Features,  Health Matters,  Lincoln Park District,  Red Cross,

Events,  Honors & Awards,  Announcements

Health & Fitness News Elsewhere  (fresh daily from the Web)

Features

[OCT. 3, 2001]  It happens to everyone. The blues. Or is it depression? Either way, you feel deflated…flat. An update on "Bouncing Back from the Blues" will be presented by Marcia Stoll, director of Logan-Mason Mental Health, in a local observance of National Depression Screening Day. The presentation will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the conference room at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, 315 Eighth St.

Depression screenings and referrals will be available so that you can find out if you or a loved one has depression. The screenings are conducted privately with a health professional.

For more information on this free event or similar events in Jacksonville and Springfield, call Logan-Mason Mental Health at (217) 735-2272.

[News release]

[AUG. 29, 2001]  The Radiology Department of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital has acquired the latest in helical CT scanners. This state-of-the-art equipment, a GE high-speed XI scanner, will provide faster, more accurate films, according to Darla Ludolph, director of radiology at the hospital.

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To enable the staff to operate the sophisticated equipment, Ms. Ludolph and ALMH radiology technician Ann Reichle attended a four-day course, Theoretical and Practical CT Imaging, in Milwaukee. GE also sent an application specialist to Lincoln for four days of on-site training following the installation.

[ALMH news release]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

[OCT. 1, 2001]  Today, one out of every eight American women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. (Male breast cancer incidence is small, but it is important to know the disease can affect men.) The most important thing for you to remember is that breast cancer is best treated when found early. Total breast health is the key to early detection.

How should you look for breast cancer? There are several early detection methods:

Mammogram or X-ray — A mammogram is a special breast X-ray that can detect 90 percent of cancers — even before a lump can be felt. The American Cancer Society recommends that women have annual mammograms beginning at age 40.

Clinical examination — Women should have their breasts checked by a health professional once each year. It is important to remember that most lumps found in the breast are not cancerous. However, any lump needs to be checked by a doctor as soon as it is found. Again, breast cancer can be treated best when it is diagnosed as early as possible.

Breast Self-Examination — Beginning at age 20, all women should check their breasts monthly. Look for:

•  Any lump or thickening in the breasts.

•  Any change in skin texture or in breast size or shape, or a nipple discharge (fluid coming from the nipple).

The National Cancer Institute recommends that women follow these steps in doing monthly breast self-examinations:

1. Stand in front of a mirror that is large enough for you to see your breast clearly. Check each breast for anything unusual.

2. Watching closely in the mirror, clasp your hands behind your head and press your hands forward.

3. Next, press your hands firmly on your hips and bend slightly toward the mirror as you pull your shoulders and elbows forward.

4. Gently squeeze each nipple and look for a discharge.

5. Raise one arm. Use the pads of the three middle fingers of your other hand to check the breast and the surrounding area firmly, carefully and thoroughly. Some women like to use lotion or power to help their fingers glide easily over the skin. Or complete this step in the shower when your skin is soapy. Concentrate on feeling for any unusual lump or mass under the skin.

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Feel the tissue by pressing your fingers in small overlapping areas about the size of dime. Make sure to change the amount of pressure to feel all levels of breast tissue. To be sure you cover your whole breast, take your time and follow a definite pattern: lines, circles or dividing the breast into "wedges."

6. It is important to repeat Step 5 while you are lying down. Lie flat on your back, with one arm over your head and pillow or folded towel under the opposite shoulder. This position flattens the breast and makes it easier to check. Check each breast and the area around it very carefully using one of the patterns described above.

The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is currently offered through the Logan County Health Department and covers the following counties: Sangamon, Macon, Morgan, Cass, Piatt, DeWitt, Mason, Menard, Logan and Shelby counties. Breast and cervical screening services are provided to eligible Illinois women. Eligible women may receive:

•  Information about breast and cervical cancer.

•  No-cost screening services, including mammograms, clinical breast examinations and Pap smears by health-care professionals in their area of residence.

•  Instructions on how to do a breast self-examination at home.

•  Referrals for follow-up medical attention if abnormal test results are received.

•  Reminders to return for annual screenings.

Screening services are provided to Illinois women who meet federal income guidelines. To find out if you are eligible, call (800) 269-4019 or call the Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317.

[News release]

Lincoln Park District

Red Cross

Red Cross blood drives in October

The Logan County Health Department will sponsor the blood drives to be at the Lincoln Sports Complex on Oct. 3 and 17. Hours on Oct. 3 will be from noon until 5 p.m., and on Oct. 17 hours will be from noon until 6 p.m.

People who recently reached goals in their blood donations are Joseph Bell, nine gallons; Paul D. Estes, eight; Virginia C. Vogel, seven; Sharon Aylesworth, four; Donald E. Wheeler, four; Debbie Voelker, two; Jeanne Scheurer, one; Jeannine Pickering, one; and Amy Hale, one gallon.

There has been a tremendous increase in people wishing to donate blood. Donors are urged to call
1 (800) 728-3543 to make an appointment.

Events

October 2001

Wednesday, Oct. 3
SPONSOR: Logan County Health Department
WHO: Public
WHAT: American Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: noon - 5 pm

Wednesday, Oct. 17
SPONSOR: Logan County Health Department
WHO: Public
WHAT: American Red Cross blood drive
WHERE: Lincoln Sports Complex
WHEN: noon - 6 pm

Honors & Awards

Announcements

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit. Effective Feb. 1, 2001, the unit will run as follows:

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership (732-2161, Ext. 409) and the Healthy Families Task Force.         

Resources for Logan County families

Agency	Phone number	Address
911	911 (Emergencies) 732-3911 (Office -- non-emergency)	911 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital	732-2161	315 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Aging (Department of)	785-3356	421 E. Capitol, #100 Springfield, IL 62701-1789
American Cancer Society	546-7586 (24 hour)	1305 Wabash, Ste. J Springfield, IL 62704
American Red Cross	732-2134 1-800-412-0100	125 S. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Catholic Social Services	732-3771	310 S. Logan Lincoln, IL 62656
Chamber of Commerce	735-2385	303 S. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Action (CIEDC)	732-2159	1800 Fifth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Community Child Care Connection	525-2805 1-800-676-2805	1004 N. Milton Ave. Springfield, IL 62702-443
Crisis Pregnancy Center	735-4838	513 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
DCFS (Department of Children & Family Services)	735-4402 1-800-252-2873 (crisis hotline)	1100 Keokuk St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Heartland Community College GED Program	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Hospice Care of Illinois	1-800-342-4862 (24 hour) 732-2161, Ext. 444	720 N. Bond Springfield, IL 62702
Housing Authority	732-7776 732-6312 (24 hour)	1028 N. College St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program	735-2317 1-800-269-4019	LCHD - 109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Illinois Department of Public Health	782-4977	535 W. Jefferson Springfield, IL 62761
Illinois Employment and Training Center (replaces JTPA office)	735-5441	120 S. McLean St., Suite B Farm Bureau Building Lincoln, IL 62656
Legal Assistance Foundation	(217) 753-3300 1-800-252-8629	730 E. Vine St., Ste. 214 Springfield, IL 62703
Library - Atlanta	(217) 648-2112	100 Race St. Atlanta, IL 61723
Library - Elkhart	(217) 947-2313	121 E. Bohan Elkhart, IL 62634
Library - Lincoln	732-8878	725 Pekin St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Library - Mount Pulaski	792-5919	320 N. Washington Mount Pulaski, IL 62548
Lincoln Area YMCA	735-3915	319 W. Kickapoo St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln/Logan Food Pantry	732-2204	P.O. Box 773 Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Parents’ Center	735-4192	100 S. Maple Lincoln, IL 62656
Lincoln Park District	732-8770	1400 Primm Rd. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Department of Human Services (Public Aid)	735-2306	1550 Fourth St., P.O. Box 310 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan County Health Department	735-2317	109 Third St., P.O. Box 508 Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan Mason Mental Health	735-2272 1-888-832-3600 (crisis line)	304 Eighth St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Logan-Mason Rehabilitation Center	735-1413	760 S. Postville Dr. Lincoln, IL 62656
Oasis (Senior Citizens of Logan County)	732-6132	501 Pulaski St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Project READ	735-1731	620 Broadway St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Salvation Army	732-7890	1501 N. Kickapoo Lincoln, IL 62656
Senior Services of Central Illinois	732-6213 1-800-252-8966 (crisis line)	109 Third St. Lincoln, IL 62656
Sojourn Shelter & Service Inc.	732-8988 (217) 726-5200 (24-hour hotline)	1800 Westchester Blvd. Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Division of Specialized Care for Children	524-2000 1-800-946-8468	421 S. Grand Ave. West, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62704
U. of I. Extension Service	732-8289	122 S. McLean St. Lincoln, IL 62656

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