Griffin Hospital Offers Free Prostate Screenings

DERBY – Griffin Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings from 4-6 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 15 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby.

 

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men at 50 years old. Men at higher risk, including African American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should be screened at age 45. Men at a very high risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should receive be tested at age 40.

 

“We strongly encourage the men in our community to take advantage of these free screenings,” said Dr. Fred Browne, vice president of Medical Affairs at Griffin Hospital. “As the third-leading cancer killer in men, prostate cancer is a serious disease, but it can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. This event will be a combination of preventative screening and education, so men know what symptoms to look for and they can share this information with friends, family and neighbors.”

 

The screening will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the free screenings is limited, so early registration is encouraged. To register, call 203-732-1280.

 

About Prostate Cancer

Approximately 1 in 7 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Screening is critical because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. More advanced prostate cancers sometimes cause symptoms, such as:

• Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord 

If you have any of these warning signs, do not wait for the free screenings. Contact your physician immediately, or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at (203) 732-2651 or visit griffinfacultyphysicians.org.

 

(This is a press release from Griffin Hospital)

Nutrition, wellness course slated in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer a free four-week nutrition course beginning April 17.
The free course, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Nutrition, But Were Afraid to Ask," will be held over four sessions, April 17 and 24 and May 1 and 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

This groundbreaking series of fun, informative classes is taught by Samantha Heller, Clinical Nutrition Coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

A registered dietician and exercise physiologist, Heller is a nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and the CBS Early Show.
She hosts "Samantha Heller's Health & Nutrition Show" on Sirius XM, and is the author of "Get Smart: Samantha Heller's Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power and Optimizing Total Body Health."

Participants should plan on attending all four sessions, as the learning is cumulative. They will learn about a variety of nutrition topics, including how to:

• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Manage Type 2 Diabetes
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost stamina and energy
• Reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases
• Improve memory, sharpen the mind, and more.

Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Register online at griffinhealth.org or by calling 203-732-1260.

This is taken from a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Diabetes prevention is in spotlight

YMCA urges residents to learn risks for disease

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA is encouraging residents to learn their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and to take preventive steps to potentially reduce developing the disease.

Currently, one in three Americans (79 million people) has prediabetes, a condition where a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for them to be diagnosed with diabetes. 

With awareness and simple actions, people with prediabetes may prevent the onset of diabetes. 

Individuals can assess their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by taking a simple test at CCC YMCA Diabetes Prevention and learn how lifestyle choices help determine the ultimate risk developing the disease. 

Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include family history, age, weight and activity level, among others. If a person is at risk, a diabetes screening conducted by a physician can confirm if a person has diabetes or prediabetes. 

 “The Y is dedicated to improving the nation’s health and well-being, and helping residents understand their risk of developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes is just one way we are improving the health of our community,” said Kelly Vaughan, CCC YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Coordinator.  “Choosing to make healthy changes is the first step.” 

While the nation’s obesity epidemic and the rise in type 2 diabetes is well chronicled, the number of people with prediabetes remains a growing and often under-reported condition. 

Currently only 7 percent of those with prediabetes know they have it, and people with prediabetes are at serious risk for not only developing type 2 diabetes, but also heart disease, stroke and other conditions.

To help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, the Y offers some basic lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and healthy living that can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. 

Among these are:

 · Eat fruits and vegetables every day.

 · Choose fish, lean meats, and poultry without skin. 

 · Aim for whole grains with every meal. 

 · Be moderately active at least 30 minutes per day five days a week. 

 · Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.

 · Speak to your doctor about your diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history or are overweight. 

  To learn more about the Central Connecticut Coast YMCA’s Healthy Living and the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, go to cccymca.org or call 203-777-9622 x 2116. 

Dietitian to discuss boosting brain power

DERBY - Renowned nutrition expert and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller, MS, RD, will share simple lifestyle changes that can boost brain power during a free cancer survivorship event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 23 at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.
Based on her best selling, medically peer-reviewed book, “Get Smart: Samantha Heller’s Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power & Optimizing Total Body Health,” Heller’s presentation will show ways to boost brain power, dodge dementia, reduce chemo brain, improve memory, and lower your risk for cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
She will also reveal which foods are best for your brain and heart, and which foods to avoid. The presentation incorporates music by well-known jazz musician Michael Coppola, compelling visuals and proven science that take attendees on a journey to a healthier brain.
While this event will benefit cancer survivors and their family members and friends, it is open to the general public and offers useful information for everyone looking to strengthen their minds.
“We all want a better memory, more energy and a healthy brain,” Heller said. “Every 68 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. This event is an entertaining and informative way to learn how you can boost your brain power, reduce the risk for mental decline and remember where you put your car keys.”
Heller is the clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. She is an author and nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Dr. Oz, Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Better Connecticut and NY1. Heller hosts her own weekly show on Sirius XM’s Doctor Radio.
Attendees will be entered into a raffle. Copies of Heller’s book will be available for purchase and she will autograph copies at the end of the event.
For information or to register, go to www.griffincancercenter.org or call 203-732-1260. 

The above information was released by Griffin Hospital in Derby.