Thousands of women are living with ovarian cancer in Canada. It’s estimated that this year 2,800 Canadian women will be newly diagnosed. Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cancer for women.
Rick Factors
If you have a family history, it is important that you let your health care provider know. Ask for a referral to a genetic counsellor. This is an important step to help you understand the risks and benefits of genetic testing. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms associated with ovarian cancer are often vague and can be mistaken for other things. Common symptoms include: 1. Bloating - increased abdominal size/persistent bloating 2. Eating - difficulty eating or feeling full quickly 3. Pain - in pelvic or abdominal areas 4. Urinary symptoms - urgency or frequency Occasionally there can be other symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue or unexplained weight loss. Just because you have the symptoms does not mean you have ovarian cancer. However, if the symptoms are:
Early detection is key. Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!
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Most people are fairly healthy, but as we age, we are faced with challenges, choices and risks specifically in relation to food, alcohol, tobacco and inactive lifestyles. Unfortunately, the common result of these choices is obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse and unhealthy diets. All of these things contribute to today’s epidemic of heart attacks and strokes, cancers, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and other diseases.
The good news is that it’s possible to reduce your risk by adjusting your lifestyle and taking better care of yourself. Self-Care includes:
Is self-care hard to do? Absolutely – some elements definitely are, such as quitting smoking. Small steps in a positive direction are the best way to achieve long-lasting results. If you are a patient of the Temagami Family Health Team and would like to see our dietitian, our mental health worker, our respiratory therapist or one of our primary care providers, please feel free to call the office at (705) 569-3244 to schedule an appointment. Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future! Nobody wants to stay inside when the sun’s shining. So when you’re outside, be safe and protect yourself and your family from getting too much sun.
Sun Safety Tips:
Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future! How does age affect your driving?
Everyone ages differently so there is no hard and fast cut off as to when someone should stop driving. As we age, things like decreased vision, impaired hearing, slowed motor reflexes, and worsening health conditions can become a problem. Aging also tends to result in a reduction of strength, coordination and flexibility which can impact your ability to safely control a motor vehicle. For example:
Check out our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/temagamifamilyhealthteam for exercises and stretches that are important to the daily activities of living and maintaining independence. Safety tips for older drivers: Getting older does not automatically mean a total loss of driving ability. There are many things you can do to continue driving safely, including staying on top of your health. Regular check-ups are critical to keeping you in the best possible driving shape.
Know your limitations: If a driving situation makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. Many of us voluntarily begin to make changes in our driving practices as we get older by:
If you are a patient of the Temagami Family Health Team and would like to speak to your primary care provider about driving concerns, please call (705) 569-3244 to schedule an appointment. Committed to keeping you as healthy as possible! Vaccines protect an entire population by preventing the spread of disease from one person to another…the more people immunized, the less chance there is for disease to spread. Preventing infection by immunization is a lifelong process that does not stop when you become an adult! Childhood immunization programs have significantly reduced vaccine-preventable diseases among children, but Canada's population has an increasing number of adults who remain vulnerable to these diseases. All adults should be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. As well, adults 65 years of age and older and those with conditions that increase their chances of complications (COPD or Diabetes for example) should receive one dose of pneumococcal vaccine in addition to a yearly Influenza vaccine. What is Seasonal Influenza? It’s a common and highly contagious respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat and lungs. In Canada, flu season usually runs from November to April. Most people will recover from influenza within a week or ten days, but some - including those over 65 and adults and children with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cancer - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia. Approximately 3,500 Canadians can die from influenza and its complications annually, depending on the season. Thinking of travelling? Be sure you are protected against illnesses such as hepatitis, typhoid, meningitis, yellow fever or Japanese encephalitis depending on where you are going. If you’re not sure what you might need and have access to a computer, you can go to http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php to learn about any travel advisories that may be applicable. As you grow older, you don’t outgrow your need for immunization. Whether you are a parent, a young adult or a senior, talk to your health care provider about being up-to-date on your immunizations. Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!
One of the main causes of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV rays. UV rays are invisible, and are produced by the sun and tanning lamps. Most often, skin cancer is the result of overexposure. Most cases of skin cancer are preventable. You can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer by taking some simple but important steps. To avoid the harmful effects of UV rays, everyone should:
Remember that babies and children are at greater risk than adults because of their more sensitive skin. Talk to your health care provider about any changes to your skin like:
Preventative Health Care – the Easiest Way to Protect Your Future!
DID YOU KNOW…
The good news is that falling can be prevented! FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT FALLS:
The Temagami Family Health Team will be hosting another 12-week Stand Up Program starting in August. If you are interested in attending or know someone who could benefit, please call the office at )705) 569-3244 to register. Space is limited so register early! Many falls can be prevented.
By making some simple changes, you can lower your risk. |
AuthorEllen Ibey Archives
August 2022
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