Health
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Wiggins called the governor's decision a "profound disappointment."
"HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and the virus is also the only known cause for cervical cancer," Wiggins said. "For this reason, it is important for women to get screened regularly for cervical cancer."
The vaccine for cervical cancer, Gardasil (manufactured by Merck), was introduced in 2006, and involves a series of three shots that is given over a year’s time.
"It is essential that women have access to and are provided coverage for receiving the only known vaccination to prevent a form of cancer," Wiggins said. "It is unfortunate that Schwarzenegger saw fit to veto legislation that would have assisted in the prevention of cervical cancer while also limiting high, long-term health care costs."
The Wiggins bill had broad support, with backers including the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists District IX, the American Cancer Society, the California Commission on the Status of Women, the California Communities United Institute, the California Medical Association, the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health and Pharmacy Access Partnership, and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
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Breast cancer death rates are going down, the association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.
That is why Curves' locations, including the ones in the Clearlake area, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Women who bring in a mammogram, performed within the last year, or make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society will be waived from paying a service fee when they join Curves during one of the last three weeks of October.
Also, participating Curves locations will make available a unique home breast self-exam kit called the Liv Aid, which makes the breast self-exam process more sensitive for detecting unusual lumps. For every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate one to another woman who can't afford one.
"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention," says Curves founder Diane Heavin. "Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast-exams, we are also educating Clearlake-area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise."
Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Heavin has provided the following advice for local women regarding breast self-exams:
How can women exercise good breast health? Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms, but there are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional and breast self-exams. When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.
How important is early detection? Early detection means the availability of more treatment options. More than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment, Heavin said.
How important are breast self-exams? Breast self-exams catch a significant number of breast cancers, some 15 to 20 percent, that otherwise might have gone undetected for possibly up to a year between doctor visits, Heavin said. And, about 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves. Through breast self-exams, women are in the position to detect subtle changes in their breast tissue.
Recent research has linked obesity and excess weight with an increased risk for various cancers, including breast cancer. According to Heavin, Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research, treatment, and recovery programs. The company has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of diseases.
"When women understand that one-third of all breast cancer can be related to lack of exercise and poor diet, they'll see that they have the opportunity to have much more control over their cancer risk," Heavin said. "We want to encourage women to learn more about the impact wellness has on preventing cancer."
For more information about Curves or what week in October the locations are waiving their service fees, contact Gale Grimm, Curves of Clearlake, located at 14828 Olympic Drive, at 707-994-4888 or
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On Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Willis will be on hand at the shop – located at the corner of Highway 29 and Wardlaw – to answer any questions and will be giving out a free gift with any purchase.
Twenty percent of the day's sales will also go toward Willis' goal to raise $5,000 for research in finding a cure and a prevention for Type 1 diabetes.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Special attention will befocused on the problem Oct. 18 through Oct. 24, which is Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
Lead exposure can come from a variety of sources such as soil, water, lead-based paint, toys and candies.
Scientific evidence has proven children absorb lead at a higher rate than adults. It is the focus of the L.E.A.D. Coalition to voluntarily work together to prevent childhood lead poisoning and protect the children in our community.
The L.E.A.D. (lead education, awareness and detection) Coalition is comprised by a diverse group of health service providers and child advocates who meet monthly and work closely to prevent lead exposure through community-based outreach and education; to reduce exposure to lead; and, promote blood lead level screenings for young children.
Recently, local merchants who sell imported candies in Lake County have been personally contacted and continue to receive updated information about candies which are deemed safe for children according to the California Department of Public Health and the California Food and Drug Branch.
The L.E.A.D. Coalition now has a state and federally certified lead inspector who can conduct environmental lead assessments targeting homes with pre1978 construction when lead-based paint was commonly used.
Children enrolling in Early Head Start and Head Start programs are now required to have blood lead level screenings to complete the school admission process thereby catching many young children before the age of five years.
Big Valley Rancheria remains a standout leader in actively tackling lead issues by receiving an Environmental Protection Grant to address challenges in lead poisoning prevention.
The L.E.A.D. Coalition has recently had site visits from the California Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch and the Region 9 Environmental Protection Agency who recognized and affirmed the Coalition’s positive collaboration and proactive, creative progress made in the last year.
The public is urged to pay attention to this critical issue in our community by learning how to detect the risks of lead poisoning and parents to protect our children from harm by contacting their health provider about having a blood lead level screening.
For educational information and materials contact Easter Seals at 707-263-3949.
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