October Breast Cancer Awareness: Make a Plan for Screening
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Alongside the pink ribbons, make time for one practical step: check whether you are due for breast cancer screening.
If scheduling a mammogram has been on your to-do list, this month offers a useful reminder to contact your healthcare provider.
Discuss your screening schedule
For women at average risk, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends a screening mammogram every two years from ages 40 through 74. People with certain high-risk genetic conditions, previous breast cancer, or some histories of chest radiation may need a different plan.
Tell your clinician about breast cancer in your family and any previous breast tests. Ask when your next mammogram is due and what screening method is right for you.
Know your risk
Understanding your personal risk helps guide screening decisions. Factors that may increase risk include family history, age, obesity, alcohol use, and hormone therapy. Your healthcare provider can help you assess your individual risk and recommend appropriate screening.
Take action this month
Whether you’re due for screening or need to schedule an appointment for next year, October is the perfect time to make a plan. Mark your calendar, call your doctor, and take this important step toward your health.
Support is available
If you have questions about breast cancer screening or need support in scheduling your appointment, Daily Care Pharmacy is here to help. Our team can answer medication questions and connect you with resources in the Annapolis community.
Flu Season: How to Prepare This Fall
Fall brings cooler mornings, school activities, and more time together indoors. It is also a good time to prepare for flu season. A little planning can help protect your family and make it easier to respond if someone becomes sick.
Plan your annual flu vaccine
The CDC recommends a flu vaccine every year for almost everyone age 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated. If you miss that window, vaccination can still help while flu viruses are circulating.
Protection takes about two weeks to develop. Some children need two doses at least four weeks apart, so parents should check their child’s vaccination schedule with a healthcare professional.
Make prevention part of your routine
Wash your hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, and improve indoor air circulation when practical. Stay home when you are sick and limit close contact with others. These habits work alongside vaccination to help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.
Keep high-touch surfaces clean and consider wearing a mask if you’re at higher risk or around vulnerable people during peak flu season.
Act early when symptoms begin
Flu can cause chills, coughing, body aches, and unusual tiredness. Not everyone develops a fever. Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you suspect flu, particularly if you are pregnant, age 65 or older, have a chronic condition, or are caring for a young child.
Prescription antiviral medicines work best when started within two days of symptoms, although treatment may still help later for people at higher risk or with serious illness. Antibiotics do not treat the flu virus. Seek immediate medical care for trouble breathing or persistent chest pain.
Get guidance from Daily Care Pharmacy
Before choosing a cold or flu product, speak with the Daily Care Pharmacy pharmacist. Bring your medication list so we can help you understand your options and check for potential interactions.
Source: CDC.gov
Managing Diabetes Through the Holiday Season
As fall turns toward the holidays, family meals, shopping, and travel can fill the calendar. If you live with diabetes, changes in meals and activity can affect your blood sugar. Planning ahead can help you enjoy the season while keeping your care routine on track.
Plan meals without skipping them
Try to eat close to your usual times, and avoid skipping meals to save up for a large dinner. Decide which holiday foods you most want to enjoy, then plan portions around your usual meal plan.
A favorite dessert may fit better when you have less bread, rice, or potatoes at the same meal. Include vegetables, eat slowly, and drink water. Offering to bring a dish can give you an option that fits your plan. A comfortable walk after a meal can also help you stay active.
Protect your medicine routine
Check your prescription and supply quantities before traveling, and request refills early enough to allow time for questions or delays. Phone reminders can help you remember medicines when your schedule changes.
If meals will be delayed or you will cross time zones, ask your care team how to manage your medicines. Follow your personalized instructions for dose adjustments.
Keep supplies close
Carry medicines, glucose-monitoring supplies, and snacks where you can reach them. For air travel, keep essential diabetes supplies in your carry-on. Follow storage instructions and protect insulin from excessive heat or freezing.
Continue blood sugar checks as directed, and discuss whether changes in meals or activity call for extra checks. Know your care team’s plan for readings outside your target range.
Get Support from Daily Care Pharmacy
Contact Daily Care Pharmacy before your holiday plans get busy. Ask our pharmacist about prescription refills, medicine storage, and medication questions so you can prepare for the weeks ahead.
Source: CDC.gov