Colon cancer

Colon cancer

POLAND

A free lecture on how to combat colon cancer is offered at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Poland Library, 311 S. Main St., by Dr. Kathy S. Padgitt.

The latest research on colon cancer is one of the topics, and the lecture includes a question-and- answer session.

Diabetes seminar

YOUNGSTOWN

Dannielle MacDuff, doctor of naturopathy, offers a free “Control Your Diabetes for Live” seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the I.T.T. Technical Center, 1030 N. Meridian Road.

The session includes cooking demonstrations and food samples including sugar-free chocolate. Call 330-505-3515 to register.

Immunizations

NILES

The Niles Health Department, 34 W. State St., is offering immunization clinics for children from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. April 1 and 9.

No appointment is needed, and no one will be refused service because of inability to pay.

Children should be feeling well, with no illness, fever or rash, and children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Call 330-544-9000, ext. 163, for information.

First in the nation

AKRON

The bone-marrow transplant recovery unit in Akron Children’s Hospital’s Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders includes the first hospital rooms in the nation to be awarded WELL Pilot Certification by the International WELL Building Institute.

The WELL Building Standard Æ is the world’s first building standard to focus on enhancing people’s health and well-being through the built environment. WELL Certification requires a passing score in each of the seven categories. The process includes comprehensive project documentation and an on-site audit to verify performance.

The center has between 10 and 14 patients per year undergo bone-marrow transplants. Patients typically spend six to eight weeks in the hospital after a transplant.

Esophagus care

SHARON, PA.

A new outpatient treatment that destroys pre- cancerous tissue in the lining of the esophagus is available at Sharon Regional Health System.

The treatment utilizes endoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy and was recently featured in the New England Journal of Medicine as a highly effective treatment for complete eradication of Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition that affects 1 million to 2 million adults in the United States each year.

Barrett’s disease occurs when the esophagus is chronically exposed to gastric contents of the stomach caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. With prolonged acid exposure, normal cells in the esophagus can undergo a genetic change and are then vulnerable to further changes that can lead to cancer.

For information on the new procedure, call 724-983-0223 or 724-981-8883.

Mental health

SHARON, PA.

Penn State Shenango is offering a “Mental Health First Aid” adult/higher education training program from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 25 in Sharon Hall Room 105.

The program teaches a five-step action plan to offer initial help to people with signs and symptoms of mental illness.

The cost is $55. The registration deadline is April 21. Call 724-981-7141, ext. 326.