You have a voice that can spread the word about colorectal cancer. Awareness and prevention of this disease is important because a diagnosis can change everything for a family. This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is making sure people don’t assume anything about this disease – don’t assume you’re too young. Don’t assume everyone knows what colorectal cancer is. Don’t assume you’re alone. And don’t assume you can’t contribute to awareness.

What should you know?

Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, and about 1 in 23 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Those at risk include:

• Individuals with a personal or family history with polyps or cancer
• People over 50
• Those with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Individuals with the genetic conditions HNPCC or FAP
• Certain ethnicities, including Jews of Eastern European descent, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and Latinos

Prevention can mean everything, so if any of these factors apply to you or a loved one, seeing a doctor is the first step. More than half the people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no symptoms, but there are warning signs to be aware of. If you experience these, you should talk to your doctor:

• Trouble going to the bathroom
• Blood in your stool
• Persistent stomach aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness or fatigue

You can help spread awareness about colorectal cancer. Ninety percent of new cases occur in people 50 and older, but diagnoses are on the rise for those under 50, as well. Don’t ignore the symptoms and risks associated with the disease. Ask family members if they’ve been screened and encourage them to do so if they haven’t. Promote a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake and not smoking. You should also encourage loved ones to know their family health history. This helps prevent many diseases and conditions.

Don’t assume you can’t help end colorectal cancer. Visit freemanhealth.com/colon for more information or talk to your doctor.

Your doctor would like to run some tests – you've had your blood drawn and your sample has been sent off to the lab. You met the phlebotomist who drew your blood sample, but have you ever wondered who actually receives your sample and conducts the tests?

Though you may never see them face-to-face, a variety of skilled and educated laboratory professionals work behind the scenes, playing a crucial role in your healthcare. An estimated 70% of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, hospital admission and discharge are based on laboratory test results. In fact, Freeman laboratory professionals report over 3.5 million tests each year! That’s why Freeman Health System is recognizing our amazing lab professionals April 21 – 27 during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW).

Freeman employees working in the clinical laboratory collect specimens and conduct tests that provide crucial information for detecting, analyzing, diagnosing, evaluating and monitoring disease. They’re the health detectives behind the magnifying glass – or more likely, a microscope – who generate vitally important data for identifying and treating life-threating diseases such as cancer, heart disease and HIV, as well as common ailments such as the sniffles or strep throat. They use state-of-the-art technology to provide comprehensive diagnostic services, analyzing not just patient’s blood samples but also urine, body fluids, tissue and stool. If bacteria, fungus or parasites are lurking, Freeman’s highly skilled lab “investigators” will track down the culprits and provide the proof to help physicians determine the best treatment for their patients. The lab is also responsible for supplying life-saving blood products for transfusion.

Because lab results impact the healthcare patients receive, Freeman’s laboratory professionals are specially educated, trained and certified. In addition, Freeman lab directors and coordinators have extensive training and many years of experience, enabling them to oversee testing and ensure strict quality control and quality management systems are followed. Like all clinical laboratories in the United States, Freeman labs are regulated by the federal government under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The regulations for the CLIA amendments have quality standards for laboratory testing to ensure results are accurate, reliable and timely and include standards for the education and training of laboratory personnel.

Solving the riddle of health begins with the gifted and dedicated laboratory professionals, clinicians and administrative staff at Freeman who service the residents of the Four States. Freeman’s team of compassionate lab professionals strive to provide excellence in care, enriching the lives of everyone.

About the Author

Karen Watts, BS, MT (ASCP), has worked at Freeman Health System for eight years and served as Director of Laboratory Services for five years. She oversees the Freeman Lab Services Department, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers clinical and pathology services. The lab provides testing for all areas of the hospital including the emergency room, operating room, cardiovascular operating room, all patient rooms and outpatient testing. To learn more, visit freemanhealth.com/services/laboratory-services or call 417.347.3575.

Early identification and prevention lead to better outcomes for youth, including daily living skills, better attendance and/or performance in school, increased social capacity, decreased substance use and decreased incarceration. In fact, identifying youth at risk of mental health challenges in the early stages can change a youth’s entire life trajectory.

For example, when we identify a youth at risk of psychosis* prior to their first mental health episode, the family and the youth are connected to appropriate supports and information, which can prevent that youth from ever even experiencing that first episode. This one change can have an immeasurable impact on that youth’s life. They may be able to live a full, happy and productive life simply because they were provided information about how to care for their mental health! How exciting is that!

However, the stigma surrounding mental health remains. The word “crazy” gets tossed around daily without second thought. Mental health is rarely discussed in a positive light on the news, and to make matters worse, there is a general feeling that people just need to “suck it up” in regards to mental health diagnoses.

Many youth and adults do not seek mental health services because of the general attitude and ignorance surrounding mental health services. As a provider, this makes me incredibly sad. Mental health services can improve the daily discomfort produced by mental health disorders. More and more youth and adults are getting timely services with positive outcomes and are leading productive lives.

Events around the nation during Children’s Mental Health Week, including the Will’s Place Block Party on May 9, hope to bring light to mental health services, decrease stigma and provide fact-based information to our communities. Supporting youth and their families in finding hope-filled, positive messages about mental health is key to increasing participation in our mental health services.

As mental health advocates, we are called to battle the stigma and negative messages surrounding mental health found throughout society. To fight these battles, we must start a conversation – a conversation about mental health – in our community, at our work and most importantly, in our homes.

* Psychosis is used to describe conditions which affect the mind where there has been some loss of contact with reality.

About the Author

Aubrey Doss, EdS, LPC, practices at Ozark Center. She advocates for the use of evidence-based practices and has training in several of them. Her passion is working with youth who have mental health challenges and their families.

Bowling is more than just a fun way to pass the time. Playing a game at the bowling alley benefits seniors physically, mentally and socially. Freeman Advantage’s bowling league, Pin It to Win It, helps people over the age of 50 stay healthy and active.

Physical Health

Bowling is a great way for seniors to exercise without the risk of straining themselves. Bowlers may not even realize how much exercise they are getting each time they step up to the lane. It truly is a whole body exercise.

The sport requires low physical effort, but the average bowler can burn about 250 calories per hour. Bowling a three-game series involves walking over half a mile while swinging weight. Throwing the bowling ball helps the player build muscle mass all over their body and helps stretch their joints.

Social Health

As more seniors retire, they find themselves with more time on their hands. Bowling is a great to get a healthy dose of social interaction.  According to Psychology Today, people who socialize even once a week tend to have stronger immune systems and are less likely to suffer from depression and certain types of cancer.

Pin It to Win It provides seniors of all ages and skill levels a chance to enjoy an afternoon in a fun, friendly environment. Bowlers are also provided a meal by Freeman Advantage once a month. Joining a senior league gives individuals a chance to create new friendships and interact with people their age.

Mental Health

Bowling is also a mental exercise for all bowlers. It is a game of strategy, allowing seniors to think about strategic maneuvers as well as work out how they can improve their game. Visualizing where the ball will go, adjusting the release of the ball and maintaining focus are all ways a bowler uses mental awareness during a game.

Want to reap the benefits of bowling? Register for the Freeman Advantage bowling league, Pin It to Win It, at Fourth Street Bowl in Joplin in July before the new leagues are formed on August 12. Cost is $10 per week and a one-time $14 sanction fee. Members receive reduced price practice games for $1.50 a game. For more information about Freeman Advantage, visit freemanhealth.com/advantage.

When it comes to simple, daily tasks, most people don’t have to think twice. Trying a new outdoor activity, moving homes or even cleaning a bedroom is done with ease. Those who live with scoliosis, though, have to give each of those activities extra thought, and in some cases, they cannot complete these activities at all. Having to consider the toll each activity would have on their body tends to determine what jobs are applied for, activities to be involved in or what will be accomplished that day.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the curvature of scoliosis occurs when the spine measures 10 degrees or higher. Both the thoracic and lumbar portions of the spine can be affected.

According to Mayo Clinic, adults who developed curvature of the spine in adolescence are at risk of developing severe arthritis in the spine next to their old curves. Other risks such as osteoporosis can also develop as people age due to complications of medicine or menopause in women. If osteoporosis develops, fractures can happen as well.

The Scoliosis Research Society recognizes two types of adult scoliosis, adult idiopathic and adult degenerative.

Adult Idiopathic is a continuation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adult Degenerative is new scoliosis, which can develop in adults due to arthritis of facet joints, degeneration of disc, or the collapse and wedging of spaces between discs.

Adults who live with either type of scoliosis experience a great deal of pain. Typically, lower back pain and stiffness are common symptoms. Some may deal with numbness, shooting pain in the legs caused by pinched nerves, and cramping. With constant strain on lower back muscles and legs, scoliosis patients can experience fatigue as well.

Symptoms of scoliosis go beyond internal pain. Depending on the degree of curvature of the spine, height loss can become apparent, as well as uneven alignment of the pelvis and hips, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Though adult scoliosis patients endure a lot of pain, there are ways to help prevent or seek treatment. Consuming enough calcium and vitamin D is essential to help prevent osteoporosis. Women are encouraged to take steps to preserve the health of their bones prior to menopause to help prevent osteoporosis as well.

Bracing (a nonsurgical treatment for idiopathic scoliosis) can prevent curvature progression and help with pain. In both degenerative and idiopathic scoliosis, a comprehensive rehabilitation program focused on spinal and core strengthening are important factors in alleviating aspects of pain.

Freeman Health System offers services in specialized non-surgical treatment including pain management, physical therapy and x-ray/CT/MRI imaging. Surgical assessments are also available for those who need more advanced treatment. No referral is necessary. To schedule an appointment with Freeman Spinal Care, call 417.347.7200.

About the Author

Dr. Amanda Price earned her medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and started as a physiatrist at Freeman NeuroSpine in September 2017, specializing in reducing pain and restoring function lost due to illness or injury and treating a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Dr. Price is part of a team that specializes in spinal care services for patients. For specialized spinal care services, call 417.347.7200.

Taking your next breath may be as easy and natural as blinking your eyes. Yet for someone who’s been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis (PF), taking every precious breath can be an overwhelming task. A person with PF may experience shortness of breath, making it difficult to carry out normal daily activities, such as walking the dog, climbing stairs or playing with their grandchild.

September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month – a time set aside to bring awareness of those who have been impacted by PF worldwide. Pulmonary fibrosis is a scarring of the lungs. Over time, the scar tissue can destroy normal lung tissue, making it difficult for oxygen to get into the bloodstream. Low oxygen levels and stiff scar tissue causes individuals to have shortness of breath, particularly when walking and exercising.

PF is not just one disease – it can also be linked to more than 200 different causes combined under the group of interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Although some interstitial lung diseases don’t cause scar tissue, when an ILD does scar the lungs, it’s identified as pulmonary fibrosis. According to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, one recent study estimated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis affects 1 out of 200 adults age 60 and over in the United States – translating to more than 200,000 people living with PF today! Approximately 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and as many as 40,000 Americans die from PF each year.

It can be challenging for doctors to figure out what causes pulmonary fibrosis. Sometimes they can identify one or more causes of the disease and other times the cause is unknown or “idiopathic”. Five main categories of identifiable causes of pulmonary fibrosis include drug-induced, radiation-induced, environmental, autoimmune and occupational. In the United States, environmental and autoimmune causes seem to be the most common types of PF.

The rate of progression of PF varies with every patient. To help individuals live longer and healthier lives, treatment often includes a combination of oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and medications to help reduce inflammation and scarring. In addition, healthy lifestyle habits including diet, exercise, awareness about the disease, and assisting those living with PF can help. Many patients also find joining a local or online support group helpful.

Freeman Lung Institute specializes in high-quality care and offers information on the latest treatment and therapy options to help PF patients live a stronger life.  Talk to your primary care physician about PF today or call our office! For more information, call 417.347.8315 or visit freemanhealth.com/lung.

About the Author

Grant Pierson, DO, specializes in Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine. He is currently seeing new patients at the Freeman Lung Institute.

The breast cancer treatments are over and now it’s time to return to work. Life after breast cancer means returning to some familiar things and also making some new choices. After a marathon of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment that may last six months to a year, women are eager to get back to a normal life again, and that often includes getting back to work. Transitioning from breast cancer treatment patient to breast cancer survivor is embracing the “new woman” and entering into the “new normal.”

Returning to work post-treatment can be an emotional experience for many women who often feel conflicted between wanting to go on with life and being able to cope with the daily pressures. On one hand, women look forward to returning to a work routine and on the other hand, they dread it. Adding to the awkwardness are the after-effects of treatment such as fatigue resulting from chemotherapy and/or the accumulated effects of other treatments as well as a phenomenon some people call “chemobrain” – mental changes such as memory deficits and the inability to focus.

Adding to the frustrating mix, co-workers tell survivors how they look and ask questions about treatment. How open women are with their co-workers about their breast cancer and health after treatment is a personal decision. Some co-workers will be understanding and offer help while others may be uncomfortable discussing it or resent that they had to take on extra duties on days when the person was absent. Others may ask intrusive questions about the breast cancer, the person’s health, why they’ve been gone or even avoid them. Based on the relationship with co-workers, women can decide if they want to share anything, what works best for them and their situation, think ahead about how they will handle other people’s reactions and have a plan for what and how much they want to share.

It’s important for women to make sure they’re medically cleared by their health care provider before returning to work. They can also talk with their employer about possible options, like flex-time, job sharing, working from home or other options that may help ease them back into the demands of a job. For some people, the transition to working full-time may be easy, and for others it may take some adjustment.

The benefits of going back to work include helping ladies keep their sense of who they are and how they fit in. It might even boost their self-esteem, not to mention their income. Returning to their job also reminds women that they have a life apart from breast cancer – they are a valued employee, a great boss or a trusted co-worker.

Sometimes breast cancer can make women feel isolated and lonely, and being around people can be a great comfort. Support groups, online chat forums and social media groups offer the chance to air challenges with others that have had breast cancer. This, too, helps with the healing process to speak openly and honestly about the post-surgery struggles.

The good news is, with time, little by little, most women start to feel like their regular selves once medications are completed and the exhaustion subsides. It takes time for the “new you” to settle in. Truly, time heals many wounds and having a job can divert attention away from the stressors of the breast cancer journey and allow women to refocus on other things in life and create their own “new normal.”

About the Author

Lesa Deardorff has worked at Freeman Health System for 32 years and served as director of radiology services for 16 years. She oversees the Freeman Radiology Department, which offers advanced technology and top-of-the-line ultrasound, x-ray, nuclear medicine, CT, PET/CT and mammography services. To learn more, visit freemanhealth.com/services/radiology or call 417.347.6611.

A stroke can happen to anyone at anytime and anywhere. Today, stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. Approximately 13 million people suffer strokes worldwide each year.  The good news? The majority of strokes are preventable!

The American Stroke Association promotes the “Simple 7” as an easy way to decrease your risk of having a stroke. These are seven areas of life in which even basic changes will help lower your stroke risk.

It may seem overwhelming to think of all seven at once. Most people will do better if they implement one or two suggestions at a time, such as developing a routine for checking your blood pressure every day and recoding it on a calendar. After a few weeks, consider adding walking around the neighborhood three to four times a week. Gradually add in a new habit here and there. In a year, you will look back and be amazed at your progress.

1. Monitor your blood pressure. High blood pressure is a symptomless “silent killer,” and it is the single most common risk factor for stroke. Over 50% of patients who experience a stroke have chronic high blood pressure. The excessive pressure damages blood vessels and leads to serious health problems.

• Take your blood pressure medicine as prescribed.
• Check your blood pressure with a machine at home or at kiosks in pharmacies and department stores.
• Keep a journal on your phone or in your wallet.
• Share the journal with your healthcare provider at your medical appointments.
• If you notice the numbers trending higher than usual, give your provider a call.

2. Control your cholesterol. Cholesterol accumulates and causes dangerous narrowing in your blood vessels.

• Eat a diet low in fatty and fried foods.
• Take your cholesterol medication as prescribed.
• Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly.
• Be aware of your LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels.

3. If you are diabetic, manage your blood sugars. People with diabetes are 2 – 3 times more likely to suffer a stroke.

• Eat a diet low in sugar.
• Take your diabetes medications as prescribed.
• Notify your healthcare provider if your blood sugar levels are outside the target range recommended by your physician.

4. Decrease and stop smoking. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor meaning it causes the blood vessels to tighten up. Narrowing of the blood vessels increases blood pressure which leads to many health risks.

• Ask your healthcare provider what kind of support they can offer you in your journey to get healthy by quitting smoking. They may be able to prescribe medications, patches or gum to assist you through the withdrawal from nicotine.
• Replace the old habit with a new, healthier habit. Find an alternative to turn to when you are tempted to light up.
• Cravings typically last only a few minutes. Look for a way to distract yourself and push through the craving.

5. Get active. Get moving to get your blood pumping, shed extra pounds and lower your blood pressure.

• Check with your healthcare provider to ask if you need to have any activity restrictions.
• Keep it simple – start with walking or exercising a little more than you usually do. Work up to five days per week. Add five minutes a week until you are at 40 minutes three to four times a week.
• Find an exercise buddy – a friend, neighbor, even a pet – to keep you accountable and to make it more fun.

6. Lose weight. Excess weight creates extra stress on your heart and contributes to multiple health issues.

• Set reasonable and attainable short and long term weight loss goals.
• Celebrate small successes with non-food rewards.

7. Eat healthier. Our bodies use what we eat to build and repair itself. If we only provide it with “junk” food, our bodies will suffer. Enjoy an occasional less-than-healthy treat along the way, but focus on providing healthy building blocks for your body.

• Eat a “Mediterranean diet” high in fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid “drinking your calories” in sugary drinks.
• Find a friend or join a group to share the journey – and recipes!

So, where are YOU going to start? Remember, keep it simple – just one small task at a time. If you have a little setback, just jump back on board and keep going! You got this!

Sharlyn Splean MSN, RN, SCRN

Reference: www.stroke.org

What if there was a medication-free, zero-cost way to reduce your stress level, help you live longer and even improve your satisfaction with your life as a whole? What if it was available right here in our community?

An analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of Aging found that individuals who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when controlling for age, gender and physical health. Additionally, Mayo Clinic says volunteers with chronic or serious illness can even experience declines in pain intensity and depression.

How is this possible? Volunteering provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment, leading to a profound impact on physical and mental health. People who volunteer also report higher levels of happiness, satisfaction and self-esteem. They also have lower stress levels, which can in turn lower their risk of heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and depression.

At Freeman, our volunteers make patients and their families more comfortable through personal attention, dedication and a genuine desire to enrich the lives of others. They visit patients, deliver flowers, answer phones and give directions. They can even provide clerical support or ring up sales in a Freeman Gift Gallery.

Freeman volunteers also enjoy benefits including:

• Free flu shots
• Prescription discounts at QuickMeds Pharmacy™
• Discounts at Freeman Health Essentials, Freeman Gift Gallery and Freeman Hearing Center
• Low-cost health screenings
• Meal credit on the days you work 3 or more hours
• Health and educational seminars
• Annual appreciation dinner
• Annual Christmas dinner party
• Bi-annual luncheons
• Complimentary apparel

Learn more about volunteering at Freeman here, or call 417.347.4603 for more information.