PISGAH FAMILY
HEALTH NEWS
October 1, 2005
OFFICE NEWS
MEDICAL NEWS
LINKS
Hurricane Aid
Domestic Violence
Buncombe County Domestic Violence Help
Haywood County Domestic Violence Help
Breast Cancer
www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu
To protect your privacy, we do not use Email for patient correspondence. If you do not want to receive this newsletter, Reply to this mailing with the subject line “unsubscribe.”
CONTACT US
Pisgah Family Health
220 Ridgefield Court
Asheville, NC 28806
828-670-7077
Fax: 670-7035
OFFICE NEWS
About our first Newsletter
Dr. Curran and the staff at Pisgah Family Health are proud to publish the first issue of the Pisgah Family Health News to patients. Our goal is to provide our patients with regularly updated information about the office and current medical topics. We plan to publish a new issue each quarter with breaking news. The newsletters will also be archived on our website, www.PisgahFamilyHealth.com.
Privacy: We promise to use your Email address only for the purpose of sending this newsletter. We will not give your Email address to any other organization. We do not use Email to discuss personal medical issues. If you want to be removed from our Email list, reply to this newsletter with the subject “unsubscribe me”.
We just celebrated our first anniversary of seeing patients at Pisgah Family Health. Can you believe we have been open a year now? The time has gone by so quickly. We have been honored by the dedication of Dr. Curran’s established patients who have moved with him to his new office. We have also been impressed by the response of new patients who have made our office their medical home. Patient satisfaction and patient referrals are key to our success. If you are happy with our services, tell a friend. If you are unhappy, please tell us.
We look forward to many more anniversaries to celebrate! Thank you for making our first year memorable.
Check out these pictures to see how the staff celebrated their first anniversary!
The shortage of flu vaccine that occurred in 2004 has made everyone anxious about this year’s plan for shots. Rest assured that there does not appear to be a shortage of flu vaccine, or other problems with production this year. That means the flu vaccine will be available at all the usual places, including Buncombe County Health Department, clinics at the Mall, and our office. We will begin giving flu shots to high risk individuals at their appointments in mid October. We will have a one-day Flu Shot Clinic on Friday, November 11th, to vaccinate all remaining high risk individuals. We have ordered 300 doses, so there should be plenty for all our patients with the following risk factors:
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AT RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS OF THE FLU |
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· children ages 6-23 months · people over 65 · people ages 2-64 years with chronic medical conditions · all women who will be pregnant during flu season · residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities · health-care workers involved in patient care. · caregivers of children younger than six months. |
If you have symptoms of the flu (fever, muscle aches, fatigue) it is too late for the flu vaccine. Make an appointment to be evaluated. Antibiotics do not cure the flu, but an antiviral such as Tamiflu® can shorten the course of illness.
- We will be closed on Thursday and Friday, October 6 and 7, for a family reunion.
- We will be closed for Thanksgiving from Tuesday through Sunday, November 22 through 28, 2005.
- We will be closed for Christmas from Wednesday through Monday, December 21 through 26, 2005.
- Our normal hours are Monday through Thursday from 9-5,
and Friday from 9-Noon. - When the office is closed, emergency care is available at the Urgent Care Centers, and at Mission/Saint Joseph hospitals ER. Telephone calls are handled by Dr. Curran’s call partners.
- Please bring your medications bottles to every visit. This prevents prescribing errors, and also helps us keep your prescriptions up to date.
- Please bring your insurance card to every visit.
Medical news
Hurricanes Devastate the Southeast
Again, Mother Nature strikes. Katrina, the first major hurricane for the 2005 season, struck on August 29, destroying the southern parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Thousands are without shelter, power, food and water and many were separated from their loved ones. Predictions of death are estimated to be several hundred with recovery expected to take years. Western North Carolina had a very small taste of its own disaster one year ago, but compared to the people in these southern states we were blessed. There are so many ways that we can help. Below is a list of different organizations that you can donate to. Make a difference in someone’s life by offering a hand in a time of need. Any help is needed and appreciated.
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American Red Cross |
800-help-now |
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Hearts with Hands |
828-667-1912 |
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Humane Society |
888-259-5431 |
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United Way |
828-255-0696 |
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Salvation Army |
888-363-2769 |
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National Service |
202-606-5000 |
What you should know
- Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women 15-45, more than rape, muggings and automobile accidents combined.
- About 97 percent of domestic violence victims are women.
- The average woman will leave an abuser seven or eight times before making the final break.
- Seventy-five percent of women murdered by their abusive partners are killed in an attempt to leave the relationship or after they have left.
What you can do
- If you are in imminent danger, call police immediately. If you need someone to talk with, women's centers and shelters in the area offer a variety of services.
- If you know someone who is being abused offer your help and empathy, assure her she's not alone, and that she does not deserve to be beaten.
- Encourage an abused woman to imagine life without her batterer, help her picture the steps she must go through to cope with life on her own to increase her self-confidence.
- If you are thinking about leaving, keep the following items where your partner cannot find them.
· $100.00 or more in cash
· A small bag with extra clothes for you and your children
· Necessary medications
· Extra keys for the house and car
· Sentimental valuables and pictures of you and your children
· Important papers such as:
ü bank account numbers
ü checkbook
ü social security numbers
ü insurance policies
ü marriage license
ü birth certificates
ü important phone numbers
Where you can call
- Emergency - 911
- National Battered Women's Hotline (800)-992-2600
- Buncombe County: Helpmate, Inc.
Office Phone: (828) 254-2968
Crisis Line: (828) 254-0516 - Haywood County: REACH
24 Hour Hotline: (828) 456-7898
Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly diseases in America. Of women aged 40 to 55, it is the leading cause of death. This year, over 40,000 will die of breast cancer and over 211,000 women will be diagnosed with this disease. Of these new diagnoses, about 58,500 will be cases of Carcinoma in situ (CIS), the most curable form of breast cancer. There are several risk factors for breast cancer, including most notably: (1) being female, (2) high lifetime exposure to estrogen (e.g., being older, starting menses before age 12, starting menopause after age 55, prolonged use of oral contraceptives, never having children, use of hormone replacement therapy), (3) having a first child after age 30, (4) personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or (5) having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast cancer genes. While regular exercise, not smoking or drinking, and a low-fat diet may reduce one’s chance of developing breast cancer, the ultimate preventative measure is early detection. In fact, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer when it is found early is over 95%. The best method for early detection is a mammogram beginning at age 40 (or earlier for those at high risk). Also, women should have a clinical breast exam as part of their periodic physical exams at least every 3 years beginning at age 20 and every year after age 40. Women are also encouraged to become aware of the normal look and feel of their breasts and to report any changes to their physician.
The American Cancer Society web site www.cancer.org contains extensive information on breast and other cancers, including information on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, including reconstruction after breast surgery.
The Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention has developed a tool to estimate one’s risk of developing breast cancer and provide some tips to lower that risk. Estimate your rist at www.yourdiseaserisk.harvard.edu
www.breastcancer.org is an independent web site offering information and support to people concerned about breast cancer. It includes an “ask the expert” section, a celebrity talking dictionary, and a chat room and other features for women concerned about the effects of breast cancer and the various treatment options. This site also has several brochures available for downloading at http://www.breastcancer.org/booklet_intro.html.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is perhaps best known for the Race for the Cure® and other breast cancer fundraising and promotion activities. Information about these initiatives can be found at www.komen.org. This site also includes a video on self-breast examination and numerous other multimedia educational materials. The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.—sponsor of the “pink ribbon” events—is dedicated to promoting awareness and education about breast cancer.
The www.nationalbreastcancer.org site contains information on breast cancer, including exploring of some breast cancer myths and reviews of books on breast cancer.
Simply by clicking on the “Fund Free Mammograms” button at www.thebreastcancersite.com, you can increase sponsor donations toward funding mammograms for people who couldn’t otherwise afford to receive this necessary test. Also, the Health Department offers free breast and cervical cancer screening for patients without medical insurance age 50 to 64 who meet low-income guidelines.
You can send a free “mom-o-gram” to your mother, aunt, sister, grandmother, or anyone you care about, to remind them to get their annual mammogram by visiting www.momogram.org.
Source: MED3OOO Clinical Advisory Newsletter - September 2005 Edition