Published: 1/22/2011 | Updated: 1/22/2011

By STEVE EIGHINGER Herald-Whig Staff Writer

The Cancer Center at Blessing Hospital is offering the “Look good … Feel Better” program at 6 p.m. Monday on the lower level of the center to teach beauty techniques to women cancer patients, helping enhance their appearance and self-image during active chemotherapy and radiation treatments.those participating in the free program will receive a complete makeup kit that includes cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Women also will learn ways to cope with hair loss by using wigs, scarves, and other accessories. about 15 cosmetologists, who volunteer their time, are certified for the program by the American Cancer Society.”Look good … Feel Better” is a non-medical, product-neutral program offered in partnership with the American Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association, and the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association Foundation, a charitable organization supported by the cosmetic industry.Registration is required and the session is limited to 15 women. for more information about the “Look good â ¦ Feel Better” program and to register, contact Rosie Scott at (217) 223-8400, ext. 7709.Weighty issueThe Quincy Medical Group’s Gold Medal Moves program has more than 300 people involved in its community weight-loss program.”we have set our community weight loss goal at 1,000 pounds (by Feb. 19),” said Carrie Kimber, QMG’s community wellness director.the Gold Medal Moves participants’ combined weight at the Jan. 8 beginning of the program was 48,989 pounds.Signs will be posted at State Street Bank locations, Quincy Hy-Vees, Sheridan Swim Club, Quincy University, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Dene Lambkin Honda, Hyundai and Hertz, NuFIT for you and Quincy Medical Group so the community can track the progress of the combined weight loss.”Weight loss is just one way to track our success,” Kimber said. “Participants will (also) be awarded medals based on the amount of time they exercise per week. as part of our comprehensive wellness program, movement and exercise is as important as weight loss, creating an overall healthier person in the process.”For those who can exercise, our awards are measured based upon three times a week for 30 minutes earns a bronze medal, four times a week for 30 minutes earns a silver, and five times a week for 30 minutes earns a gold.”Dis-n-dataSpeaking of weight loss programs, Chaddock is participating in an employee wellness program with 37 participating. Angie Asmann of NuFit for you said the group lost a combined 90 pounds over the recent holiday period … the James E. Cary Cancer Center in Hannibal, Mo., has been granted a three-year Accreditation with Commendation from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. such accreditation is given only to those facilities that “have voluntarily committed to providing the highest level of quality cancer care” and that undergo a rigorous evaluation and on-site review process every three years … the Hannibal Regional Hospital Foundation will be hosting its second annual Sweetheart Swing benefit Feb. 19 to raise funds for the Cardiology Services Patient assistance Fund at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Go to hrhf.org or call (573) 629-3577 for more details.Quote of the Week”There are other ways to decorate that are less dangerous.”– Dr. Valerie Murrah, of the University of North Carolina, when talking about the dangers associated with tongue piercing that include infection, tooth chipping and gum recession.the goodA cheap generic drug used to stem bleeding from heavy menstrual periods could save the lives of tens of thousands of accident victims each year and help reduce the number of deaths in combat, a British report indicates. In a systematic review of studies on the effectiveness of tranexamic acid, or TXA, researchers found that it reduces the risk of death in injured patients with severe bleeding by about 10 percent, compared to giving no treatment. This would equate to saving more than 70,000 lives a year if the blood clotting drug was used worldwide, the study said.the badThe average person in the U.S. consumes 3,500 milligrams of sodium a day. That’s equivalent to almost 2 teaspoonfuls — way more than the 2,300 milligrams per day suggested by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.the uglyThe negative health effects of smoking may begin within minutes, not months of cigarette use, according to information in a Chemical Research in Toxicology report. the study shows that genetic damage associated with lung and other types of cancer associated with smoking became apparent within 15-30 minutes of inhaling cigarette smoke. Researchers say it’s the first study to document how quickly certain toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause DNA damage linked with cancer in humans. Smoking is now said to be the cause for about 90 percent of lung cancers and is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer.– /221-3377