Meet Our Managers: (L) Shari Hahn, RN, Nurse Manager, Medical Oncology and (R) Emily Nelson, BS, RTT, Manager, Radiation Oncology

What’s New in the Cancer Center
We’ve added a lighted Innovis Health Cancer Center sign on the west side of Innovis Health—South University where the Cancer Center is located. This will help our patients know where to find us and make others in the community more aware of our services.

What’s in the News
The role of screening mammography has been in the news in the past few months due to new recommendations released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in November 2009 that screening mammograms for women with no family history of breast cancer should be started at a later age, and be performed less frequently. Innovis Health recommends women get their first mammogram beginning at age 40 (which is the same as the American Cancer Society guidelines). Thereafter, women should discuss with their primary care physician at what interval they should undergo screening mammography based on their family history and overall medical condition.

At Innovis Health in Fargo all women receive the benefit of digital mammography, which produces images with much more clarity than conventional film mammography. Radiologists can adjust magnification, brightness, and contrast to bring out a final clearer image. A 2005 study published by the National Cancer Institute demonstrated that digital mammograms are significantly better at detecting breast cancer in women under the age of 50, pre- or peri-menopausal women of any age, and those with dense breast tissue (approximately 40 percent of women undergoing screening mammography have dense breasts). For women who do not meet those criteria, digital mammography has not proven to be more effective than film in detecting breast cancer. However, digital mammography exposes the patient to less radiation than film mammography and allows images to be stored and sent electronically as a computer file.

Lifestyle Choices That Increase Risk of Breast Cancer (from the American Cancer Society)

Alcohol:  Use of alcohol is clearly linked to a higher likelihood of getting breast cancer. Women who have one drink per day have a small increased risk; the risk rises when more alcohol is consumed.

Being overweight or obese:  Being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially for women after menopause, or if the weight gain took place during adulthood.

Lack of exercise:  Exercise does reduce breast cancer risk, but studies have not proven how much exercise is needed. The American Cancer Society recommends 45-60 minutes of exercise five or more days per week.

Upcoming Events
April
National Healthcare Decisions Day – April 16th

May
May Day treats for patients at Innovis Health Cancer Center – May 1
Fargo Marathon, American Cancer Society Charity Run – May 22
Cancer Care Conference for healthcare professionals at the Courtyard by Marriott in Moorhead – April 30

June
American Cancer Society Relay for Life events in various locations, June—August, (Clay County Relay for Life is June 11)
Breast Cancer Seminar for Survivors – “Life After Breast Cancer, Taking Care of You” – June 8

Cancer Quotes:

“My cancer scare changed my life. I’m grateful for every new, healthy day I have. It has helped me prioritize my life.”     – Olivia Newton-John

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”           – Eleanor Roosevelt

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” Winston Churchill

A few rules on ATV Safety from the Emergency Medicine Physicians at Innovis Health.

Each year there are several serious injuries and deaths in our area related to ATV injuries. Some simple rules can help prevent most accidents and injuries.

• Tell family and friends where you will be riding, and when to expect you back.
• Avoid going out alone – having someone with you to help can make the difference between life and death.
• Familiarize yourself with any areas you plan to ride. Stay to designated trails or take any new trails with caution.
• Dress properly for the weather and season. Include helmets, goggles, and gloves, as well as sturdy footwear and pants.
• Check to make sure your equipment is working properly before going out riding – this includes fluid levels and proper tire pressure.
• Stay off of public roads with trail vehicles. In a car-versus-ATV scenario, the car always wins.
• Don’t ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Don’t carry passengers on vehicles made for single riders.
• Supervise younger riders, and make sure the vehicle fits the rider’s size.
• Ride at safe speeds that will allow you to compensate for other drivers or obstacles that might be just around a corner.
• Don’t ride into anything you cannot safely predict, and if you get stuck, get help.

With a little preparation, and a little attention to safety, you can protect yourself from most injuries and keep yourself from harm.

A few rules on workshop safety from the Emergency Medicine Physicians at Innovis Health.

Each year, there are several serious injuries in our area related to workshop accidents. Some simple rules can help prevent most accidents and traumatic injuries.

• Safety goggles and protective gear are NOT optional. For just a few dollars, a comfortable set of safety glasses or goggles can be obtained. Good shop gloves and other safety gear do not have to be expensive, but can save a great deal of pain and expense by the protection they offer.
• Become familiar with the operation of the tools or machinery, as well as the safety features the tool offers. Familiarize yourself with any areas or operational features that could be unsafe and plan on how to use the tool to avoid placing yourself in the path of potential injury.
• Make sure all safeties and safety guards are in place on a tool and make sure the safety equipment is secure each time you use the tool.
• Most injuries do not occur with a tool that is used for the first time, but rather with the tools we are most familiar with. As we become comfortable using a tool, it is not uncommon to become lax in how we safely handle the tool, or how diligent we are in using safety guards and procedures that are meant to keep us from injury. No matter how comfortable or familiar, leave safety guards in place and follow safety guidelines whenever you use any tool.
• Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or long, loose hair. Loose items can become tangled in tools or machinery.
• Watches and rings can catch on tools or machinery and cause serious damage to fingers and extremities.
• Make sure tools are properly maintained. Cutting tools should be properly sharpened and oiled. Dull tools require more force to use and can be much more difficult to control. Safety switches or shut-offs should never be over-ridden or removed.
• If you are working with chemicals or combustion engines, make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent inhalation injury.
• Before cleaning a jammed tool or a machine in a bind, make sure to turn the tool off and unplug the tool before working on it.
• Make sure you know where your power cords or gas lines are in relation to the tools you are working with, and if you are using a grinder or cutting metal, be sure there are no combustible elements in the path of sparks that could cause a fire.
• An up-to-date fire extinguisher is a tool that should be handily available in every shop.
• A clean work area is a safe work area. Keeping an area clean can help avoid fires and accidental cuts, as well as slips, trips and falls.

With a little preparation, and a little attention to safety, you can protect yourself from most injuries and keep yourself from harm.

A few rules on safe winter driving from the Emergency Medicine Physicians at Innovis Health.

The winter season brings cold temperatures, snow, ice, and slippery roads. It is easy to forget how dangerous winter weather can be, until there is a problem. Some simple “rules of the road” can help keep us all safer this winter.

• The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.
• Don’t go out until the plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work.
• Allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Keep abreast of weather reports and current conditions. If you can move a night trip to day hours, it will increase visibility and the chance of obtaining help if you become stranded.
• Turn on your lights to increase visibility to other motorists. Keep lights and windshields clean. Scrape windows thoroughly before driving.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels lock up, ease off the brake. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently. If you have anti-lock brakes, instead of pumping them, apply steady pressure and you will feel the anti-lock brake pulse.
• Don’t use cruise control or overdrive.
• Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads.
• Don’t pass snowplows or sanding trucks, and maintain a safe distance behind those trucks.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full. This extra volume reduces moisture in the fuel system and adds extra weight to your vehicle for traction.
• Placing bags of sand in your trunk adds extra weight to your vehicle and the sand can be used for traction under tires if you get stuck in the snow.
• To decrease fogging on the inside of windows, remove ice and snow from shoes prior to getting in the vehicle. Also, turn the air recirculation switch to “Off.” Running your air conditioner for a few minutes can also act as a de-humidifier.
• Have a charged cell phone in case of emergency, but do not use it while driving.
• Anticipate cars coming from other directions.
• Keep both hands securely on the steering wheel at all times and turn off distractions when driving conditions become less than favorable.
• If you do become stranded, run the engine only intermittently for heat to prevent accumulation of carbon monoxide.

With a little preparation, and a little attention to safety, you can protect yourself from most injuries and keep yourself from harm.

A few rules on snowmobile safety from the Emergency Medicine Physicians at Innovis Health.

Each year, there are several serious injuries and deaths in our area related to snowmobile accidents. Some simple “rules of the road” can help prevent most accidents and injuries.

• Never operate your snowmobile under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Always wear a helmet.
• Wear proper cold weather apparel to avoid cold weather injuries such as frostbite.
• Avoid excessive speeds particularly at night. By driving too fast, snowmobilers can easily override their headlight which limits their reaction time to oncoming obstacles.
• Be aware of the fact that obstacles are easily hidden beneath soft snow. Glare off the snow also impairs your ability to visualize significant bumps in the terrain.
• When going over an approach, never ride directly over the center to avoid catching a ski in culvert openings.
• When possible, ride with a group should  you have any trouble during your ride. When riding alone, carry a cell phone for emergencies.
• When riding in a group, maintain proper distance between you and the rider in front of you to avoid collisions.
• Carry a survival kit if riding in remote areas.
• Maintain your snowmobile properly to ensure it is a safe vehicle. Particularly important are lights, to maintain visibility to others.
• Supervise younger riders and instruct them in proper riding technique and safety.
• When considering riding on lakes/rivers, ensure proper ice thickness and strength and never ride near any open areas.
• Never ride on public roads or on the roadside of the ditch. Stay on marked trails when available and always respect private property.

With a little preparation, and a little attention to safety, you can protect yourself from most injuries and keep yourself from harm.

On behalf of Fargo Cass Public Health and the State of North Dakota.

Public Health Emergency Volunteer Reserve/Medical Reserve Corps (PHEVR/MRC)
PHEVR/MRC stands for Public Health Emergency Volunteer Reserve/Medical Reserve Corps. It is a partnership between the state and local health departments and communities throughout the state of North Dakota. The PHEVR/MRC program enhances the ability of North Dakota’s health and medical system to respond in a public health emergency situation. There are both a medical and non-medical components of PHEVR/MRC.

Why is PHEVR/MRC necessary?
Every disaster has a public health component.  A public health emergency situation could range from a flood to an influenza epidemic.  Having a pool (database) of identified and pre-screened volunteers will aid in the response time, and thus enable officials to help the community recover from the disaster quicker.

What eligibility requirements are there to sign up for PHEVR/MRC?
For safety reasons, all PHEVR/MRC volunteers must be at least 16 years old and live, work, or go to school in North Dakota.  Individuals that are deployed as a PHEVR/MRC volunteer would be covered under ND Worker’s Compensation if injured while assisting as a PHEVR/MRC volunteer in an emergency situation.

For more information and to sign up, go to http://www.ndhan.gov/PHEVR/phevr.asp

On December 16, the Park Rapids Cancer Support Group had its Christmas gathering. Many patients and staff provided goodies that were enjoyed by all. A Christmas story was read by Savanna and Kathy. Bead angels were given to each guest from a fellow cancer patient from Belview, IL, who happens to be Kathy’s sister. Many laughs, hugs and well wishes were shared.

Innovis Health Moorhead (located in Moorhead Center Mall) and Innovis Health Casselton are closed today due to current weather conditions.

For more information, please log-on to www.innovishealth.com or call 701-364-8000.

UPDATE: In addition to the current clinic closings, Innovis Health West Acres will be closing at 5pm this evening (in accordance with the mall closing). After-hour care will be available at Innovis Health Urgent Care – 3000 32nd Ave South in Fargo.

Kid’s Open Gym Night at TNT Kid’s Fitness on Friday, February 5th from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

To join Go Far Kids, go to www.gofarkids.com

A few rules on hockey safety from the Emergency Medicine Physicians at Innovis Health.

Each year there are many serious injuries that take place while playing hockey. Some simple rules can help prevent most accidents and injuries.

• Safety equipment and good sportsmanship can keep the game safer for all players.
• Body checking accounts for the most significant injuries among hockey players. Encourage safe play.
• Wear appropriate safety equipment, and make sure it fits appropriately. Pads, guards, protectors, helmets, dental guards and face masks should fit snugly. Chin guard straps should be checked frequently for wear and fit.
• Always wear full protective equipment when on the ice, whether in competition or for fun.
• Fit the stick to the player. The “Rule of Chin” is that the butt of the stick should be about three inches from the chin when held upright on the floor under a standing player.
• Proper fit with sharp skates helps maneuverability and prevents injury. A snug fit prevents fatigue, and allows for better control on ice.
• Avoid using your head as a ram. Hitting other players or boards with your head can cause significant head and neck injury.

With a little preparation, and a little attention to safety, you can protect yourself from most injuries and keep yourself from harm.