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American Red Cross Month
March is National American Red Cross Month. The American Red Cross (ARC) is well-known for its work providing rescue assistance and rendering aid to victims of disasters such as hurricanes, fires, ice storms, and tornadoes. Red Cross volunteers appear-seemingly from nowhere-with food, clothing and housing for those in need. The ARC is also in constant preparation for possible epidemics such as coordinating food delivery to private homes to help prevent the spread of disease. In other words, the ARC is ready for nearly anything.
Another important role of the ARC is blood services-ensuring there is an adequate supply of safe blood and blood products. Thousands of people donate blood at donor sites in Red Cross Centers and at places of business-also staffed by the Red Cross across the country. The Red Cross processes and orchestrates the supply to those in need during emergency and regular medical care.
 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is equally common in men and women. An estimated 146,970 people will be diagnosed in 2009, and an estimated 49,920 people will die from the disease. With recommended screening, this cancer can be prevented (by removing polyps before they become cancerous) or detected early, when it can be more easily and successfully treated.
At Risk
- Men and women age 50 and older
- People who use tobacco, are obese or are sedentary
- People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
- People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
- People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
Risk Reduction
- Be physically active and exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.
- Consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat or skim milk.
- Limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meats.
- Don't smoke.
- Don't drink alcohol excessively.
Early Detection If you are at average risk for colorectal cancer, start having regular screening at age 50. If you are at greater risk, you may need to begin regular screening at an earlier age. The best time to get screened is before any symptoms appear. Use this guide to help you discuss screening options with your health care professional. Consider one of the following:
Screening intervals for tests that find pre-cancer and cancer:
- Colonoscopy: Every 10 years
- Virtual colonoscopy: Every 5 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Every 5 years
- Double-contrast barium enema: Every 5 years
Screening intervals for tests that mainly find cancer:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT): Every year
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT): Every year
- Stool DNA test (sDNA): Ask your health care professional
Any abnormal result of a virtual colonoscopy or double-contrast barium enema, as well as a positive FOBT, FIT or sDNA test, should be followed up with a colonoscopy.
Symptoms
Early stages of colorectal cancer do not usually have symptoms. Advanced disease may cause:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in or on the stool
- Change in bowel habits or stools that are narrower than usual
- Stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness or cramps)
- Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Constant fatigue
- Vomiting
Treatment
Surgery is the most common treatment. When the cancer has spread, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given before or after surgery.
Dress in Blue Day is March 4th!
The first Friday of March each year is Dress in Blue Day. Help raise awareness about colorectal cancer and the importance of screening by wearing blue on national Dress in Blue Day! Individuals, businesses and community groups are all encouraged to participate. Mark your calendars for next year. Materials are available. To learn more visit www.ccalliance.org/news_events_dress-in-blue.html
Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program offers free colon cancer screenings to learn more call the toll free hotline at 877-320-6800 or Julie Adley, Program Coordinator at MaineGeneral Prevention Center at 861-5278. For free posters and materials call Amy at 588-5019.
 National Nutrition Month
The theme for March 2011 is Eat Right with Color.
National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
To learn more and for many free resources visit http://www.eatright.org/nnm/
National Poison Prevention Month
National Poison Prevention Week March 20-26
More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year to the 61 Poison Control Centers (PCCs) across the country. More than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home. The majority of non-fatal poisonings occur in children younger than six years old. And, poisonings are one of the leading causes of death among adults.
The U.S. Congress established National Poison Prevention Week on September 16, 1961 (P.L. 87-319). Shortly thereafter, the Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this annual event and promote poison prevention.
National Poison Prevention Week, the third week in March each year, is a week nationally designated to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. However, every day people can and do prevent poisonings. We invite you to review the information on this site and become actively involved in helping ensure the safety of children and adults in your home and your community.
To learn more visit www.poisonprevention.org
Save Your Vision Month
Workplace Eye Health and Safety Month
Healthy Vision on the Job is Everyone's Business
In honor of March's Save Your Vision Month, the AOA encourages Americans to prevent workplace eye strain and eye injuries by following some easy and important steps
Whether using a computer or a sledge hammer to get the job done, the American Optometric Association (AOA) reports that visual discomfort, eye strain and eye injuries in the workplace are not only common, but cost billions in lost productivity each year. And, research indicates that 2,000 workers each day in the United States sustain job-related eye injuries requiring medical treatment, yet safety experts and doctors of optometry agree that 90 percent of all eye and vision injuries could be prevented with simple safety steps such as wearing properly designed and fitted protective eyewear.
"Healthy vision is critical to successfully completing job-related tasks," said James Sheedy, O.D. Ph.D., Director of the Vision Ergonomics Laboratory at the College of Optometry at Pacific University and AOA's occupational vision specialist. "And while most people think of construction or manufacturing as high-risk occupations where eye injuries are prevalent, even jobs requiring "smart phones," laptops and desktop computers can cause vision problems if not used properly."
Go Easy on the PDA
According to the AOA's American Eye-Q® survey, nearly half of all Americans (46 percent) spend five or more hours per day using a computer or a PDA (personal digital assistant). And while technology can easily improve the efficiencies of one's life, prolonged use of electronic devices may lead to symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) such as eye strain, dry eyes, headaches, fatigue, blurred vision and loss of focus.
"CVS can be a serious problem for those who spend hours in front of a computer or hand-held electronic device on a daily basis," said Dr. Sheedy. "However, in this digital era, no one expects Americans to simply stop using these devices. Small steps can make big changes to ease vision strain."
The AOA encourages all tech users to follow the below recommendations, which will go a long way in keeping productivity up and discomfort down while surfing the Web, editing a document or sending an e-mail.
- Give It A Rest: Remember the 20-20-20 rule. At least every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. The Eye-Q® survey found that the majority of Americans don't follow this rule; more than half (59 percent) take breaks every hour, or less frequently.
- Size Up: Smaller screens on hand-held devices usually favor tiny type that challenges your vision. Instead of bringing the screen closer to the eyes, increase the font size so the device can be used at a distance that is more comfortable for your eyes.
- Sharpen Up: Better resolution offers greater clarity and usually more comfort. Adjust the brightness of the screen to a comfortable intensity, neither too bright nor too dim.
- Reduce Glare: Hand-held devices present challenges in various lighting conditions. When possible, try to make sure lighting is not directly behind the head or in front. The AOA recommends users try to reduce glare, which may ease reading and can make a bigger difference than increasing the font.
- Look Down: It's easier on the eyes to focus on reading material that is below eye level, therefore, the AOA recommends a computer monitor or hand-held device be positioned slightly below eye level.
Safer Sight On-Site
Many professions - from auto repair to health care - require protective eyewear to help reduce the risk of eye injuries. The AOA advises that with proper eye protection, like safety glasses, goggles, face shields and helmets, thousands of injuries could be prevented. Yet the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in approximately 60 percent of eye injury cases, workers failed to wear proper protective eyewear.
While working around the house, it seems an even greater percentage fail to protect their sight. The Eye-Q® survey found that nearly two-thirds of Americans do not wear safety glasses or goggles when working on home improvement projects.
"Eye safety - whether at home or in the work place - is proven to prevent vision loss," said Dr. Sheedy. "The two main reasons workers experience eye injuries are either because they are not wearing eye protection or they are wearing the wrong kind of protection for the job."
The AOA recommends four key elements to protect eyes from injury:
- Know the eye safety dangers.
- Eliminate hazards before starting work such as using machine guards, work screens or other engineering controls.
- Wear the proper eye protection and make sure it is correctly fitted.
- Keep safety eyewear in good condition and replace it if it is damaged.
Visit Your Optometrist
While it's important to practice good eye health habits at work, the best line of defense is to visit a doctor of optometry on a regular basis for comprehensive eye exams to help ensure healthy vision.
The AOA recommends adults age 60 and under have a comprehensive eye exam every two years and then annually thereafter. Based on an individual's eye health, the eye doctor may recommend more frequent visits.
To find an optometrist in your area, or for additional information on eye safety in the workplace, please visit www.AOA.org.
National Sleep Awareness Week March 7-13
National Sleep Awareness Week®, which takes place March 7-13, 2011, is an annual public education and awareness campaign to promote the importance of sleep. The week begins with the announcement of the National Sleep Foundation's Sleep in America poll results and ends with the clock change to Daylight Saving Time, where Americans lose one hour of sleep. The Foundation's Sleep Care Center members host events in their local communities throughout the week, providing sleep education and screening to the public.
To learn more visit http://www.sleepfoundation.org/event/national-sleep-awareness-week%c2%ae
Companies that Care Day March 17
Companies That Care Day is an annual national event that encourages employers to highlight and expand their employee and community initiatives, and recognize the people who make their companies successful. Companies That Care Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of every March, with organizations encouraged to jump-start and expand their activities that reflect the 10 characteristics.
Companies That Care value their employees and are committed to community service. To sustain these values, Companies That Care consistently demonstrate the following 10 Characteristics in their work environment. These 10 Characteristics define the standard for all organizations desiring to be recognized as caring, responsible organizations.
- Sustain a work environment founded on dignity and respect for all employees
- Make employees feel their jobs are important
- Cultivate the full potential of all employees
- Encourage individual pursuit of work/life balance
- Enable the well-being of individuals and their families through compensation, benefits, policies and practices
- Develop great leaders, at all levels, who excel at managing people as well as results
- Appreciate and recognize the contributions of people who work there
- Establish and communicate standards for ethical behavior and integrity
- Get involved in community endeavors and/or public policy
- Consider the human toll when making business decisions
To learn more visit http://www.companies-that-care.org/ American Diabetes Alert Day March 22 The American Diabetes Association Alert Day is a one-day "wake-up" call asking the American public to take the Diabetes Risk Test to find out if they are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Risk Test Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?
Take the Test, Know your Score
Write in the points next to each statement that is true to you, statements that are not true for you receive zero points. Then add your total score.
1. I am a woman who has had a baby weighing more than 9 pounds at birth Yes 1 ___
2. I have a sister or brother with diabetes Yes 1 ___
3. I have a parent with diabetes Yes 1 ___
4. My weight is equal to or above that listed in the chart (see below) Yes 5 ___
5. I am under 65 years of age and I get little or no exercise Yes 5 ___ 6. I am between 45 and 64 years of age Yes 5 ___
7. I am 65 years old or older Yes 9 ___ Total _______
Scoring 10 or more points - You are at high risk of having diabetes. Only your health care provider can check to see if you have diabetes. See yours soon and find out for sure.
Scoring 3-9 points - You are probably at low risk of having diabetes now. But don't just forget about it. Keep your risk low by losing weight if you are overweight, being active most days and eating low fat meals that are high in fruits and vegetables and whole grains.
At-Risk Weight Chart
Height Weight Height Weight
4' 10" 129 4' 11" 133
5' 0" 138 5' 1" 143
5' 2" 147 5' 3" 152
5' 4" 157 5' 5" 162
5' 6" 167 5' 7" 172
5' 8" 177 5' 9" 182
5' 10" 188 5' 11" 193
6' 0" 199 6' 1" 204
6' 2" 210 6' 3" 216
6' 4" 221 April Health Observances National Alcohol Awareness Month National Cancer Control Month National Donate Life Month Stress Awareness Month National Humor Month Alcohol Free Weekend April 1-3 National Public Health Week April 7-13 National Alcohol Screening Day April 7 International Moment of Laughter Day April 14 National Volunteer Week April 17-23 Earth Day April 22
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The Kennebec Explorer Effective January 31, 2011 
