Clinical Update

 

The Aboriginal Health Centre has increasing patient/client caseload.  The number of patients rostered are:

 

Brantford  @ 1000+

Hamilton @ 700+

 

Possible upcoming clinics are vision and mobility.

Call De dwa da dehs nye>s for details.

 

24-hour coverage provided by:

 

Terrace Hill Walk-in, 217 Terrace Hill Avenue, Brantford

(519) 759-7425

 

Physician’s Replacement Services

Hamilton, ON

(905) 574-2777

 

Dr. Monture is available on Wednesdays at the Hamilton office.

Dr. Lee is available on Fridays at the Hamilton office.

Nurse Practitioners’ are available daily

 

“Toes R Us” Foot Clinic”

 

Next Foot Clinic are:

Monday, June 19, 2000 in Hamilton

Tuesday, June 20, 2000 in Brantford

Hamilton only – if you have trouble getting out and require foot care, call the Health Centre.

 

Cervical Health

 

Taking care if your health is important for you, your family and your community.  Cancer of the cervix is more common in Aboriginal women than other women living in Ontario.  Cervical cancer is largely preventable through regular Pap tests.  If all women had regular Pap tests, most cases of cervical cancer would never occur.  Changes can happen at any time, without any symptoms or pain.  If these changes are found and treated early, cancer of the cervix can be prevented.  You can have greater control in your overall well-being by making choices that will keep you healthy.  If you are younger than 70 and have ever been sexually active, choosing to have a Pap test is important for your health.

 

Caring…sharing…growing stronger.  Stay healthy…choose to have a regular Pap test.

 

To discuss wellness in your community, please call the Aboriginal Health Centre.  Public Health nurses who have an interest in women and cancer prevention are available and would be happy to meet with your group.

 

 

May “Breast Cancer Awareness Month”

 

Today, survival of Aboriginal people depends on good health.  Breast health is important to our bodies, our families and communities.  Each year more and more Aboriginal women are diagnosed with Breast cancer.  As Aboriginal women, young and old, we need to learn the importance of healthy lifestyle behaviors and early detection methods.

 

Breast cancer is not found soon enough in Native women.  Although breast cancer does not occur as frequently among native women as white women, native women have a poorer survival rate, after it is detected.  While 76 out of 100 white women will live longer than 5 years after breast cancer is detected, only 49 out of 100 native women will live longer than 5 years.  Native women, for a number of reasons find out about their breast cancer late in the disease and treatment strategies can be limited at this stage.

Finding breast cancer early is the key to better survival.

 

Who Is At Risk???

 

If you have a history of breast cancer in your family, a mother, sister, daughter, grandmother or granddaughter with breast cancer, you are at risk.  If you started your moon cycle early (before age 13) or ended your moon cycle late (after age 51), you have an increased risk.  If you never had any pregnancies, had your first pregnancy after the age of 30, or if you did not breast feed, you have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.  If you use alcohol or are overweight, this can also increase your risk.  As women get older, the risk increases, if you are 50 years or older, you should be checked yearly for breast lumps.  This is done by a special x-ray called a Mammogram.

 

What Can Be Done?

 

1.       Learn how your breast look and feel, and learn about changes that are NOT NORMAL.

2.       Women over the age of 20 should check their breasts every month.

3.       Have a trained doctor or nurse practitioner check your breasts once a year.

If you are 50 years of age or older, you should have a mammogram every 2 years.