Healthy Women Today. A Newsletter from the National Women's Health Information Center (www.4woman.gov, 1-800-994-9662). The Office on Women's Health, U S Department of Health and Human Services

September 2002 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Could it possibly be a year since the disaster of last September 11th? Across the country, people are finding ways to remember the thousands of victims and their families, as we continue to heal as a nation. When discussing this with your children, experts advise that you also remind them that public officials and organizations, including their schools, are working very hard to keep them safe from harm. Help them remember the unusual courage shown by many people on 9-11. As our country pulled together to do whatever was needed, many ordinary people became heroes that day.

On a lighter note, September also means immunizations are needed for some children's school registration. This year, while your little one receives his or her shots, have your healthcare provider check your own medical records. Are you due for a booster? Shots such as Hepatitis A & B are important if you travel outside of the country. Children under the age of 12 who are traveling outside the US should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster if they have not finished their series. For more information on vaccinations for travelers, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm. For additional information on vaccinations for adults visit: http://www.niapublications.org/engagepages/shots.asp.

September is not just about back-to-school events! It is also Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month, important for women at all stages of life. Ask your healthcare provider if you are up to date with recommended screenings and be sure to schedule your regular pelvic exam. "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" is September 24, co-sponsored by HHS and ABC Radio, so schedule an appointment with your mother, sister, husband, guy-friend or girlfriend. Please also encourage the men in your lives to make an appointment for a prostate screening because September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

This issue of the newsletter will discuss some exciting new events and services provided by NWHIC, including our new site for girls (www.4girls.gov) and our new Breastfeeding Helpline. We keep growing in reaction to your requests and comments, so keep them coming!

In my household, we will be holding each other close on September 11th. It is a day to put aside differences and remember the goals and hopes we all share. If you are not near your family, spend the day with a good friend. I wish you peace and good health as we leave summer behind and amazingly, begin the last quarter of the year.

Carol Krause,
Director of Communications, Office on Women's Health, DHHS

IMPORTANT NWHIC and OWH NEWS

NEW!!! — The Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH) proudly announces the launch of a new health web site, www.4girls.gov, to encourage adolescent girls to choose healthy behaviors. The site, part of HHS' National Women's Health Information Center, provides girls ages 10 -16 with information on fitness, nutrition, stress management, relationships with friends and family, peer pressure, suicide, drugs, self-esteem, and other topics in an interactive, user-friendly format. (To see the press release: http://www.4woman.gov/owh/pr/4girlsPR.htm)

NEW!!! NWHIC Can Now Answer Your Basic Breastfeeding Questions — Do you have general questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC has partnered with La Leche League International to train our Information Specialists so they can help you with common breastfeeding issues such as nursing positions, questions about pumping and storage. In addition NWHIC can order free breastfeeding publications and direct you to organizations that can provide you with additional assistance. Learn more about the Breastfeeding Helpline at: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf.cfm?page=ask or call the Helpline at: 1-800-994-9662.

OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS

CDC/ ATSDR Conference - Advancing the Health of Women: Prevention, Practice and Policy, October 7-9, Washington DC: This 2 ˝ day conference will provide opportunities to expand your knowledge on women's health issues and increases your effectiveness in helping women live healthier lives. To learn more, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/od/spotlight/wmconf.

Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day — September 24!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks are working together to get the word out about Take a Loved One to The Doctor Day, scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, 2002. Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is part of a national campaign that aims to close the health gap between the health of communities of color and the general population. The campaign, "Closing the Health Gap," was launched in November 2001.

By encouraging individuals to visit a health care professional or make an appointment to do so on or near September 24, we believe we can help generate a greater understanding of the importance of regular health screenings while at the same time focus on those populations that tend to have the least access to health care. Prior to and after Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, health messages will be aired on some 240 ABC Radio stations across America discussing the health gap and offering specific tips on leading a more healthy life.

To find out how you or your organization can be a part of Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, visit http://www.omhrc.gov/toolkit/dr2.htm for an on-line Community Action Tool Kit. The Tool Kit contains fact sheets, sample press releases, media pitches, talking points, letters to the editor, op-ed articles, and newsletter articles. It also offers tips for creating a proclamation (along with a sample), a pledge form, and lists of national, state and local partners. You may also call 1-800-444-6472 to find out more, and to obtain free Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day posters.

Finally, be sure to let us know what you're doing by visiting http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/campaign.cfm.

Estrogen Plus Progestin Study Stopped Due to Increased Breast Cancer Risk, Lack of Overall Benefit - NHLBI has stopped early a major clinical trial of the risks and benefits of combined estrogen and progestin (HRT) in healthy menopausal women due to an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. For more information on the cancellation of this study, and continued updates on HRT, go to: http://www.4woman.gov/HRT/

Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Relief Study: The National Institutes of Health invites women with endometriosis to take part in a pain relief study of the drug Raloxifene (EvistaT). Call 1-800-411-1222 (TTY# 1-866-411-1010). Learn more by going to the following URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/w1b/show/NCT00001848?order=1&JServSes

NEW!!!! Summer Moves!

If you started working towards your Presidential Sports Award last month, you should have accumulated approximately 10 — 12 hours. This month try something you haven't done since your childhood. Jump rope!

Jumping rope for 15 minutes a day is an excellent way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, body conditioning, flexibility, coordination, balance and agility. Try alternating between jumping rope with both feet, then 1 foot at a time. Please ensure that you speak with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise routine, as he/she can best advise you of any necessary modifications or precautions. The following on-line publication provides other essential information on exercise: http://www.fitness.gov/fitness.html.

Don't forget the objective is to accumulate 50 hours of physical activity within 4 months.

For more information on physical fitness, please visit http://www.fitness.gov.

WHAT'S NEW ON THE NWHIC WEB SITE?

Many of our Frequently Asked Questions publications have been updated on the NWHIC web page. You may view them at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/.

SEPTEMBER'S FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT OVARIAN CANCER

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

There are usually no obvious symptoms of ovarian cancer. Women complain about vague symptoms including abdominal swelling or bloating, generalized abdominal discomfort, early satiety, lack of appetite, dyspepsia, malaise, urinary frequency or weight change (either gain or loss). Women may develop unexplained ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity), which contributes to the abdominal discomfort. Because the symptoms are not unique to ovarian cancer, the disease can be difficult to identify and diagnose. Most importantly, listen to your body and be stubborn! If your health provider cannot find a reasonable explanation for your symptoms, check with a specialist in gynecological cancers if possible, or ask for an ovarian cancer screening.

For more information on Ovarian Cancer, please visit: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/ovarian.htm.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURES FOR SEPTEMBER 2002

The featured English health article on NWHIC's web site this month is:

"Minority Women & Ovarian Cancer." Our featured article comes to us from Yolanda Johnny Taylor and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/sep02/.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Did you know a well balanced diet is a great start to reducing your risk of cancer? The anti-oxidant laden recipes listed below come from the American Institute on Cancer Research's "Recipe Corner" (http://www.aicr.org/recipe.html). While there are no guarantees against cancer, overwhelming evidence does show that some cancers are related to our lifestyle choices. Why not help prevent cancer by eating healthier? Bon Appétit!

Soups:

Caribbean Pork Stew with Pineapples:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=soupssearch.htm&recipeid=265&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Roasted Red Pepper Soup:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=soupssearch.htm&recipeid=381&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Salad:

Lemon-Lime Shrimp Salad:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=saladssearch.htm&recipeid=337&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Tuna Waldorf Salad:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=saladssearch.htm&recipeid=348&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Veggies:

Roasted Asparagus with Garlic: http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=veggiessearch.htm&recipeid=392&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Braised Red Cabbage: http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=veggiessearch.htm&recipeid=371&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Entrees:

Bronzed Pork Medallions: http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=entreessearch.htm&recipeid=264&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Easy Spinach Pie: http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=entreessearch.htm&recipeid=402&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

SEPTEMBER'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Immunization: Shots aren't only for kids. Get yours!

Links for additional information on the importance of immunizations for all women:

How Do Vaccines Work: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/fs/gen/howvacswork.htm

Fight Flu and Pneumonia: http://www.medicare.gov/health/fludetails.asp

Immunization … Isn't Just Kids' Stuff: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n17/p4035.htm

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN SEPTEMBER

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

California again produced the most calls to our toll-free Information and Referral line. Help your state become our "number one" state by encouraging your friends, colleagues and family members to call our toll-free service if they need information on women's health topics. Don't forget to take time to order your free individual copy of the 2003 Daybook or the Prevention Guide!

The five most popular NWHIC web pages this month were:

Our most frequently asked health topics this month were requests for information on:

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