The Women's Group Newsletter
- Fathering Healthy Babies
- Nurses Nook
- Screening Mamography
- HRT and Breast Cancer
- Quick Quiz
- Poetry
- Nancy's Corner
Excerpted from the University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter
Copyright Health Letter Associates 1994.
Subscriptions: 904-445-64164
In America, 7% of babies are born underweight ( i.e with "fetal growth
retardation" or "small for gestational age") and about 3% have recognizable
birth defects. We know that when a pregnant woman has an inadequate diet, smokes, drinks,
or is exposed to dangerous (teratogenic) drugs or toxins the risk is increased.
What other factors could exist? The genetic contribution of both male and female are
critical. Like the egg, the sperm is also subject to chromosomal damage and may contain
harmful materials such as certain drug residues. Animal studies, which may not necessarily
apply to humans, have indicated paternal exposure to alcohol increases rates of
malformations in offspring, and some population studies are suggesting a father's use of
alcohol in the month before conception is linked to low birth weight. Lead, mercury, and
about 60 other compounds or industrial processes have been shown to increase defects in
human sperm and may possibly increase risk of birth defects.
Until more is definitively known, we can only say that you can't go wrong to avoid
lead, mercury, or other obviously hazardous chemicals.
Women planning pregnancy can decrease the risk of birth defects by taking 400 mcg of
folate daily (available over the counter) and by abstaining from alcohol and tobacco.
Prospective fathers who drink should stop or cut back, and if smoking should quit so as
to avoid exposing their partners and children to the hazards or passive smoking.
We agree with the experts that more research is needed on this relatively unexplored
subject.
From the nurses and medical assistants
at the Women's Group
Responses to some common questions about oral contraceptives
Q: What do I do if I miss one of my pills?
A: Take one now
and take the next pill at the usual time.
Q: What if I've missed two pills?
A: Take two now and two
tomorrow, then one a day for the rest of the pack.
Use a back-up
method for seven days.
Q: If three or more pills are missed?
A: For day one start
packs, discard you pills and start a new pack
A: For Sunday start
packs, take one pill each day until Sunday, then discard
that pack and
start a new pack. Use a back-up method for seven days for
either re-start.
Q: Do I need a back-up form of birth control when on oral antibiotics?
A: Although controversial, it
is considered prudent to use a back-up method
while on oral
antobiotics.
Some Thoughts on Recent Controversies
By Dr. Lois McLauchlan
Although there has been renewed debate due to a large Canadian study, we still feel
that women between the ages of 40 and 50 should continue to get screening mammograms every
one to two years. The study was not without it's challengeable flaws. And it is generally
agreed that of the cancers that do occur during these years of life a greater percentage
are of a more "aggressive" behavior, with a shorter survival if not diagnosed
early on. True, mammography is not perfect, but there is no doubt it is quite safe and
that it can detect cancers in the earlier, more treatable stages.
Studies continue to be published regarding investigations on hormone replacement
therapy and breast cancer. In general, they tend to be inconclusive or come to opposite
conclusions. Many physicians feel that it may be possible that, at best, a small group of
women may be at a slightly greater risk, but when this is compared with the known
protective effects on the cardiovascular system, the reduction of osteoporosis, and the
improvement in memory and mood not to mention the prevention of hot flashes, vaginal
drying, insomnia and irritability that result from using hormone replacement after
menopause, most women would be advised to use it.
Exerpted ftom the University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter Health Letter
Copyright Health Letter Associates, 1994.
Subscriptions 904-445-6414
1. What is the most serious health problem facing women today? (a) heart disease, (b)
breast cancer, (c) all cancers, or (d) AIDS. 2. The cancer that kills most women in this
country each year is (a) breast cancer, (b) lung cancer or (c) colorectal cancer.
Selected by Dr. Gretchen Frey
DYED IN THE WOOL
When filled with contentment,
the children and I
are gathered together
with eggs and with dye,
with transfers and crayons
and dubious skills,
I always forget
about possible spills.
But an egg is an object
so easy to slip,
and dye is a substance
so likely to drip.
It seems in the carpet
the splotches are bright,
and I scold just a bit,
but the kids are contrite.
I send them to bed
with a kiss and a hug.
The eggs are all finished
and so is the rug.
Evelyn Amuendo Wade
from
If We'd Wanted Quiet,
We Would have Raised
Goldfish
Dr. Nancy Rudd-McCoy
A Pap smear is ideally done at midcycle. It is not possible to evaluate vaginitis or
get a good Pap specimen within 72 Hours of a douche or use of vaginal cream
1. (a) Deaths from heart disease are ten times those due to breast cancer each year
2. (b) As of the last decade or so, breast cancer has been surpassed by lung cancer as
a killer of women.
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