Archive for October, 2009

When someone says October you may think of fall leaves bursting into color or the macabre of Halloween but have you remembered to think pink? October, as we all should know, is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women (the first is skin cancer). Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54. Another breast cancer fact is that approximately one is almost every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, approximately 192,370 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and approximately 40,610 will die.

These breast cancer statistics may sound grim but there are things women can do and be encouraged to do. In fact, research shows that the mortality rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one.

Everyday people, companies, government, schools, etc. are working hard to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront. Breast cancer walks, breast cancer fundraisers, PSAs and breast cancer merchandise (specifically that donates proceeds towards breast cancer research foundations) are all ways these groups are coming together to make a difference.

Check out how the students at Ozark High School in Missouri came together to support their school nurse who is currently fighting breast cancer.

You can make a difference. Get a mammogram. Donate your time. Help someone in need. Give your love.

Sources: ky3.com, WebMD.com

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

Official Press Release

September 28, 2009 – Seattle – Philips announced today that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,400 HeartStart FR2+ automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This recall is being conducted due to the possibility of a memory chip failure that may render the device inoperable. Only certain HeartStart FR2+ AEDs (models M3860A and M3861A, distributed by Philips; and models M3840A and M3841A, distributed by Laerdal Medical) manufactured between May, 2007 and January, 2008 are included in the voluntary recall.

The HeartStart FR2+ defibrillators are used by trained responders and designated response teams to help treat sudden cardiac arrest. The device automatically analyzes the heart rhythm and determines whether a defibrillation shock is needed. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the FR2+ instructs the responder to deliver defibrillation therapy.

Philips has received reports of a memory chip failure in a small number of FR2+ units manufactured in 2007 and early 2008. These reported failures were detected during routine self tests, not during emergency use of the AED. Failure of this chip could render the AED inoperable and prevent it from delivering therapy when indicated, although Philips has received no reports of injury associated with this chip failure.

The AEDs affected by this recall have been distributed globally to fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, and other organizations. Philips is contacting customers to arrange for the return and replacement of all the recalled AEDs by sending notification letters to distributors and users. In addition, the company has set up a page on the Philips Web site with a serial number look-up tool to allow customers to find out if their FR2+ is part of this recall, as well as instructions on what to do if it is. The Web page is www.philips.com/FR2PlusAction. 

Philips has notified the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of its decision to voluntarily recall the affected product. Customers who have questions about the recall or wish to report product problems may contact HeartStart Customer Service at 1-800-263-3342. 

Any adverse events experienced with the use of this product should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Source: FDA.gov

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post

All over the internet press releases are surfacing about the availability of the swine flu vaccination. Will you be in line to get a swine flu shot or the nasal spray administered? What about your child?

The CDC considers people 6 months to 24 years old at high risk yet according to an Associated Press-GfK poll 38 percent of parents said they were unlikely to give permission for their kids to be vaccinated at school.

Adults seem to have very mixed feelings about the swine flu vaccination, regardless of what profession they’re in.

Will there be side effects somewhere down the road? What about thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that will be in roughly 60 percent of the 225 million swine flu doses ordered for Americans?

If you’re in the “what if” crowd you’re not the only one.  If it’s the thimerosal you’re concerned about know that it is not in the FluMist nasal spray, which can be given to healthy kids age 2 and older.

Steps on how to prevent season influenza and swine flu have been drilled into our heads: practice the “Dracula Sneeze,” wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick, get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations, but at the end of the day what choices will you commit to?

Sources: Associated Press, MercuryNews.com

Share on Facebook

Tweet This Post