Health briefs for Oct. 1 - Post-Tribune

In 1995, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. Now, all but one does, with Mississippi leading the list for the seventh year in a row. Thursday, July 7, 2011. | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

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Healthy heart diet classes

Porter Health Care System will offer free healthy heart diet classes in October and November, according to a press release from the health care provider.

The classes will provide an understanding on how to read food labels and choose heart-healthy food, along with teaching basic heart-healthy food preparation tips, the release said.

Classes will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 7 and 21, and Nov. 4 and 18; and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Room on the second floor of Porter Regional Hospital, 85 E. U.S. 6 in Valparaiso.

Advance registration is required by calling (219) 983-8874.

'Pink at Portage'

'Pink at Portage,' which offers a complimentary brunch and massage one Saturday a month to women getting their mammography screenings, is slated for 7 a.m. to noon Oct. 11 in the Women's Center at Portage Hospital, 3630 Willowcreek Road, according to a press release from Porter Health Care System.

Mammograms are an essential tool for early detection of breast cancer, the release said. Early detection is important, as the chances of successful treatment are greater in the beginning stages, with a greater range of treatment options available, less extensive surgery, and better outcomes, the release said.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women age 40 or older, or those considered at risk, receive a mammogram each year, it said.

To participate in 'Pink at Portage,' a woman must be 40 or older and know the date of her last mammogram. Insurance will be charged and only covers one mammogram annually.

For more information or to preregister, call (219) 983-8399.

Support groups

Porter Health Care System will offer a number of upcoming monthly support groups, as follows: Porter Regional Hospital will host Hope & Healing, a support group for people coping with breast cancer, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Porter's Education & Rehabilitation Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso.

The group offers emotional support, information, education and guest speakers, according to a release from the health care system. It also provides the opportunity for individuals to share their concerns and feelings brought on by breast cancer.

For more information, contact Cheryl Wallace at (219) 983-6171.

Porter Regional Hospital offers a lung cancer support group from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 8 at Porter's Education & Rehabilitation Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso.

There will be information about local and national resources, and meetings are open to anyone affected by lung cancer, including survivors, family members, friends and caregivers. No registration is necessary.

For more information, contact Cheryl Wallace at (219) 983-6171 or Ray Hewlett at (219) 628-1202.

Eight times a year, Porter Regional Hospital hosts a diabetes support group where numerous topics are discussed and shared, and a nurse educator or dietitian will be on hand to facilitate.

The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at Porter's Education & Rehabilitation Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. in Valparaiso, and the topic will be heart health with diabetes.

For more information, call (219) 263-7992.

Staff report

Entities 0 Name: Porter Regional Hospital Count: 4 1 Name: Valparaiso Count: 4 2 Name: Porter Health Care System Count: 3 3 Name: Porter 's Education & Rehabilitation Center Count: 3 4 Name: Portage Count: 3 5 Name: Calumet Ave. Count: 3 6 Name: Cheryl Wallace Count: 2 7 Name: Hope & Healing Count: 1 8 Name: Mississippi Count: 1 9 Name: Ray Hewlett Count: 1 10 Name: Cardiac Rehabilitation Room Count: 1 11 Name: U.S. Count: 1 12 Name: American Cancer Society Count: 1 13 Name: Portage Hospital Count: 1 14 Name: Brian Jackson Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1tcvi2a Title: Screening Smokers for Lung Cancer Description: To the Editor: Re " A Cancer Battle We Can Win," by Andrea McKee and Andrew Salner (Op-Ed, Sept. 22): Certainly screening for lung cancer in select populations has proved its value and deserves to be covered by Medicare, but readers should understand the long and controversial history of this procedure.