Handmaidens -Health Issues

September, 2000

Health Issues

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Just A Thought By Staff Writer Sharon Barrett
"Without God, life is a journey through a desert with out water."

You become arid, dried out, dehydrated, and then you begin to see things that are not there. Life is unbearable! But when you have God in your life you find joy, peace, overflowing endless water, you come to know that God is ALL.

Romans 9:14 "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

This Scripture makes it very clear we are not to judge one another, but to have mercy and compassion on everyone. A simple thought!

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"Yeast" Infection

I am just recovering from my first (and I hope only) yeast infection. At the onset I thought the irritation I felt was merely due to soap residue left in the laundry or the fact I hang my clothes outdoors to dry... but the irritation worsened and after several days I became quite concerned and began to do something about it. Learning I had a so-called yeast infection, I did a bit of research. Here are bits and pieces of info I gathered from various sources:

Vaginal yeast infections are fairly common and usually caused by Candida albicans, the same agent which causes diaper rash. All women normally have a little yeast in the vagina, but it can sometimes proliferate into an infection. This may happen when the normal vaginal bacteria are killed by antibiotics, leaving yeast to multiply unhindered. There is usually a characteristic "cottage cheese" discharge, accompanied by itching and sometimes, painful urination. Over the counter treatments are effective for yeast, but it's important to be sure that a sexually transmitted disease is not causing similar symptoms... not a concern in my case, praise God!

Some factors which can upset the delicate balance between bacteria and Candida include pregnancy which changes hormone levels and diabetes which allows too much sugar in the urine and vagina.

Risk Factors for Candida Infections

Recent Course of Antibiotics
Uncontrolled Diabetes
Pregnancy
High Estrogen Contraceptives
Immunosuppression
Thyroid or Endocrine Disorders
Corticosteroid Therapy

Bacterial Vaginosis
Although "yeast" is the name most women know, bacterial vaginosis is actually the most common vaginal infection. Bacterial vaginosis usually causes a vaginal discharge. The discharge is usually thin and milky and is described as having a "fishy" odor. This odor may become more noticeable after intercourse. Unlike yeast infections, redness or itching of the vagina are not common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis. Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms at all and the vaginitis is only discovered during a routine gynecologic exam. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by a combination of several bacteria. These bacteria seem to overgrow much the same way as Candida will when the vaginal balance is upset. The exact reason for this overgrowth is not known. Since bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria, not by yeast, it is easy to see that different methods are needed to treat the different infections. A medicine that is appropriate for yeast is not effective against the bacteria that causes bacterial vaginosis.

Cancer Resources & Info

National Cancer Institute	Oncology.com
Cancer Information Service	The Cancer Page
The American Cancer Society	National Comprehensive Cancer Network

NCCN AND ACS RELEASE REVISED BREAST CANCER
TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR PATIENTS
By Tricia Wilson
NCCN
212-728-2577
Email: t_wilson@nccn.org

Philadelphia and Atlanta - August 08, 2000 - Breast cancer patients now have a more comprehensive resource in their fight against cancer, thanks to the commitment of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Version III of the NCCN Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients is now available for distribution. Originally launched in March 1999, this well-received and widely distributed resource for breast cancer patients has been updated again to reflect changes to the current NCCN Breast Cancer Guidelines. Patients, family members and healthcare providers who use this resource will find more comprehensive information on sentinel lymph node biopsy, a new procedure in which dye or a radioactive substance is injected near the tumor and the first (sentinel) lymph node the dye drains into is removed and biopsied to check for tumor cells. The revised guidelines also include a new algorithm dealing with neoadjuvant therapy; treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation or hormone therapy given before surgery to help shrink some breast cancers so that surgical removal can be accomplished with a less extensive operation than would ordinarily be needed. More detailed information regarding radiation treatment after surgery is also included.

As with the previous versions, this valuable resource offers breast cancer patients the reliable, specific, and easy-to-understand information they need to make timely and informed decisions about this critical health issue. Rather than having to consult numerous different sources, a wealth of information is contained in this convenient, clearly written format. In addition to the topics mentioned above, the booklet covers types of breast cancer, stages of the disease, medical decisions and treatment options, important questions for patients to discuss with their doctors, general information about clinical trials, and a glossary of terms commonly used in breast cancer treatment.

The NCCN and ACS are committed to providing patient-friendly guidelines for the ten most common cancers and supportive care issues such as cancer pain and nausea and vomiting. Breast Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients was the first in this series of booklets; Prostate Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients and Colon and Rectal Cancer Treatment Guidelines for Patients are also available at this time.

The NCCN is an alliance of 18 of the world's leading cancer centers, established in 1995 to provide the state-of-the-art in cancer care to the greatest number of patients in need.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.

To obtain free copies of the patient version of the newly updated breast cancer guidelines, contact the National Comprehensive Cancer Network at 1-888-909-NCCN or American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. You may also visit their web sites at http://www.nccn.org or http://www.cancer.org . For bulk orders, please contact the American Cancer Society. In addition, the American Cancer Society has Spanish-speaking Cancer Information Specialists available to assist callers around the clock, and can also provide general cancer information in Spanish.

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