General
Cancer Information: Prevention
Cancer
Basic Facts
- Cancer:
Basic Facts info from the
American Cancer Society
- OncoLink --
an award winning web site sponsored
by the University of Pennsylvania
Cancer Center which features
information for both patient
and health care professional including
information on specific types
of cancers, treatment, psychosocial
support, personal experiences,
epidemiology, screening, and
clinical trials.
- OncoLink
TV: Real Media Video --
a new multimedia service sponsored
by OncoLink which features
video segments and dramatizations
dealing with "Life After
Breast Cancer", Genetic
Testing, caring for the cancer
patient, and many more topics.
Breast
Cancer
Cervical
Cancer
Lung
Cancer
Ovarian
Cancer
Prostate
Cancer
Skin
Cancer
Testicular
Cancer
Other
Types of Cancers
- Information
from the American Cancer
Society -- Rare types of
cancers
Cancer
Support and Advocacy for Patients
and their Families
- Information,
counseling and support for people
affected by cancer -- a site
by CancerBACUP. This
site features a support group
database; information, booklets
and recommended readings; links
to other websites; and a cancer
counseling site.
http://www.cdc.gov/nchswww/fastats/cancer.htm
http://www2.acan.net/~amcancer/
- American
Lung Association
http://www.lungusa.org/
- National
Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov/
- National
Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/nccdhome.htm
- Cancer
Prevention and Control -- CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dcpc/index.htm
- Planet
Cancer
http://www.planetcancer.org
Planet
Cancer is a non-profit organization
based in Austin, Texas, that provides
support specifically for young
adults with cancer--college-age
and older. Young adults are a relatively
small demographic in the overall
cancer population, and their unique
voice, spirit, issues and perspectives
are poorly addressed--if at all--in
the realm of cancer support services
and resources. Planet Cancer was
founded by Heidi Schultz Adams,
a cancer survivor who experienced
firsthand this void in support
services when she was treated for
a rare bone cancer at age 26. The
Planet Cancer website is a place
for young adults with cancer to
freely address the issues and feelings
unique to their peer group. The
website is the first step towards
creating a national support network
that will bring young adults with
cancer together to provide peer
support and encouragement through
this difficult and often isolating
experience.
- PDR’s
Getting Well Network
http://www.pdr.net/gettingwell/breast_cancer/index.html
- Breast
and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program -- CDC
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dcpc/nbccedp/index.htm
- Skin
Cancer Prevention --
- CDC
-- Choose Your Cover
(excellent site)
http://www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover/
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dcpc/screenforlife/index.htm |
Influenza
Cold
and Flu Symptoms:
Sore
Throat
Chronic
Cough
Introduction
Influenza
(often called the flu) is a serious
viral disease spread by respiratory
droplet from the nose or throat of
infected individuals. The incubation
period is relatively short (1-2 days)
and symptoms include fever, cough,
chills, sore throat, muscle aches,
headache. The majority of symptoms
resolve within 4-5 days, but respiratory
symptoms may last up to two weeks.
Complications include pneumonia,
sinus infections, cardiac and/or
neurologic conditions, and even death.
Most deaths caused by influenza occur
in elderly people or individuals
who have lung disease (emphysema,
bronchitis, severe asthma) or who
have a compromized immune status
(HIV/AIDS, cancer).
About
the Vaccine
The
vaccine is made
from purified
viruses grown
in egg cultures
which have been
made inactive
(attenuated).
Since the influenza
virus changes
frequently, a
vaccine must
be given annually.
Each year, a
new vaccine is
developed consisting
of three virus
strains selected
by the U.S. Public
Health Service
which are believed
to be the likely
viruses to spread
in the upcoming
flu season (generally
early December
through March).
This year's strains
are:
- A/Johannesburg
(A/Bayern-like)
- A/Nanchang
(A/Wuhan-like)
- B/Haarbin
(B/Beijing-like)
Who
should get the influenza vaccine?
The
purpose of receiving
the flu vaccine
is to prevent
becoming ill
with influenza,
reduce the severity
if contracted,
and reduce the
chance of transmission
to close contacts. Other
viruses can cause
diseases with
symptoms similar
to the flu (stomach
virus, common
cold, bronchitis,
etc.) but are
not caused by
the influcenza
virus; therefore
receiving the
flu vaccine will not protect
against these
other viral illnesses.
The
following people should receive
the flu vaccine:
- Group
1. People who are
at risk of getting a serious
case of influenza or a complication
should get the vaccine. This
includes:
- All
people 65 years of age
or older
- Residents
of long term care facilities
housing
- Person
of any age with chronic
medical conditions
- Any
child or adult who has
a serious long-term health
problem: heart disease,
lung disease, anemia, kidney
disease, diabetes, asthma
- Any
individual who has a weakened
immune system: HIV/AIDS,
cancer treatment, anyone
who receives long-term
treatment with steroids
- Children
and teenagers 6 months
to 18 years of age who
are taking long-term aspirin
therapy. If they catch
influenza, they could develop
Reye's Syndrome which can
cause severe liver disease,
coma, and death.
- Group
2. Anyone who has
close contact with people
who are at risk for getting
a serious case of influenza,
including:
- People
who live with persons in
high risk group (Group
I above)
- Health
care workers
- People
in schools and colleges
who live in residential
facilities or who are in
daily contact with children
(teachers, parents, day-care
providers, etc.)
- Other
people who provide important
community services
- Pregnant
women who are more than
6 months pregnant
- Anyone
who wants to reduce his/her
chance of catching influenza
When
Should You Get the Flu Vaccine?
Ideally,
you should receive
the flu vaccine
between October
15 and December
15 each year.
After receiving
the vaccine,
it usually takes
1-2 weeks before
your body has
made sufficient
antibody to prevent
getting the flu
once exposed.
Risks
and possible Side Effects:
As
with any medication
or vaccine, there
are a few risks
that could occur,
even death. However,
the risks from
the vaccine are
infrequent and much
lower than
the risks from
the disease.
The risks may
be grouped as
follows:
*
Mild and low
frequency:
tenderness at
the injection
site, low-grade
fever, malaise,
muscle aches
which may last
up to 48 hours.
* More
serious and very
rare: 1)allergic
reactions (often
caused by egg
protein residues
in the vaccine
or allergy to
preservatives
such as thimerosal
(found in some
contact lens
solutions)),
2) Guillain-Barre
Syndrome -- a
very rare paralytic
illness which
usually resolves;
GBS has been
almost nonexistent
since the 1976
swine flu vaccine.
Tell
your doctor or nurse and do not
take the vaccine if you are:
- allergic
to eggs or thimerosal
-
have an acute
illness with
fever at present
-
pregnant or think
you might be
pregnant
-
ever had a serious
allergic reaction
after getting
the flu vaccine
Call
your doctor if
you have a serious
reaction! For
severe allergic
reactions, call
911 or go to
the nearest ER
immediately.
Flu
Vaccine On Campus
The
Health and Wellness
Center on each
campus offers
the influenza
vaccine for both
students and
faculty/staff.
Times
for Vaccine:
UP: Mondays,
Thursdays, Fridays:
8AM to 12 noon;
Tuesdays and
Wednesdays: 1-4PM
BBC: Call
for appointment.
Health
Clinic Phones: University
Park: (305)
348-2401, Biscayne
Bay Campus: (305)
919-5620
- Charges
(payable at the time of service.
Cash, credit cards (Master
Card, Visa, Discover), checks,
money order and Panther Debit
card accepted."):
-
Students
(registered
for Fall
2002 Semester).................... $ 7.00
-
Students
(last registered
for Summer
2002 Semester)
..........$12.00
-
Faculty/Staff
.......................................................................$12.00
Note:
We are
unable
to provide
vaccine
for spouses,
children,
and significant
others
of students
or employees.
Sorry!
Symptom
Relief for Colds and Flu: Over-the-Counter
Medications
| Analgesics
Acetaminophen
-
Tylenol
Aspirin
-
Ascriptin, Anacin,
Bayer
Ibuprofen
-
Advil, Nuprin, MotrinIB |
Headaches,
minor
aches & pains
fever |
-Acetaminophen
does not cause GI upse, unlike
aspirin and the ibuprofens.
-Acetaminophen
is
the
drug
of
choice
for
relieving
fever.
-Aspirin
should
not
be
used
in
children
and
teenagers
with
cold
or
flu
symptoms
due
to
association
with
the
development
of
Reye
Syndrome. |
| Decongestants
Pills
Sudafed
| |
