Health Help: Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Mercy

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October Mercy SliderMommas, it is time to take control of your health. Become educated and stop putting yourself last. Your health is important.

repostWe originally posted this information last October, but we know we could use the reminder, so thought maybe you could too! Moms, take care of yourself! You are worth it!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we challenge all of our readers to take some time to become educated about breast health. But, where to start?

Our sponsors at Mercy can help.Mercy kids logo

The Mercy Breast Center-Springfield is a comprehensive breast center that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to care. Their team is made up of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologist, dedicated breast imaging radiologist, pathologists, nurse navigators, genetic counselors, chaplain, psychologist, technologists and many other support providers and support services. The center is accredited by the American College of Radiology as a Center of Excellence and their Breast Care Team is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers.

The focus of the center is to detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage and to provide outstanding care for the patient from diagnosis through survivorship. Most of their patients are women, forty and over, but they also see younger women and male patients who have breast symptoms. They perform screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, breast biopsies and genetic assessments and counseling.

We had a chance to ask a few questions to the experts at Mercy Breast Center. We hope you find this information as helpful as we do!self-exam

1.) At what age should a woman begin self-examinations?

We recommend that women in their 20’s be aware of how their breasts normally look and feel and to report any new breast changes to a health professional. We provide teaching tools for performing breast self exams. Clinical breast exams are recommended beginning at age 20.

2.) When should we have our first mammogram?

We follow the American College of Radiology (ACR), American Cancer Society, (ACS), Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) and guidelines of other national organizations which recommends annual screening mammograms beginning at the age of 40.

3.) Understanding that genetics plays a large factor, has there been any research that tells us ways we can try to prevent breast cancer?

Although numerous studies have examined the relationship between food consumption (including fat, soy, dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables) and breast cancer, there is no conclusive evidence that diet influences breast cancer risk. Growing evidence suggests that women who get regular physical activity have a lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who are inactive.

Alcohol consumption and tobacco use increase the risk as well. While research hasn’t been able to tell us what we can do to prevent breast cancer, we know that routine mammography is the best tool for detecting breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage.

4.) If we have a loved one that has been diagnosed with breast cancer, what can we do to help?

Showing interest and concern is a way to help a loved one who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Listening will be important. You can seldom go wrong when you genuinely respond from the heart.

5.) Can you provide any advice to a woman that has been recently diagnosed?

It’s important for women diagnosed with breast cancer to know that they are not alone. There are professionals devoted to assist breast cancer patients throughout this new journey. Mercy Cancer Resource Center, the American Cancer Society, the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks and other resources are readily available to provide practical services, education and support to both the patient and her family.

If you have questions or concerns, don’t wait. Call the experts at Mercy Breast Center today at 417.820.2500.

SouthwestMissouriMoms.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is for informational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition. Don’t delay getting professional medical advice because of something you read online. This website doesn’t necessarily recommend or endorse any specific tests, doctors, products, procedures or opinions discussed on the site.

 

Health Help: Ultimate Guide to Swimming Safety

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While nothing beats a fun day at the water, it can be a nerve-wracking time for mommas!

Did you know drowning rates are highest for children ages 1 to 4 and the second most common age group at risk to die from drowning is 5 to 9?

Those are pretty terrifying statistics for moms like you and I. With the Ozark weather warming up and the beautiful swimming options we have right here in SWMO, moms like you and I are searching for information about how to keep our kiddos safe while they swim.

The moms at momlovesbest.com have compiled a complete guide to swimming safety and there is some great info you may want to check out. Click here to view the Ultimate Guide to Swimming Safety for Kids.

Have fun out there mommas, and stay safe!

 

 

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month – Protect your skin

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By Kelli Artherton

The warm weather is finally here and I think it’s actually here to stay. BBQ and pool season is just about to kick off and that means more sun exposure to our skin.

May is actually skin cancer awareness month.  With over 5 million cases diagnosed in the United States each year, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Fortunately, skin cancer is also one of the most preventable forms of cancer. About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 85 percent of melanoma cases are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. By raising awareness of the dangers of unprotected exposure and encouraging sun-safe habits, we can change behaviors and save lives.

It’s so important that we all protect our skin. No matter what age you are, if you aren’t wearing a daily sunscreen, you need to start today. (If you need a good sunscreen click here to see the one I use daily for my face) Our skin is such a crucial part of our health. If you are a young momma you need to lather your babies up with sunscreen every time they are outside.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane for a minute. I know we have all been young and naive, where we wanted a tan and we would do anything to get one. We would lay outside until we had tan lines, wouldn’t listen to our mommas telling us to put sunscreen on, because let’s face it, we tan better without it, right? Ha! Wrong answer. I learned this the hard way. I was this redheaded, 12 year old, freckly little girl telling my momma this line all to many times. I wanted a tan and I was going to lay out all day. (Click here to read my story, Dear 12 year old me.)

This is what malignant melanoma looks like.

Well, fast forward to my mid twenties, I went into to a doctors appointment for a check up. The doctor had noticed all of my freckles and moles and asked me if I had ever had my moles checked out. I never had, never thought any of my moles looked strange so didn’t see the need for it. The doctor then asked me if any of my moles had changed over the years. I mentioned that one of my moles had actually grown a little bit, but never thought anything of it. The doctor said we should probably remove that mole just to be safe, I’m sure it’s absolutely nothing.

A week passed by and I get the call I wasn’t expecting. A voice on the phone tells me “you have the first stage of malignant melanoma.” What? Are you sure? I thought I had nothing to worry about. Wow, ok, now what?

I tell you my story to encourage you to protect your skin. The sun is good for our health, but we have to be careful in the sun. Have fun outside, but protect that precious skin of yours. I now get checked every six months for skin cancer, and have had over 15 moles removed. I ended up with another malignant melanoma mole a few years after my first one, and the doctor said to not be suprised if I have more in the future. 🙁

Skin cancer is no joke, and malignant melanoma is the fastest growing skin cancer and can also be deadly. If you don’t catch it fast enough in can be in your blood stream very quickly. Please let my story and other stories of your friends and family make you think twice about stepping out into the sun unprotected.

Be safe out there this summer mommas!!

Texting and Driving: our final plea

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Today we are wrapping up our three part series, sponsored by Les Jacobs Ford, on the dangers of texting and driving. We hope the information has caught your attention like it has ours! Click here and here to read our previous two post full of life saving information.

We all know that texting and driving is bad, but why do we keep doing it?

  • 43% of drivers say they want to connect with friends, family and work
  • 30% say they text and drive out of habit (that’s me!)
  • 28% say they’re afraid of missing something important
  • 27% say they felt others expected them to answer their phones right away

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during any point of the day, 11 percent of drivers are talking on their cell phones. The United States Department of Transportation notes that cell phones are involved in 1.6 million auto crashes each year that cause a half million injuries and take 6,000 lives.

This habit is so deadly, that 45 states have banned texting and driving all together. Get caught texting and driving? The median fine for texting and driving for your first offense is $100.

Thank you to our sponsors at Les Jacobs Ford for pulling together this information for us. It may just save a life and for that–we say thank you!

Texting & Driving: An Important Reminder

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As promised, this month we are focusing on the dangers of texting and driving. If you are like us, maybe you have made this mistake, but have decided enough is enough and in 2018 we are pledging to put down the phone while driving.

We hope that you read our initial conversation on this topic last week (click here to read last weeks post). The conversation continues this week as we talk about the dangers of distracted driving.

Thank you to our sponsors at Les Jacobs Ford for pulling together this information for us. It may just save a life and for that–we say thank you!

In a recent survey, 98% of drivers acknowledge that texting and driving is dangerous, however, 74% admit to engaging in a text-related activity while driving.

Smart phones aren’t the only distraction. Daydreaming causes 62% of distracted driving accidents. Eating, reading, and applying makeup increases the likelihood of a crash 2-3 times.

Kids cause parents to take their eyes off the road for an average of 3 minutes and 22 seconds during a 16-minute car ride–or 21% of total driving time.

Don’t have kids? 65% of dog owners admit they’ve been distracted while driving with their pet in the car.

In a recent study, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute  installed cameras on dashboards inside truck cabs. From the video footage, on average it took five seconds with their eyes off the road when driver’s experienced distractions. The distance covered in five seconds of driving at 55 mph is equivalent to the length of a football field.

We are guilty of distracted driving and I am sure many of you are as well.

We invite to join us as we think about these startling statistics this month as we are behind the wheel. Is reaching back to hand my child yet another snack really worth the risk? Probably not, but we do it all the time. The good news? It isn’t too late to do better in 2018!