Alarming news
TO THE EDITOR: A new report by the New York State Chapter of the American Cancer Society has alarming news about lung cancer.
“The Cancer Burden in NY State” says the top three diagnosed cancers in New York state are: prostate cancer, breast cancer and lung cancer.
You may be surprised to learn more people die from lung cancer each year (just under 30 percent of all cancer deaths) than any other cancer.
Due to more people smoking here, lung cancer rates and associated deaths are higher in our communities than the state average. Ninety percent of lung cancer is caused by tobacco smoke, (2004 Surgeon General Report). Tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 chemicals, at least 70 of them known to cause cancer.
The American Cancer Society’s report stresses the need for increased sustainable funding of New York State’s Tobacco Control Program and highlights the need for regulations to keep flavored tobacco products out of retail as these are “gateway” products that introduce young people to nicotine addiction.
De-normalizing tobacco use through tobacco free grounds policy helps prevent tobacco use by young people and people who have quit tobacco by decreasing the visual cues of smoking. We have two great examples of new tobacco-free-grounds policies: Champlain Centre and Essex County Government.
Health-care professionals encourage their patients to stop smoking and provide guidance on how to do so effectively. Recently, Medical Home practices in our area have integrated a referral process in their electronic medical record, making referrals to the New York State Smokers’ Quitline easy.
Tobacco users, help is available from the quitline. Callers or web visitors may be eligible for a free two-week sample of the nicotine patch.
Call: 1-866-NY-QUITS, (1-866-697-8487) or go to www.nysmoke free.com.
MARGOT GOLD
North Country Healthy Heart Network Inc.
Saranac Lake
Obama policies
TO THE EDITOR: There was a recent letter with an ardent opposition to many of Obama’s policies. Although I am not a strong Obama supporter, I felt obliged to rebut.
Obama does support, as part of a plan to diversivify energy resources, exploration of algea and many other sustainable resources to decrease our dependance on Middle Eastern oil. As we all know, this would provide exponential national security benefits. I do not feel that is a negative. As long as the United States has brilliant scientific minds capable of breaking new frontiers, e.g. increasing our energy independence, we should encourage such exploration.
Please explain how “Obamacare” will differ from our current system of deligation of health-care benefits. Currently, our collective benefits are reviewed by insurance companies with no greater interest than making profits for their shareholders. I would rather have a non-profit system in place that could provide care based on need, not profit margin.
PETER ROCHA
Peru
