wedge. If the surgeon cannot remove an entire lobe of the lung, the surgeon can remove the tumor, surrounded by a margin of normal lung.

Pneumonectomy. If the tumor is close to the center of the chest, the surgeon may have to remove the entire lung.

Radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the use of a needle inserted into the tumor to destroy the cancer with an electrical current.

Adjuvant therapy

Adjuvant therapy is treatment that is given after surgery to lower the risk of the lung cancer returning. Adjuvant therapy includes radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and possibly targeted therapy.

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays or other particles to kill cancer cells.

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells' ability to grow and divide.

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer's specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to normal cells.

Anti-angiogenesis therapy is focused on stopping angiogenesis, which is the process of making new blood vessels. Because a tumor needs the nutrients delivered by blood vessels to grow and spread, the goal of anti-angiogenesis therapies is to “starve” the tumor.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Researchers have found that drugs that block EGFR may be effective in stopping or slowing the growth of lung cancer.

Cetuximab (Erbitux) is an EGFR inhibitor given along with chemotherapy to treat lung cancer, especially when treatment with bevacizumab is not recommended. It is given intravenously.

Erlotinib (Tarceva) is another drug that blocks the EGFR. This drug has been shown to work better than chemotherapy if the lung cancer has a mutation (change) in the EGFR gene.

Gefitinib (Iressa) is another drug that blocks the EGFR. In the United States, it is available only to people who were already taking it, had taken it in the past and had a good effect, or as part of a clinical trial.

For additional information regarding treatment of Lung Cancer, please click on the Cancer.net link below. Thank you.

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My advice to those who are smoking today – QUIT. To those who have not started – DON’T.

References and Links:

• http://www.cancer.org/cancer/lungcancer-non-smallcell/detailedguide/non-small-cell-lung-cancer-key-statistics
• http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/assets/docs/media/LCA%20Funding%20Fact%20Sheet%202012.pdf
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lung_cancer/page2_em.htm#
• http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/guide/consumer-guide-chapter-outline
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treatment_of_lung_cancer
• http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer/treatment

Celebrating National Adoption Month

By Diane Forrest

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When I was younger, some kids who went to my school were adopted.  This was not a common practice back then, so they were mentioned in hushed tones. As I got older, I learned more about adoption.  There are many reasons why people adopt children.  A friend of mine has a cousin who adopted a small child from China.  She was single, getting older, and no prospects of getting married.  She didn't want to wait any longer to have a child, so she adopted a young girl from China.  Another friend has five living children and one who died while in infancy.  He and his wife adopted a girl from foster care. They love children, and were able to provide a stable home for this girl.

What is Adoption?

Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities, along with filiation, from the original parent or parents.

There has been alot of news lately about celebrities adopting children.  Probably the most famous case is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.  Sandra Bullock also adopted a little boy from New Orleans, and Katherine Heigle adopted a girl from South Korea and recently adopted another baby from overseas.  She chose Korea because her sister was adopted from there.

Other famous celebrities who were adopted include Babe Ruth, Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy's, Steve Jobs, Marylin Monroe, Melissa Gilbert and Faith Hill.

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This Month celebrates National Adoption Month.  The first major effort to promote awareness of the need for adoptive families for children in the foster care system occurred in Massachusetts. In 1976, then-Governor Mike Dukakis proclaimed Adoption Week and the idea grew in popularity and spread throughout the nation. President Gerald Ford made the first National Adoption Week proclamation, and in 1990, the week was expanded to a month due to the number of states participating and the number of events.  Click here to read the National Proclamation:   http://adoption.about.com/od/celebrationinspiration/a/National-Adoption-Month-2011.htm

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There are many activities this month to celebrate Adoption Month.  If you know of an adoptive parent, give them your encouragement and support.  They should be commended for being selfless and providing a stable home to those who do not have one.  For other activates of the month, click here: http://national-adoption-month.adoption.com/

Health literacy Month

“2012 – Be a Health Literacy Hero”

By Terry Orr

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BP, Glucose, A1C, …on and on and on – and what the heck do they all mean?  Really, if you’re not medically inclined – these are just gibberish without meaning – except when they really affect your life.

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According to AARP, nine out of ten American adults have some problems with health literacy.  Well folks, I clearly fall into one of the nine – my wife and Diane are both nurses – and this blog site writes about health-related topics nearly daily.  Yikes!

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What is Health Literacy

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services – health literacy as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate decisions.

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Helen Osborne decided back in 1999 to start a grassroots initiative to raise awareness about the need for understanding health communication.  This year’s theme is Be a Health Literacy Hero – committing to actions you can, and will, take to make long-lasting difference. She offers these suggestions: Spread the word; Partner with others; and Make a business case about why health literacy matters.

A few things that came to mind while eating lunch today were:

• Health word of the day;
• More Health-related materials taught in K-12;
• Expand current Health-related awareness days, weeks and months;
• Encourage main-stream Media to take initiative to provide more (public service) information on health-related 30-60 second spots during peak viewing;
• Encourage drug manufactures to invest in educating the public; and
• Add health literacy into your topic of conversation during your family meals.

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Got and ideas?  If so, please share them with us – we would truly love to read them and pass them along.  Thanks!

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Something we all need to do better is to understand our diagnosis when departing from our doctor’s appointment.  Do we have the information we need to address the health issue?  The National Patient Safety Foundation encourages patients to “Ask Me 3” questions each time they meet with their health care provider:

1. What is my main problem?
2. What do I need to do?
3. Why is it important for me to do this?

They make a lot of sense when you take a moment to think about them.

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References and Links:

http://www.healthliteracy.com/tips.asp

http://www.healthliteracymonth.org/

http://blogs.cdc.gov/healthliteracy/2012/10/01/kicking-off-health-literacy-month/

http://nnlm.gov/outreach/consumer/hlthlit.html

http://www.chcs.org/usr_doc/Health_Literacy_Fact_Sheets.pdf

Tornado Safety Precautions

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By Terry Orr

"Waiting until Tornado warning/watch alert is TOO LATE to prepare for the event!"  

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Tornado's

Description

The tornado is the most violent storm on Earth. A tornado is a rapidly rotating column of air extending to the ground from a thunderstorm cloud. The path width of a tornado is usually very narrow, but can range up to a half-mile or more in the most extreme cases. Tornadoes usually only last a few minutes, but a few can last for much longer, traveling along the ground for several miles. Tornadoes can remain almost stationary, or can race across the countryside at speeds over 50 mph. Violent winds in and near the tornado can cause incredible destruction, and can generate flying debris, which is the main thing that hurts people in tornadoes.

Tornado Safety

Keeping informed about the weather is the best way to avoid being caught in a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Your local National Weather Service Forecast Office provides information about dangerous weather in your area, and you should keep a close eye on this information whenever storms threaten your area. A battery operated NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm feature should be a part of your information system!

It’s also critical that you think about tornado safety long before there’s a storm on the horizon, and plan what you will do to stay safe no matter where you may be when storms threaten.

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When a severe storm or tornado threatens, remember these basic guidelines:

GET IN - get as far inside a strong building as you can, away from doors and windows

GET DOWN - get to the lowest floor

COVER UP - use whatever you can to protect yourself from flying or falling debris

• A reinforced underground storm shelter, storm cellar, enclosed basement or safe room are usually the safest places in a tornado. Underground shelters get you out of the way of flying and falling debris, which is a tornado’s most lethal weapon.
• If you cannot get underground, remember the basic guidelines. Get as far inside the strongest building you can find. Stay away from doors, windows and other openings to the outside. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
• Get as low as you can. Go to the lowest floor of the building you’re in.
• Cover up to protect yourself from flying and falling debris. Use whatever you can find - pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, mattresses. Wearing a helmet or hardhat will help protect your head from debris.
• Being outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle are all unsafe in a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Find stronger shelter before the storm arrives and remember to get in, get down and cover up.

Know the Difference

Tornado Watch: Means conditions are favorable to the formation of a tornado, for example, during a severe thunderstorm. During a “tornado watch” be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.

Tornado Warning: A “Tornado warning” is given when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by radar. You should take shelter immediately!!!

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Protect Your Family and Home

• Make a plan to prepare and protect the people and things you value before severe weather strikes:
• Make sure your family members know and understand the siren warning signals, if there is such a system in place in your area.
• Take photographs of your valuables and store them in a fire- and waterproof safe. Also use the safe to store important documents such as birth certificates, ownership documentation for cars and boats, Social Security cards, insurance policies and wills.
• Check your homeowner's insurance to confirm your coverage in case your home is damaged or destroyed. Tornadoes can be accompanied by heavy rains and flooding, which most homeowner's insurance policies do not cover. Check with your insurance agent or the National Flood Insurance Program for more information.
• Assemble a family disaster kit.
• Locate and mark where utility switches and valves are in your home so they can be turned off in an emergency if time allows.
• Depending on your location, you may be told to evacuate before a warning or even a watch is issued. Notify friends and/or family members who are unaffected by the storm of where you're going and why.
• Familiarize yourself with the emergency action plans at your school or workplace and identify the appropriate officials and emergency management agencies in your area, with contact information and phone numbers in case you need assistance after a storm.
• Make sure to charge your mobile phone, laptop and other mobile device batteries.

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More information

• Tornado Project Online (http://www.tornadoproject.com/)  has a wealth of tornado information as well as with tornado myths, tornado oddities, personal experiences, tornado chasing and tornado safety.
• FEMA Are You Ready? (http://www.ready.gov/are-you-ready-guide)  has terms and tips for what to do before and during a tornado and preparing a safe room.
• American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=62a7da30df3ea110VgnVCM10000030f3870aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default) : Tornado suggests how to prepare a home tornado plan, assemble a disaster supplies kit and what to do before, during and after a tornado.
• Frequently Asked Questions about Tornadoes (http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/) .
• FEMA tornado site for kids (http://www.ready.gov/kids) .
• Preparing a Safe Room (http://www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/to_saferoom.shtm) has guidelines and instructions for building a safe room.

Like a good Scout - Be Prepared!!

Family Golf Month

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By Terry Orr

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What is Golf?

Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players (or golfers) use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."

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It is one of the few ball games that does not require a standardized playing area. Instead, the game is played on a "course", generally consisting of an arranged progression of either 9 or 18 "holes". Each hole on the course must contain a "tee box" and a "putting green" with the actual hole, and there are various other standardized forms of terrain in between such as the fairway, rough, and hazards, but each hole on a course and indeed among virtually all courses is unique in its specific layout and arrangement.

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Golfing can be one of the best spots and most frustrating!

My sister and I fortunate to each have sons who are professional golfers.  Her son, Randy travel’s the PGA tour selling golf equipment and my son Warren teaches golf and helps run a Pro shop in Seattle.  Pretty cool!  She spent years helping young golfers through Junior Golf.

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Family golf is a wonderful way to opportunity to share and enjoy memories and outings and something the entire family can do for years.  So go ahead, take a vacation to one of the many family friendly golf resorts and have a blast!

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Links:

http://pdf.pgalinks.com/p-g-a/family_clinic_bp.pdf

http://thefamilygolfchallenge.com/

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