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Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Wednesday, March 13, 2013
GET CHECKED
MEDICAL INSIGHT
The importance of cancer screenings
Submitted by Contributing Community Author
Rebecca George, Certified Academic Language Therapist A New Day - Academic Language Therapy Services 150 Eagle Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska (970) 901-8447 • (907) 457-6821
By DR. WARD B. HURLBURT Chief Medical Officer Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
www.anewdayservices.com
The Dyslexic Mind
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For the past eight years, it’s been my pleasure to work with dyslexics of various ages who exhibit wide degrees of severity. On a more personal note, I’m also a parent of a dyslexic child. Sitting on both sides of the table where dyslexia is concerned has opened my eyes to the many advantages dyslexics possess, as oxymoronic as that may sound. Contrary to popular belief, most dyslexics do not see their letters backwards. Rather, elements of dyslexia that do remain consistent across the board are a difficulty in reading, spelling, handwriting, language comprehension and following multi-step directions. This being said, each dyslexic is an individual whose strengths and weaknesses are unique unto themselves. It’s critical to note that dyslexia is not a result of low intelligence; rather it is a neurological difference. Specific strengths dyslexics seem to excel at include being creative problem solvers and visual thinkers. They are also spatially talented, intuitive and possess athletic ability. Despite these particular traits that can set dyslexics apart from non-dyslexics, many have low self esteem. Negative self esteem issues arise from receiving failing test scores at school that depend on the ability to read and spell. This can lead to an inaccurate assumption that they are lazy, unintelligent or have no work ethic. Understanding the science behind dyslexia can help dyslexics understand their learning differences. Knowing they’re not alone and there are specific alternative ways to learn, this shift to focusing on their strengths can be very empowering. Graeme Hammond was a cardiothoracic surgeon who was also dyslexic. He, like most dyslexics, had a more than difficult time in school. In Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, he had said, “For me it’s (dyslexia) been a blessing in disguise. This difficulty reading gave me a tremendous amount of perseverance; my whole life is about striving because I’ve had so many roadblocks put in my way. I see a lot of surgeons who do everything well, yet they never ever question. They’ve never been forced to try another way to find an answer to a problem. In my own case, I had developed the ability to look for other ways of doing things.” 13408577 3-13-13H&W
Our thanks to Rebecca George for contributing this column. The article is intended to be strictly informational.
ervical cancer is an easy female cancer to prevent, with regular screening tests and follow-up. Half of the women diagnosed with cervical cancer are between the ages of 35 and 55. Two screening tests can help prevent cervical cancer or find it early: the Pap test and the HPV (human papillomavirus) test. The Pap test is recommended for all women between the ages of 21 and 65 years old, and can be done in a doctor’s office or clinic. If you are 30 years old or older, you may choose to have an HPV test along with the Pap test. Both tests can be performed by your doctor at the same Hurlburt time. HPV infection is contracted through sexual intercourse and is a sexually transmitted infection. Sexual intercourse with a greater number of partners increases the risk of HPV infection. If you are 21 to 65 years old, it is important for you to continue getting a Pap test as directed by your doctor — even if you think you are too old to have a child or are not having sex anymore. If you are older than 65 and have had normal Pap test results for several years, or if you have had your cervix removed as part of a total hysterectomy for non-cancerous conditions, like fibroids, your doctor may tell you that you do not need to have a Pap test anymore. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat, before it is big enough to feel and up to two years before physical symptoms develop. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. If you are age 50 to 74 years, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years. Unless there is a strong family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, routine screening mam-
mography is not recommended for women in their forties. While mammography can pick up lesions before they can be felt, many physicians continue to encourage women to practice regular monthly breast self-exams in addition. Worried about cost? You may be eligible to receive free cancer screenings, such as clinical breast exams, Pap tests and pelvic exams, and mammograms. Alaska’s Breast and Cervical Health Check program provides breast and cervical health screening services to women who meet certain income guidelines, who do not have insurance, who cannot meet their insurance deductible, or whose insurance does not pay for program services. If any exam results are abnormal, the program can also pay for approved diagnostic tests to rule out problems, including cancer. The Breast and Cervical Health Check program can’t pay for everything. For example, it can’t pay for birth control, general blood work, or diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Call 1-800410-6266 if you have any questions about what services the program can cover for you. If you’re screened and diagnosed with cancer or a pre-cancerous condition through the program, you may be eligible to have your treatment paid for by Medicaid. The program will assist you with the referral process to Medicaid. Participating providers in the Fairbanks North Star Borough include: ANP Family Care; Arlene Kirschner, M.D.; Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska; Chena Obstetrics and Gynecology; Delta Junction Public Health Center; Delta Midwifery and Family Healthcare; Denali Surgical Specialists; Fairbanks Regional Public Health Center; Fairbanks Ultrasound; Interior Community Health Center; Interior Community Health Center — Healy; Mayer Clinic; Planned Parenthood — Fairbanks; Radiology Consultants; Tok Clinic; and Tok Public Health Center. Call 800-410-6266 to find the screening services nearest you.