Health

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Written by: Editor

Published: 23 October 2009

LAKEPORT – A free informational seminar for parents and teachers about dyslexia will be held in Lakeport on Saturday, Nov. 7.

Licensed Davis Dyslexia Correction Facilitator David C. Rosen will host the seminar, entitled “Is It Dyslexia?” from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Mendo Lake Credit Union, 963 11th St., in the Safeway Shopping Center.

Dyslexia is probably one of the most misunderstood learning disabilities. Most people associate the word “dyslexia” with letter and word reversals. Dyslexia is not just reversals, it is a product of an individual’s thought process and their special way of reacting to confusion. It can be corrected.

If you, or someone you know is having difficulties with reading, writing, math, speaking or thinking clearly, or attention deficits, please attend this free informational seminar that will shine new light on helping correct the debilitating effects of dyslexia.

The following will be covered:

• Signs to look for – common, often overlooked, characteristics of dyslexia;

• The two facets of dyslexia – the disability and the gift;

• The root cause of dyslexia – a new perspective;

• Recognizing and controlling the mental processes that cause distorted perceptions of letters and words;

• The relationship between Attention Deficit Disorder and and dyslexia;

• Turning it around – a way to help dyslexics self-correct their dyslexia and improve their reading, writing and focus attention.

For more information contact Dyslexia Solutions of Northern California at 707-928-4054 or visit www.mydyslexiasolutions.com .

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Written by: Editor

Published: 16 October 2009

SACRAMENTO – On Sunday Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Senate Bill 158, legislation by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) that would have required health insurance plans that currently cover cervical cancer screening to also provide coverage for the genital human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for girls ages 11 through 26.

Wiggins called the governor's decision a "profound disappointment."

"HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and the virus is also the only known cause for cervical cancer," Wiggins said. "For this reason, it is important for women to get screened regularly for cervical cancer."

The vaccine for cervical cancer, Gardasil (manufactured by Merck), was introduced in 2006, and involves a series of three shots that is given over a year’s time.

"It is essential that women have access to and are provided coverage for receiving the only known vaccination to prevent a form of cancer," Wiggins said. "It is unfortunate that Schwarzenegger saw fit to veto legislation that would have assisted in the prevention of cervical cancer while also limiting high, long-term health care costs."

The Wiggins bill had broad support, with backers including the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists District IX, the American Cancer Society, the California Commission on the Status of Women, the California Communities United Institute, the California Medical Association, the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health and Pharmacy Access Partnership, and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 15 October 2009

CLEARLAKE – The probability of a woman being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer during her life is about one in eight. And, the probability of dying from breast cancer is about one in 35, according to the American Cancer Society.

Breast cancer death rates are going down, the association says, which is probably a result of finding the cancer earlier and receiving improved treatment.

That is why Curves' locations, including the ones in the Clearlake area, are encouraging women to get annual mammograms and perform monthly breast self-exams during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.

Women who bring in a mammogram, performed within the last year, or make a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society will be waived from paying a service fee when they join Curves during one of the last three weeks of October.

Also, participating Curves locations will make available a unique home breast self-exam kit called the Liv Aid, which makes the breast self-exam process more sensitive for detecting unusual lumps. For every Liv Aid kit sold, Curves will donate one to another woman who can't afford one.

"Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women worldwide, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity for us to emphasize ways of prevention," says Curves founder Diane Heavin. "Not only are we rewarding women for having mammograms and encouraging them to perform breast-exams, we are also educating Clearlake-area community members about the disease and how they can significantly reduce their risk through diet and exercise."

Based on recent information released about breast cancer, Heavin has provided the following advice for local women regarding breast self-exams:

• How can women exercise good breast health? Most women who think of screening for breast cancer think of mammograms, but there are three ways to screen for breast cancer: mammography, clinical breast exam by a healthcare professional and breast self-exams. When combined, they offer the best opportunity to detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.

• How important is early detection? Early detection means the availability of more treatment options. More than 95 percent of women whose breast cancer is caught in its earliest stages are more likely to be healthy and disease-free five years after their diagnosis and treatment, Heavin said.

• How important are breast self-exams? Breast self-exams catch a significant number of breast cancers, some 15 to 20 percent, that otherwise might have gone undetected for possibly up to a year between doctor visits, Heavin said. And, about 80 percent of breast cancers not discovered by mammography are found by women themselves. Through breast self-exams, women are in the position to detect subtle changes in their breast tissue.

Recent research has linked obesity and excess weight with an increased risk for various cancers, including breast cancer. According to Heavin, Curves has been a long-committed partner in the fight against cancer, raising millions of dollars annually for research, treatment, and recovery programs. The company has helped millions of women around the world lose millions of pounds and move away from all types of diseases.

"When women understand that one-third of all breast cancer can be related to lack of exercise and poor diet, they'll see that they have the opportunity to have much more control over their cancer risk," Heavin said. "We want to encourage women to learn more about the impact wellness has on preventing cancer."

For more information about Curves or what week in October the locations are waiving their service fees, contact Gale Grimm, Curves of Clearlake, located at 14828 Olympic Drive, at 707-994-4888 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; or Michelle Puntillo, Curves of Kelseyville, located at 3924 Main St., at 707-279-1679 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .