Living Well September October 2016 by Missoulian

September/October 2016 ~ living well

living well ~ September/October 2016

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People in Missoula and western Montana want to feel good, look good and live well. Available at more than 150 newsstand locations throughout the area, Western Montana Living Well is well suited to more than 30,000 readers monthly who want health tips on fitness, nutrition, family, financial advice, wellness, therapy and beauty.

publisher Mark Heintzelman

advertising sales 406-523-5223

editor Ashley Klein

contributors Lindsay Abrams Kay Jennings Carol Schotte

graphic design Dara Saltzman Bob Jacobson

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Missoulian or Lee Enterprises. The author of each article published in this publication owns his or her own words. No part of the publication may be reprinted without permission. ©2016 Lee Enterprises, all rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

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living well ~ September/October 2016

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september/october 2016 VOL. 37

in this issue

how to make your job less painful pg. 6

creating wellness in your workplace pg. 8

workplace safety work-related injuries pg. 12

10 ways to be more active during the workday pg. 14

also inside is the health field right for you pg. 24 hottest jobs in healthcare pg. 26 putting patients first pg. 28 breast cancer awareness month: by the numbers pg. 30 starting your own group pg. 32

staying healthy at work pg. 20

fire prevention month: protect your business pg. 22

September/October 2016 ~ living well

How to make your job less pa

orking can be hazardous to your health. Labor Bureau data has indicated that the workers most at risk for workplace injuries are fishermen and women, fishing workers, aircraft pilots, flight engineers

living well ~ September/October 2016

ainful

By Carol Schotte, PT

and roofers. Among the 10 most common workplace injuries involve activities that require pulling, lifting, pushing, throwing, etc. Falls were the second most common cause of injuries at work. Repetitive motion injuries are also in the top 10. While it is easy to see how some jobs can be more dangerous than others, we also must recognize that there are hazards in any job. To reduce workplace injuries, first be aware of the risks in your workplace environment: • How cluttered is your workspace? Are cords, boxes or the office dog ready to trip you if you are not paying attention? Did someone spill soup and forget to clean it up, again? • Are you doing a two-person job by yourself? Get help before you lift that heavy box or crawl into that confined space. • Are you well rested so that you do not take short cuts that might compromise safety? • Do you use the right tool for the job, like a ladder instead of an office chair? Always read safety instructions before using any new tool. Even in an office job, people can suffer muscle and/or joint pain. This is because sitting is tougher that is looks. Prolonged sitting can lead to awkward postures, which can initiate or worsen back or neck problems. Repetitive tasks can lead to conditions that strain muscles and tendons and irritate joints. Luckily, with a little awareness, even the dangers of sitting can be reduced: •Sit with your feet flat on the floor. Use a small stool under your feet, if you need one. Keep your back against the back of your chair, upright or minimally reclined. Face your work straight on, with your whole body. If you need to turn to either side turn your whole body. • For computer work, keep your upper arms by your side and your forearms parallel to the floor. Placing your keyboard lower that desk height is usually most comfortable. Keep a straight wrist while typing. Do not keep your wrists on the wrist rest while actively keying. The computer screen should be at eye level, or slightly below. • Don’t just sit there: stretch. Get up two or three times per hour. Take your eyes off the screen, and gently stretch the body parts that need attention. A few minutes to help you feel better, and you will be more productive. • The same principles apply to standing work stations. Stand on a stressreducing mat. Adjust your workspace to your height. Stand with your ears, shoulders, hips and ankles in a straight line, and your knees slightly bent. When you use good body mechanics in a properly designed workspace the risk of workplace injury decreases significantly. Your physical therapist is trained to help you find ways to make your work less painful. But don’t stop there, encourage everyone at work to be involved in keeping themselves and others safe.

September/October 2016 ~ living well

Creating wellness in your workplace Small Changes for Big Impact

by Kay Jennings, BSN, MSHSA, MSN, APRN-PMH

s a business owner and recipient of the Montana Excellence in Worksite Health Promotion Award for two consecutive years, I would like to share some ideas that may help other employers and their employees to maximize their personal health and wellness by addressing the effects of nutrition, motion, sleep, toxins, and stress.

that coffee pot and drink pure, filtered water if available (or get a Brita style filter).

Eat for Better Health Many employers offer annual lab testing and this is a good place to start. If lipids are elevated or blood sugar is a little high, then immediate attention to diet is essential. I recommend “The Cardiometabolic Diet” which essentially recommends 5-7 vegetables, 5 fat servings and 5 protein servings a day. Cutting out processed refined foods and gluten is usually an excellent idea as well. Changing diet requires planning and preparation, especially if you have meals that take place at work. Avoiding eating out is critical to manage blood sugar issues and to help lipids return to normal. I have found that Sundays are a good day to prepare snacks and soups or salads for the work week. Mason jar salads are easy to make and ideas are plentiful on the internet.

Get Out of Your Chair Today’s sitting is yesterday’s smoking: The health care and scientific communities all agree that prolonged sitting can be as unhealthy as smoking. So, how does one increase movement while at work? Get up and move around at least every hour! Personally, I sit on a stability ball while seeing patients, I stand/walk on a treadmill with an elevated desk while doing computer work, and I have an exercise bike under my desk to pedal while I am reading or talking to staff. I have even been known to get down on the floor and do planks to demonstrate to patients just how easy it is to get a full body strengthening break. I would challenge each of you to do a 30-day plank challenge (search the internet for ideas and programs). I also take every opportunity I can to get up out of my chair and take a brief walk in-between patient visits, always take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park furthest away from the building. These are simple yet incredibly effective ways to boost daily activity.

Drink More Water Having a quart jar on your desk to drink water is another great idea. A simple way to calculate the ideal number of ounces your body may require is to take your body weight and divide by two (in other words, if you weigh 180 pounds, try to drink 90 ounces of water each day). Get away from

Get Your ZZZZZ’s A minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep is essential to rest and repair of cells and, as you sleep, your brain works to eliminate toxins. Do your best to eliminate “screen time” (that includes your computer, tablet, and cell phone) at least one hour

living well ~ September/October 2016

September/October 2016 ~ living well

living well ~ September/October 2016

before bed, sleep in a darkened room, use static or white noise if necessary, discourage pets in the bed, and keep the room cool. If insomnia is a problem for you, specially compounded non-prescription sleep formulas with natural ingredients may be helpful. “HeartMath”, a program that helps people obtain mastery over their heart rate variability, can benefit sleep. Cognitive Behavior Therapy-Insomnia (CBT-I), is another treatment that is recommended prior to using any hypnotic drugs. Say ‘No’ To Toxins Toxins seem to be everywhere. Eliminating as many toxins as possible in your hygiene routine is a starting point: Switch to natural toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo in order to significantly decrease the toxic load. Another good idea is to drink from glass jars instead of plastic. And, check the Electro Magnetic Fields in your home and workspace, then rearrange electrical items so that where you sit or sleep the majority of the time is away from disruptive EMF’s. Manage Your Stress Finally, stress is the one game changer in our quest for health. I don’t care what type of job you have, even if you are passionate and love what you do, as I do, you can’t avoid stressors in your life. But, you can learn how to manage them. Stress affects your adrenal glands and I find many of

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my patients are on the verge of adrenal exhaustion. Diet, exercise, and mindfulness techniques all help to reduce stress. Recently I have started offering HeartMath for stress management and find it to be extremely helpful for myself and my clients. Stress also increases oxidative stress, so taking supplements to help restore the cells is important. Consider taking Vitamins A, C, E, and a good B complex, since we do not get enough micronutrients in our food due to depleted soils. Kay Jennings, BSN, MSHSA, MSN, APRN-PMH, owns and operates Aleph p.c. and New Health in Missoula Montana. She is trained in Integrative Functional Medicine, Obesity Medicine and Psychiatry and specializes in insomnia, mood, weight loss, fatigue and life style medicine. Jennings has compounded an all-natural sleep formula “New Sleep” that is now available for retail sale, and is currently at work compounding an oxidative stress formula (to be released for retail sale in the near future). She is also a Certified HeartMath Practitioner. To learn more, call 406 721 2537.

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September/October 2016 ~ living well

Work-related injur W By Lindsay Abrams, DPT, Physical Therapist at Element Physical Therapy

ork-related injuries are common. Each vocation has a specific effect on the body. For instance, construction workers and nurses are more susceptible to back injuries from the repetitive loads they carry and the postures they sustain for long periods of time. Jobs that are not physically tasking also have negative outcomes. Data entry employees and dental assistants, for example, have higher frequency of neck, shoulder, wrist and hand aliments than other vocations. Repetitive postures and overexertion costs the United States on average $15.5 billion dollars each year in worker compensation claims with an average of eight days out of work (Johnson, 2015). In order to decrease the astronomical amount of money spent on medical claims and days out of work, it is imperative that

living well ~ September/October 2016

employers and employees are educated on common injuries in their field, as well as ways to reduce the likelihood of injury. Low back pain is one of the most common injuries in the workplace. This is common among several vocations, including sedentary and more physically demanding jobs. For the most physically active jobs, the cause of low back pain are improper and repetitive lifting. People who injure their back usually are not lifting with their legs, but instead rely on solely on their back muscles. In addition, people usually lift with a slight twist to their back, which increases the incidence of disc bulge or herniation. For the more sedentary occupation, prolonged stooped or extended postures cause low back pain. In addition, if the back is turned it also leads to increased strain on tissues of the back including muscles, joints, discs and tendons. Neck pain is another ailment common with a majority of occupations. Forward head posture, when the head is positioned further in front of the trunk, is a very common cause of neck pain. The more degrees the head is forward, the more pressure it places on your spine, jaw, shoulders and torso. In addition, repeatedly sustained head postures, such as looking up, can cause neck pain. This also can lead to other issues in the arms, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and shoulder impingement.

ries The third most common injury involves the hand. Repetitive or sustained posture of the hand and wrist causes several ailments that can alter a career. The most common injury includes carpal tunnel syndrome. Signs of carpal tunnel syndrome include numbness and tingling in the hand, hand pain and weakness. Proper hand and wrist position, as well as ruling out neck involvement, is imperative to decreasing rate of carpal tunnel syndrome. Tendonitis also is common in the wrist and hand. Injuries are common in all professions. The more employers and employees know about common ailments and prevention of injuries in their field, the less likely people will be hurt on the job. Proper ergonomics with lifting as well as workplace setup is imperative for overall health. For more information, please visit mayoclinic.org/ healthy-lifestyle, or call 406-543-7860 to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist. TIPS FOR DECREASING INJURY LOW BACK • Proper lifting: Lift with your legs, not your back. Make sure your torso is not twisted in any way. Only lift what you can safely lift, if not ask for help. • Proper seated posture: No slouching or sitting at the edge of the chair, and make sure you are not twisted (that your head, neck, trunk and legs are facing the same way). NECK • Decrease forward head posture by making sure chin is only slightly in front of the sternum. • Limit prolonged positions of combination of motions such as twisting/side bending and flexion of neck (This often is seen with resting phone on shoulders while talking). • If you have to maintain a certain posture for prolonged periods of time, make sure to stretch the opposite way afterward. • Adjust computer screen so it is eye level. HAND/WRIST: • With typing, make sure the wrist is not in full flexion or extended. • Proper gripping of tools to decrease overuse of thumb and digits. • Stretching muscles/tendons to decrease overuse. Reference Johnson, D. (2015). “Top 10 Causes of Workplace Injuries: Liberty Mutual.” <www.clamsjournal.com/news/ national/2015/01/14/260196.htm> September/October 2016 ~ living well

10 ways to be more active d

living well ~ September/October 2016

during the work day

Brand Point Content

e’re sitting too much and it’s dangerous. The average American spends more than seven hours sitting every day, and the more time you sit, the higher your risk of serious, potentially lifethreatening health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So, what can you do about it? Fortunately, there are simple changes you can make during the day - anywhere, even at the work place - to improve your wellness and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes. As part of the American Diabetes Association’s(R) Wellness Lives Here(SM) initiative, the Association encourages everyone to get active for National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day(SM) with these 10 tips for the workplace and beyond. • Park a few blocks away from the office each morning and walk to work. This allows you to start off your mornings energized and ready to take on the workday. If you take public transportation, get off one stop earlier to squeeze in some light exercise before 8 a.m. • Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Waiting for the elevator often takes just as long as walking up the stairs, so why not use this opportunity to get your heart rate up? Plus, you’ll get the chance to work your leg muscles. • Get up and move around the office once every 90 minutes. When you’re nose-deep in work, it’s easy to lose track of time. Set up reminders on your phone or email every 60-90 minutes to get up and do a quick lap around the office. You can use this time to fill up your water bottle, go to the bathroom or catch up with coworkers.

September/October 2016 ~ living well

• Ask questions and discuss issues face-to-face. Rather than sending an email every time you have a question, go to your coworker’s office to discuss the issue face-to-face. This gives you a good excuse to get moving and a chance to more effectively hash out solutions in person. • Use your lunch break to move around outside. So many Americans today work through their lunch break. When possible, take advantage of this time to walk outside and soak in the nice weather. Fresh air and vitamin D are often all you need to stay focused and push through the afternoon slump. • Stand up and stretch. If you don’t have time to walk around the office every 90 minutes, use the opportunity to stand up and stretch instead. Stretching is a great way to increase energy levels, reduce muscle tension and get your body moving. • Pace around the office during conference calls. Conference calls are the perfect time to be active. Put clients and coworkers on speaker, or use your mobile phone during meetings to move around without any trouble. 18

living well ~ September/October 2016

• Do chair exercises at your desk. You’ve been wanting to tone your arms for the summer - why not achieve your goals at the office? When you need a break, do a few reps of chair sits. You can even alternate between chair exercises and push ups! • Hold standing or walking meetings. Many coworkers will welcome the opportunity to stand and stretch their legs for a moment. If you have a two-person meeting, consider going for a walk. • Fidget when you work. Small movements and quick exercise breaks add up, especially in a sedentary work place, so challenge yourself to stand, stretch or even tap a foot to bring motion into otherwise still parts of your day. Just remember to keep it professional! Making a point to move throughout the day puts you on the right track toward wellness. For more ideas on how to increase physical activity and maintain a healthy lifestyle, download the Association’s e-tool kit today to incorporate the principles and activities of National Get Fit Don’t Sit Day into the workday and beyond.

September/October 2016 ~ living well

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Staying Healthy at Work Brand Point Content

f you consistently put in full-time hours at your company, you probably find yourself exhausted after the end of a busy workday. Working 40-plus hours per week at any job can expose you to unhealthy habits and conditions, especially if you have a high-stress role with demanding responsibilities.

From washing your hands to making a little time for exercise during your work week, there are steps you can take to make sure you remain healthy at work. DOING YOUR PART Regardless of your workplace environment, bacteria can easily be found there. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends frequently washing your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. It also is a good idea to keep a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer around to use after coughing or blowing your nose. Getting preventive vaccinations also is a good way to keep yourself and co-workers protected from seasonal viruses like the flu. If you are experiencing symptoms of the flu or any other contagious illness, be sure to call your supervisor and explain that you feel it would be more responsible to take the day off. BACTERIA HOT SPOTS Aside from washing your hands, a good rule of thumb is to keep a package of anti-bacterial wipes on hand. Wipe down appliances that are heavily used, like the microwave or vending machines, before you operate them.

Avoid using your co-workers’ equipment. It’s never a good idea to handle a co-worker’s telephone, keyboard or other work tools. Especially if they aren’t as apt to keep a clean environment, you may wind up negating your healthy behaviors. EXERCISE AND DIET It can be hard enough to dedicate yourself to a good exercise routine at home; trying it at the workplace may seem impossible. Depending on the type of job you have, exercise may be hard to come by, but it’s important to squeeze it in when you can. Busy work days make it too easy to justify picking up a quick lunch from the local fast-food place. Instead, pack yourself a healthy lunch and eat at work. Utilize the extra time you saved by not driving to the fast-food restaurant to go on a walk during your break. This combination of healthy eating and moderate exercise can do wonders for your waistline.

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Fire prevention month:

Protect Your Business Greenshoot Media

hether you run a startup or aFortune 500 company, the risk of fire is always present. Protecting our business an employees is not only a way to ensure smooth operation, it is your responsibility. Your business is likely the main source of income on which you and your employees rely. Create a safe environment by placing fire extinguishers near areas that are a fire risk. This may vary by the type of business you have. Any area that is exposed to flammable material or gasses should be given extra protection. BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE Ask your insurance agent for information on business interruption insurance. You can rest easy knowing that even if your business is affected by a disaster, your

living well ~ September/October 2016

usual profits will be maintained. This insurance usually will reimburse the profits your company would have taken when a disaster strikes and causes you to be inoperable. It also protects losses your business may face due to being unable to operate normally. You may be able to add this protection as part of a package with your other coverages. Ask your insurance agent. EDUCATE YOUR EMPLOYEES Educating employees of the fire risks your business faces gives you a big upper hand in prevention. Create bulletins that outline various fire hazards that are specific to your business. Post these bulletins in break rooms and at-risk areas. Teach employees how to properly use a fire extinguisher and hold an annual fire drill in case of emergency. Be sure to use the alarms that would normally be

activated during an event. This will get your employees familiar with the sounds these alarms use. REGULAR MAINTENANCE There are actions you need to take to ensure that your company is prepared for a fire emergency. Here are a few specific tips: • Recharge and inspect your fire extinguishers regularly. Call a local fire extinguisher dealer and set up a contract so you know professionals are ensuring everything is up to date. • Test your fire alarms and sprinkler systems every few months. Again, you might consider calling a local contractor to inspect these. • Fire doors should be inspected to make sure they are in good working order and there are no obstructions.

September/October ~ living well

Is the Health Field for You? Greenshoot Media

living well ~ September/October 2016

hile the economy continues its progressive recovery from the Great Recession, one industry never really took that big of a hit. Many say the health care sector is recessionproof.

If you’re looking to enter a career with stability — not to mention great pay — the health care industry is for you. With a broad range of opportunities across many different disciplines, health care offers a diverse array of jobs and not just in traditional roles, such as physicians and nurses. Health care organizations also need communications coordinators, marketing professionals, information technology specialists, food service providers — and the list goes on. Whatever your specialty, now is the right time to break into the health care industry. FAST GROWTH Health care is the fastest growing job sector in the workforce, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth can be attributed to the Baby Boomer population’s entry into older age and federal health insurance reform that is increasing the number of Americans with access to health insurance. Hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living centers are experiencing large influxes of patients and clients, and the trend doesn’t look to end anytime soon. The health care industry needs professionals committed to a long career of caring for others. Do you fit the bill? GREAT PAY According to the U. S. Department of Labor, with an associate degree, in some fields you can make as much as $100,000. Higher degrees lead to more money, so it’s obvious that pay is one of the biggest benefits to a career in health care. Many physicians, who can average nearly $200,000 in annual salary, can even land contracts in which their medical bills are partially or completely paid off by their employer. This is an extra incentive many hospitals have put in place to attract and retain the best doctor talent. Other health care workers also can find employers or even government scholarships to cover their educational costs. AN EXCITING CAREER One thing is for sure when you work in the health care industry: Every day is different. You never know what kinds of situations you will be thrust into when you work for a hospital or physician’s office. If you like work that keeps you on your toes and is diverse from day to day, health care may be a perfect fit. Meet interesting people from varied backgrounds and put your skills to the test in the health care field.

September/October 2016 ~ living well

Hottest jobs in health care Greenshoot Media

living well ~ September/October 2016

he health care industry offers many jobs featuring generous pay and add-ons, such as benefits, life insurance and even help paying down student debt.

Employee compensation is important to health care organizations across the nation because they understand that high retention numbers can lead to improved patient satisfaction. With so many available jobs on the market, how do you know which field to select? If you are a new college student or a professional transitioning into health care, how can you make sure the direction you take is the right one? The hottest jobs in health care aren’t necessarily the ones at the top of the salary food chain. There are many mid-level jobs that don’t require extended college training or high-stress workplace environments. Some of them only call for a short certification process and can have many of the same perks and prestige that are attached to roles such as physician or administrator. Finding the role that is right for you all depends on how you want to spend your professional life. The job search website CareerCast and the University of Wisconsin recently compiled a list of the hottest jobs in health care. Their list takes into

consideration many factors, including salary, growth potential, stress and longevity. Other dynamics spanned the work environment, potential safety hazards, physical demands and hiring outlooks. Here are the four jobs that topped the list with some general information on the tasks required for each position: • Audiologist. According to the American SpeechLanguage Hearing Association, an audiologist’s role is providing patient-centered care in the prevention, identification, diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting hearing, balance and other issues. • Biomedical engineer. Biomedical engineers work with colleagues and health care professionals to uncover new, life-changing therapies for a variety of medical issues. They are specialists in the design, development, production, research and testing of new methodologies. • Dental hygienist. Dental hygienists are the right-hand support resource to dentists, handling oral dental exams, computer charting, digital X-rays, quadrant scaling and other dental work. They work with all ages but can specialize in either pediatrics or adult care. • Dietitian. Dietitians make a difference by directing and providing medical nutritional therapy to inpatients and outpatients. They assess needs, diet restrictions and current health pans to ensure overall patient health.

September/October 2016 ~ living well

Putting Patients F Greenshoot Media

hat do you remember about your last experience as a patient? Was it enjoyable and professional, or have you changed providers because of a lessthan-positive visit? Now think about how you have shared your story with friends and family members. How many of them have pledged to change providers due to your personal experience? Hospitals and physicians are more vigilant than ever before about the importance of outstanding patient care, and not just in terms of evidence-based outcomes. They want you, the patient, to have an amazing experience filled with positive hospitality and responsive service. In addition to the fact that your positive review could bring more business in the future, there is funding attached to insurance reimbursements that are based on patient satisfaction scores. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re entering the health care space, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to understand the science behind this new shift in focus. In a

living well ~ September/October 2016

First HealthLeaders Media study, 88 percent of senior health care executives said patient experience is among their top five priorities. That number increased even higher when executives were asked about their priorities five years into the future. PATIENTS HAVE POWER When it comes to health care, patients aren’t just patients anymore. They are customers, able to take their experience and review of your organization to the masses. With the onset of social media, anyone and everyone has the power to broadcast a message to their network. As a health care professional, you want to make sure you stay on your patients’ positive side. You can do this by remaining courteous at all times and working hard to make sure their needs are met in a prompt, receptive manner.

MORE FINDINGS Many studies back up the importance of the patient experience, including the following: • The Journal of Ambulatory Care Management shows that systematic efforts to measure and improve the patient experience “can increase the effectiveness of primary care, improve patient outcomes and control costs.” • The UK’s National Health Service found that “patients who are well informed and feel comfortable in their surroundings tend to be less prone to complications and subsequent readmission to hospital.” • The American Journal of Managed Care reports that “higher hospital-level patient satisfaction scores (overall and for discharge planning) were independently associated with lower 30-day readmission rates.”

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September/October 2016 ~ living well

Breast Cancer Awareness Mo Greenshoot Media

he American Cancer Society estimates that in 2016, there will be 246,660 new cases of invasive breast cancer in U.S. women. When looking at a number that large, it is important to consider it as more than just a statistic. These “numbers” could be your close family members, friends or colleagues. Some of these diagnoses may be more serious than others, but one thing is constant: These patients need our support and love as they work through the difficult process of survivorship. Consider the following numbers compiled by Susan G. Komen and pledge to make a donation or become involved in the fight against breast cancer. • Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer developed during a pregnancy. About one in 3,000 pregnant women will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year. • Breast cancer incidences have increased slightly each year in African-American women. • African-American women have the highest breast cancer mortality rate, while AsianAmericans have the lowest. • Breast cancer causes more deaths than any other type of cancer in women ages 20-59. • Cases of breast cancer in men has slightly increased in the past 30 years. • Mortality rates are highest in Washington, D.C., Louisiana and Mississippi. • 30,700 new cases of breast cancer are expected in African-American women this year. • From 1990-2013 mortality rates have decreased by 37 percent. • Most breast cancer diagnoses and deaths occur in women over age 50. • Diagnoses in younger women usually have a mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that has mutated.

living well ~ September/October 2016

onth: By The Numbers

September/October 2016 ~ living well

Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

Start your own group Greenshoot Media

he ave you asked yourself how you can help in the fight to stop breast cancer? Maybe your family members or friends have been affected by the disease. The good news is that it is easy to start your own group to help raise donations and awareness for breast cancer.

the Cancer Support Community Helpline (888-7939355) to locate other local groups. Look for ways to differentiate your group’s activities. This can include inviting educated guest speakers to offer their insights on the disease and how to overcome it.

A smart thing to sort out before planning your group is how often you want your group to meet. Consider planning your meetings on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Once a month may be easier for everyone to plan around but may make it difficult to keep the group’s momentum going.

BECOMING A GREAT LEADER If starting a group is your idea, you may be looked to as the leader. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether you should be a leader, or whether another member should take the helm of your group. If you’ve got the passion for the group objective and are skilled in coaching others to success, a leadership role may be the perfect fit. If you’re looking for someone else in the group to step into a director-type role, a current patient or survivor of breast cancer can make a great candidate. Someone who has experienced cancer can share in other’s struggles and convey their perspective of how to cope with the disease.

MAKE YOUR GROUP UNIQUE Check to see if a similar group already exists in your area. It may be counter-productive to begin a new group instead of assisting an already established group. Consider joining forces with like-minded groups to enhance your capabilities. Your local oncology nurse or social worker can assist you in finding existing groups, or you can call

living well ~ May/June 2016

September/October 2016 ~ living well

Acupuncture

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Mental Health

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living well ~ September/October 2016

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September/October 2016 ~ living well

living well ~ September/October 2016