Stop Killing BLACK WOMEN

More Black women are dying! Triple Negative breast cancer is disproportionately killing Black women. Research shows an unequal receipt of "prompt, high-quality treatment" for Black women, compared to White women. Recent studies also report a 77% survival rate among Black women, compared to a 90% survival rate of White women.

Triple Negative breast cancer, an invasive ductal carcinoma, which grows and spreads faster than other types of breast cancers. Triple Negative breast cancer is more common and more aggressive in younger Black women. It is difficult to treat, as hormone therapy and certain (HER2 targeted) drugs have proven to be ineffective, and chemotherapy is possibly a necessary treatment option.

Please take the time to self-examine your breasts every month. Self examination should begin no later than your 20th birthday. If you're unsure about how to examine your breasts, ask your health care provider or visit the nearest health department. Also ask about early screening options, such as mammogram, clinical breast exam, ultrasound, and MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

***Get more information at www.sistersnetworkinc.org***

Breast health awareness. (2009). Guidelines for early detection [Brochure]. Sisters of Network, Inc.: Author

Beat Domestic Violence

When you're a two-time survivor of domestic violence, once at 8 y/o & again at 31 y/o, safety tends to be an issue. According to Mayor Buddy Dyer, domestic violence has been identified as a significant part of violence statistics in the city of Orlando, Florida. For example, the rise in overall violence, due to domestic violence, is evident in that every 1 in 3 homicides occurs behind closed doors. Last year, there were 18 domestic homicides in Orlando. So far this year, there have been a total of 20 domestic homicides already!

If you've been a victim of domestic violence, take a look the series of events that occurred. If you have not, please learn more about domestic violence. Share the signs and symptoms of domestic violence with your children, in order to protect them from it in the future.

If you're a victim of domestic violence or abuse now, please increase your chances of survival by reaching out for help. If you don't want to call for help from home, all you have to do is just walk away. Once you get somewhere safe, you can call 911 from there.

I did it and so can you.

Self-worth

Self-esteem plays a critical role in health choices, such as the level of involvement with violence. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) put together a "Self Esteem Survey," which can be used to assess individual levels of self-esteem. A few of the items included in the survey were: positive attitude and satisfaction toward oneself, perceived number of good qualities, whether feelings of failure are present, and whether there are any reasons to feel proud.

Today, I want you to ponder on these things. Take a moment to think about your self worth. If you haven't already, try to figure out your gift. Then use it and use it wisely. For example, my gifts are learning, educating people, and writing. Despite adversity, I continue to educate and write, which also allows me to effectively express myself and touch others, without oppression. Hence, my contributions to this blog, Florida Today, and my published books. Consequently, I am routinely requested for assistance with administrative/research projects. Personally, I've decided to take part in activities where my gifts can be used and not exploited.

***I hope this information has been a help to you on this fine, fine, Friday! Enjoy your weekend!!!***

Botox: Not just for looks

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) injection to treat urinary incontinence (wetting yourself) in people with neurologic conditions, such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, who also have overactive bladders. In cases like these, uncontrolled urinary bladder contractions can lead to an inability to store urine, which results in wetting yourself.

Two ways to manage this bladder problem include (1) medication that relaxes the bladder and (2)a catheter to regularly empty the bladder.

Treatment includes injection of Botox into the bladder, which relaxes the bladder and increases storage capacity, while decreasing the chances of wetting yourself.

Read more at www.fda.gov, and ask your doctor how Botox may help your condition.

Money and Stress

Money. Whether you have it, mismanage it, or lack it, your stress can be caused by money. Though money can not buy happiness, it can play a role in your overall health, resulting in a positive or negative impact. Also, notice that we tend to spend money on things that are important to us. So, assess yourself and identify what's important to you. A financial planner can help you optimize the benefits of your money. Financial planning with Edward Jones, a financial planning company, is a good start.

Violence in the workplace

I was teaching anatomy and physiology at a technical school in Atlanta, Georgia, when I was verbally abused on at least 4 occasions. My supervisor "encouraged" me not to call security again. Instead, she insisted that I call her on her cell phone, even though she was usually at home during my classes that ran from 6pm to 10pm. When a male student began to yell at me after, receiving a failing test grade, he began making gestures and comments that made me uncomfortable. After trying to diffuse the situation outside the classroom, the student blocked the doorway and used his foot to hold the door shut. Students were unable to get out of the class, and I was unable to get in. Eventually, a bigger male student came to my rescue and I retreated to the teacher's lounge. I was later reprimanded for filing a police report against the student.

Is it fair? Of course not. But apparently, many people feel that it's just part of the job. Nurses, for example, are also at risk of violence in the workplace. In fact, one source reports that 50% of the time, no action is taken against attackers. It's sad, but while 80% of attacks occur in patient rooms, 75% of attacked nurses reported that hospital leaders never responded to their safety needs. A Zero Tolerance policy should be implemented by every employer, and force should be used whenever necessary. Remember, safety first!

My latest contribution to Florida Today

This year, Floridian school-aged children and their parents have at least one new change to consider. The new "Saggy Pants" law changes the way students can dress at school. Read what I wrote about it and the recommended HPV vaccines at http://opinionmatters.flatoday.net/

HPV Vaccine

HPV, or Human Papilloma Virus, is a common Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI or STD)responsible for causing health problems, such as genitals warts and cancer. The type of HPV determines the type of health problem. For years, HPV has been targeted with vaccines. Gardasil and Cervarix are the two brands of HPV vaccines discussed today. Getting the HPV Vaccine is not like getting a tetanus shot; it's recommended that you get a tetanus shot every 10 years. However, like the tetanus vaccine, both men and women receive HPV vaccinations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that males get vaccinated between the ages 9-26 years old with the brand Gardasil, which protects against most genital warts. On the other hand, females should get vaccinated between the ages of 13-26 years old, although they may also be vaccinated as early as 9 years old with the Cervarix brand. CDC advises that males and females complete all three doses of vaccinations prior to becoming sexually active, in order to gain the best protection against HPV.

Surgery with body piercings

So, do you plan to remove your body jewelry before receiving medical attention? Usually, patients are asked to remove jewelry from pierced areas, in order to decrease complications after surgery. However, health care providers are choosing to leave body jewelry in place, out of fear that they may cause more harm than good. Patients should also be aware of possible infections and complications and report them to their health care providers. Signs, such as bleeding, cellulitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and scarring are just a few examples. Some signs to watch for include fever, shortness of breath, foul odor, and pus at piercing sites. Allergic reactions are more common among females than males. So ladies, BE CAREFUL!

Tighten up!

Prolapsed uterus affects women during childbearing and post-menopausal years. Either way, a surgical procedure called "Vaginoplasty" is available. It's a procedure aimed at tightening up loose vaginal muscles caused by aging, childbirth, and other circumstances. Talk to your doctor to determine if vaginoplasty is right for you.

Erectile Dysfunction: It affects more than just you

Erectile dysfunction can have a negative effect on a relationship. It happens when a man is unable to obtain or maintain an erection suitable for penetration and/or ejaculation. Otherwise referred to as "ED," Erectile Dysfunction can be caused by conditions such as stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure. Health care providers may include a few questions about your history with a physical exam. For example, personal, medical, and psychological history are all important bits of information for a health care provider to have, when treating ED. To combat ED, talk to your loved one about it and make a medical appointment with your health care provider today.

Autism Repeated

Just in! Research shows that children with older siblings who are autistic are likely to also develop the disorder. If you are a parent of an autistic child, you should seek family planning counseling, prior to getting pregnant again.