Health Matters Newsletter
October 2015
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Raising awareness for beast cancer is crucial to our society. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Most people are aware of breast cancer but many people forget to take the steps to have a plan to detect the disease in its early stages. Breast cancer awareness month encourages people to raise awareness of the disease as well as encouraging others to do the same and supporting those who have the disease. The National Breast Cancer Foundation states that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. But when breast cancer is detected early, the 5-year survival rate is 100 percent. So the best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages.
Some ways to detect breast cancer is by having a mammogram, which is an early detection screening test for breast cancer or by giving self-breast exams. Monthly self-breast exams are the easiest and should be given 7 to 10 days after the start of your menstrual cycle.
Steps on how to perform a self-breast exam:
- Start by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your hands on your hips. Look for breasts that are their usual size, shape and color. If you see any dimpling of the skin, a nipple that has changed position or redness or soreness brings it to your doctors attention.
- Raise your arms and look for the same changes making sure that no fluid is coming out of the nipples.
- Lie down on a flat surface, preferably your bed. Use your right hand to feel your left breast and your left hand to feel your right breast. Use a firm, smooth touch, keeping your g=fingers flat and together moving in a circular motion around the breast.
- Finally, when you’re in the shower feel your breasts. Using the same hand movements described in 4, covering your entire breast, both left and right.
The most common sign of breast cancer is a lump of thickening of the breast. The nipple may change shape or your breast may become swell and sore. Some early detections of breast cancer are painless. Any pain and tenderness that lasts throughout the 28 day menstrual cycle should be reported to your doctor.
Not only are performing self-breast exams one of the best preventions but also by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating a low fat, high fiber diet, limiting the use of alcohol, not smoking and exercising regularly can help not only prevent breast cancer but many other cancers as well.
So, how can National Breast Cancer Awareness Month make a difference?
We can use this opportunity to spread the word about steps woman can take to detect breast cancer early. Some ideas include asking doctors and nurses to speak to woman about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer and also by encouraging woman to get mammograms beginning at the age of 40. Make a difference!
Casual Fridays
The Health Center Staff is participating in "Casual Friday's" during the month of September and October to benefit the Western New York Breast Cancer Resource Center at Roswell Park.
Time to get your flu shot!
The 2015-2016 flu season is just around the corner and it’s time to get vaccinated. Shorter days and cooler evenings are on the rise. It is fall, and this is the time when people start getting sick with the flu. By getting a flu vaccine, you can help prevent flu related illnesses and most importantly, missed schoolwork.
Flu viruses are constantly changing and different flu viruses can circulate and cause illness each season. With research, flu vaccines are made each year to protect against the viruses that are most common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires everyone to get a flu shot each season because immunity from vaccination declines after a year.
Everyone 6 months and older should be receiving vaccines but with rare exception, it’s especially important for these people to get vaccinated:
· Children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years old.
· People 50 years and older, especially residents of nursing homes
· People with chronic pulmonary (asthma), cardiovascular or metabolic disorders
· People who are or will be pregnant
· People who are morbidly obese
· Health-care personnel (doctors, pediatricians, nurses, etc.)
Vaccine Safety:
The flu vaccine is safe. People have been receiving flu vaccines for over 50 years. Vaccine safety is closely monitored by the CDC and FDA. A common misconception is that the flu vaccine can give you the flu. It cannot. The most common side effects from a flu shot are soreness and/or redness where the shot was given, maybe a low fever or achiness. These side effects are NOT the flu. If you do experience these symptoms at all, these side effects are very short lived and mild.
Flu shots are available
When: Available Now….
Between the hours of: 9 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday
Where: LoGrasso Hall Health Care Center
Cost: $10 for students and $20 for faculty/staff
*Fred Card Debit Only*
It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop full protection against the flu. Get vaccinated and protect your loved ones!
Halloween Safety
It’s October, the leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and that means one of the most fun-filled days college students look forward to is approaching: Halloween! Dressing up to pretend to be someone or something else can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to remember to be safe on Halloween, just like any other day of the year. If you follow the tips below, you’ll be sure to have a great Halloween.
- If you are walking somewhere on or off-campus, stay with your friends! Don’t walk anywhere alone at night. Have a buddy with you, even if you’re not going very far. Better safe than sorry.
- Don’t leave any drinks unattended. If you do, get a new one; you never know what someone could have done to a drink when you weren’t paying attention to it.
- It’s rare to see a student without a cell phone in their hand these days, but be sure to have one on you at all times. If you get separated from your friends you can call them, and you never know if you might need to call a cab to get home.
- Along with a cell phone, make sure to carry some cash on you as well. If you need to call a cab, you’ll need to pay them for driving you home. You don’t want to be stuck in a place you don’t want to be.
- Stay with your friends; don’t hang out with or go somewhere with someone you don’t know. Stranger danger applies even on Halloween!
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. If you’re uncomfortable being in a situation or hanging out with a particular crowd, just leave. Be sure to look out for yourself.
- Keep it light. You don’t want to start a fight or join one; it’ll ruin the night for you and for your friends. Walking away from something is the best choice.
- Along with keeping it light, don’t drink too much! It’s NEVER fun to be drunk to the point of being sick, making bad choices, or blacking out and not remembering the fun night you wanted to have! Plus, it’s never fun for your friends to have to ‘babysit’ you if they are worried about the choices you might make, or if you are sick from drinking. Do everyone a favor and drink responsibly.
Student Health Center
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 5:00 pm)
Phone: (716) 673-3131
Website: www.fredonia.edu/healthcenter