1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cancer

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OCTOBER IS
Supplement
to the Daily
American Republic
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
POPLAR BLUFF
PINK OUT DAY
Standing Together in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Take steps to protect yourself against breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness
Month by initiating healthy lifestyle changes, beginning monthly breast self-exams,
and talking to your doctor about the appropriate clinical breast exam and
screening mammogram schedule for you.
FRIDAY
OCT. 17, 2014
MONTH
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2
“I am a
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
champion!”
F
Family, friends, laughter and remarkable strength
form a powerful team in the fight against Kimberly
Dollins Smothers’ breast cancer.
It has been almost two years since Smothers started
chemotherapy to treat invasive grade II ductal adenocarcinoma. Since her diagnosis on Sept. 13, 2012, her
humor and the support of her family have made the battle
more bearable.
“My support system from my friends has always kept
me going, and I love and appreciate them all,” said
Smothers. “I love my family and friends for
always lifting me up and sticking with
me even on my worst days.”
That support has served her well
as Smothers was also diagnosed with
metastatic disease, with the cancer
spreading to her bones, ribs, spine and
sacrum, a bone structure that supports
the spine. After shrinking the tumor in
her breast, performing a lumpectomy and
following up with radiation, Smothers is now cancer free in her breast.
WOOLARD’S
Two Brother’s
Towing
Call
Keith!
“When I got the good
news, I drove home from
St. Louis, and for the
first 50 miles, I just
cried: tears of happiness, of course,” said
Smothers. “I still have
cancer in my bones and
will have it for the rest of my life due
to no cure for bone cancer…YET.”
Smothers has remained positive throughout her battle and
has kept hope alive for herself and for her 14-year-old daughter,
Harley.
“My first thought (when I was diagnosed) was for Harley.
‘How do I tell her?’ ‘How will she react?’” said Smothers. “The
emotions took over, and I lost it. I had a good cry by myself.
Once the initial reaction was over, I said to myself, ‘I can’t
be thinking like that. I’m not going to die from this. I’m a
fighter: always have been, always will be.”
Smothers is not the first person in her family to fight breast
cancer. Her mother, Harriet Dollins, was diagnosed in February
of 2012. Harriet, and Smothers’ sister, Debe Asher, have been
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Photo provided
Kim Dollins
Smothers with
her “biggest
fan,” her mother,
Harriet Dollins.
involved in the fight by going
to almost every appointment
and treatment.
Smothers tells a story of a
nurse offering her medication
for her nerves before her first
chemotherapy treatment and
her attempt to turn it down
being adamantly overturned
by her sister. Her daughter,
mother and sister were all
there to share a laugh about
her stubbornness and the need
to accept help when offered.
“Chemo treatments are no
fun, but I think it’s awesome
that I can think back and have
such great memories with my
family during such a difficult
time,” said Smothers.
Smothers is quick to credit
her “besties”, Pam Stratton
and Roslind Kennedy with
being great sources of emotional support. She talks about
a time she refused to leave
her car to attend a Neelyville
Tigers basketball game (who
she ardently supports) after
starting chemotherapy, telling
her friends, Christy Randol
and Lori Turner, that she was
“bald, had a hat on and looked
See KIM on next page
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3
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
KIM From page 2
stupid.”
“My friends came outside to get me,” said
Smothers. “They gave me that pep talk that
only a friend could give, and needless to say,
I walked in to that game and just about every
game they had after that.”
Smothers hopes to encourage others to
be vigilant when it comes to caring for their
bodies and paying attention to signs there
might be a problem. She said she found a
lump about five months before she was
diagnosed and just could not find the time
to get it checked.
“Let me be the first to say, ‘Do not
put off what you know you should have
Kim Doll
Photo provided
checked! It could save your life,” said
ins Smo
thers sm
d
u
r
in
g
Smothers.
iles
treatme
nt.
Today, Smothers takes an anti-estrogen
treatment daily to ensure the breast cancer does not nephew, Bryce, provided much needed emotional
return. She also has to travel to St. Louis once a support by offering love and laughter whenever she
month to get an antibody that keeps her bones strong felt down.
and gives her some pain relief.
“When you know you have cancer, you can sub“My biggest challenge since I was diagnosed is mit to it or fight back. I knew I was going to fight
not being able to live the same life that I was used back because I had way too much to live for, and I
to,” said Smothers. “The fact that I hurt a lot is a knew my friends would be lost without my silly self
struggle, but you just learn to deal with it and roll on. being around,” said Smothers.
I wake up every day, and I am just glad to be alive.”
“Sure, every time I go for my new scans every
Debe lives in St. Louis, so Smothers was able to three months, I get worried and wonder if it’s going
stay with her during treatments. Her mother, Harriet, to show any new spots of cancer somewhere else, but
has been a constant source of support by taking care so far I have been lucky, and I thank my doctor and
of Harley whenever the need arose, and Harley her- God for that. But, one thing is for certain: I will be
self has brightened her days and provided her with the here to watch Harley get married, and I will be here
biggest incentive to stay strong. Even her five year old to rock my grandchildren.”
Guide to Breast Self-Exams
Johns Hopkins Medical center states, “Forty percent of diagnosed
breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing
a regular breast self-exam is very important.”
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., mammograms can help women detect cancer before they can feel a lump, but
breast self-exams help them to be familiar with how their breasts look
and feel so they can alert their healthcare professionals if there are any
changes.
The Foundation offers this guide to conducting a self-exam:
How should a breast self-exam be performed?
1) IN THE SHOWER
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a
circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire
breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any
lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps
evaluated by your healthcare provider.
2) IN FRONT OF A MIRROR
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise
your arms high overhead.
Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of
the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips
and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will
not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling,
puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
3) LYING DOWN
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the
chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm
behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers
around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the
entire breast area and armpit.
Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for
discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Reminding you of the importance of early detection.
Breast cancer screen-
ing is essential to early
detection and provides
the greatest possibility of
successful treatment.
Please schedule your
mammogram today!
Tina Shirrell
WINNING THE BATTLE!
ATM Locations:
Main Bank: 1902 Sunset Dr.
Green Forest Location, PP Hwy.
www.firstmissouristatebank.com
1902 Sunset Drive
& Hwy. 67 North
785-6800
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4
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
“Y
Smith embraces life
ou can’t stop living.”
Jennifer Smith of Poplar Bluff
has a deep understanding of this
fact after beating a cancer diagnosis in 2010. This stage three breast
cancer survivor and stay-at-home mom
is prepared to battle again after getting
diagnosed with stage four recurrence breast
cancer.
“I’m a cancer survivor of stage three breast
cancer, and I’m going to add stage four to my
resume here in the near future, because I not
only believe in God, I believe God and I believe
he can do what he says he can do! I receive my
strength from Him,” said Smith.
Smith was diagnosed with cancer the first
time on July 13, 2010. She completed her
treatment in February of 2012.
When she got the new diagnosis this September, she was
told that cancer cells could
have escaped during her last
treatment or cancer cells may
have just reoccurred. This time, the cancer metastasized into her thyroid and lymph nodes.
Calling this diagnosis “a roller coaster ride,” she
got the news one day before her 45th birthday. She
initially was thought to be suffering from an infection which was giving her a sore throat, but when
antibiotics did not make the swelling go down,
a CAT scan found the tumor near her voice box.
Slides from that tumor showed the breast cancer
marker, so even though her breast exams came
back clear, the cancer was, in fact, a rare form of
breast cancer.
“Everything happens pretty fast when you get
diagnosed with cancer,” said Smith. “When they
found out it was breast cancer, they said they
were going to put surgery on hold to remove the
tumor. The goal now is to shrink and contain.”
After traveling to Barnes to review the
information, her oncologist offered to give her
time to process the news before beginning chemotherapy, but Smith displayed the same stubbornness
See JENNIFER on next page
DAR/Corey
Matthews
Jennifer Smith faces her second battle
against breast cancer with a positive outlook and fighting spirit.
Kneibert Offers Imaging Services from their Accreditated Facility
The Radiology Department at
Kneibert Clinic offers comprehensive diagnostic imaging services, all
of which are accredited through the
American College of Radiology. THESE
SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Digital Mammography
- Ultrasound
- Bone Density
- General Radiography
- Intravenous Pyelogram
- Peripheral Vascular Studies
Kneibert’s technicians are certified through the American Registry
of Radiologic Technology and/or the
American Registry of Diagnostic
Radiographic Sonographers.
Kneibert Clinic has contracted with
the Cape Radiology Group to read, interpret and report all radiological studies
(x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.) performed at
Kneibert Clinic. All tests are interpreted
by a board-certified radiologist.
Charlotte Aldridge of Kneibert says,
“We are making a difference one
woman at a time. Our digital mammography provides faster imaging, shorter
exam times, more accurate detection,
no repeats from over or under exposed
film and improved contrast.”
Kneibert Clinic offers this advice for
patients coming in for mammograms:
- Bring your most recent mammogram or report for a more accurate
reading.
- Come prepared: no powder or
deodorant, which could show up as a
suspicious area on the mammogram.
- You should expect some discomfort due to the breast compression.
Compression is necessary for sharper
images and less radiation exposure.
- Reports are not usually given the
same day. A report is mailed directly to
the patient as soon as the mammogram
is read.
- The report you receive in the mail
may ask you to return for additional
images. This allows the radiologist the
give you an accurate report.
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5
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
JENNIFER From page 4
that helped her defeat cancer once before. She began
treatment immediately upon diagnosis.
“My doctor said, ‘You’re pretty stubborn, aren’t
you?’ and I told him, ‘Yeah! I have to be,” said Smith.
Smith is the mother of Easton, 13, and Emryn,
12. She calls them her little warriors and they, along
with her husband of almost 19 years, Dirk, are her
reason to fight.
“That was the hardest part: breaking the news
to the kids that we were going through this again,”
said Smith. “They know what to expect. They
know what Mom’s going to go through.
We’re pretty open with them. They know it’s
stage four, and they know it’s bad, but they look
at the positives. We’re a family of faith. We pray
with our kids.”
That faith has served her and her family
well. They are members of Fellowship General
Baptist Church where Smith is a part of their Fellowship
of Acceptance program which serves those in recovery.
Smith says her ministry gives her a great deal of hope,
and she enjoys helping people who are less fortunate or who
have made mistakes. She feels grateful to be a part of that and
grateful to have her church family.
“We couldn’t do this without our church family,” said
Smith. “We’re originally from Michigan so we don’t have
family here. Our church members are our prayer warriors.
They’ve been absolutely amazing.”
With the love and support of her friends and family and
her own positive attitude and strength, Smith is currently
in the process of combining chemotherapy with other drug
therapies in an effort to shrink the tumor enough to perform
surgery. She also has adopted a strict vegan diet with no proteins or processed sugars in an effort to keep herself healthy
and strong.
“When you get diagnosed with cancer, you have an option
to lay in your bed in your house in the darkness and feel sorry
for yourself,” said Smith. “But, I really don’t think that’s
what God wants me to do. He wants me to get up every morning and appreciate what I have and to keep going.”
Her best friend Julie Voirol describes Smith as “the strongest person” she knows.
“She’s got a lot of strength,” said Voirol. “And, she always
thinks about others before she thinks about herself, even
when she needs to be focusing on herself.”
Before Smith knew she was going to have her first chemo
treatment, she had promised her children they could be
BRMC Awarded
Excellence Designation
DAR/Corey Matthews
Jennifer has the support of her
entire family. Pictured are her husband,
Dirk and children, Easton and Emryn
involved in a smorgasbord of activities for the weekend. After
a treatment on Thursday that often makes patients sick, nauseous and tired, Smith fought through it to take her children
to homecoming on Friday, a campout with her daughter (who
is active in American Heritage Girls) on Saturday, a church
picnic and carnival on Sunday and a field trip with her son
on Monday.
“As I go on in my treatments, I’m sure I’ll get sicker, as
you do with chemo, but I’m going to keep doing what I do:
keeping up with the kids, going to church, volunteering in the
community,” said Smith. “I need to. I need to stay focused.”
Smith talks about advice given to her by her grandmother
the day before she lost her to a brain aneurysm. It is advice
Smith has made a point to follow throughout her life.
“Always hug the people that you love. Never argue before
bed, and never argue before they leave the house. Always hug
and kiss the people you love,” she said.
She said two battles with cancer have given her a chance
to observe some things about life, and she hopes to offer
people her own advice from what she has learned.
“So many people get angry. They’re angry at the world.
They’re angry at each other, and that just creates hate. People
need to be grateful: grateful for every day they wake up,” said
Smith. “They need to thank God in the morning when they
wake up and thank him at night for another beautiful day.”
Black River Medical Center, an affiliiate of Saint
Francis Healthcare System, has been awarded the
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) designation.
To earn the designation, BRMC’s breast imaging
center had to seek and earn accreditation in all of the
American College of Radiology’s voluntary breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to
the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program.
The Mammography Accreditation Program provides
facilities with peer review and constructive feedback on
staff qualifications, equipment, quality control, quality
assurance, image quality and radiation dose. The 1992
Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) requires
that all mammography facilities in the United States be
accredited.
Tracy Sheppard of Black River Medical Center said,
“Black River has earned the designation as a Breast
Imaging Center of Excellence and has become accredited in all advanced modalities through the American
College of Radiology. Our reputation is built on quality
and excellence in providing superb diagnostic imaging
and thoughtful patient care.”
Black River Medical Center’s diagnostic imaging
department offers the most advanced technology available in the region, and that technology is partnered
with care, personal attention, and efficient scheduling,
including fast and reliable results. Their diagnostic
equipment is operated by licensed technologists who
provide high quality images. BRMC is staffed with on
site radiologists, clinicians and physicians.
The doctors are responsible for interpreting exam
results, performing procedures and working with other
doctors and specialists to determine appropriate treatment plans. All physicians are board certified in radiology. The technologists are licensed and are responsible
for performing many of the various types of exams,
including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, nuclear medicine
procedures, mammograms and ultrasounds.
BRMC is located at the intersection of PP Hwy
(Kanell Blvd) and US Hwy 67. More information can
be found by email at [email protected], by
phone at 573-727-9080 or on their website at www.
blackrivermedical.com/diagnostic-imaging.
Proud the
to support
the fightbreast
againstcancer!
breast cancer!
Proud to support
fight against
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6
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Cancer diagnosis leads PB woman to “love a
make each
day a little more special”
little deeper, care a little stronger and
I
n August of this year, Erma Lee of
Poplar Bluff gave herself a self-breast
exam and felt a lump. Describing herself
as inconsistent at her monthly checks, Lee feels
her compulsion to check came from above.
“I am very thankful that the good Lord allowed
me to find the lump early,” said Lee. “This one
morning, He gave me the feeling that I needed
to check, and sure enough, there was something
there.”
Quick diagnosis and early detection have Lee
feeling hopeful.
“It seems early detection is a big plus
where cancer is concerned!” she said.
Her nurse practitioner acted
immediately, scheduling a mammogram and ultrasound, followed by a biopsy. Lee was
diagnosed within two weeks of
finding the lump and had surgery
to remove the cancer less than two
months later.
“When I first realized it was cancer,
of course it was a shock,” said Lee. “But, I
immediately started thinking of all my friends
and relatives who have had breast cancer and are
survivors. Then, I thought of the ones who didn’t
make it. There are so many more that have survived.
It was a very encouraging moment.”
Recently, Lee discovered that though she detected
the cancer at stage one, it is aggressive and nonreactive to estrogen and progesterone, a hormone treatment commonly used. She will be following up with
chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
The 57-year-old mother of two says God, her family and her friends are the most important things in
her life.
“Cancer does NOT define me,” said Lee. “It is
something that has happened to me which I did not
plan nor expect, but, nonetheless, have to deal with. It
is something that makes me love a little deeper, care a
little stronger and make each day a little more special.
It is a bump in the road that I MUST travel, and I will
do it the very best that I can. God has my back!”
Lee’s faith and her family are firmly on her side.
Her husband of 36 years, Jamie Lee; their two children, James Lee Jr. and Jessica Hill; son-in-law,
Rodney Hill; daughter-in-law, Christine Lee; and four
grandchildren, Rachel Hill, Paisley Hill, Taylor Lee
and Cody Grobe stand resolutely beside her.
“(My family) initially took the news much worse
than I did,” said Lee. “I think at times like these, it can
Erma
Lee is
ready
for the
next
step in
fighting
breast
cancer.
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vis
be an eye opener to loved ones that there’s a possibility you may not always be here with them. Sometimes
that can be really hard to absorb and accept.”
Describing them and her friends as tremendously
supportive, she said her son has worn a pink bracelet
every day since the diagnosis. He and Lee’s husband
also wore pink shirts during a recent fishing tournament to show their support. A sister-in-law ordered
pink bracelets for numerous friends and relatives, and
her church members at Agee Fellowship Church have
also been supportive.
“My heart wells up with pride at all the kindness
and support I have experienced,” said Lee.
Lee’s main concern with upcoming treatments
is the idea of not being able to help watch her
SIMMONS GROCERY
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grandchildren. She and Jamie
Lee watch the two youngest
girls during the day, and she
fears the chemotherapy may
make her unable to help watch
the kids she calls “precious,”
“blessings” and “rays of sunshine that light up her life.”
Lee, however, has remained
upbeat with her strong faith
a recurring theme throughout
her life.
“Since I first discovered
the lump in my breast, I have
totally given the whole situation to God,” she said. “I find
it easier for me to let go of
things which I have absolutely
no control over (and this is
one of them), and let God deal
with it.”
It is still early in Lee’s
fight, and she and her family
have many questions for her
health care providers still to
be answered. Monthly exams
and quick reaction provided
See ERMA on next page
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DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
ERMA From page 6
Lee with a leg up in
her battle, but she
depends heavily on
her faith as she continues her journey.
“I have not been
worried or afraid,
because I know
the whole situation
rests in His hands,
and ultimately, no
matter how this story
will end, it is still
going to be okay.”
Photo provided
Erma Lee’s husband,
Jamie Lee, and son, James Lee Jr.,
support her by wearing pink during a
fishing tournament this year.
PBRMC
Meets Needs of Area Women
Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center provides services to educate women on
breast health, and encourage self-exams and routine screenings. They utilize highly
sophisticated imaging technology that can detect breast cancer at the earliest stages,
when treatment can be most effective.
PBRMC’S DETECTION TECHNOLOGY INCLUDES:
Digital mammography
Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center offers state-of-the-art digital imaging
technology for mammograms, or x-ray exams of the breasts. With digital technology,
radiologists can zoom in on particular areas or change brightness or contrast for even
greater visibility, and results can be read immediately. It offers numerous benefits to
women, including:
- Improved accuracy of screening exams, especially for women with dense breast
tissue.
- Less radiation exposure.
- Superior image quality, reducing the need for repeat exams.
Breast MRI
Along with mammography, breast MRI can be an effective diagnostic tool. Breast
MRI is often used for women who are at greater risk of developing breast cancer or
who have dense breast tissue or implants — cases in which mammography is less
effective at detecting abnormalities. This technique offers a more comfortable experience for women, and is used to:
- Assess the extent of breast cancer.
- Determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation therapy during breast
cancer treatment.
- Further evaluate abnormalities that were found during a mammogram or clinical exam.
- Provide additional detail for treatment planning.
Breast ultrasound (sonography)
A breast ultrasound is often used to further evaluate an abnormality found during
a mammogram. Ultrasound allows doctors to see the area closest to the chest wall,
which can be difficult to see using mammography. This technology also helps doctors
determine whether a breast lump is filled with fluid (a cyst) or is a solid mass.
Stereotactic biopsies
When a lump or abnormal area is detected during screening, a biopsy can determine whether cells are cancerous. Advanced imaging technology — such as MRI,
mammography or ultrasound— can be combined with minimally invasive techniques
to obtain tissue samples. Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center offers digital stereotactic biopsies, and women can choose to be seated or lying down during the procedure
for maximum comfort.
Bluff Imaging & Women’s Center is one of the area’s only dedicated imaging
center specifically for the unique needs of women. Services include digital mammography, stereotactic breat biopsy, bone density scans and other services dedicated for
women. The digitial equipment available to women through the Center is the newest
technology in the market.
Bluff Imaging & Women’s Center is located in close proximity to Poplar Bluff
Regional Medical Center and most physician offices in Poplar Bluff.
To schedule a mammogram or other screening exam, call Bluff Imaging &
Women’s Center at (573) 785-6610.
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8
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Dawn Fuller “on the last
stretch of the long journey
C
to being cancer free”
ancer had touched Dawn Fuller of
Poplar Bluff’s life in a myriad of ways.
She lost her father to lung cancer and a
brother to prostate cancer. She watched
her mother battle skin cancer and a sister
battle endometrial cancer.
Two days after Christmas last year, she got
the news that it was her time to fight when
a biopsy came back with the news that she
had HER2-postitive breast cancer, a cancer that tests positive
for a protein called human
epidermal growth factor
receptor 2 which promotes
the growth of cancer cells.
“I encourage everyone
to go to your mammogram
screenings. Don’t put them
off,” said Fuller. “My cancer
was caught early through my yearly
mammogram, so I was lucky it was very
small and at a stage one.”
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Fuller’s doctor, Dorothy Munch,
quickly scheduled an appointment at
Barnes Siteman Cancer Center. Within
a week, Fuller had a lumpectomy in
an effort to remove the cancerous tissue. Unfortunately, two weeks after
surgery she received the news that
the doctors would have to go back in
within the month to remove more tissue.
“Thankfully, this time around all of the cancer
was removed and now I just had to heal some
before I could start my chemo,” said Fuller.
Chemotherapy was not without its own bumps
in the road. Fuller had blood clots, a fast heart beat
and low immune system as well as needing a blood
transfusion. Today, she has finished radiation and
chemotherapy and hopes to be done with follow-up
medication by mid-January.
“Although I watched my brother and father suffer from cancer and thought I knew what to expect,
I didn’t,” said Fuller. “But with this treatment, even
with all the complications, I know I am on the last
Photo provided
Dawn Fuller fights against
Breast Cancer for her daughter, Sierra:
“the most important thing in her life.”
stretch of the long journey to being cancer free.”
Fuller is a single mom with a 20-year-old daughter, Sierra, who is the most important part of her
life. Raised in a family of six kids, she says her parents emphasized the need for family to always take
care of each other. Fuller, who is a social worker
with Missouri Social Services, Children’s Division,
describes her friends and coworkers as family too.
“Family is not just blood but people who share
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goals and values and have
long-term commitments to
one another,” she said. “My
friends/coworkers were upset
when I got the diagnoses and
cried right along with me.
They stood behind me the
entire time and have always
been willing to step up to the
plate if I needed to be taken
home, cover my cases, take
me to treatments or doctor’s
appointments. They also did
a fundraiser to help raise
money for my expenses.”
Fuller describes breast
cancer as something that
hasn’t changed who she is,
but as something that’s made
her recognize the need to
fight. She describes witnessing young children, the
elderly and others who had
been through years of cancer
and years of treatment who
still continued to battle.
See DAWN on next page
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9
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
Cancer Prevention Guide
At right, breast cancer did not
keep Dawn Fuller from her love
of fishing as she smiles wide
after “reeling in a big one.”
DAWN From page 8
“They taught me to continue
to fight for my life: for me, for
my family and for my friends,”
said Fuller. “It was hard; it was
very hard. I had to stay positive
for not only myself, but for my
family.”
A self-sufficient woman,
Fuller had a hard time letting
people take care of her. She
says she loves fishing, fourwheelers and barbeques
and enjoys doing her own
home repairs (if not always
correctly the first time).
During treatment, she said
she struggled with what
she called “poor pity me”
days.
“When I first found
out about my cancer, I
was scared, terrified of
what was to come with
having cancer and the
treatments that I would
Photo p
rovided
have to go through to
live. I’m still scared
and terrified of future mammograms or even the cancer coming back in other
spots,” she said. “But, my
greatest success is that I
Butts • Chicken • Ribs • Briskets
have survived. At times I
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had my doubts, but I’ve
•
Meat
Packages
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picked myself up every day
Variety, Family
and with the help of my
• New Line of smoked & grilled,
family and friends, I have
vacuum packed, heat & eat meats and
beat this cancer so far.”
bread appetizers.
Fuller has another mamPoplar Bluff, MO • Hwy. 67 South
mogram scheduled in
November, and she says her
Owner & Operator / Kenneth & Sandy Urich PHONE 785-2327
fingers are crossed and her
prayers are being said that
no cancer will be detected.
Ultimately, however, she
4885 West Blvd.
Poplar Bluff, MO
is a woman prepared for
battle no matter what.
“I’m going to live to see
my daughter get married
someday, see my grandchilEMPOWERING
dren someday,” she said. “I
WOMEN ONE
have, so far, beat cancer,
BLACK BELT
and I will continue to fight
to be cancer free.”
AT A TIME!
The American Cancer Society offers guidelines for nutrition and physical activity for cancer prevention:
ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT THROUGHOUT LIFE.
• Be as lean as possible throughout life without being underweight.
• Avoid excess weight gain at all ages. For those who are currently
overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight has health
benefits and is a good place to start.
• Engage in regular physical activity and limit consumption of highcalorie foods and beverages as key strategies for maintaining a healthy
weight.
Adopt a physically active lifestyle.
• Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity
or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, or an equivalent
combination, preferably spread throughout the week.
• Children and adolescents should engage in at least 1 hour of moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity each day, with vigorous-intensity activity
occurring at least three days each week.
• Limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television or other forms of screen-based entertainment.
• Doing some physical activity above usual activities, no matter what
the level of activity, can have many health benefits.
Consume a healthy diet, with an emphasis on plant foods.
• Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and
maintain a healthy weight.
• Limit consumption of processed meat and red meat.
• Eat at least two and a half cups of vegetables and fruits each day.
• Choose whole grains instead of refined-grain products.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.
• Drink no more than one drink per day for women or two per day
for men.
Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
• Balance calorie intake with physical activity.
• Avoid excessive weight gain throughout life.
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight if currently overweight
or obese.
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10
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS
Pink Out for UCAN support
“UCAN is totally dependent on community support, which makes events
like this so important,” said Melody
Melloy, director of UCAN in Poplar Bluff.
“Without this continued support, we
would be unable to do all that we do
for cancer patients and their families.”
UCAN’s website says that its mission
is to ease some of the burdens brought
about in the wake of a cancer diagnosis, thereby enhancing the quality of life
experienced by local cancer patients.
They do that through nutritional support, travel assistance for cancer treatment, medical equipment and supplies,
prescription expenses and financial aid
to support daily living.
Poplar Bluff gets pink every year in
support of the United Cancer Assistance
Network (UCAN), a nonprofit charitable organization designed to provide
individualized support for area cancer
patients in Butler, Stoddard and Wayne
counties.
Pink Out Day is one of several
fundraisers for UCAN that support their
efforts throughout the year. The event,
spearheaded by Poplar Bluff Junior High
teacher Jenn Nicolini and Senior High
teacher Hope Conover, has become a
community-wide effort through which
businesses and Mules fans purchase
pink T-shirts to wear to work and later
during a football game.
™
Pink Ribbon Charms
333 S. Westwood, Suite 21 • Poplar Bluff, MO
573.785.2023 • 877-785-2023
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“During this cancer battle, I found
out what a great little community I live
in,” said Kim Dollins Smothers, one
of this year’s featured women in the
Breast Cancer Awareness Tab. “People
who I had no ideal that even cared
about me showed me so much support
that it was shocking. And, I would like
to say that UCAN in Poplar Bluff is fantastic and all the people who work there
are so caring. They have helped me by
giving me gas cards for my trips to St.
Louis, and it is greatly appreciated.”
Melloy estimates that the organization gives out an average of 100 gas
cards a month and 40 cases of the
nutritional supplement, Ensure. It also
helps with day-to-day expenses, like
paying utility bills. Another important
service provided is the stocking of hats,
wigs, turbans and scarves for those in
need.
Besides Pink Out Day, the organization has several fundraisers
including “Dressing Casual for UCAN”
where employees are allowed to dress
casually on designated days, a “Walk
Because UCAN” in May and a continuously running “Got Change” program
in which local businesses and schools
fill coin banks for UCAN (printed coin
banks available at the office). Funds
will also be raised by a tribute quartet
in February, a golf tournament in June
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O
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and a Dexter golf outing in September. This year, the organization
was involved with a demolition derby in Stoddard County to help raise
funds.
“UCAN would like to thank our many local supporters for their
generous contributions and dedication,” said Melloy. “Their continuing support is greatly needed to help cancer patients become cancer
survivors.”
For those diagnosed with cancer and in need of assistance, contact the United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN) at 573-776-1892
and speak with a volunteer or leave a message and your call will be
returned promptly. The UCAN office is located in the Danny Bell Cancer
Treatment Center at 2620 N. Westwood Blvd., in Poplar Bluff, with
office hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. More information can also be found at the website: www.ucanpb.com.
Last year, UCAN moved its location to the
Danny Bell Cancer Center.
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11
DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
American Cancer Society fights to end cancer
The American Cancer Society is
a global grassroots force of more
than three million volunteers working together to make an impact
in the fight to end breast cancer and all cancers. According to
their website, they are the largest,
private, not-for-profit investor in
cancer research, and they have
contributed to a 20 percent decline
in overall cancer death rates in the
US since the early 1990s.
During the last century, the
American Cancer Society has:
• Helped people stay well by
showing them steps they can take
to reduce their cancer risk or find
it early;
• Helped people get well by
providing resources and support to
help them through every step of a
cancer experience;
• Found cures by investing in
groundbreaking research; and
• Fought back by working with
legislators to pass laws to defeat
cancer and by rallying communities
worldwide to finish the fight.
“The money you raise through
your local Relay For Life event helps
the American Cancer Society save
lives and fight cancer in so many
ways that set us apart from every
other cancer-fighting organization,”
said Shanna Gilberto, Relay for
Life specialist High Plains Division.
“There’s hardly a person out there
who hasn’t benefited, either directly
or indirectly, from the American
Cancer Society. The work of the
American Cancer Society has helped
save nearly 1.3 million lives, and we
need your help to save even more”.
The ACS provides screening
guidelines, education for health
care professionals, and engages
in efforts to increase public awareness about the importance of yearly mammograms. They recommend
that all women 40 and older get a
mammogram every year, in addition to a breast exam by their doctor or nurse as part of their regular
health checkups.
The Society aslo provides
• Transportation assistance to
and from treatment
• Free lodging when the treatment facility is far from home
• Emotional support programs
that connect newly diagnosed
breast cancer patients with trained
breast cancer survivors
• Free wigs and assistance with treatment-related physical side effects
• An online support network
• Information, answers, and support
through our National Call Information
Center available 24/7
• Helping address quality of life concerns (such as pain, symptoms, stress,
and other disabilities) that treat the person beyond the disease
• Supporting person-centered care
planning, communication, and informed
treatment decision making aligned with
individual and family goals
“Everything the American Cancer
Society does benefits everyone in our
community,” said Gilberto. “The American
Cancer Society provides the funds for cutting-edge research that can lead to better
treatments for people in your neighborhood. We advocate for better laws to
help people in our state threatened by
cancer. We’re in every community providing people with free information and
services – when and where they need it.
Only the American Cancer Society has the
scope and expertise to take this comprehensive of an approach to finishing this
fight against cancer. So even if some of
the money you raise helps a researcher
in another state investigate a new cancer
treatment or to fund the development of a
new program or service, everyone in your
community will still benefit from that.”
As of July 1, 2014, the American
Cancer Society is supporting 128 grants
with $74.6 million to find the answers
that will help save lives from breast
cancer.
A few of the breast cancer research
breakthroughs they have played a role
in include establishing mammography as
the standard to find breast cancer early,
discovering lifesaving treatments such
as Herceptin and Tamoxifen, discovering
genes that cause breast cancer, deepening the knowledge of how genetics, body
weight, lack of exercise, and alcohol use
can increase a person’s cancer risk, discovering the benefits of breast-conserving
surgery, such as lumpectomy plus radiation
for treatment and palliative care, psychosocial care, and impairment driven rehabilitation addressing symptoms and late effects.
“As we kick off National Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, I want to take
the opportunity to highlight some of the
exciting efforts underway this October in
the High Plains Division,” said Gilberto.
“I would also like to let you know about
a local program we offer to women
who are receiving cancer treatment. It
is called Look Good...Feel Better. It is
offered at PBRMC through the American
Cancer Society and the next session is on
October 27th.”
Look Good…Feel Better is dedicated
to improving the self-esteem and quality
of life of women undergoing treatment of
cancer. Look Good...Feel Better is a nonmedical, brand-neutral public service
program that teaches beauty techniques
to cancer patients to help them manage
the appearance-related side effects of
cancer treatment.
The 2014 Poplar Bluff Regional
Medical Center schedule dates are
Oct. 27th and Dec. 29th. All sessions
will be held at 1 p.m. in the Cancer
Center Conference Room (located in the
Radiation Therapy Department). To register please call Jennifer at 314-286-8181.
For more information on the American
Cancer Society and our fight to end
breast cancer, call 1-800-227-2345
or visit cancer.org/fightbreastcancer
or acscan.org/breastcancer. Connect
with us on Facebook at facebook.com/
AmericanCancerSociety and on Twitter at
@AmericanCancer.
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Vicki L. Henderson, Owner
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25649-95 CA Daily American Republic Breast Cancer Tab 2014 •10.25x10 • 4C