Gift Giving for Gearheads Round 2

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. First recognized in October of 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness month aims to increase early detection of this disease and help vulnerable populations by sharing resources to care and prevention techniques. more Many people wear pink articles of clothing or add pink ribbons to their outfits, bags, and even digital profiles in honor of those fighting breast cancer, lost to the disease, and also to support progress we’ve made in breast cancer research and treatment options. Now more than ever, it is important that we expand our conversation to include more demographics so we can work together as a community and empower as many people as we can with accurate information and care. Unfortunately, many breast cancer awareness narratives have historically left out critical talking points inclusive care options.   Although breast cancer is most commonly associated with cisgender women, with statistics showing 1 in 8 cisgender women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, but nonbinary individuals, the transgender community, and cisgender men also are affected by breast cancer.  In fact, many transgender women show increased risk of breast cancer after several years of hormonal treatments, while transgender men show slightly lower risk than cisgender women ac cording to a study from BMJ in the UK. Because we care about our friends, family, and our community in general, we have created this helpful gender inclusive guide to help learn more about Breast Cancer prevention and diagnosis. Reminder: It is important to be gender inclusive when speaking about the issues of breast cancer, to help avoid triggering feelings of dysphoria, or preventing individuals from receiving lifesaving care and cancer treatments.  If you are seeking gender inclusive care for medical and non-medical services, Apicha CHC may be able to help. Mammographies are the best method of early detection, but self-exams are also an important part of screening for breast cancer that you can do at home regularly. Medical professionals encourage you to do a self-exam of the chest region once per month, to check for any signs of abnormality.  Understanding how your body feels and looks on a regular basis can help you recognize abnormalities for your body, and when there might be a change that warrants a visit to your physician. Here is a resource for a proper self-examination procedure. Recommended guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Women at Average Risks All cisgender women should be performing self-exams at home on a regular basis. Mammograms or Breast Tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) are recommended: Every year starting at age 40-54 for as long as a woman is in good health With doctor’s approval, every 2 years starting ages 55-74. Clinical Breast Exams are recommended every 1 to 3 years from ages 25 through 39, and yearly starting at age 40. If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views of each breast instead of two. Please consult with your doctor if there is a history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier or with greater frequency as a precaution. Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for the Transgender Community Transgender women often have a high prevalence of dense breast tissue, which is a risk for breast cancer, and may also lead to increased rates of false negative mammograms. Transgender women over the age of 50 who have been receiving hormonal treatments for 5+ years should receive an annual mammogram. If you have implants, it is important that you tell the technician prior to your mammogram. The machine must be adjusted to get the proper imaging of the natural breast tissue, and special positioning may be required. Mammography images will also be increased to four views of each breast instead of two. Transgender men receiving hormonal treatments may be at increased risk of breast cancer due to estrogen levels; excess testosterone can be converted to estrogen, therefore presenting an increased risk.  Even if the patient has received top surgery, the remaining breast tissue is susceptible to cancer. Transgender men who have received chest reconstructive surgery should receive annual chest wall and axillarty exams starting at age 50.  Transgender men who have received chest reductions may still wish to have annual mammograms at 50 as well, and should consult with their physician.  Transgender men who have not had any top surgery or chest reconstructive procedures should follow the same guidelines as cis gender women. Please consult with your doctor if there is a family history of breast cancer, as your provider may wish to start exams earlier than age 50 as a precaution. Click here to learn more about Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risks in the Transgender Community. Recommended Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening for Cisgender Men In general, a man’s average risk for breast cancer is very low, however the following things can increase a man’s risk: Family history of breast disease or genetic mutation Ages 65 and up Elevated levels of Estrogen Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity, alcoholism, etc. Like women, men should also be performing breast exams to become familiarized with the feel of the breast and chest wall tissue.  Mammograms for men are not routine, and may be difficult to perform due to general lack of tissue, but a doctor may recommend the procedure for men with the genetic mutation. In addition to a physical exam, doctors may wish to perform the following procedures if breast cancer is suspected in cisgender male patients: Clinical breast exam Mammography Ultrasound Biopsy For a full and extensive list of Breast Cancer resources for all genders, nationalities, ethnicities, and religious groups - click here.

If you’ve ever taken a car ride with kids, you know it’s almost always a “bumpy ride” so to speak.  With the advent of Summer, that means lots more trips: to the beach, to grandma’s, to the cabin, to the world’s biggest ball of yarn, etc etc.  And that means lots more need to keep the little ones entertained so you can arrive to your destination with minimal nerves frazzled. more Every parent or caregiver knows that long car rides can be a test of patience and strength when it comes to traveling with your children. But we’re here to help ease the stress with great options for keeping your kids too busy for them to argue, bicker, or ask “ are we there yet?” for the 100th time! Our content today is a fun car post filled to the brim with activities and entertainment for your whole family while on the road. We’ve also got a list of great games for playing at your hotel, campsite, or vacation home.  And as always, feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments and it might make it into a future blog post. Families will love bonding with classic card games like Memory, Go Fish, Spoons, and more with the National Parks Playing cards, and parents will feel great knowing that funds from each sale of the minimalist Playing Card Deck go into helping fund America’s National Parks System.  Their bright geometric designs make them an eye catching delight to any games collection. Making a roadside stop for the night or looking to give the kids a screen break in the RV? Take a load off and enjoy the Parks Board Game. It’s a fun game for the whole family, and also a great strategy game with an educational twist about our National Parks system. This National Parks Travel Edition for Yahtzee is perfect for planes, trains, and automobiles!  Families will love this update featuring icons and imagery of some familiar National Landmarks in the Parks System with unlimited hours of family game night fun. National Geographic Kids Ultimate U.S. Road Trip Atlas is jam packed with games, maps, activities, and facts to entertain kiddos on any car trip.  It’s also a great way to get kids involved in vacation planning, as there are lots of iconic stops and sites listed.  Try letting your kids suggest a point on the map for your next getaway! The Road Trip Travels and Activity Journal for Kids has a plethora of more than 100 Games, Mazes, Mad Libs, Scavenger Hunts, Word Searches, and so much more.  There’s also fun prompts to get your kids engaged with the road trip experience by writing about what they see and how they feel, and log their family memories.  It’s a wonderful alternative to screen time and allows them to connect with creativity. The 50 States: Explore the USA book is perfect for family fun time in the car.  Take turns reading out facts about each state, or hone in on the one you’re visiting and see how many places you've been!  It’s also a great way to begin orienting your kids to using maps, and familiarizing themselves with US locations and historic sites. National Parks of the USA is a wonderful illustrated book that details all of the beauty and wonder of America’s great National Park system.  Kids will love learning about landmarks, geography, wildlife, and plants of each area.  It’s perfect for history and nature enthusiasts alike.  The bright, colorful, and bold illustrations are captivating for all ages, making it a great activity to share between siblings. Follow That Map! Is a wonderful introduction for kids to navigating a physical map. In the age of GPS technology, reading a map is no longer a typically acquired skill, but it’s important nonetheless.  Kids can gain a better understanding of how to use a map’s key features and icons, and learn how to chart a trip or hike with this basic guide.

Today is Take Your Pet to Work Day!  So we thought it would be helpful to highlight a few safety tips for traveling with your furry friend in the car and on the road.  These tips and tricks will keep your pets healthy and secure on all of your adventures, be they commuting to the office or away on a vacation.  Check it out! more Always travel with ample water to ensure that you and your pet can remain hydrated and cool down in event of excess heat and extreme weather conditions.  In some cases, you can even include a small towel to saturate with cool water to help your dog stay cool. It’s tempting to keep your dog in your lap for company, or to allow them to roam in the car instead of howling or whining anxiously in the back, but it’s extremely important to keep them secured and safe.  Not only are roaming dogs a distraction for drivers, but it can cause a pet unnecessary injury or death should your vehicle become involved in an accident. The safest place for your pet is secured in the backseat in a pet-safe seatbelt harness or pet friendly car seat, or secured in the cargo area. If your dog gets car sickness and vomits, you can avoid that situation by having the dog travel on an empty stomach, and keep them secured in their seat so they will settle and rest. For dogs that are nervous or excitable about car travel, having your dog practice by letting them sit in the car with you in the driveway, followed by short drives of increasing length around the local area can help get them accustomed to the feeling. Keep your car well ventilated while driving, but don’t allow your pet to hang out of any open windows or hatchbacks. Dogs have been known to jump out of windows and be placed in peril on busy highways, or leap out of them in parking lots or spotlights and go missing.  Cracking the window only enough so they cannot fit their head through, or aiming air conditioning/heating vents in their direction is best. On lengthy car trips, be sure to stop and allow your pet exercise every few hours and plan in some water and potty breaks in a dog-friendly area to reduce accidents as well as anxiety. Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. No matter whether it’s just for a moment, or if the windows are cracked, your pet should never be left by their lonesome in the car. In fact, as of May 2018, 28 different states have laws to protect animals left in a vehicle, especially when parked in dangerous conditions such as intense heat or cold, or parked in direct sunlight, etc.  Law enforcement may reserve the right to forcibly enter the vehicle to rescue the animal. A Car can be 20 degrees hotter inside than the outside ambient temperature, meaning even on a 70 degree day that feels lovely outside? Your vehicle can reach a dangerous high of 90 degrees in the interior, even with the window cracked.  On an 85 degree day, your car’s temperature will climb above 100 degrees in mere minutes, and within half an hour it will be an unbearable 120 degrees!  Shady spots do not offer efficient heat protection on hot days and as the sun shifts, so will the direct sunlight. Pets who are overweight, in their senior years, have special medical needs, and those with very dark coats are extra susceptible to the risk of heat stroke and heat exhaustion.Remember that Flat Faced Dogs and Cats are extremely susceptible to heat stroke, as their flat nasal and mouth cavities prevent their ability to properly breathe and cool themselves.  They cannot pant properly, and what appears to be “stubbornness” may in fact be exhaustion and early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke! Ensure that your animal has a proper grooming and haircut for the summer months and warm weather.  Be sure to bring your pet to an experienced groomer for a trim, but be sure that they don’t fully shave them down to their skin unless medically necessary to prevent sunburn. Know the signs and symptoms of overheating in your pet.  These signs can include excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, excessive drooling, weakness and wobbling, dazed or confused behavior, and even fainting.  Extreme heat can cause seizures, diarrhea, vomiting, and elevated body temperatures. Do not walk your pet on pavement or asphalt without proper foot protection for their paw pads; ambient temperatures above 65 degrees can already cause physical burns and discomfort as well as irreparable damage due to the fact that roadways, concrete, and rocks will be even hotter. This helpful information from the AKC will explain safe temperatures for pets and when footwear is necessary. CNET’s Smart Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe in the Car: Teach Your Dog to Get Into the Car: 5 Items to Have with you When Driving with Your Pet: