20 - North Shore News -— Sunday, August 13, 2000 Sharing a Vision of Health LIONS GATE HOSPITAL'S Caring Community Calendar Prostate Cancer Sepport Group Tues. Aug. 22 at 7:30 P.M. in the Auditorium (Basement) Do you have prastate cancer? Would you like to know more about prostate cancer? Would you like to meet other men who have prostate cancer? For information call Jack Caslisle at 929-5183 or Burt Anders at 924-0776. Screening Mammography If yon are a woman aged 40 or over, you may refer your- self to this program. For an appointment call 984-5714. Breast Self Examination Teaching Clinic in the Medical Day Centre Forappointment call 925-1952. N.S. Farnily Support Group For families with a survivor of traumatic brain injury. For dates and times call Gaeron Caldwell at 657-6760 Co ing with i Cancer utp port G: roup Wednesdays at 10 AM. | in the Chemotherapy Unit . For patients and their families. For information call 984-3709. “Relaxation Group Thursdays at 19 4.M.. | in the Medical Day Centre For cancer patients, their families and/or caregivers. For information call 984-3709. - -. Asthina Education “ Miondays atSpM. in the Chemotherapy Unit - Designed for all ages, the — program is limited to four people per session. To pre- register call 984-3722. Outpatient _ Speech Language . Therapy . ‘Assessment and treatment for adolescents and adults as . | well as residents in extended _ care facilities. For information -1 call Nicole Armstrons. at. 988-3131 local 4418.. Purchase Financing al Th SENIORS Meetings provide helpful information AS we grow older, many of us will find that our bones become weaker and more likely to break. We may notice a gradual loss of height due to changes in the spine, or persis- tent pain in the back. It has been estimated that as many as one in four women over age 50 suffer from osteoporosis. It occurs less frequency in men. What happens is that we begin to lose bone tissue, making our bones so weak that minor falls or even nor- mal activities can cause them to break. This may be hap- pening without our knowing it, which is why it is some- times called “the silent killer.” ‘Recently I met with the North Shore Outreach branch of OSTOP, the Osteoporosis Society of B.C., which was started in 1993. They have about 150 mem- bers, mostly women, who meet monthly to share infor- mation about programs and ways of coping with this dis- case. Ar each meeting a speaker will discuss specific topics such as nutrition, exercise or the use of various medica- tions. At the evening sessions I attended we heard from Sharon-Lee Mitchell, a dietit- ian who specializes in geriatric care at Evergreen House. She discussed the importance of eating calcium-rich foods such as dairy products, along with vitamin D. She stated that most post-menopausal women need to take calcium and vitamin D supplements in order to strengthen our bones. Vitamin D can come frem sunlight, but in our dark, rainy climate, we need to take a supplement in order to help us absorb calcium more effectively. However, we should dis- cuss this with our family doc- tor or pharmacist, especially if we are taking other medica- tions. The OSTOP group also has a number of pamphlets and reading lists so that we can all learn more about this disease. There is a great deal now known about osteoporo- sis, including ways of prevent- ing and treating it. For instance, lack of exercise, Beats Our Priceal! ROCK sorrom _ PRICES! e WHOLESALE & KUGE _ DIRE ‘iF YOU'RE ROT BUYING FROM US YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH! BURNABY~ bai Tikes : ‘APR is offered for up to 24 months only. Othec “VANCOUVER, ancing rates available for up to 60 - months. Lease payment based on 48 month term at $279/month with $1,975 down payment. Total lease obligation $15,366.28. Annual tease rate 3.9% with 80,000 km mileage altowance (8 centsiKm tor gxodes mileage). First month’s payment and $350 Society. - smoking, being underweight, a diet low in calcium and vita- min D, consuming too much caffeine or alcohol, and use of certain medications can all increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, On the North Shore, there are several exercise pro- grams especially planned for people with this disease. Osteofit classes are led by specially-trained instructors who can give individuai atten- tion to each person. These programs take place at the West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre (925-7270) or at several North Vancouver rec centres (987-7529). You can call them for more inior- mation, or check your leisure guide which will be in the mail before the fall. And finally, you might like to join the North Shore Outreach group. They will be starting their sessions in the fail, after a _ summer recess, For more information about this very active group, call their chair- woman Jean Macintyre at 988-3057. I found that they are a lively and sociable group, and they welcome new members. We can meet with others who are living with this illness, learn how to cope with it and how to prevent it from get- ting worse. We need to do ali we can to keep our bones and the rest of our bodies working well as we age. Mary Segal is coordinator of Lionsview Seniors’? Planning Ideas for — future Orthotist CAPSULE COMMENTS Medical compression stockings have changed in the last 20 years. Graduated compression therapy assists the calf muscle pump to increase venous return, thereby increasing, blood flow back to the _ heart and reducing edema in the legs. People who's careers are stressful to the lower extremities — find compression therapy 4 great way to help disorders ( varicose veins, mild > edema, fatigue). Mease contact your family doctor for a clinical diagnosis. A prescription is required for all medical grade compression stockings. IF you have lines, brown spots or small wrinkles on your face, please 1401 St. Geor 1e to hone up on osteoporosis EWS photo Mike Wakefield | OSTEOFIT classes, led by specially trained instruc- ° tors, are exercise programs Suitable for seniors with * osteoporosis. o. Planning Society, North Buiiding, 600. W. Queens Ra., North. Van, B.C. V7N 213. columns are welcome. Contact Segal at 985-3852 or drop a line to Lionsview Seniors’ Gherap py For Your Lee | That You Can Wear With our doctor wants you to wear medical support stockings to improve the health of your legs. You want to wear something fashionable, not medical. Choose SIGVARIS* medical stockings and pantyhose. They keep your legs looking and feeling their best! - Davies Pharma a es, © 985- 8771 | ntact us. Thes ‘changes are due to past sun exposure: We will be comparing a retinoid cream that may” be effective in the restoration of sun damaged skin to a placebo cream. REQUIREMENTS: : Males or Females between 30 and 70 years of age andi in - good health (no history of glaucoma or cancer) + Able ro attend 5 office visits overa 9 month period + Must not have used systemic or topical retinoid treatment (including the application of Vicamin A acid cream) in the past six months 873-4049 ~ HONORARIUM - ‘WILL BE PAID’