 | SRRHIS Newsletter | |
| PUBLISHED BY THE SAVANNAH RIVER REGION HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM | ||
| Vol. 5, No. 2 | MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | November 1996 |
| SRRHIS Newsletter | |
| PUBLISHED BY THE SAVANNAH RIVER REGION HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM | ||
| Vol. 5, No. 2 | MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | November 1996 |
Daniel T. Lackland, Dr, P.H.
As of July 1, 1996, Daniel T. Lackland, Dr.P.H. assumed the duties of the Principal Investigator for the Savannah River Region Health Information System project. He had been the Co-Investigator since the beginning of the project. Dr. Lackland replaces Dr. John B. Dunbar, who will remain with the SRRHIS project as the Community Coordinator of the community outreach activities.
Dr. Lackland is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. Previously, he was an Epidemiologist in the Division of Chronic Disease, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), Columbia, SC. He received his B.S. and M.S.P.H. from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, and his Dr.P.H. from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. His research interests include cancer epidemiology, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes prevention and control.
| New SC Employee | Joseph Coulbourn | Field Cancer Abstractor | (803) 792-7506 |
 |  |
by Daniel W. Nixon, M.D.
Daniel W. Nixon, M.D.
Epidemiologists have long been aware of substantial differences in cancer rates in different areas of the world and how these differences correlated with dietary patterns. Japan, for example, has historically had a low rate of breast cancer and a very low intake of dietary fat; recently, however, breast cancer rates have increased among Japanese women as their dietary patterns have become more "Westernized", i.e. higher in fat and fat calories. The same increase is seen in offspring of Japanese who move to the west.
A recent General Motors Cancer Research Foundation Scientific Conference at the NIH highlighted new data on the risk factors for breast cancer. Data was presented correlating height and weight with breast cancer risk. Taller Asian-American women are at increased risk, with the relative risk for a women 5'6" or taller begin twice that of women 4'11" or less. Height and breast cancer risk have also been associated in other counties, both developing and affluent. Weight gain during adult life increases breast cancer risk among post-menopausal women. Both height and weight are major influences on age at menarche, with taller, heavier women having earlier menarche, which affects future breast cancer risk. Large women tend to have higher circulating levels of estrogen and other hormones which can activate certain cytokines and growth factors resulting in focal breast inflammation and eventually cancer of the breast. Other studies have indicated that dietary fiber may reduce breast cancer risk.
The Prevention and Control Program at the Hollings Cancer Center is involved in several research projects relating diet to cancer risk. The WINS project (Women Intervention Nutrition Study) is a randomized prospective clinical trial designed to determine the effect of a 15% versus a 30% fat calorie diet on the rate of disease relapse in postmenopausal women on adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Other studies will look at the relationship between diet, breast cancer relapse, certain dietary fatty acids and circulating hormonal levels.
Current data therefore strongly supports the following steps for everyone to reduce cancer risk.
Daniel W. Nixon, M.D., Associate Director for Prevention and Control, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina.
| |
Jenifer Haskill
Diet plays a significant role in the development of many disease such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It is clear that dietary habits are involved in the disease pathway. In fact, diet may be responsible for up to 60% of all cancers.
To understand the relationship between diet and disease it is important to consider the role of racial differences in dietary habits and the effect of these differences on disease rates. As the incidence and prevalence rates of many chronic diseases vary greatly between African-American and white individuals, the dietary and behavioral habits of these two race groups become a major consideration.
The differences in dietary habits have been shown to be related to other factors such as geographic location and population demographics. To assess the dietary habits of residents of the South Carolina Lowcountry, a telephone survey of 815 residents in 14 counties was conducted. Data on individual and household behaviors over the past month were collected and analyzed. the responses were categorized to assess the habits as related to food preparation, type of food, smoking, alcohol usage, and obesity.
Modules of questions regarding food variety were incorporated into the survey. The responses were stratified by race and analyze for statistical significance in dietary habits between whites and African-Americans. For example, respondents were questioned about whether or not they ate specific food items such as chicken, fish, and red meat, and then they were questioned as to how they prepared these food items. (see Table 1) Significant differences between white and African American households were identified.
Several questions were related to dietary fiber intake. Responses include the frequency of high-fiber and wholegrain consumption, as well as that for certain fruits and vegetables. (see Table 2) Significant differences between whites and African-Americans were detected. Respondents were also asked about their use of Vitamin and mineral, calcium, and fiber supplements. Likewise, significant racial differences between whites and African-American respondents were identified with the exception of fiber supplements.
Behavioral risk factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol usage, and obesity were assessed. Significant differences between white and African-American respondents were found for the alcohol, smoking, and obesity questions. (see Table 3 & 4).
 |
 |
These results provide information on the dietary habits of residents in South Carolina and may reflect patterns in the Southeastern United States. These data also indicate that there are significant racial differences in dietary habits, which may reflect on the racial differences in many disease rates.
Jenifer Haskill is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical University of South Carolina.
| |
Journal of Registry Management, the official journal of the National Cancer Registrars Association, announces a call for original manuscripts for a May 1997 Special Focus on PROSTATE CANCER. This special issue is intended to stimulate registry leaders to share ways that registries can advance the goals of early detection, multidisciplinary planning and treatment of prostate cancer. We encourage authors to report on ideas generated and linkages formed with traditional cancer registries, community outreach programs, or other health professionals, to better serve patients and research. Methodology and outcomes papers describing development, implementation, and monitoring of management guidelines for prostate cancer are also encouraged. We invite practitioners, researchers, registrars, and interested others to submit manuscripts.
Special Focus manuscripts will be accepted through February 1, 1997, and should be submitted to Guest Editor Rosemary Williams, M.Ed., CTR, Howard University Cancer Center, 2041 Georgia AV. NW, Washington, DC 20914, telephone 202/865-1408, FAX 202/865-4659.
In addition, the Journal seeks original manuscripts for publication in each issue on a broad range of topics related to registry management, or the collection, quality review, reporting, and use of registry data. Address all general-interest manuscripts and correspondence to :Kathleen A. Kealey, CTR, Editor, Journal of Registry Management, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1124 Columbia ST. MP-603, Seattle, WA 98104, telephone 206/667-2958, FAX 206/667-5530, e-mail: kkealey@cclink.fhcrc.org. All papers will be subject to peer review.
| |
Hilton Head Medical Center was built in 1975 as Hilton Head Hospital, a not-for-profit 40 bed acute care community hospital. In 1994, the hospital was sold to a partnership known as Hilton Head Health Systems, L.P., comprised of Tenet Healthcare Corporation, 70% interest and general partner; Hilton Head Island Foundation, 20% interest; and Medical University of South Carolina, 10% interest.
The hospital is currently certified for 64 acute care beds and 15 sub-acute care bends and has 550 employees. Its Main Campus is comprised of three connected buildings - LaMotte Building, the Main Hospital Building and the Medical Pavilion. The South Campus houses the Physical Rehabilitation Clinic, Hilton Head Hospital Sports Medical, The New Perspective (Geriatric/Psychiatric) Center, and the Central Billing Office for the Hilton Head Clinics. Other locations include the Urgent Care Center located near the Sea Pines Circle as well as a family practice physicians. A Bluffton/Okatie Campus providing Family Medicine, Pediatrics and rotating specialists will open in January 1997.
Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics is located in a resort community hosting near 12 million visitors a year, and the home of 30,000 permanent residents with a high percentage of retirees from all over the world. The community has been proud of its twenty-one year old community hospital and the services it provides. Although it is small, it prides itself in providing procedures, services and therapies usually provided by hospital twice its size.
Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics has over 60 board certified of board eligible physicians on its active medical staff practicing 30 specialties and subspecialties. Thirty-four of those physicians are part of The Hilton Head Clinics, a group made up of primary care physicians along with a wide range of specialists.
The Physical Rehabilitation Clinic of Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics offers physical, occupational, pediatric, aquatic, and speech and language therapy. It also has a work hardening program to enable patient to work healthy and able to perform the necessary work functions.
The skilled nursing unit has 15 bends and has assisted patients in need of continued services after their initial discharge from the inpatient hospital. Intravenous therapy, and physical and occupational therapy are just a few of the services provided to the patients.
The cardiac catheterization lab opened in October of 1995 and has completed over 400 diagnostic cardiac and peripheral catheterization in the first year resulting in saving many lives that otherwise may have been lost due to patient apathy and lack of equipment. The lab is one of the first in the United States to offer the latest technology utilizing CD-ROM technology, lower radiation doses, better image quality, and shorter procedure time. Studies are taking place at this time to determine the feasibility of an open heart program.
Hilton Head Island if the proud host of the MCI Classic Heritage of Golf and the Family Circle Magazine Tennis Tournament. The Hilton Head Hospital Sports Medicine's physicians and athletic trainers actively participate in assisting the professional athletes during these tournaments and provide the first aid care at the tournaments for the general public. The trainers also actively participate in all the sports programs at the area's five middle and high schools assisting the student athletes with conditioning and rehabilitation from injuries sustained in their respective sports. They educate their parents, residents and visitors on how to stay healthy and prevent injury and illness to have fun and enjoy life.
Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics' motto is: "Smart Medicine, Special Treatment". We strive each day to accomplish this for everyone who walks through our doors.
This article was written by the public relations staff of Hilton Head Medical Center and Clinics.
| |
by Janis S. Koenig
APRIL 1996
The April 25, 1996 meeting of the Savannah River Region Health Information System Steering Committee was held in Savannah, Georgia.
Ms. Susan Bolick, Program Director, South Carolina Central Cancer Registry (DHEC) reported on the passage of the cancer reporting law. She made a special effort to acknowledge the help of various agencies and professional groups such as the South Carolina Unit of the American Cancer Society, South Carolina Hospital Association and the South Carolina Medical Association. Tribute was also given to the SRRHIS program which provided essential stimulus to the eraly planning of the State Registry.
The Membership Subcommittee will be chaired by Ms. Linda James. She replaces Dr. Bill Irby whose tenure on the committee ended in January. In Ms. James' absence, Dr. Dunbar reported that three new members had been added to the committee, They are:
Dr. David Weems, a radiation oncologist from Savannah, Georgia, was the guest speaker. He presented an overview of breast cancer which included strategies for prevention, methods for early detection and final diagnosis, recent advances, and the latest information on the management of the disease.
The last item on the agenda was the presentation of the preliminary three year (1991-1993) cancer data. Dr. Daniel Lackland presented the information and explained that the rates referred to the numbers of cancers per 100,000 population. The rates were for the SRRHIS counties pooled and for the SC and GA sides separately. These rates were compared to the Atlanta and U.S. overall rates. The report which include all the informationpresented will be available to the pullic in December 1996.
Charleston was chosen as the next meeting site and the date was set for July 11, 1996.
JULY 1996
This meeting was cancelled due to the approach of "Hurrican Bertha". The next meeting was scheduled for October, 1996, in Augusta, Georgia.
Janis S. Koenig is the SRRHIS Program Coordinator.
| |
Jeanette M. Cram
Jeanette M.Cram photo by permission of The Post and Courier
Jeanette M. Cram is the founder of "Treat the Troops," an organization which send cookies and other packages from "home" to our deployed military men and women, reassuring our tropes in the Gulf War and now Bosnia that we are appreciative of their sacrifices. She is an honorary member of Marine Corps Squadron VMFA (AW) 224 (Bengals).
Mrs. Cram is a native "Charlestonian" currently living on Hilton Head Island. She graduated from St. Francis Xavier School of Nursing and continued her nursing career at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). While at MUSC, she founded the Volunteer Services, developed and coordinated the Patient Representative and retired as the Head Nurse of the Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at the Medical University Hospital.
She has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the Concord Chemical Company, Camden, NJ, Residents Homeowners Coalition, Hilton Head Island, SC, and Palmetto Dunes Property Owners Association, Hilton Head Island, SC.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND COOKIES
Jeanette Cram sends her packages to: Any American Military Personnel, APO #09804.
Packages are only charged a domestic rate and are carried overseas by the military. Mrs. Cram will advise people on the best methods of packing. Her phone number is (803) 785-8569
Modibo Kadalie
Dr. Modibo Kadalie
Dr. Modibo Kadalie is a Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Savannah State College. Dr. Kadalie received his early education within the public schools of Liberty County in coastal Georgia. At the age of 16, he become an Early Admission Scholar at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, where he received his B.A. degree in psychology. He received a M.S. Degree in Experimental Psychology from Howard University, a M.A. Degree in Political Science from Atlanta University and a Ph.D. degree from Clark Atlanta University in Political Science.
For the last ten years, Dr. Kadalie has been committed to addressing environmental issues. He has been an environmental consultant and was one of the founding members of Citizens for Environmental Justice and served on its Executive Committee.
| SRRHIS Newsletter |
| Published by: |
| Savannah River Region Healthy Information System |
| Medical University of South Carolina |
| Janis S. Koenig, Editor |
| Lisa Westerberg, Production Editor |
This material was prepared with the support of the Department of Energy, grant number DE-FG09-91SR18217. However, its content does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of DOE.
| |