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When a woman is diagnosed with Breast Cancer, she is likely scared, stressed, sad and confused. You may find yourself asking, “What can I do to help?”. While it may seem like you can’t do anything, there are plenty of ways you can be supportive and helpful throughout their journey.

Listen

An important way to support your friend or family member is to communicate and listen carefully. When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, they’ll be experiencing both positive and negative emotions. They will need someone to listen, no matter what they have to say. Be that trusted source and let them know they can confide in you.

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A cancer diagnosis can be a very isolating experience. One of the best ways to show you care is by spending time with them. It lets them know you are thinking about them and they aren’t battling cancer alone. However, it’s important to always check-in before showing up, as they might not be feeling well.

Stay in Touch 

If you’re unable to visit in person, a text, phone call, email or card can go a long way. Regular check-ins can improve their mental health and increase their well-being. Also, try your best to respond quickly whenever they reach out to you and listen intently to any requests or questions they may have.

Help with Housework

Lending a hand and taking care of household chores is a great way to help. Make sure to inquire first, but if they accept your offer, find out exactly what needs done. Taking out the trash, doing laundry, cooking dinner and grocery shopping are all small things that can make a huge difference and help them feel less overwhelmed.

Be an Advocate

If your loved one is okay with it, accompany them to their doctor appointments and treatment sessions. Sometimes they may feel too tired or stressed to ask questions or retain the information the doctor is giving them. Being there to take notes, ask questions and advocate for them can relieve some of the pressure they’re feeling and make their appointments less stressful.

Make Life Normal for their Kids

When mothers are diagnosed with breast cancer, one of their biggest concerns is usually how it will affect their children. They often worry their kids’ lives will be turned upside down, especially if the kids are young. Whether you’re dropping kids off at dance, cheering on the sidelines at a soccer game or inviting the kids over for movie night, helping your loved ones kids lead a normal life will take stress and worry off their mind. Getting the kids out of the house can also give moms some time to relax and take care of themselves.

How Southwoods Offers Support

Southwoods offers patients a Nurse Navigator program to help guide them through the emotional and physical journey of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing each patient has a unique set of circumstances, our compassionate Nurse Navigators focus on personalized care and emphasize relentless attention to detail. At Southwoods, it’s not just about the treatment, but how you’re treated – and that is especially apparent through our Nurse Navigators at the Southwoods Center for Breast Health.

There may not be a one size fits all way to support a loved one with breast cancer, but even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. The most important thing you can do is just be there and listen whenever your loved one may need to talk. Support comes in many different shapes and sizes, and finding out what your loved one needs can help make their journey a little less tough.

During the month of October, the nation comes together to educate and spread awareness about breast cancer. It’s a time to promote the importance of screenings, early detection, prevention and research. Statistics show one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, making it one of the most common cancers among women. While there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, there are some lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is an important factor in your overall health, and can lower your risk of developing breast cancer. If you’re currently at a healthy weight, take steps to maintain that weight and stay healthy. If you need to lose weight, make healthy choices to do so by reducing calories and increasing exercise.

Limit Alcohol

Women who consume two or three alcoholic beverages per day are twenty percent more likely to develop breast cancer. The more alcohol you drink, the higher the risk. If you do choose to drink alcohol, the general recommendation is to not exceed one drink per day.

Quit Smoking

Smokers are more likely to develop heart disease, lung cancer, stroke and breast cancer. Quitting smoking isn’t easy – consult your physician and create a plan to stop smoking for good. It’s never too late to improve your health!

Modify Your Diet

Not eating enough fruits and vegetables and including large amounts of red meat in your diet have been associated with a higher risk of developing breast cancer. To lower this risk, it is recommended to eat around two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables a day. It is also recommended to eat red meat in moderation and replace it with leaner sources of protein.

Stay Active

Since obesity raises the risk of developing breast cancer, it is important to stay active and keep extra weight off. Research shows that physical activity reduces breast cancer by at least ten percent. Even moderate exercise – such as walking thirty minutes a day, five days a week – can keep you healthy and reduce your chances.

Breastfeed Your Children

Studies show that breastfeeding your children, especially for longer than one year,  may be a factor in breast cancer prevention. Women who breastfeed experience hormonal changes which reduces the lifetime exposure to hormones such as estrogen, which is linked to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Get Regular Screenings

It’s important to remember regular medical screenings are the most effective way to detect various forms of cancer early in their development. Early detection is the best form of protection. In early stages, treatment is likely to be most effective and recovery a more probable outcome.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and all year long, it is important to know your risks. If it’s been over 12 months since your last mammogram, now is the time to schedule. Mammograms save lives, and one of them may be yours.

Schedule Your Mammogram Today

The Southwoods Center for Breast Health is located inside Southwoods Imaging at 7623 Market Street in Boardman and offers convenient evening and weekend hours.

The Vaccine Will Not Give You The Flu (FACT)

One of the most common misconceptions about the flu vaccine is that it causes the recipient to get the flu. Side effects are common with the vaccination, but these symptoms are mild compared to the fully developed flu.

Getting The Flu Is More Effective Than Getting The Shot (MYTH)

Flu vaccination is the most effective way to keep yourself and others around you safe. In 2019-2020 the flu vaccination prevented an estimated 7.5 million influenza illnesses. The flu can cause very serious complications in some circumstances, so getting the vaccine can significantly decrease the severity if someone happens to still contract the virus.

The Vaccine Can Protect Many People (FACT)

While the flu shot is not 100% effective, it provides protection and lowers your chances of getting sick. And if you do get sick, the vaccine lessens the severity of your symptoms. People that may not know they have the flu, can pass it on to others. The flu can be fatal to those at risk – such as young children, pregnant women or people with cancer.

The Vaccine Is All You Need To Protect Yourself (MYTH)

The vaccine is not the only way to protect yourself or loved ones from the flu. Washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitizer and taking antiviral medications if you were exposed can also help protect you. Another important step you can take is if someone you know has flu-like symptoms, try to avoid seeing that person until they feel better.

The Vaccine Fights Multiple Strains (FACT)

A lot of research is done to determine the different strains most likely to appear each flu season. There is a new vaccine developed every year because the predicted strains of the flu change annually. They are updated based on the strains that are making people sick, the extent to which those viruses are spreading, and how well the previous season’s vaccine protected against those viruses.

It Is Not Necessary To Get It Every Year (MYTH)

There is protection against different strains in each year’s flu shot, so it is very important to get it every year. It is also suggested to get the flu shot in early fall. Data suggests flu season starts just before Halloween and ends as Spring arrives.

The Shot Does Not Protect Against Common Colds or Stomach Illnesses (FACT)

It is a common misconception that the stomach flu is the same thing as influenza. That is incorrect, therefore the vaccine does not protect against the common cold or the stomach flu. It only helps fight off the viruses that cause influenza, which is much more severe than either of those two illnesses.

Like many vaccines and medications, there is so much information spreading around it can be hard to decipher between facts and myths. At Southwoods, we are committed to the health and safety of our community.

If you need a flu shot or think you may already have the flu, Southwoods Express Care is here to help. With convenient walk-in service, shorter wait times, and lower costs than an ER visit, Express Care is open 7 days a week in Boardman, Campbell and our newest location in Columbiana.

September is Pain Awareness Month, the perfect time to raise awareness about the effects pain can have on a person and their loved ones. Understanding more about the underlying causes of pain can be key in finding the right treatment to alleviate suffering. At Southwoods Health, the comprehensive team at the Southwoods Pain & Spine Center is dedicated to finding effective results that reduce or eliminate pain altogether. As we begin Pain Awareness Month, here are five things you should know.

Over 50 Million Americans Suffer

If chronic pain does not directly affect you, chances are it affects someone you know. In the United States, 1 in 5 adults experience chronic pain. When someone suffers from pain, it does not just affect them…it affects their family, friends and anyone else around them. Pain commonly causes sufferers to be unable to work. It is the number 1 cause of disability globally.

There Are Many Types of Pain

Pain does not look the same for everyone. The four main categories pain tends to fall within are: back pain, headaches, neuropathic pain and joint pain.

  • 80% of adults in the U.S. will experience back pain at some point in their life. (source)
  • More than 4 million people have chronic daily migraines. (source)
  • Chronic neuropathic pain affects 3% to 17% of adults. (source)
  • About 15 million adults report severe joint pain due to arthritis. (source)

Pain can also be caused by underlying conditions such as cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. Ruling out an underlying condition is an important first step on the road to alleviating suffering.

Pain Can Affect Anyone

Although chronic pain tends to affect more women than men, anyone can suffer. From young children to older adults, there are different types of pain that can affect individuals at any age. However, the older you get the more likely you are to suffer from some type of chronic pain. Approximately 28% of 46-64 year olds and 65% of adults over 65 suffer. Taking steps like staying active and eating a nutritious diet can keep you healthy as you age and lower your chances of suffering from chronic pain.

There Is Hope

Researchers are focusing on learning more about the causes of chronic pain, what treatments work best and how it can be prevented. At the SouthwoodsPain & Spine Center, our patients have access to the latest medical therapeutics and interventional techniques targeted at the identified source of pain with the goal of achieving long term improvement. Patients who do not receive the desired level of pain relief from more conservative measures, can be offered alternative pain management treatment options without having to leave the practice or the building. This means patients will receive care that is timely, comprehensive and effective in delivering results that reduce or eliminate pain altogether.

During Pain Awareness Month, and all year long, it is important to remember that anyone can suffer from pain. Spreading awareness is a great first step in promoting pain education, and at the Southwoods Pain & Spine Center we recognize the far-reaching effects of chronic pain. We place great importance on providing access to the region’s most capable team of physicians and advanced practice providers, so you can find comfort in knowing you do not have to suffer through pain alone.

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, but it affects each of us differently. Although there is positive stress, known as eustress, most stress that people experience is negative. Negative stress can happen when there are continuous challenges to resolve, without any relaxation periods in between. Negative stress, or distress, can have detrimental effects on the body and mind if not dealt with properly. Read along further to recognize the impacts that stress can cause on overall health.

Stress on the Body

Stress is an overwhelming feeling, but what you may not realize is that stress can also cause many physical symptoms to arise in the body. The systems of the body all work together, so when stress is introduced, the systems cannot function properly. Stress can cause headaches, heart problems, chronic fatigue, and stomach issues, just to name a few.

Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system is impacted by stress because muscles will tense up, which is the way the body protects itself from injury and pain. Tension-type and migraine headaches are stress symptoms from tense shoulders, head, and neck. Another symptom related to stress would be pain in the lower back and upper extremities. These are common symptoms that many people face, which you may not have realized are directly related to stress on the body.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is an important element of the body since it contains the heart and blood vessels, which provide nourishment and oxygen to the organs of the body. When you experience chronic stress or high stress over a long period of time, you increase your chances of developing heart issues. Stress causes your heart rate to increase and blood pressure to elevate, which could lead to hypertension, stroke, or heart attack.

Endocrine System

The endocrine system comes into play by signaling the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis when a person perceives a situation to be challenging or threatening. This then produces an increased production of steroid hormones, including cortisol, which is considered the “stress hormone”. These hormones aid in reducing inflammation in the immune system, which is a positive occurrence, until chronic stress disrupts the communication. When there is impaired communication between the immune system and HPA axis due to excess stress, it may cause chronic fatigue, metabolic disorders, depression, and immune disorders.

Stress on the Mind

Mental stress is usually what we think of first when we think of stress. It’s important to try to manage your stress to prevent symptoms on the mind, such as anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. With all of those symptoms working in conjunction, your mental health can greatly decline. While anxiety and depression are both mostly mental, panic attacks are about even between physical and mental stress. To ensure that you don’t have to experience these downsides of stress often, managing your stress in healthy ways will benefit you in more ways than you might think.

Respiratory System

The respiratory system causes both symptoms to the body and mind in regards to high stress levels. When someone is experiencing high levels of stress, it may increase their breathing and cause shortness of breath, which would impact the body. In someone prone to panic attacks, an attack may occur as anxiety increases from high stress levels, which would impact the mind. Symptoms of panic attacks become physical with shortness of breath and rapid breathing, as the airway between the nose and lungs constricts.

Stress is a very common condition that everyone experiences, especially during uncertain times or major life events. Stress affects overall health by imposing on the systems of the body, causing them to overcompensate, which then causes physical symptoms. The major symptoms talked about are headaches, heart problems, stomach issues, depression, and anxiety.

There are many ways to alleviate stress, which is important so you can avoid experiencing these health concerns and symptoms. If you are experiencing extreme stress that is impacting your quality of life, talk with your doctor before it starts to affect your overall health.

With the new school year quickly approaching and students getting ready to return to in-person classes, it is important to make sure your child’s vaccination records are up to date. Most schools require vaccination records to be submitted before your child can attend classes – to protect teachers, staff, peers, and your own child from illnesses that may spread. Keep reading to learn more about the vaccinations that are necessary for children to receive before they head back to school.

TDaP

The TDaP vaccine is a combination vaccine that aims to prevent children from contracting diphtheria, which is an infection of the nose and throat, tetanus, a bacterial infection, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough. It is recommended for children to receive this vaccination five times: one dose at 2 months old, one dose at 4 months, one dose at 6 months, one dose between 15 and 18 months, and one dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is intended to protect against measles, a serious viral infection, mumps, a viral infection that affects the salivary glands, and rubella, a viral infection that causes a rash. It is recommended children receive two doses of this vaccine: one between 12 and 15 months, and one between 4 and 6 years of age.

Inactivated Polio Vaccine

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that can invade the brain and spinal cord causing paralysis or even death. With vaccination, polio has been eliminated in the United States, but it is still a threat in some other countries. It is recommended children get four doses of the polio vaccine: one at 2 months old, one at 4 months, one between 6 and 18 months, and one between the ages of 4 and 6 years of age.

Varicella Vaccine

The varicella vaccine provides protection from chickenpox, which is an intense, itchy full body rash. Chickenpox is extremely contagious, so it is crucial children receive this vaccination to avoid spreading the illness to others. It is recommended children receive two doses of the varicella vaccine with the first dose administered between 12 and 15 months, and the second between 4 and 6 years of age.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis vaccine provides protection against hepatitis B, a serious liver infection caused by a virus. It is recommended children receive three doses: one dose at birth, another between the ages of 1 and 2 months old, and the third dose between 6 and 9 months.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis vaccine provides protection against hepatitis A, a contagious liver infection caused by a virus. It is recommended children are given 2 doses of the hepatitis A vaccine between 12 and 23 months.

Meningococcal Vaccine

The meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine that protects against severe illnesses caused by bacteria. It is recommended children receive this vaccine from 11 to 12 years of age, with a booster dose at 16 years of age.

Making sure these vaccinations are up to date should be an essential part of any parent’s back-to-school checklist. If you are unsure if your child has had all of their necessary vaccines, check with your primary care provider to get their updated records.

 

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