Upstate New York Breast Cancer Facts and Mammography Screening Rates Highlight a New Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Report
(Utica, NY – Sept. 29, 2010) Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death (behind lung cancer) among American women, claimed the lives of more than 14,000 New York state women from 2003 through 2007, and a total of 70,000 new cases were diagnosed statewide from 2002 through 2006, according to a report released today by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
“The Facts About Breast Cancer and Mammography Screening Among Women in Upstate New York” reports that according to the most recent five years of data available, there were a total of 3,700 breast cancer deaths (from 2003 through 2007) and about 19,000 new breast cancer diagnoses (from 2002 through 2006) among upstate New York women.
The 3,700 breast cancer deaths in upstate New York translate to an annual average of 29.7 per 100,000 women. Average annual breast cancer death rates from 2003 through 2007 ranged from lows of 26 to 27 deaths per 100,000 women in the Finger Lakes, Central New York and Utica/Rome/North Country regions to highs of 31 to 35 deaths per 100,000 women in the Southern Tier and Western New York.
The 19,000 new breast cancer diagnoses among upstate New York women equal an annual average breast cancer incidence rate of 152.2 per 100,000 women, which is more than 9 percent higher than the statewide rate (139.2 per 100,000). The rate in Central New York was slightly lower than the statewide rate; Western New York (162.5 per 100,000) and the Finger Lakes region (156.1 per 100,000) had the highest rates; and both the Southern Tier and the Utica/Rome/North Country region rates were about 149 per 100,000.
“Studies show that mammograms and recent treatment advances have substantially reduced breast cancer death rates,” said Frank Dubeck, M.D., chief medical officer for Medical Policy, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mammography every one to two years among women ages 40 and older can cut 10-year breast cancer mortality by 20 percent to 25 percent. A film mammogram (X-ray of the breasts) is the primary method for detecting breast cancer.
While the vast majority of women ages 40 and older report that they’ve had a mammogram at some point in their lives, the percentage who say they’ve had a mammogram within the past two years has fluctuated since 2002. A 2008 statewide survey cited in the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield report shows that the percentage of upstate New York women ages 50 and older who reported having had a mammogram within the previous two years (84.6 percent) was slightly higher than the comparable statewide rate (82.5 percent). Regionally, the two-year mammography rate among women ages 50 and older ranged from 80.1 percent in the Southern Tier to 88.8 percent in Central New York.
Analysis of socioeconomic factors related to mammography use over the previous two years among upstate New York women in the 50-plus age group surveyed in 2008 shows that the higher a woman’s income, the more likely she was to report having had a mammogram within the past two years. Employed and retired women had the highest reported two-year mammography rates, while those unable to work had the lowest. Those with health coverage reported a substantially higher two-year mammography rate (84.6 percent), compared to the uninsured (76.9 percent).
Dubeck acknowledged that experts disagree on the most beneficial age to begin regular mammography screening and how often women should be screened. For women of average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends beginning mammography at age 40 and including clinical breast exams in routine screenings.
The U.S. Preventive Health Services Task Force 2009 guidelines recommend biennial screening from age 50 to age 74 and suggest screening before age 50 only on an individualized basis. It notes that the benefits versus risks of screening prior to age 50 are relatively small weighed against the potential harms associated with mammography, such as false positive results and the treatment of cancers that never would have shortened a woman’s life.
“There’s no doubt that mammography remains the gold standard for the early detection of breast cancer,” said Dubeck. “At the very least, all women between the ages of 50 and 74 should have a mammogram every two years, and women of other ages should discuss their breast cancer risk and the possible benefits of mammography screening with their doctors.”
Breast cancer risk factors are:
Age. One in eight cancers appears in women under age 45; two out of three are found in women ages 55 and older.
Genetics. An inherited mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes is the most common cause of hereditary breast cancer.
Family or personal history of breast cancer. Having a first-degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer doubles one’s risk; having two first-degree relatives with the disease raises the risk about fivefold. Those who already had breast cancer have a threefold to fourfold risk of developing a new cancer.
Race. White women are slightly more likely to develop breast cancer than are black women, although black women who develop the disease are more likely to die from it than their white counterparts.
Certain breast tissue conditions, including dense breast tissue, certain benign breast conditions and certain benign cysts.
Exposure to chest irradiation as a child or young adult.
Early-onset menstruation (before age 12) and/or late menopause (after age 55).
Not having children or having them later in life.
Recently using oral contraceptives.
Taking post-menopausal hormone therapy
Not breastfeeding.
Being overweight or obese.
Not being physically active.
Using alcohol.
To view the complete fact sheet, go to excellusbcbs.com.
Presenting Truth in a Technological Age
(Clinton, NY) Clifford Christians, research professor of communications and professor of media studies and journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, will deliver a lecture titled “Truth in a Technological Age,” on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Auditorium at Hamilton College. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Christians has written extensively about the ethics and theories of communication and journalism. His essays have been published in the Journal of Broadcasting and Ethical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics. Christians has co-authored several books, including Communication Ethics and Universal Values (1997), Normative Theories of the Media (2009) and Handbook of Media Ethics (2009). He was the former editor of Critical Studies in Media Communication and currently edits The Ellul Forum and sits on the editorial board of two dozen academic journals.
Christians received his master’s degree in sociolinguistics from the University of Southern California, and earned his doctorate from the University of Illinois. He has been on the Illinois faculty since 1974, serving as the chair of the doctoral program in communications from 2007 to 2009 and winning the AEJMC award for journalism and mass communication education in 2003.
The lecture is sponsored by Hamilton’s Dean of Faculty Office, the Communication Department, and Lambda Pi Eta.
Pictured is one of last year’s Come to the Table designs.
(Whitesboro, NY) All creative individuals and previous designers are invited to attend the Come to the Table Designer Kickoff Party, hosted by The Peacemaker Program, Inc. on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
Anyone interested in becoming a planning committee member or table designer for Come to the Table 2011 will get their first opportunity to sign up at the Come to the Table Designer Kickoff Party, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro.
Come to the Table is the Mohawk Valley’s most innovative & spectacular fundraising event. Hosted by The Peacemaker Program, Inc. Come to the Table showcases beautifully decorated tables, available for bid or outright purchase. This event allows creative individuals from a variety of backgrounds and professions, to showcase their talents by choosing a theme and designing their own unique table setting!
All proceeds benefit The Peacemaker Program, Inc. a non-profit child advocacy and dispute resolution center, serving the central New York region. This fun and unique event is growing every year, and this is your chance to participate. Plan now to attend the Designer Kickoff and consider being a designer for the 2011 Come to the Table event!
Celebrating the event’s eighth year anniversary, Come to the Table has steadily grown over the years, raising more than $20,000 for the agency in 2010.
Come to the Table 2011 will be March 18 and 19, also at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro, NY.
For information to find out how you can become involved, or to RSVP your place at the Designer Kickoff please contact Romy Low at (315) 724-1718 or by emailing romy@thepeacemakerprogram.org by Friday, October 8th, 2010.
Last year’s tables can be viewed online at www.thepeacemakerprogram.org.
Forum planned at Colgate Inn Oct. 7
(Hamilton, NY – Oct. 7) Both candidates for the State Senate and all three candidates for the State Assembly who are on the Nov. 2 general election ballot have accepted the invitation of the Hamilton Forum to present themselves to the public and answer questions from the floor.
The non-partisan Hamilton Forum is sponsored as a public service by the Hamilton Rotary Club.
The event will be held at the Colgate Inn on Thursday, Oct. 7 in the Green Room, which can be accessed from the rear parking lot or the front lobby.
The formal proceedings begin at 7 p.m. and are expected to end by 9 p.m. All voters are encouraged to attend and asked to arrive before the start of the forum when beverages are offered free of charge.
After brief introductions the two candidates from the 49th senatorial district that includes all of Madison County and parts of Onondaga, Oneida and Cayuga counties will each make a 10 minute presentation, the order determined by the flip of a coin.
Incumbent Senator David Valesky from Oneida, who is endorsed by the Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties, is challenged by Andrew Russo from Fayetteville who is the nominee of the Republican and Conservative parties. Members of the audience are invited to direct brief questions to both candidates.
Hamilton Rotary Club president Tom Lutsic moderates the discussion.
Following a brief intermission the three candidates from the 111th Assembly that includes all of Madison County and parts of Oneida and Otsego counties will make their presentation, followed again by questions from the audience.
Incumbent Assemblyman Bill Magee from Nelson has the Democratic endorsement, Smithfield Supervisor Rick Bargabos has been nominated by the Republican and Independence parties, and Shawn Skeele from DeRuyter is the Conservative Party nominee.
In place of long introductions, biographical and platform statements prepared by the candidates will be distributed by the Hamilton Forum committee to members of the audience when they sign in and receive name tags. The candidates are encouraged to pass out campaign material and speak informally with voters after the forum closes.
This is the first time in several decades when all candidates for the state legislature will appear together to face the voters in southeastern Madison County.
The Hamilton Forum, sponsored by the Hamilton Rotary Club, is an initiative designed to bring citizens from the community together for discussions of significant public interest.
Forums are free and open to the public.
Dear Reva:
As with many others and their job situation our finances are a mess. We are behind on almost every bill. We try to pay our bills but we just don’t have the income anymore. My husband was laid off over a year ago and he took a job making “peanuts,” just so he’d have something coming in. I have gone back to work, but we just can’t get caught up. Our credit has suffered too, so it’s not like I can even borrow the money now. Creditors are calling, National Grid has been at my door. We use to pay on time all the time, and now it’s not possible. We really are desperate and need money NOW. What can we do?
Signed,
Financially Stressed
Dear Financially Stressed:
It is terribly stressing when you just don’t have the means to pay people. Many people are having these issues right now, and are losing homes etc. due to it. Here are some great ways to get extra money now:
1. Dog Walking. Easy job, check in the neighborhood for those with dogs who may want a break and have someone else walk them. Quick and easy cash.
2. Scrap metal. You’d be amazed at what you have in the house, basement, garage, shed, etc. Take it to the scrap yard. Because it is recyclable you will get paid for it. You can even ask others if they have any metal they don’t want and add it to your pile.
3. Yard Sale. Clean out your closets, basement, storage etc. and put it out on the lawn for sale. be sure to advertise, put signs on the main streets for others to see. You can even advertise in the newspaper for very little cost.
4. Get Another job. Even though your husband and you have a job, you may need another one. If making “peanuts”(much less than previously) isn’t getting bills paid, then it’s time he steps it up. I say “HE” because he’s the one making very little and it’s often easier for the wife to deal with the children later at night while he works another job. If you discuss and decide that you should get a second job, then that’s your choice. Every one’s situation is different. A great job for fast money is waiting tables. You get to bring home tips immediately.
5. Start Your Own Business. Some people have great ideas that take right off and earn money fast, such as selling a service, cleaning houses, babysitting, lawn mowing, hauling away things for people etc.
6. Seek Emergency Assistance. Food pantries and social services are places to go for help for food, medical coverage, food stamps and HEAP (have their own office outside of SS). HEAP helps people by using government grants to pay their electrical, oil, and gas bills. If you have young children, check out WIC. It’s a program for women who have infants and children. If you meet the guidelines you can receive grocery assistance, and YES you can be married to receive it.
7. Ebay. Sell stuff. Create an Ebay store.
8. Rent out a room if you can, or spare storage area for someone’s storing needs. Again easy and fast money.
9. Sell items on Craigslist.
10. Get another job by seeking a temporary agency. If you show up on time, and do well, they may keep you aboard.
11. Be a guinea pig for medical testing. (This is not one I advocate for.) The National Institute of Health has over 300 studies for which that they need volunteers.
12. Tap your retirement of life insurance. If you have whole life insurance you can tap into it at any time. Call your business office about the details to tapping into your retirement. Or go into your IRA if you have one…..sometimes there are penalties with doing this.
13. Get a loan. You can from family, or a bank. If you acquire one from family please put it in writing. Make sure you can make payments. Banks can adjust payments.
14. Pawn jewelry, especially gold and silver right now. They are being bought at terrific prices. Pawn other valuable item.
15. Sell your plasma (blood can be sold to some banks) or your hair. There are online stores that buy “real” hair for wigs and they pay you a nice price as well. (They usually want at least a foot in length.)
16.Roadside Sales. Sell some items such as flowers, soda, or baked goods at a busy road side at the 5 pm traffic hour. You can pull in some quick cash doing this. Be sure there are no city or town certificates or DBA needed before you begin.
17.Go Scavenging for cans to recycle.
These are some ideas to start with, however, before you go hock your grandmother’s antique diamond ring, check with your credit card companies for help. Many of them understand the problems that have risen in our country and are rather sympathetic. Call your mortgage company and see if you qualify for some of the new Obama installed assistance for keeping your home.
Also seek advice from a professional or at least someone who you can trust to look at all your financial problems and help you with a solution, a friend, pastor, someone with monetary sense. You also may need to call a credit counselor. They can adjust your bills, get you little or no interest charges and you pay them one lump sum monthly and they pay your creditors. Many people ask, “But, does this hurt my credit score even more?”
My answer usually is, how bad is it now? If it’s to the point that it doesn’t matter, do it. If it’s almost to that point, do it because it will be to that point soon, unless you can draw more money in. And although using a credit counselor to be the “go-between” on your behalf with creditors is frowned upon and may lower your credit score, you won’t have harassing phone calls anymore, and you will have a little more financial freedom (because the creditors get your payments lowered.) You will also be less stressed out. And let’s face it, do you have the credit to go get a personal loan to consolidate all this? If you do, you probably would have by now.
So my advice in a nut-shell is, first, get someone to confide in and some sound financial advice. Second, if needed call a credit counselor, to see if they can help. By the way, you can always call to see what they can do for you and what plans they have, but you do not have to use them if you decide they are not for you. Third, use some of the ways above to bring in extra cash.
Lastly, don’t do anything crazy or illegal. It’s not worth it. If worse comes to worse, sell your home before the bank can and find a cheap apartment or even live with family for awhile. Then there’s always that “B” word I have been avoiding…. If all else fails, some people may need to see a lawyer and file bankruptcy. It stinks, I know, but you could be facing worse things in life. Remember this is only for a season, you’ll work hard and soon you’ll find yourself on the upswing.
Stay happy. Live healthy.
~Reva
Reva has a degree in child psychology and education. Her views do not necessarily reflect the views of the Oneida County Courier and the staff at M3P Media LLC.
(Utica, NY – Sept. 28, 2010) St. Joseph’s College of Nursing presented Sister M. Johanna, former President/CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, with the Alumni Award for Clinical Excellence in the Community Award. The award was presented at the Alumni Association’s annual dinner on September 23.
The Excellence in Nursing-Community Setting Award is given to an alumna who has made a difference in the community. This person has gone forth and made changes and/or developments that provide a better and healthier place to live/work.
Sister Johanna was nominated by her classmates from the Class of 1956. In the nomination it was stated, “When the class members met for the first time, they observed Sister Johanna had a reserved personality, quick wit, seriousness of nature and a firm belief in her faith was of paramount importance. Her tenure at St. Elizabeth’s was greatly appreciated by the staff as well as the community of the Mohawk Valley. Her footprint will be long remembered and felt by the many lives she has touched through her work.”
Sister Johanna served as President/CEO since January 1, 2004. She served as Chief Operating Officer from 1991 to 2004. Sister Johanna has worked at St. Elizabeth since 1965 in various nursing and management positions.
The award on behalf of the Alumni Association was made by Catherine Hanover, Vice President of Government Affairs at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and also a graduate of the St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. In addition, the Class of 1956 members that were present at the event participated in the presentation.
(Utica, NY)Republicans now have a 46%-41% lead over Democrats in a generic congressional ballot test, and President Barack Obama’s approval rating has dropped to 45%, a new Zogby Interactive survey finds.
Previous polling from Sept. 20 showed Democrats with a one-point lead in the Congressional generic ballot question and Obama had an approval rating of 49%.
The most recent survey was conducted from Sept. 24-27 and also asked voters to rate the favorability of the Republican and Democratic parties, and that of the Tea Party conservative movement. The Tea Party rated higher than both the Republicans and Democrats among likely voters. An overwhelming majority of Republican voters (86%) rated the Tea Party favorably.
(Rome, Oneida, NY) The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley is hosting a contest. The winner will receive free participation in his/her winning program. Please present your program idea in paragraph form. Submittals must be received by Oct. 15 in the hopes that the program will run in the Winter I session (Nov. 8 to Jan. 15).
Did you know the YMCA invented Basketball, Softball and Volleyball? The term “body building” was first coined by YMCA staffer Robert J. Roberts at a Boston YMCA in 1881.
Use your imagination! You can fax it (315) 339-4076, email it mgolden@ymcatrivalley.org, or mail it to: YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley, 301 W Bloomfield Street, Rome, NY 13440 or drop it off at the Oneida Family YMCA, 701 Seneca Street, Oneida, NY 13421, the Rome Family YMCA – at the Bloomfield Street address above or the New Hartford YMCA, 108 New Hartford Shopping Center, New Hartford, NY 13413.
Remember to include your contact information so we can reach you if you win.
For more information on programs and services, visit us at www.ymcatrivalley.org.
