By Shari Einhorn

Do we or don’t we?  It’s the question lots of Long Island women are now asking themselves about mammograms.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40.

But on Monday, a government panel made up of doctors and scientists came out with NEW guidelines.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends AGAINST yearly mammograms for women between 40 and 49.  The panel said routine screenings should begin at age 50 and after that — women should go EVERY OTHER YEAR.

The news did not sit well with longtime breast cancer survivors and activists that I spoke with today.

Lorraine Pace from Breast Cancer Help had this to say.

“I am outraged that the U.S. Department of Health would play a numbers game with women’s health.  Early detection saves lives and every life is worth it, despite the costs to the healthcare system and concerns about a woman’s potential anxiety.

“Coming on the heels of the current healthcare debate, one has to ask if this is how healthcare panels will ration early detection screenings and life-saving care.  Do we really want bureaucrats in Washington making these calls, rather than a women’s physician.

“In one fell swoop, they are trying to wipe out over 20 years of progress in promoting awareness and early detection.”

Karen Joy Miller from the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition said this.

“The debate on mammograms and more importantly cancer still rages on and we’re a long way from a decision on when to get a mammogram. While breast self exam is important, seeking out healthcare practitioners who will provide an extensive clinical breast exam is crucial.”

Hillary Rutter from the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline said this.

“I think it’s all about money…and limiting women’s options for screening.  I think it’s going to result in more lives being lost.”

And Geri Barish from Hewlett House had this to say.

“New Guidelines for Mammography have just pulled the rug out from under us–we now have over 2 MILLION Women survivors and one of those reasons is early detection. Line us up and see those of us who found our tumors by self breast exam at 40 or early forties even though mammography’s may have not seen anything-Today, along with Mammography we have ultrasound  as part of the new protocol-I am angry that we have handed our women a death sentence-told them not to worry after 75. When you are that statistic you don’t take chances-what will this do to insurance issues, the healthy women’s partnership program and the confusion to so many who may or may not be at risk? Education and awareness have been part of our daily language-finding cancer early is our future. Has the government just closed that door? On a daily basis we see women who are in their early forties, thirties and have found early cancer-We are not God-how dare anybody tell us take your chances-it may never grow? Would they?”

I’d love to hear your thoughts?

Shari

By Shari Einhorn

“You bring home this little blue blanket with a 6-lb baby and one day he’s putting a needle in his arm.”

It’s a heartwrenching statement from the mother of a recovering heroin addict.  Life begins so innocently — and then — for some — their world collapses.  Here’s what one former addict said.

“All I can describe it as — is the devil grabbing you and pulling you under.”

Heroin addiction on Long Island is a topic so big — it’s hard to grasp all of the issues associated with it.  All this week — News 12 Long Island will air a 10-part series on heroin addiction.

There may be people out there who don’t want to watch — who don’t think it’s a problem here in suburbia.  Guess what?  Experts say it’s an epidemic!  And if parents, communities and school districts deny there’s a problem — drug counselors say it’s only going to get worse!

“Anybody can get it anywhere.”

None of the parents I’ve interviewed thought it could happen to them.   One mother said the words so many have probably uttered.

“Not my child.  Not this drug.  Not this house.”

Drug counselors say prescription pills are the drug of choice for 12 and 13 year olds.  Those are the painkillers that many parents keep in their medicine cabinet — unlocked and easily accessible.  Experts say pills plus alcohol and marijuana are the gateway to heroin.

“Parents don’t want to believe that their honor student children are snorting heroin on the weekend.”

But they are!  Once the pills are gone — or cost too much to keep buying (pills go for 50-60 bucks each) teens turn to heroin.  It’s easier to buy than beer because you don’t need ID.  All you need is a connection, a phone and a few bucks.  Users say a bag of dope goes for about $15 here on the island.

“It’s significantly cheaper to buy heroin than prescription pills.”

And here’s another problem:  teens don’t think it’s dangerous!  According to a national study, 40 percent of teens think there’s no great risk in trying heroin.  19 percent think there’s nothing wrong with using heroin once a week.  This former addict didn’t believe it when he first started using.

“I didn’t listen.  I thought — one time — what could it do?”

Those who work with addicts warn — the drug is purer, stronger and can be instantly addictive.

“You can get hooked using one time.  All it takes is once.”

The guys I spoke to say they were hooked in 2 weeks tops!  Once that happens — all bets are off.  Addicts will do anything to support their habit — lie, cheat, sell and steal!

“This heroin is the devil.  It’s satan on earth in a package.  And once it puts it’s claws into your child — it’s a temptation for life.”

Some are lucky enough to eventually to claw their way out of the hole they’ve fallen in to.  It’s not quick.  It’s not easy.  And there are no guarantees that it will work.

“It’s like playing with fire.  You don’t know if you’re going to come back — if you’re going to recover.”

According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, kids who learn about drugs from their parents are 50 percent LESS likely to do drugs.

So from one parent to another — watch our week long series and take it seriously.

Check out the numbers and links section of our website for links to drug treatment centers and other parent resources.

Talk to your kids about drugs and never, ever think it won’t happen to you.

Shari

By Shari Einhorn

Since I’m the health reporter here at News 12 Long Island — I’ve been getting these questions a lot in the past few weeks…”Should I get the swine flu vaccine?  Should I get my kids vaccinated?  What do you think?  What are you doing?  Is the swine flu really as bad as they say it is?”

Unfortunately, I can’t answer those questions.  If I’ve learned anything from being the health reporter, it’s that a person’s health and issues relating to it are among the most personal choices you can make.  And when it comes to the swine flu vaccine, it’s exactly that — a personal decision.

I can quote many doctors who say the H1N1 virus is dangerous and can be deadly.  So far, about a thousand people have died nationwide — 100 of them are children.  On Long Island, the swine flu has claimed 12 lives.

But I have also interviewed many doctors who take a more natural approach to health and medicine.  They claim the statistics are overblown in an attempt to scare people into getting a vaccine that is potentially dangerous.

In previous blogs about this issue, I’ve told you about coworkers and neighbors and their concerns.  As a mother, I too am worried.  As a reporter who meets and shakes hands with dozens of people a day, I too am worried.  As an educated person who has learned a lot about this issue , I will do what I think is appropriate for myself and my family.

I strongly encourage you to do the same.  Don’t be bullied into making a decision that you’re not comfortable with.

Shari

By Shari Einhorn

Are you planning on vaccinating yourself and your family with the new H1N1 swine flu vaccine?  Why or why not?

It’s among the most controversial questions swirling around in recent weeks.  My neighbors are talking about it.  My friends are questioning it.  Fellow mothers are worrying about it.  And my coworkers are asking for information about it.

What I’ve learned is that the decision is a very personal one.  One mother I interviewed said “There’s definitely a perception that if you’re planning on vaccinating your kids against the swine flu — that you’re being negligent or a bad parent.”  It’s peer pressure but with adults!

At work today two of my friends (mothers with kids) told me that their pediatricians weren’t recommending the H1N1 vaccine for children except for those with underlying medical conditions.  Another friend — whose sister is a internist (with kids)  — said she was getting a lot of flak for even questionning the vaccine.

There’s so much information and misinformation out there it can honestly make your head spin!  Health officials are warning that the flu is not a benign disease…that it can kill…and it can kill healthy kids.  Anti vaccine activists talk about dangerous additives, nerve disorders and scare tactics.

The federal government bought 250-MILLION doses of the vaccine and is in charge of doling it out.  On the priority list are healthcare workers (who filed a lawsuit mandating that they be vaccinated or risk losing their jobs), pregnant women, children and people with underlying medical conditions.

After talking to lots of people at lots of different hospitals, here’s what I discovered.  No one seems to know when the vaccine is coming…how much is coming…or where it’s going first.  One person said to me basically … it’s not like they can just call up the federal government and ask for a tracking number for the vaccine shipment.

So if you’re interested, be patient and be persistent.  Check with your local doctor to see if and when the vaccine will be made available.

If you’re not sure what to do,  I’m listing a bunch of different websites to help you weed through the information.  I hope it helps.

The Centers for Disease Control

The National Vaccine Information Center

The New York State Health Department

Nassau County Health Department

Suffolk County Health Department

There’s also a statewide hotline you can call 24 hours a day/7 days a week:

New York State H1N1 Flu Hotline: 1-800-808-1987 (available 24/7)

By Shari Einhorn

Today was one of those incredible days — the kind of day I will never forget!  I got a chance to meet with Kenneth Baribault, one on one.  We were away from the courthouse and away from the trial.  It was a chance to see how much progress he’s made.  And let me tell you — it’s amazing to see and hear him!

For those of you who may not remember, Kenneth Baribault is the Nassau Police officer who almost died last May.  He was on patrol on the LIE in Plainview when he pulled over a suspected drunk driver.  While sitting in his marked patrol car, ANOTHER drunk driver plowed into him.  His injuries were critical.  His struggle is incredible.  His progress is remarkable!

Not too long ago, he couldn’t speak at all!  Today we watched as he used a computer linguistics program — with help from his sister Danielle — to say words like map, mop, May and mate (the computer program is from Australia).

There are post it notes labeling household items.  His family told me that because the part of his brain that was injured involves speech,  he has a hard time saying the words spontaneously.  He knows the mirror is a mirror, but seeing the written word helps him pronounce it correctly.

Some words are now easy and common for Baribault.  His family says pizza, fudgepop, and bathroom; and a bunch of others no longer require prompts.  He was able to answer my questions with a yes or a no, and he stills uses a thumbs up sign to make sure you know he means yes.

He was full of smiles for his mom and his sisters — who never leave his side!  He laughed when I asked if he likes seeing them on TV!

Physically, he’s doing fabulously, according to his family.  His sister told me proudly that he took 6 steps in therapy the other day.  And while it may not sound like a lot — remember — Baribault was partially paralyzed from the crash!  He uses a leg brace and seems determined not to give up.

Today, the Fraternal Order of Police held a golf tournament in Baribault’s honor.  156 men and women — most from the law enforcement community — battled cloudy skies and whipping winds to play the 18 hole course in Riverhead.  They were out there to help raise money for Baribault and his family.  But more importantly, because — as one man told me — “You never know when it could be you.  That’s what really hits home.”

Baribault’s dad told me he was humbled by the outpouring of support, but chuckled when I asked if his son was interested in golf.

So back at the Baribault home, I asked Kenneth if he liked golf.  He smiled, laughed, and said no.

Apparently, he’s more of a baseball guy!

Shari