Smoking
Cessation
In
cooperation with the Suffolk County Department
of Health, Huntington Hospital offers a free
smoking cessation program which combines education
and support along with prescription medications
to help maximize participants’ chances
of success. Offered under the banner of the
County’s
“Learn to be Tobacco Free” initiative,
the six week program targets cigarette smokers
as well as those who use other tobacco products,
such as cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco. For
additional information or to register for the
program, please call Irene Housley, RN, at (631)
351-2385. |
|
|
Screening
The
early detection of cancer is the key to a successful
outcome. That’s why Huntington Hospital
sponsors free cancer screenings each year.
In May, Huntington Hospital offers a FREE Colorectal
Cancer Screening as well as a FREE Skin Cancer
Screening. Participants undergo a painless digital
rectal examination and receive information and
education about early detection of colorectal
cancer. People who: do not get regular dermatologic
care; spend a lot of time in the sun; and/or
have a history of many sunburns, are urged to
attend the skin cancer screening. Even with the
incidence of malignant melanoma increasing, it
is not the most common type of skin cancer. Basal
cell carcinoma is more common, surpassing all
other cancers as the most common to affect the
human species.
An annual FREE Men’s Health Screening
is also offered in the Huntington community each
June. In addition to blood pressure, cholesterol
and blood glucose levels, participants are screened
for colorectal cancer as well as prostate disease.
The prostate screening involves a simple blood
test to measure prostate specific antigen, or
PSA, a chemical that is linked to prostate cancer.
HPV Vaccine
With the recent development
of a vaccine to prevent infection with Human
Papilloma Virus (HPV), the fight against cervical
cancer has taken a giant leap forward. HPV infection,
one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases,
has been linked to the development of both cervical
cancer and genital warts. Recently approved by
the Food and Drug Administration, this vaccine
provides immunity to four different types of
HPV (6, 11, 16, and 18) which, combined, account
for approximately 70 percent of all cervical
cancers and 60 percent of pre-cancerous lesions.
The vaccine is administered as three injections
given over a six month period. It is recommended
for girls and women aged nine to 26. Ask your
doctor if this vaccine is right for you.
|
