Parents Needed for Online Survey (survey closes July 24)

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has developed a survey to better understand attitudes and perceptions about its statewide nutrition focused programs.  The survey is available in English and Spanish and takes 10 minutes to complete. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win one of 15 gift cards to Amazon, Target or Walmart, each valued at $50.

This data will be used to ensure programs continue to engage parents and attract more families

to nutrition support services in Colorado. The survey is designed for parents and caregivers

who:

● live in Colorado

● are pregnant and/or have children under the age of 5

● have enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in the past

● are currently enrolled in the WIC program

● are WIC eligible and potentially interested in using services in the future

Travel Warnings Issued about Zika Virus

Jefferson County Public Health in partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is advising the public that amid concerns about the potential association between Zika virus infection and birth defects in Brazil, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued and is updating travel warnings about areas with ongoing risk. Zika virus transmission now affects more than 20 countries and territories in the Americas. People in the U.S. who have had the virus all traveled to areas where it is common. 
Women who are pregnant or attempting to become pregnant should consider postponing travel to those places and check the CDC website for current alerts.
Zika virus is carried by the Aedes species mosquitoes. These mosquitoes pick up the virus when they bite an infected person and spread it by biting other people. The primary mosquito for Zika virus, Aedes aegypti, doesn’t live in Colorado, because our state is too dry and cold for them. The other mosquito that might transmit Zika, Aedes albopictus, has a larger range, but also does not live in Colorado.
Zika virus is usually mild, and symptoms last only a few days to a week. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). You can prevent illness by preventing mosquito bites. People traveling to areas where Zika has been transmitted should use an EPA-registered repellent and apply and re-apply products according to the label directions. Examples of EPA-registered repellents are DEET, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and picaridin. The mosquitoes that carry Zika are aggressive daytime biters and will bite indoors and out.
Travelers who think they may be ill with Zika should consult their health care provider. Zika virus testing is available for symptomatic people only from the CDC and four U.S. state health departments. Colorado’s state laboratory is not testing for Zika virus at this time, but will help health care providers send samples for testing.

If you have more questions about Zika, visit the CDC web page, the CDPHE web page or contact COHelp at 877-462-2911.  

Early & Regular Breast Cancer Screenings Saves Lives

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) and, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), about 1 in 8 (or 12%) of women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime. Additionally, around 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women, and about 60,290 new cases of non-invasive and early breast cancer will be diagnosed.

Body weight, physical activity, and diet have all been linked to breast cancer, so these are areas where anyone can take action to prevent breast cancer. Many studies have shown that moderate to vigorous physical activity is linked with lower breast cancer risk. And, a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit, poultry, fish, and low-fat dairy products can also lower risk. Currently, the ACS recommends these three tips about diet and activity to possibly reduce risk of breast cancer: 

• Get regular, intentional physical activity; 
• Reduce your lifetime weight gain by limiting your calories and getting regular physical activity; and,
• Avoid or limit your alcohol intake. 

However, routine breast screenings are the smartest and safest bet to detect breast cancer early. Screenings are extremely important, as early detection of breast cancer saves many thousands of lives each year.

The ACS recommends these general guidelines on what types of tests to have and when to have them:

• Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health;
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic health exam by a health professional, at least every three years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year; 
• Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away. 
• Women at high risk for breast cancer based on certain factors should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is committed to increasing awareness and providing early detection services within the county. JCPH offers low cost clinical breast exams, Pap tests, and pelvic exams to all Jefferson County women as part of their routine Women’s Wellness Exam. For more information, visit our website. To schedule an appointment at the Lakewood clinic please call (303) 239-7078.

More information on breast cancer, the risk factors and prevention steps,  can be found at:

• The American Cancer Society website.
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Cancer Prevention website.