I Have a Crush on a Smoker

 

 

Post written by CHC member Daniel Broome

Daniel serves at the American Cancer Society at Stroger Hospital as a Patient Navigator

Smokers. We all know a few. Some are our elders who we know better than to chastise. Some are our friends. Odds are there are probably a few smokers in our network who we are quite fond of.

Photo Credit: http://niketalk.com

I have a friend who smokes, and I like her a lot. I have had a crush on her since I first met her last summer. I teased her once about the smoking, and all my playful jibe earned me was a side-long glare that I enjoyed more than I probably should have. But I still felt bad, because these days most people know the risks of smoking. So what do I tell someone who already knows?

Serving with the American Cancer Society [ACS] has allowed me the special privilege of directly serving the patients of John H. Stroger hospital. Those of us who come here to serve day in and day out, consider ourselves on the frontlines of the battle for the health of the community.

One enemy to our community’s health is cigarette smoke. The number of patients we treat who have smoked for more than a decade is staggering. The number of patients who are receiving treatment and continue to smoke is even more disheartening.

A recent study on the trends of female smokers reported that “…the risk of female smokers dying from lung cancer was 25.7 times higher than the risk in nonsmokers. The risk of dying from COPD was 22.5 times higher than that for nonsmokers.” That means that I have a higher chance of watching my crush get cancer or suffer from COPD, than I do of taking her out on a date.

In addition to my light-hearted fantasy, I also have family members and close friends who smoke. If you have a loved one who smokes, and you are looking for a new angle to encourage their smoking cessation, the ACS has a number of resources available. Please review these resources and continue to educate your friends and loved ones about the largely avoidable risks of smoking cigarettes. 



How ‘bout those New Year’s Resolutions?



 

 

 

Post written by CHC member Jenny Carson

Jenny serves at the American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Navigator and Health Educator 

The gyms are packed, the produce sections at grocery stores are low in stock, and the candy aisle is avoided for a moment.  However, what makes your 2013 New Year’s resolution different from previously failed ones?     

What about making a New Year’s Resolution to take preventive measures that will help you stay healthy in order to reduce your risk of cancer?

Long-term preventive lifestyle changes could reduce your cancer risk by HALF. That should be enough motivation to make your resolution last the entire year!

The American Cancer Society and other leading research studies suggests: 

Photo Credit: ApartmentTherapy.com 

•  Maintain your ideal body weight. Many cancers have been associated with obesity and fluctuations in a healthy weight.
•  Vary your daily diet. Eat in moderation with a wide variety of food choices.
• Eat at least three different colors of fruits and vegetables each day.  Each color has different bioactive ingredients in the pigment that reduce cancer risks.
•  Eat food that is high in dietary fiber. High-fiber foods include whole grain cereals, legumes and vegetables. High-fiber diets are associated with a decreased risk of colon cancer.
•   Minimize your daily fat intake. Ideally, 25 to 30 grams of fat are enough. 
•  If you smoke, STOP. People who quit smoking live longer, regardless of age. Quitting smoking decreases the risk of lung, laryngeal, esophageal, oral, pancreatic, bladder, and cervical cancer. There are over 4,000 chemical compounds and 43 different carcinogenic substances in nicotine. Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society.
•   Limit the amount of alcohol that you drink. Alcohol is associated with an increased risk of esophageal, pharyngeal, and breast cancer. People who have a high consumption of beer also have an increased risk of rectal cancer. Increased incidences of liver cancer are also noted in alcoholics.
• Limit your consumption of salt. Avoid cured, smoked, and nitrite-preserved foods. International studies reveal higher incidences of stomach and esophageal cancers in people who consume large amounts of these products.
• Take vitamin D supplements (1000 IU-2000 IU daily). Low levels of vitamin D             have been associated with increased risk of breast, colon and pancreatic cancer.

How about making one of these lifestyle changes part of your 2013 today?

For more information, read the suggested lifestyle changes, in-depth nutrition information, and guidelines provided by the American Cancer Society!

 

Why Children Need Nature

Post written by CHC member Sydney Weydemeyer

Sydney serves at the Seven Generations Ahead as the  Fresh From the Farm Program Associate & Truck Farm Chicago Co-Director

If you think back to your day, how much of it was spent outside?  Recent research shows that when children don't spend time outdoors, their mental and physical happiness is measurably compromised (Louv 2008). Spending time outside has been found to reduce ADHD symptoms, cultivate problem solving capabilities, increase concentration and self discipline, and develop creativity in children.  (Louv 2008; Taylor 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009)

Sometimes, children can't spend time outside. In some cases, their neighborhood might be too dangerous or there may be no access to a “green” outdoor space. But research argues that even a view of a few trees and grass from an apartment has been found to increase girls' self discipline and coping abilities (more girls in this study were spending time indoors compared to boys, so there was only a measurable increase in girls; see research for more information). For more information on the research supporting children spending more time outside, check out Richard Louv's book "Last Child In the Woods,"  Dr.Andrea Faber Taylor's research at U of I Urbana-Champaign, and Chicago Wilderness.

In my position at Seven Generations Ahead, I spend much of my time teaching children outside. One day I hope that time spent outdoors will be a requirement at school, just as school lunch and physical education are required. Until then, I'm going to take every opportunity to bring my students outside.

MEET OUR MEMBERS: Sydney Weydemeyer

Meet Sydney...

Our lovely Farmer Syd serves at Seven Generations Ahead as the Fresh From the Farm Program Associate & Truck Farm Chicago Co-Director.   Farmer, veggie enthusiast & acrobat? WHAT A WOMAN!!

MEET OUR MEMBERS: Dahsan Gary

Meet Dahsan...

Our token "cool dude" serving at Respiratory Health Association as an Asthma Educator

#howtotrainyourdragon ... LOL

Meet John Doe...

Post written by CHC member Daniel Broome

Daniel serves at the American Cancer Society at Stroger Hospital as a Patient Navigator 

I remembered my first day of serving when I saw a quote on a statue in front of Old Cook County Hospital by Louis Pasteur:

"One doesn't ask one who suffers: What is your country and what is your religion? One merely says, You suffer, this is enough for me, you belong to me and I shall help you."

This quote accurately defines the mission of John H. Stroger, Jr. hospital and my term of service with Chicago Health Corps.  Serving in the Radiation Department with the American Cancer Society (ACS) here at Stroger, I assist the patients in overcoming barriers to care. Generally, this means we help patients find or pay for transportation.  Other assistance we provide include housing resources, homecare assistance, and on occasion, ordering or paying for nutritional supplements. All of this is done by generous donation to ACS.

One of our patients, Mr. John Doe, is a 48 year old man who is being treated with radiation therapy. In September of this year, he had a tracheotomy to provide a surgical opening into the windpipe to act as an airway and to remove fluid from his lungs. He suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, chronic pain, and can no longer speak.

He gets most of his caloric intake by nutritional supplement – 6 cans of Ensure a day, fed through a tube.

The week before Christmas, Mr. Doe’s supply of Ensure was running low. He reminded me that he had not received the new shipment of Ensure. I could tell he was becoming desperate. I saw Mr. Doe the next morning and expected to see frustration on his face. Instead Mr. Doe wrote out a gracious note to me, thanking me for my help, and telling me he would find a way to last until the company delivered his supplies.

I was impressed by Mr. Doe’s gratitude and patience. I became more inspired to help him. I felt he deserved whatever time I could devote to him. It is patients like Mr. Doe that remind me why I am here and inspire to me to continue serving every day. 

Is your home safe from Radon gas? Test it today!

Post Written by CHC member Maggie Sugrue 

Maggie serves at Respiratory Health Association as a Lung Educator

When individuals are asked about what causes Lung Cancer, common answers often include smoking and second hand smoke. While those are leading causes, rarely, radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is ever given as an answer. Most people have never heard of radon gas. That is one of the reasons I serve as a Lung Health Educator at Respiratory Health Association. I educate communities on the harmful effects of radon and promote the importance of testing their homes for this radioactive gas.

Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that is released by the decay of uranium, a naturally-occurring rock in our soil. When radon is released, it can seep through cracks in the foundation of our homes. Many homes have small levels of radon; however, any amount higher than 4pCi/L, a unit of radioactivity, is considered unsafe and requires action. It is important to test the radon level to know if your home is safe. Seasonal changes, renovation, and other factors make testing your home for radon every few years, if not more frequently, recommended.  This can be done by purchasing a radon test kit online or at a local hardware store. These kits are easy to use and inexpensive.

If your home does test in the unsafe range, it is possible to have the home professionally mitigated to bring the radon down to a safe level. Mitigation usually involves the installation of a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it outside of your home. For more information on radon, testing, and mitigation, visit http://www.lungchicago.org/radon/