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Food And Your Prostate

Prostate cancer is one of those illnesses where the focus should be on prevention. Men whose family members have a history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease, and African-American men are more likely to be diagnosed, while AsianAmerican and Latino men are less likely to develop prostate cancer. Diet, weight, and exercise affect the level of risk, according to studies by the World Cancer Research Fund International. THE FACTORS INCLUDE →

The prostate-protection diet includes nuts, broccoli, cayenne, green tea, pomegranates, and fish.

• Being overweight or obese.

• Developmental factors like being taller.

• Consuming beta-carotene has proved to have no effect on risk.

• Age matters—it generally affects men over 50.

• Men in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean are at highest risk.

• Eating a lot of red meat, high-fat dairy, and fewer vegetables and whole grains raises the risk.

You Gotta Have Heart

It’s time for the annual Heart-2Heart Cardiovascular Symposium, scheduled for Feb. 22-23 at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-theHills. Central Florida Health, the parent organization of Leesburg Regional Medical Center and The Villages Regional Hospital, is sponsoring the event. It is designed to update and educate cardiology nurses and other medical professionals interested in managing cardiovascular disease. Attendees can receive up to 14 continuing education units for participating.

LRMC is known for having of cardiology on staff. Each of them will share experiences with advanced technology and the impact that has on cardiovascular therapies. They also will discuss the latest advancements and trends in treatment.

Keep Track Of Your Vital Statistics

The Florida Department of Health in Lake County recently announced that vital statistics services will be available every third Tuesday of the month from 9amnoon at the office in Leesburg, 2113 Griffin Road. You must bring a valid state-issued identification along with cash or a credit card to receive what you need.

Why would you need a copy of your birth certificate? To get a driver’s license, a Social Security card, a job, a passport, or to enroll in school. A death certificate is needed to inform Social Security, insurance companies, probate court, investigations, and for property transfers. To get these vital documents, you must pay $15 for a birth certificate, $12 for death certificates, and $10 for each additional copy of the documents. A vinyl protector is available for $5.

Same-day services will continue to be offered from 8am-4:30pm at Eustis (16140 U.S. Highway 441) and Clermont (875 Oakley Seaver Drive). Call 352.589.6424 or visit lake.floridahealth.gov/certificates/birth for more information.

Lung Cancer Screening

In Florida, a yearly average of 11,943 residents are diagnosed with lung cancer, the American Lung Association states in a recent press release. Lung cancer screening is a lifesaving tool, because once symptoms appear, it may mean the cancer has spread and will be more difficult to treat.

“The toll lung cancer takes on our families, friends, and neighbors in Florida and across the nation is truly devastating,” Steven Riddle, executive director of the ALA in Florida, says in the release. “With the availability of lung cancer screening, we have the opportunity to find the disease earlier and save lives. However, to make this lifesaving opportunity a reality, we must do more to raise awareness of both lung cancer and screening.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• A low-dose CT scan is the only tool that reduces the lung cancer mortality rate for those at high risk.

• Screening is not recommended for everyone.

• See savedbythescan.org or ask your doctor to assess your risk.

MAKING ‘NIGHT, NIGHT’ SAFER

Research indicates the majority of infant deaths are accidental because the babies were sleeping in an unsafe environment. Leesburg Regional Medical Center has partnered with the Cribs for Kids National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative to take part in solving this problem. Much of the problem is bed sharing. LRMC will teach parents that sleeping alone, on his or her back, in a bare, safety-approved crib is best for any baby.

“Over 3,500 infants die each year due to sleep-related deaths,” says Stacy LucasAustin from the Maternal Child Health Department at LRMC. “Educating new parents is a critical tool in preventing such tragedies. Our partnership with Cribs for Kids exemplifies the dedication our staff has to even the newest members of this community.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends a firm mattress, tightfitting sheet, wearable blankets, a smokefree home, and breastfeeding. Never let baby sleep anywhere but in a crib, and remove everything but the baby from the crib at bedtime.

• Raise awareness. Despite the attention to lung cancer, awareness remains low among those with high risk.

• Screening is covered by most Medicare and most health-care plans.