| Published on April 27, 2005
Remember Mom this Year: Give Her the Gift of Health
College of American Pathologists urges consumers to give
Mom the gift of good health at www.MyHealthTestReminder.org
Northfield, IL.— Mother’s
Day is a time to remember all that Mom does for you. This year, do something
for Mom and pass on information that can save her life. Studies have shown
that early detection and good health habits can reduce a woman’s
risk of developing cancer and heart disease, the two leading killers of
American women.
The College of American Pathologists has developed www.myhealthtestreminder.org,
an e-mail reminder Web site, which can help Mom remember to schedule cancer
screening and heart disease tests. The Web site allows her to sign up
for a reminder to schedule her next Pap test, mammogram, colon cancer
screening tests, cholesterol and diabetes test—tests that could
potentially save her life.
"Mother’s Day is traditionally a time for families to come
together and honor the one who was always there for them, their mother,"
said Jeanne Hryciuk, MD, FCAP, a pathologist from Menomonee Falls, Wis.
"There's no better, more personal way to show your mom that you love
and honor her than by encouraging her to take good care of her health."
In 2005, more than 25 percent of all people diagnosed with cancer will
end up dying from colon or breast cancer—diseases that along with
cervical cancer, can be treated if detected early. Additionally, heart
disease continues to be the leading cause of death in American women.
The College of American Pathologists developed www.MyHealthTestReminder.org
because a recent Gallup poll indicated that women who receive a reminder
to schedule their Pap tests are almost twice as likely to do it (87 percent)
as compared with those who do not receive a reminder (47 percent).
"It became obvious that something had to be done to help busy patients
remember to schedule these potentially life-saving tests," said Dr.
Hryciuk. "A simple reminder can have such a huge impact on the health
of women."
In less than one minute, a person can log onto www.MyHealthTestReminder.org,
register and choose the health test reminder(s) they want to receive—mammogram,
Pap test or colon cancer screening or cholesterol and diabetes—and
when they would like to receive the reminder. The site automatically sends
a private e-mail reminder on the requested date.
Online visitors also can use the site to send a personalized e-mail message
to encourage friends and family to register to receive preventive health
reminders. The site is sponsored by the College, is completely private
and does not accept advertising. E-mail addresses are used only for this
reminder and to provide registrants with the opportunity to comment on
the value of the service. Information on the site is in both English and
Spanish.
The College of American Pathologists
is a medical society that serves more than 16,000 physician members and
the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world's largest
association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered
the leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College is an advocate
for high-quality and cost-effective medical care.
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