Do you know the number one cause of lung cancer besides smoking? Hint: it’s a radioactive gas we all breathe every day, usually in small levels. And you cannot see it, smell it or touch it. If you guessed radon, you’re correct!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated January as National Radon Action Month and a time when health agencies across the country urge all Americans to have their homes tested for radon. Many people are not aware that dangerous levels of radon gas can accumulate in their home. In fact, radon accounts for about 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year, according to the EPA. While that figure is nowhere near the 480,000 deaths a year caused by smoking, it’s still significant. According to the American Cancer Society, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

What is Radon Gas?

Radon is a gas that occurs naturally outdoors in harmless amounts. It’s produced from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks, and sometimes it gets concentrated in homes built on soil with natural uranium deposits. It can be detected in homes, offices and schools entering buildings through cracks in floors and walls, construction joints or gaps around service pipes, electrical wires and sump pits. Old homes, new homes, homes with basements and homes without basements can all have radon problems, although radon levels are usually highest in basements or crawl spaces. The EPA reports elevated levels of radon gas have been measured in every state and estimates nearly one out of every 15 homes in America has elevated radon levels.

Dangers of Radon Gas

People who breathe in radioactive particles, swallow water with high radon levels or are exposed to radon for a long period of time are susceptible to lung damage and lung cancer.

This may damage the cells in the lining of the lungs and increase a person's risk of lung cancer. The risk is higher in those who have lived for many years in a radon-contaminated house.

Smokers who are exposed to elevated levels of radon gas have a 10 times higher risk of developing lung cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. When radon exceeds acceptable levels, the result can be deadly, and it may take years before the health problems appear.

There aren’t widely available medical tests to measure whether you have been exposed to radon, but if you think you might have been, talk with your doctor about whether you should get regular health checkups and tests to look for possible signs of lung cancer. Symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s important to quit smoking.

Radon Testing

Because there are no symptoms of radon exposure, the only way to know whether you’re exposed is by using tools that measure radon levels. Radon can only be detected using test kits designed for testing radon. In Missouri, you can request a free radon test kit on the Missouri Health & Senior Services website, health.mo.gov. According to the website, Missouri DHSS has a grant from the EPA to promote awareness and increase radon testing in the state of Missouri. Enviro Sciences Inc. has been awarded the contract to provide Missouri residents with a radon test kit upon request. Each residence will be limited to one test kit for the current year. You may also consider hiring a professional tester. Short-term (2–90 day) and long-term (more than 90-day) test kits are available, with the long-term kit producing more accurate results. Do-it-yourself test kits also are available for purchase at many local hardware stores and online retailers such as Amazon.

About the Author

Grant Pierson, DO, specializes in pulmonary and sleep medicine. He earned his medical degree from the Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences in Kansas City, Missouri; performed his residency at St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio, and completed his pulmonary critical care medicine fellowship at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, Colorado. He completed his sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Pierson is currently seeing new patients at the Freeman Lung Institute. The Freeman Lung Institute specializes in high-quality care and offers information on the latest treatment and therapy options to help patients live a stronger life. Talk to your primary care physician about radon exposure or call our office at 417.347.8315 for an appointment or visit freemanhealth.com/lung.

When you or a family member need to be seen at an Urgent Care, sitting in the waiting room is sometimes the worst part of the experience. Freeman has introduced a new service that can significantly decrease your wait time. Freeman Save My Spot check-in tool enables you to get in line from your home, office or wherever!

Save My Spot is a new service that we are providing to our patients that works like call-ahead seating at your favorite restaurant. It is not an appointment time, but it does allow you to do some of your waiting in the comfort of your own home instead of in the waiting room.

Save My Spot is a free, fast and convenient way to be seen by a Freeman healthcare provider. Get in line by going online. Simply visit freemanhealth.com/savemyspot on your computer, tablet or smartphone. You will be able to choose the time and location for your visit that best works for your schedule. Once you arrive at Freeman Urgent Care, there is a tracker in the waiting room will let you know how many patients are ahead of you.

Using Save My Spot is NOT required to be seen at our facilities. Walking in is always welcome! Wait times for both locations are updated every 30 minutes at freemanhealth.com/urgentcare. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life threatening illness or injury, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

Freeman has an Urgent Care in both Joplin and Webb City. Freeman Urgent Care offers a convenient, cost-effective alternative for minor medical care provided by physicians and is the only Urgent Care in the region accredited by the Urgent Care Association (UCA).

Freeman Urgent Locations:

1130 E. 32nd St.
Joplin, MO
417.347.2273

1636 S. Madison St.
Webb City, MO
417.347.2273

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2020 has arrived, along with an invitation to reflect on our journeys and what we have learned. As people, our growth (hopefully) never stops, and I am no exception. More on that in a moment.

Society’s understanding of eating disorders is often riddled with stereotypes about who gets them and myths about what causes them. Who could blame us? Our brains are hardwired to explain the nonsensical, and eating disorders are no different.

One myth is that parents and families are to blame for their loved one’s eating disorder. Trust me, I get it. I spend my days listening to stories about the first diet my client’s mother put them on, jumpstarting their eating disorder at age 7 or 8. My clients and I process their spouses calling them “fat” and detailing what they perceive to be the moral failings in my clients’ bodies. It’s hard to not point fingers.

This is not to say these things are not harmful. They become part of the story eating disorders whispers in my clients’ ears day in and day out. These judgments complicate recovery and threaten clients’ sense of safety or comfort in relationships. But I must also somewhat begrudgingly admit that finding the exact cause may not be the most important step.

We must not lose sight of the reality of eating disorders: The fact is that every 62 minutes, at least one person dies as a result of their eating disorder. Although it is valuable to find clarity as to why, the truth of these illnesses is not so black and white.

In reality, we as loved ones can absolutely have caused harm and maybe even contributed to the development of an eating disorder, but it is unlikely that there is a single cause, as these illnesses have roots in our genetics, culture, neurobiology and even our gut microbiome.

At the same time, families can be a powerful force for recovery. It may come through being an active part of treatment, or it may be lovingly standing by someone’s side as they wage this fight for a life worth living. Given essential education, the right support and the chance, loved ones can make all the difference.

Please know this may not be true for you, and that is okay. Because what is also true is that you can choose who you identify as your family, and this is not always defined by blood relationships. What is most important is that you not do this alone.

The power of families has been one of my greatest lessons as a professional. In the past, I could logically acknowledge the impact of parents, siblings, partners and family of choice. Yet what I have come to know is that these connections can be truly transformative.

Eating disorders become all the more powerful when we allow them to separate us from the ones who care about us. Eating disorders thrive on darkness and isolation, but recovery is made possible by connection and relationships. Please learn from where I have faltered, and stay open to how family of any kind can transform your healing.

About the Author

Dr. Jenny Copeland, clinical psychologist, practices at Ozark Center in Joplin, MO. Dr. Copeland specializes in the treatment of eating disorders. She has extensive experience in psychological assessment and treatment of people with diverse clinical concerns. Visit ozarkcenter.com/reconnect to learn more about eating disorders services at Ozark Center.

As a hospice volunteer, I have the unique opportunity to work alongside patients as they reflect on their lives thus far. As I sat with one such patient, we discussed what she wished she would have done more of. She immediately responded “dance” because this was not something she was allowed to do growing up.

So, I put on her favorite song. As she sat in her wheelchair, shrugging her shoulders up and down to the rhythm, she immediately lit up with joy as she found freedom with the music. She presented joy so tangibly, with such a physical presence in the room. What a great representation of joyful movement I had encountered!

Joyful movement knows no bounds; it does not discriminate. There is no right or wrong way to engage in it. The idea is to move our bodies – all bodies – in ways that promote pleasure and joy in our lives.

When pleasure becomes the focus of how we move, it can change our outlook on why we move, fueling the mind, spirit and body, no matter its size or ability. Movement can elevate mood, strengthen muscles, ease digestion, promote better sleep, alleviate stress and more. Joyful movement can help you live more freely in the body that you have, and help your body feel like home.

We get to determine how and when we move, as well as how and when we rest. We can be mindful in the way we move, becoming more present with and aware of our body. There are numerous ways to engage in joyful movement. It is completely possible to dislike exercise but love movement! Juggling may not be considered exercise, but it can be considered joyful movement. What about dancing around the house, gardening or vacuuming?

When we move, we learn to feel at home in our bodies and become more present with ourselves. When we find gratitude in our bodies, we truly live in our bodies as they are now – not how we think they should be.

Our bodies bring us life, motion and being. Celebrate all of the miracles of our bodies and appreciate the uniqueness that is you.

About the Author

Haley Mona, BS, is a graduate of Pittsburg State University with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with an emphasis in substance use. She is an intern with the Reconnect Eating Disorders Clinic as a part of her Master of Science in psychology.

You have a voice that can spread the word about colorectal cancer. Awareness and prevention of this disease is important because a diagnosis can change everything for a family. This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is making sure people don’t assume anything about this disease – don’t assume you’re too young. Don’t assume everyone knows what colorectal cancer is. Don’t assume you’re alone. And don’t assume you can’t contribute to awareness.

What should you know?

Colorectal cancer affects men and women equally, and about 1 in 23 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Those at risk include:

• Individuals with a personal or family history with polyps or cancer
• People over 50
• Those with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Individuals with the genetic conditions HNPCC or FAP
• Certain ethnicities, including Jews of Eastern European descent, African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives and Latinos

Prevention can mean everything, so if any of these factors apply to you or a loved one, seeing a doctor is the first step. More than half the people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no symptoms, but there are warning signs to be aware of. If you experience these, you should talk to your doctor:

• Trouble going to the bathroom
• Blood in your stool
• Persistent stomach aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Unexplained weight loss
• Weakness or fatigue

You can help spread awareness about colorectal cancer. Ninety percent of new cases occur in people 50 and older, but diagnoses are on the rise for those under 50, as well. Don’t ignore the symptoms and risks associated with the disease. Ask family members if they’ve been screened and encourage them to do so if they haven’t. Promote a healthy diet, regular exercise, limiting alcohol intake and not smoking. You should also encourage loved ones to know their family health history. This helps prevent many diseases and conditions.

Don’t assume you can’t help end colorectal cancer. Visit freemanhealth.com/colon for more information or talk to your doctor.

Your doctor would like to run some tests – you've had your blood drawn and your sample has been sent off to the lab. You met the phlebotomist who drew your blood sample, but have you ever wondered who actually receives your sample and conducts the tests?

Though you may never see them face-to-face, a variety of skilled and educated laboratory professionals work behind the scenes, playing a crucial role in your healthcare. An estimated 70% of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment, hospital admission and discharge are based on laboratory test results. In fact, Freeman laboratory professionals report over 3.5 million tests each year! That’s why Freeman Health System is recognizing our amazing lab professionals April 21 – 27 during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW).

Freeman employees working in the clinical laboratory collect specimens and conduct tests that provide crucial information for detecting, analyzing, diagnosing, evaluating and monitoring disease. They’re the health detectives behind the magnifying glass – or more likely, a microscope – who generate vitally important data for identifying and treating life-threating diseases such as cancer, heart disease and HIV, as well as common ailments such as the sniffles or strep throat. They use state-of-the-art technology to provide comprehensive diagnostic services, analyzing not just patient’s blood samples but also urine, body fluids, tissue and stool. If bacteria, fungus or parasites are lurking, Freeman’s highly skilled lab “investigators” will track down the culprits and provide the proof to help physicians determine the best treatment for their patients. The lab is also responsible for supplying life-saving blood products for transfusion.

Because lab results impact the healthcare patients receive, Freeman’s laboratory professionals are specially educated, trained and certified. In addition, Freeman lab directors and coordinators have extensive training and many years of experience, enabling them to oversee testing and ensure strict quality control and quality management systems are followed. Like all clinical laboratories in the United States, Freeman labs are regulated by the federal government under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The regulations for the CLIA amendments have quality standards for laboratory testing to ensure results are accurate, reliable and timely and include standards for the education and training of laboratory personnel.

Solving the riddle of health begins with the gifted and dedicated laboratory professionals, clinicians and administrative staff at Freeman who service the residents of the Four States. Freeman’s team of compassionate lab professionals strive to provide excellence in care, enriching the lives of everyone.

About the Author

Karen Watts, BS, MT (ASCP), has worked at Freeman Health System for eight years and served as Director of Laboratory Services for five years. She oversees the Freeman Lab Services Department, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offers clinical and pathology services. The lab provides testing for all areas of the hospital including the emergency room, operating room, cardiovascular operating room, all patient rooms and outpatient testing. To learn more, visit freemanhealth.com/services/laboratory-services or call 417.347.3575.