For Immediate Release
October 8, 2008
Contact: Melanie Grassley
Communications Coordinator
717-627-0036
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization wants to stress the importance of breast health, not only during this month, but throughout the year.

To predict when and in whom breast cancer may occur in, scientists look for clues or risk factors. They include:

• Age - Risk is especially high for women 60 and older
• Personal History
• Family History
• The Breast Cancer Gene
• Having no children

Women over the age of 20 should conduct monthly self-breast examinations.  Women over the age of 40 are encouraged to get yearly mammograms.

The Healthy Women Program through Lancaster General offers free clinical breast exams, mammograms, pelvic exams and PAP tests to women 40 – 64. Eligibility is based on age, income, lack of insurance or ability to afford the co-pay, as well as when the woman received her last screening for breast and cervical cancer. For more information about this program, call Ethel Wander, Healthy Woman Program Coordinator, at 717-544-3285.

PennDOT reminds drivers of fall hazards

PennDOT reminds motorists that the change in season warrants cautious driving.  As fair weather fades, road hazards such as wet leaves, frost, and glare from sunlight during morning and evening rush hours can make driving more hazardous.

Some fall hazards are predictable, such as the times for sunrise and sunset more closely align with morning and evening rush hours.  Intense glare from the sun on the horizon can blind a driver, causing an unexpected traffic slowdown.  Drivers can prepare for the glare by keeping a set of sun glasses handy and removing clutter from their sun visors.

A less predictable but still manageable hazard is leaves on the roadway.  Leaves make driving more dangerous by obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings.  Wet leaves can be as slippery as ice on the roadway. 

As overnight temperatures dip toward freezing, morning frost and icy spots on the road can also be a hazard.  Motorists should pay particular attention to bridges, overpasses and shaded areas on roadways where icy spots can form on the pavement.  In addition to exercising caution while driving, motorists should clear their vehicles' windows of frost before travel.

PennDOT offers the following fall driving tips:

• Increase your following distance in severe weather, at dusk and dawn and when in an area with wet leaves.  If you are being tailgated, let the other driver pass.
• Check your vehicle's headlights, taillights and turn signals to ensure they are working properly since darkness will be a part of many driver's morning and/or evening commutes. 
• Have your vehicle's heating and wiper systems checked to ensure they are working properly.  As a reminder, under Pennsylvania law, when your wipers are on, your headlights must also be on.

Flu clinics for seniors and the uninsured

The Lancaster General Wellness Center is offering flu immunizations for adults 65 and over and for high risk individuals without health insurance. Participating seniors must make and appointment by calling the center and bringing their Medicare cards to their appointments.  Free immunizations for the uninsured are also available by contacting Michelle Hargraves, Wellness Coordinator, at 717-544-3144.