Women Tough as Pink Steel | October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Immunizations for Older Adults

By Christine Bahr

Have you ever faced a health situation in your life that required a level of strength and endurance you never thought you would be able to produce? If you answered “no” to this question, you are in a minority and are truly blessed beyond words, but if you answered “yes” you will appreciate and relate to the feelings of fear and denial experienced by a group of breast cancer survivors called Pink Steel. Adorned with a spirit of courage and tenacity, these female warriors equipped themselves for battle to fight their disease, and made a conscious decision to never give up, enjoy life, and become what most people wouldn’t even dream of becoming, athletes. Pink Steel, are a courageous band of women who range in age from 31- 74, and are members of the Steel City Dragon-Boat Association.

Pink Steel is the only dragon-boat team made up of breast cancer survivors. Rather than feel sorry for themselves or give up on life, they decided to turn their illness into an opportunity to capture a new life invigorated with exercise, fellowship and their love of the outdoors. Their years of survivorship, from 2 months to 29 years, are a testament to the magnitude of sheer determination the members of Pink Steel exhibit as they create a unique awareness of breast cancer.

Lynne Franks-Meinert, coach of Pink Steel, was inspired to create a team for the Pittsburgh region after the death of her friend in 2005. Since the conception of the group in 2006, their number has grown from the initial 6 to a total of 40 in 2008. All dragon-boat crew members are from Pittsburgh and the surrounding area.

“The Pink Steel team are the most amazing athletes I’ve ever coached or paddled with,” Meinert said. “Paddling is a way to reclaim your body, and a way to change from a ‘sick’ individual talking about chemo and doctors, to becoming an athlete talking about conditioning, racing, practice and social events. These women are not only survivors, but thrivers, who embrace life and what it has to offer,” Meinert said.

This past July, Pink Steel competed in a Breast Cancer Survivor Boat Race, with 10 BCS boat teams participating in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Pink Steel came in third, but that didn’t deter them from forging on with their dreams and zest for life. A lasting bond was created and continues to flourish on and off the water. For additional information on Pink Steel, you can visit their website at www.steelcitydragons.org, or call Lynne Franks-Meinert at (412) 377-3063.

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month –
Time to Focus on Good Breast Health

By Thomas S. Chang, M.D., FACR

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – an ideal time to focus on good breast health. As physicians committed to improving women’s health, we at Weinstein Imaging Associates offer the following advice.

First, know the facts. Breast cancer is unfortunately a very common disease affecting one of every eight U.S. women. Most of us already know someone who has endured its consequences, both physical and mental.

The American Cancer Society recommends:

• Yearly mammograms starting at age 40. Mammography is the only screening test that has been proven to reduce your chance of dying from breast cancer.
• Breast exams by your doctor every three years in your 20s and 30s and annually over 40.
• Monthly self-breast examinations starting in your 20s.
• Report any changes to your doctor.

Also consider:

If you have painful breasts, have your mammogram shortly after your menstrual period, when breasts tend to be less tender. You may benefit from taking ibuprofen, naproxen or similar medication prior to your mammogram and limiting caffeine intake.

Avoid deodorants, powders and creams in your underarms and on your breasts, because they may show up on the mammogram and increase the need for additional pictures.

Be an educated consumer. Where you have your mammogram really does matter and deserves more research than shopping for your next car. Assess how quickly you can get an appointment. If additional views or biopsy is needed, can they be done quickly? Are results available before you leave? How new is the equipment? How experienced are the technologists and doctors? Is the environment comfortable and welcoming?

Talk with others about their mammogram experiences and ask for their recommendations.

Take charge of your health in October and make awareness count.

Thomas S. Chang, M.D. FACR is one of four specialized radiologists at Weinstein Imaging Associates, with offices in Shadyside (412-441-1161), North Hills (412-630-2649), and South Hills (412-440-6999), weinsteinimaging.com.

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Immunizations for Older Adults

By Cynthia Napier Rosenberg, M.D., Senior Medical Director, UPMC Health Plan

Most older adults know that they should get a flu shot every fall. But many do not realize that there are other immunizations that they should get as well. In addition to an annual flu shot, there are certain immunizations that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends for all adults 65 years of age and older.

First, all adults should have a Td booster shot every 10 years. This immunization protects against tetanus (“lockjaw”) and diphtheria. (Adults under 65 should receive the Tdap vaccine once in place of their regular Td booster. The Tdap vaccine also protects against pertussis or “whooping cough.”)

Many people think that tetanus is associated only with a “rusty nail” skin puncture. The bacteria that cause tetanus do enter the body through cuts in the skin. But it doesn’t require a rusty nail. Most of the deaths from tetanus are now in older adults.

Check with your doctor to make sure that you have had the first set of tetanus immunizations (what doctors call the primary series). Once you have had the primary series, you should make sure that you keep yourself protected by getting regular boosters.

Secondly, all adults 60 years of age and older should get a single dose of the zoster vaccine. The zoster vaccine protects against shingles. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox when you were young, the virus continues to exist in an inactive state in your body. Shingles, which is accompanied by a painful rash and frequent long-term pain, occurs when the virus becomes reactivated. Approximately half a million adults 60 years of age and older get shingles every year. Also, although uncommon, a person can come down with shingles multiple times. It is important to get the shingles vaccine even if you have had shingles in the past. If you are not sure whether or not you have had chickenpox in the past, you should discuss the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine with your doctor. A simple blood test can answer the question of whether you have had prior exposure to chickenpox and are immune.

Finally, all older adults should get the pneumococcal vaccine (also known as the pneumovax vaccine) to protect against serious illnesses (such as pneumonia and blood infections). If you have already received the pneumococcal vaccine before the age of 65 and more than five years have passed since you received your initial dose, you should get a booster shot when you reach 65.

There are other vaccines that are recommended for people with special health conditions, lifestyle considerations, and occupations.

Additional vaccines may be recommended for traveling to particular countries. Always check with your doctor well in advance of traveling to make sure that you are protected before you leave. It is a good idea to keep a record of all of your immunizations along with your other personal health records.

Make an appointment to meet with your doctor this fall to discuss whether or not you are up-to-date on your immunizations. For more information, you can also call 1-800-CDCINFO or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

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