Healthy Lifestyle - Facing Cancer Together

Report: Pennsylvania needs to do more to prevent, fight cancer

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 13:37:13 +0000

(Harrisburg) -- A new report from the American Cancer Society finds Pennsylvania is like most states in that it falls short when it comes to fighting the causes of cancer.

The commonwealth only gets top marks for its tobacco tax rates.

The Cancer Action Network report gives Pennsylvania low marks on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.

Spokeswoman Laura Weis says the state also scores poorly for physical education time requirements, which can help in cancer prevention.

"One in three cancer deaths is due to factors relating to poor nutrition and physical inactivity," Weis says.

The report gives the commonwealth low grades for tanning bed restrictions, because over-exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer.

The state's smoking ban only gets moderate marks because many locations are not covered by the law.

The Cancer Society also docks the commonwealth for an uptick in the use of smokeless tobacco.

Please visit witf's Facing Cancer Together project for more cancer resources and stories.

Bill would ban minors from using tanning beds

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:58:16 +0000

(Harrisburg) -- Some midstate teens may use indoor tanning facilities to get ready for the prom and graduation seasons.

But a new proposal from state Representative RoseMarie Swanger could soon bar Pennsylvanians under the age of 18 from using tanning beds, even if they have permission from a legal guardian.

The Republican from Lebanon County says other behaviors deemed harmful to minors are banned, so indoor tanning should be, too. "We protect children by prohibiting their use of tobacco, which is also irrefutably linked to cancer. We also ban them from consuming alcohol. Likewise, for minors, we mandate seatbelt use, require bicycle and motorcycle safety helmets, and do many other things to help protect their safety."

The measure would also require Pennsylvanians to show ID before gaining access to an indoor tanning facility.

Tanning beds give off ultraviolet radiation, which has been linked to skin cancer, or melanoma.

A study from the International Journal of Cancer has found using tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75 percent.

Swanger's bill has been referred to the House Health Committee.

Tobacco as a cash crop and opening up about addiction

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 18:34:00 +0000

Tobacco has been a cash crop since the time of exploration of the Americas, to the establishment of the colonies and on through our time of independence. Pennsylvania has a strong heritage in agriculture. And, if you drive through Lancaster County today you’ll see lots of fields where tobacco is growing.

“There’s a huge profit incentive and on the part of the consumer, with the highly addictive nature of nicotine, unfortunately it is kind of the perfect storm,” explains Dr. Peter Lewis, and educator at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine.

Many characterize the cigarette as the perfect vehicle for delivering nicotine, and compare it to more illicit substances like cocaine.

Some patients may assign blame, guilt or even shame, to their behavior, and so it is important for physicians to create a safe environment for them to open up about their addiction and honestly talk about what they are experiencing in order to get the right help.

Dr. Lewis says that addiction is experienced at a very personal and individual level. Some people who are battling an addiction may be self-medicating and might be facing something like anxiety or depression. So, to strip away something that may be a coping mechanism without properly offering support, is unproductive.

“It takes courage to change a behavior and what they need is support and encouragement,” Dr. Lewis says.

Advertising cigarettes to women and children

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:06:00 +0000

Dr. Shou Ling Leong, an educator at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, explains that smoking cigarettes in the past was something that only men did, not women and children. But clever advertising campaigns targeted to women and children changed that.

Advertising played a key role in getting Americans hooked on tobacco, and glamorized the habit in magazines, on billboards and even at sporting events.

But, it was advertising campaigns like Virginia Slim’s “You’ve come a long way baby” campaign that encouraged smoking among women, playing off of a theme of equality with men.

These campaigns were so successful, in fact, that by 1965 the number of women who died of lung cancer surpassed the number who died of breast cancer in the U.S. And, smoking-related deaths are still the leading cause of death today. Scroll down to watch the video.

Cigarette companies also targeted children with ads that featured cartoon characters like Joe Camel. “If you look at the data when they rolled out Joe Camel, the number of teen smokers went up. They know that if they can get them hooked at an early age before they know the dangers of smoking, they’ll have them for life because it is very hard to quit,” says Dr. Leong.

That’s why prevention is so important with children, teens and young adults. Programs that reach out to kids about the dangers of smoking in schools and communities can help prevent some kids from starting the habit.

“About 440,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to smoking-related illness. So, this is a very major health problem for us,” explains Dr. Leong. “But, if we look at the evidence, there is good news. 50% want to quit and we in the medical community want to help them.”
 
Dr. Leong says that there are several resources right here in our community that people can utilize to help them quit smoking. From smoking cessation programs, to counseling or group support, there are many places to turn for information and encouragement.

She also highlights a great resource that is free 24 hours a day and 7 days a week- The PA Quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW

Dr. Leong says, “There are a lot of resources out there and I think we as a community working together, we should be able to help people quit smoking.”

A brief history of smoking

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 15:06:00 +0000

In the video below, Dr. Dennis Gingrich, an educator at Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, provides a brief history of smoking and the changes that have been made as a society to discourage smoking in public spaces.

Dr. Gingrich explains that tobacco is a plant that was raised in the New World. It wasn’t until Columbus discovered that the Native Americans were using tobacco for religious and medicinal purposes that people in Europe began using it.

In the 18th century, tobacco became very popular on both sides of Atlantic, and in the 20th century came the cigarette. Dr. Gingrich explains that the advent of the cigarette as a method of smoking tobacco was a game-changer.

“What made the cigarette so popular is that there’s a physiological change that takes place when nicotine reaches the blood stream. It is absorbed very quickly and the effect is almost immediate. But that effect also wares off very rapidly and requires another 'charge' or cigarette. This is what develops a pattern of smoking throught the day,” he says.

In the 40’s and 50’s, people really didn’t know the dangers of smoking. Cigarettes were included in the ration packs of soldiers in WWII. Dr. Gingrich highlights that physicians at the time were even advertising the benefits of smoking in TV commercials and magazine ads.

But, as a society, a lot of positive steps have been made to improve public health since the 50’s. “There was a Surgeon General’s report on the hazards of smoking in ’64.” Dr. Gingrich says, adding, “Then there were some changes in society including cigarette ads being pulled from television and cigarettes being banned in air travel. So we try to discourage smoking in public places wherever possible.”

Worldwide, there are about 6 million deaths due to smoking-related illness each year. “It is a staggering global health problem.” Dr. Gingrich says. “We really need to get the word out so that we can have a healthier community and world."

Smoking among youth

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:50:00 +0000

(Carlisle) -- Most students these days learn about the dangerous effects of tobacco early on in school, and many live in homes where smoking's not allowed.

In recent years, usage rates among children and teens are down. But that hasn't stopped tobacco companies from devising new ways to market to kids, whether it's by coming up with new ways to make smoking look appealing, or by inventing new products.

As part of our multimedia, Facing Cancer Together project, witf's Megan Lello spoke with Linda Doty, a prevention specialist with the Cumberland-Perry Drug & Alcohol Commission, about youth tobacco use and marketing:

{mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/fmnews/fct-youth-smoking.mp3{/mp3remote}

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please leave a comment below.

Do you want to quit? http://teen.smokefree.gov/ is a great place to start. And, help is just a phone call away:
Call 1-800-QUIT NOW for free support with a trained counselor in Pennsylvania, who will talk to you about whether you are ready to quit or just thinking about it. You can request a variety of free services, including self-help materials, a referral list of other programs in your community, and one-one phone counseling to help you quit.

Related stories and resources:

Cutting Tobacco's Rural Roots
Expert Blog: Tackling the physical, mental and social aspects of tobacco addiction
Expert Blog: Butt Out For Good
The Clean Air Law in PA
Smoke-free zones in PA
Tobacco free hiring policy
Resources to help you quit smoking

Tanning bed ban for teens

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:34:00 +0000

The American Cancer Society says research shows people who use tanning beds are much more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who never did.

The American Cancer Society also quoted findings from an International Agency for Cancer Research study that said the chance of developing skin cancer increases by 75% among those who frequented tanning beds before the age of 30.

With those statistics in mind, Republican State Representative RoseMarie Swanger of Lebanon County has proposed legislation that would ban anyone under the age of 18 from using an indoor, commercial tanning bed.

As part of witf's Emmy Award and Edward R. Murrow Award winning Facing Cancer Together Initiative, Rep. Swanger and Penn State Hershey Medical Center Dr. Gavin Robertson, who has studied melanoma extensively, appear in this episode of Radio Smart Talk.

Click here to listen to this program.

To recognize a mole that may be a melanoma, remember the ABCD's --
A for asymmetry
B for border irregularity
C for different colors like black and blue
D for diameter, greater than six millimeters which is about the size of a pencil eraser.

Unlike basal cell and squamous cell cancer where the problem is cumulative exposure to the sun, melanoma is more related to severe episodic exposure. "I've learned that many of my patients with melanoma, but not all of them, they have a memory of a severe, severe sunburn," says Dr. Steven Pandelidis, a surgical oncologist with Apple Hill Surgical Associates in York, PA.

He emphasizes that its easy for any well-trained family physician to remove a mole and send it to a pathologist to find out what it is. "If you don't like the way something looks, you go see your doctor, you say 'I'm worried about this,' and the doctor will look it over, and if there's cause for worry, he or she should remove it."

Tobacco-free hiring policy

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 16:32:57 +0000

(Ephrata) -- A little more than a year ago, Ephrata Community Hospital in Lancaster County became one of the first in the region to implement a tobacco-free hiring policy.

As part of Facing Cancer Together, witf's Megan Lello spoke with hospital spokeswoman Joanne Eshelman about the policy and how it's affected the workforce:

{mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/fmnews/fct-ephrata-smoking.mp3{/mp3remote}

Ephrata Community Hospital's Tobacco-Free Hiring Policy (from the hospital's website):
As a healing institution, it is the philosophy of the Ephrata Community Hospital system that tobacco is hazardous to one’s health and that smoking is the number one cause of fire in institutions. Therefore, for the health and welfare of all patients, visitors, and staff, the Hospital systems Board of Directors has adopted a policy for the maintenance of a tobacco-free environment and a tobacco-free hiring policy.

Effective, July 1, 2011, all applicants will be tested for tobacco and nicotine use as part of their post offer, pre-employment screening. Those who test positive for tobacco and nicotine use will not be hired. If an applicant tests positive, he/she may re-apply for a position after completing a 90 day waiting period, provided the individual has ceased using tobacco products.

Related stories:
Click here to learn more about tobacco cessation and the resources that are available in Central PA.
Read an Expert Journal Blog about quitting smoking and ways to succeed.

What are your thoughts on this tobacco-free hiring policy? Please leave a comment below.

Smoke-free zones in Pennsylvania

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Dozens of Pennsylvania parks and recreational areas are being declared smoke-free zones.

As part of the “Young Lungs at Play” program, smokers are being asked to refrain from lighting up cigarettes. The tobacco bans are designed to keep children away from second-hand smoke and to set a good example for them as well.

Joining us on the program will be Mary Levasseur, Lancaster General Health's Manager for Community Health & Wellness and Judy Ochs, Director of the Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

{mp3remote}http://witf.vo.llnwd.net/o35/FCT/RSTSmoking.mp3{/mp3remote}

Related stories:

Tobacco-free hiring policy

List of smoking cessation resources in Central PA to help you quit

Cutting tobacco's rural roots

Expert blog: I want to... I want to quit

Answers to 7 important smoking questions

Find out why smoking is a major health risk

Check out what Dr. Oyer from Lancaster General Health has to say about smoking in this video "Are you kidding? You still smoke?"

Why quit? A list of reasons from PinnacleHealth

Resources to help you quit smoking

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Did you know that on average, adults who smoke cigarettes die 14 years earlier than nonsmokers? And, that more deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined? (CDC.gov) These are some good reasons to seriously think about taking steps towards quitting.

Below are some resources to explore that will help you find what method will work best for you so that you can quit and stay smoke-free for a healthier life.

Have you successfully quit smoking? What worked for you? What advice can you share with someone who is taking that first step? Please leave a comment below!

Why quit smoking?

1. In addition to lung cancer, smoking causes many other types of cancer, including cancers of the throat, mouth, nasal cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia. (*From cancer.gov)

2. People who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also causes most cases of chronic lung disease. (*From cancer.gov)

3. Save money! Calculate just how much can be saved here!

4. If you knew what was in a cigarette, you’d think twice:

Acetone – found in nail polish remover
Acetic Acid – an ingredient in hair dye
Ammonia – a common household cleaner
Arsenic – used in rat poison
Benzene – found in rubber cement
Butane – used in lighter fluid
Cadmium – active component in battery acid
Carbon Monoxide – released in car exhaust fumes
Formaldehyde – embalming fluid
Hexamine – found in barbecue lighter fluid
Lead – used in batteries
Napthalene – an ingredient in moth balls
Methanol – a main component in rocket fuel
Nicotine – used as insecticide
Tar – material for paving roads
Toluene - used to manufacture paint

5. Answers to 7 important smoking questions from Lancaster General Health

6. Find out why smoking is a major health risk

7. Check out what Dr. Oyer from Lancaster General Health has to say about smoking in this video "Are you kidding? You still smoke?"

8. Why quit? A list of reasons from PinnacleHealth

9. Cigarette smoking causes about 1 of every 5 deaths in the United States each year.Cigarette smoking is estimated to cause the following (CDC.gov):

443,000 deaths annually (including deaths from secondhand smoke)
49,400 deaths per year from secondhand smoke exposure
269,655 deaths annually among men
173,940 deaths annually among women

Now that you know the reasons to quit, are you ready to quit? Take this quiz to find out.

Resources to help you quit:

What do you know about quitting smoking quiz

When it comes to quitting smoking, the idea of picking a Quit date can be as difficult as the thought of never having another cigarette. Fortunately, the Quit Companion is a useful tool that can be specifically tailored to meet your needs. If you're not ready to commit to a specific day just yet, the Companion can become your personalized electronic quit journal. It will track your habits and provide a visual picture of your smoking patterns. It's even smart enough to calculate what your smoking is costing you.

If you've made the decision to quit, here's a helpful Quit Day Checklist to keep you on track.

This step-by-step Quit Guide at smokefree.gov was created with the help of ex-smokers and experts.

Quitting smoking can be a challenge: help for cravings and tough situations.

Help is just a phone call away:

Call 1-800-QUIT NOW for free support with a trained counselor in Pennsylvania, who will talk to you about whether you are ready to quit or just thinking about it. You can request a variety of free services, including self-help materials, a referral list of other programs in your community, and one-one phone counseling to help you quit.

Or, you can call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) to talk with an NCI smoking cessation counselor for help quitting and answers to smoking-related questions in English or Spanish - call toll free within the United States, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

SmokefreeTXT mobile service provides 24/7 encouragement, advice, and tips to help young adult smokers stop smoking for good.

There are some great online resources to help you track and share your progress as well:

Freedom From Smoking® Online, or FFS Online, is a program specifically designed for adults, like you, who want to quit smoking. It’s an adaptation of the American Lung Association’s gold standard, group clinic that has helped thousands of smokers to quit for good.

The EX Plan is a free quit smoking program that helps you re-learn your life without cigarettes. Before you actually stop smoking, we'll show you how to deal with the very things that trip up so many people when they try to quit smoking. So you'll be more prepared to quit and stay quit.

Quit for Life program: We understand that quitting is about more than just not smoking. When you join our program, a Quit Coach® will help you become an expert in living without tobacco using "The 4 Essential Practices to Quit For Life," principles based on 25 years of research and experience helping people quit tobacco.

Smokefree Women

Smokefree Teen

Smokeless Tobacco: A Guide for Quitting

Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The primary purpose of Nicotine Anonymous is to help all those who would like to cease using tobacco and nicotine products in any form. The Fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 Steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine.

Are you helping a friend or family member quit smoking?

Tips for friends and family who are helping someone quit

Here is a useful book list for helping someone to quit

Helping a smoker quit: Do's and Don'ts

Facing Cancer Together's partners offer several programs to help you quit smoking. Take a look below:

Lancaster General Health offers:

Freedom from Smoking® Group Classes
If you’d like to join a group with others who are also trying to quit, consider this free program that was developed by the American Lung Association and has helped thousands of smokers to quit for good. Through this class you’ll be given the tools and support to develop a personalized quit plan. FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available to all participants. Classes are held at various locations throughout the community.

Do you need more personalized help? FREE one-on-one consultations with a counselor are available by appointment only. The weekly 30-minute sessions (minimum of 4 sessions) will focus on developing a personalized quit plan. FREE Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is available. Day and evening sessions are available by appointment only. For more information or to schedule, click here or call 1-888-LGH-INFO (544-4636). Appointments are held at the Wellness Center, Lancaster General Health Suburban Outpatient Pavilion, 2100 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster.

LifeSkills® is an evidence-based tobacco and addiction prevention curriculum for elementary, middle and high-school students and has been proven to help increase self-esteem, develop healthy attitudes, and improve students’ knowledge of essential life skills – all of which promote healthy and positive personal development. To find out how to bring LifeSkills® Training to your school, call 717-544-3284.
Join the millions who live smoke-free

1-888-LGH-INFO (544-4636) or register online.

Smokeless tobacco quiz

Fighting the teen smoking epidemic

Answers to 7 important smoking questions

Smoking: Tips to help you quit

PinnacleHealth offers:

PinnacleHealth smoking cessation resources

Early detection and diagnosis of a pulmonary nodule, which may be cancerous, provides the best chance for a cure. See if you're qualified for a lung cancer screening at PinnacleHealth.

Options in niccotine therapy article.

Smoking: The facts

It is never too late to quit smoking

Smoking and pregnancy quiz

Additional smoking cessation resources to explore

WellSpan Health offers:

Smoking Cessation Support Group: Meets the third Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Gettysburg Hospital Community Room. For more information contact Jennifer Hobbs at (717) 338-3259.

Nicotine replacement therapy for quitting tobacco

John's story: Crossing the smoke-free finish line

Interactive tool: How does smoking increase your risk of heart attack?

Smoking: Health risk for family members

Quitting smoking: Dealing with weight gain

Quitting smoking: How family and friends can help