Should We Stop Checking for Prostate Cancer?

I just read in the New York Times that the US Preventive Services Task Force is suggesting the general population no longer have prostate cancer screenings. They say the detection of potential cancer has led to an enormous amount of unneeded treatment and life-long side effects.

I work with people living with cancer and host a support group for men living with prostate cancer. I am curious to hear from men who feel they may have been treated unnecessarily as I am familiar with the potential for detrimental long-term side effects. I can only imagine how I would feel if I had had the surgery and then read this report. 

Science grows via analysis and "facts" change over time. I suppose the next step is enhancing the ability to differentiate between growths that are deadly and those that can be left alone for decades. I wish this had been recognized years ago.

Getting Mental Health Care With No Money

I just read this wonderful article on treating mild to moderate mental issues with little or no money. Since so few Americans have little or no mental health coverage, I think this topic will become increasingly important, public option or not:

Click here for the article from The New York Times.

Happy Saturday!

H1N1 Vaccine: The Facts About the Flu

(facts) - (fear) = sound choices

I had a pretty wonderful piece on how to avoid arguing with someone all ready to go when, at the gym, I saw this 60 Minutes story on the H1N1 vaccine.

Being so tired of all the fear mongering going around about this vaccine, I thought I would share this with my readers. I pick the sources of my information with the greatest of care; CBS News in general, and 60 Minutes in particular, are reputable and generally respected by the general public. I think their record of public service and quality reporting speaks for itself.

That said, listen to the people CBS selected to tell this story. Making decisions based on facts as opposed to fear is always the better choice.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Obama and I Agree :) The Flu is National Threat

 (healthy mind) + (healthy body) = healthy mody

Just a few minutes ago the president released the news that he believes the flu to be a "national emergency." I am happy to hear that he is committed to the spread of the flu. Congrats to our president for taking a stand and making it easier for at-risk populations to seek preventive care and treatment.

As posted on this blog last week, vaccination and information are two key allies in this fight. That said, there is one more preventive act that is easy, inexpensive and mandatory--hand washing.

Washing hands with warm soap and water, up to the wrists, is a crucial part of protecting yourself from bacteria that could harm you. As an added precaution, turn water off (don't leave it running) with a paper towel, your sleeve or some other object that keeps you from immediate contact with the faucet. Also, open the bathroom door with the same object, as it is most likely contaminated with a variety of bacteria that can spread influenza.

I know this may seem elementary--the president was mocked for discussing this earlier--but it is mandatory to stop the spread of the flu, in addition to a variety of other illnesses.

Flu Facts and Flu Fiction

 (mind) + (body) = mody

Flu season is truly upon us. In the past 24 hours I have heard so many people claim to have the flu, or the cold, or some combination thereunto, that I lost track.

And I have found a very handy on tool that I wanted to share with my readers--it is called Flu.Gov. While I am usually cautious around sites such as this, on this site I automatically found two things I liked:

1. There is a link to vaccination information all over the country

2. There is a H1N1/Swine Flu evaluation tool

I know the 'net is full of anecdotal horror stories about one person's beliefs about immunization.

Folks, the flu vaccine is science, not religion.

Immunization saves lives (or in the case of the flu, makes living a lot easier). Vaccines are not something to believe in, they are a fact and they are effective. They work, they save lives--go get one, especially if you are at risk (parents, health providers, people at risk, etc.). I am on my way to have my shot this morning--regardless of if I like it, or not.

Have a great day!