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Maine CDC encourages current and
former smokers who are at high risk of developing lung cancer to talk with a
health care provider about being screened for the disease.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men
and women in Maine, and in 2012,
30 percent of all cancer deaths
in Maine were due to lung cancer.
Cigarette smoking is the number
one risk factor for lung cancer, being linked to 80 to 90 percent of all lung
cancers in the United States. The U. S.
Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults age 55 to 80 be screened for
lung cancer if they have a history of
heavy smoking, currently smoke or have quit smoking within the past 15 years. .
A history of heavy smoking is defined as smoking an average of one pack of
cigarettes per day for 30 years or more.
It is important to talk with a
health care provider about your medical history and the risks for all cancers. Quitting
smoking at any age can reduce the risk of lung cancer. The Maine Tobacco
HelpLine (800-207-1230) is available to help you quit using tobacco.
For more information
and resources on lung cancer visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/
Maine CDC has estimated that 7.8 percent of the adult
population in Maine is living with pre-diabetes and 9.5 percent is living with
diabetes. November is Diabetes Awareness Month, which serves as a reminder to
everyone about the risk factors and cautions related to pre-diabetes and
diabetes.
What is Pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is when a person’s blood glucose (blood sugar)
levels are higher than normal, but are not high enough to be diagnosed as
diabetes. One in three adults in the U.S. has pre-diabetes and most of them
don’t know it. Some of the risk factors for developing pre-diabetes are: adults
who are over the age of 45, adults who are not physically active and adults
with high blood pressure. Without making lifestyle changes, 15-30 percent will
develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years. Making some simple lifestyle changes,
including: eating healthier, losing weight and being more active make it
possible to prevent or delay pre-diabetes from progressing into type 2
diabetes.
For more information visit the Maine National Diabetes
Prevention Program information portal at: www.ReThinkDiabetes.org or speak
to your doctor to see if you are at risk of pre-diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that causes high levels of glucose in
the blood because insulin is not functioning correctly in the body.
- Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in youth
and young adults. The cause is unknown and cannot be prevented, but it can be
managed through insulin therapy and living a healthy lifestyle.
- Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95 percent of
all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be controlled with
healthy eating and exercise.
Steps to Encourage Diabetes Management
- Managing diabetes is not easy, but it can be done with
proper education and support. Take small steps to stay healthy. You don’t
have to make big lifestyle changes all at once. Set realistic goals on
what’s important to you.
- Early self-management education and support is
important to prevent diabetes-related health problems. When blood
glucose is not in control, it can lead to serious complications.
- Managing diabetes is a team effort. Diabetes can
be overwhelming. Having a network of support from family, friends and your
health care team, can help you stay on track.
To find a Diabetes Self-Management Training program in
Maine to help support you in your self-management planning visit:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/population-health/dcp/educationprogram.htm
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