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By Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief
As an advanced registered nurse practitioner , I have seen prostate and breast cancer on the rise in our community . Mammograms are important for women over the age of 40 . You should have a mammogram every year even if you have no history of breast or other cancers . Previously it was thought that breast cancer was occurring only in those with the
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gene , but now we know differently . Nearly 75 percent of all new diagnosed cases of breast cancer have no family history of the disease .
While mammograms are uncomfortable , the 30 minutes of discomfort is worth a lifetime of prevention and cure . Symptoms of breast cancer include a lump in the breast , bloody discharge from the nipple , and changes in the shape or texture of the nipple or breast . Some people report redness or swollen lymph nodes . Others report no symptoms at all . This is why it is so important to have regular mammogram screenings . In the Caribbean community , prostate cancer is prevalent . Many African American and Caribbean men avoid screening and do not find out about prostate cancer until it is too far-gone or has spread to other areas of the body . Prostate cancer typically
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enlarges the prostate gland and creates uncomfortable symptoms . Symptoms of prostate cancer include burning or pain during urination , difficulty urinating , or trouble starting and stopping while urinating . More frequent urges to urinate at night , loss of bladder control , decreased flow or velocity of urine stream and blood in urine are other symptoms .
While some of these symptoms can be present in other non-cancerous conditions such as BPH or enlarged prostate , and urinary symptoms caused by an infection or other conditions , it is better to be safe than sorry . If you have a family history of prostate cancer , you should have your Prostate Specific Antigen , PSA , levels checked annually as this test can be useful in diagnosing early stage prostate cancer . Additionally , prostate cancer can be diagnosed
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through Digital Rectal Examination , in which a doctor inserts a gloved lubricated finger into a man ’ s rectum and feels the surface of the prostate for any irregularities .
Yes , I am writing this column in hopes of motivating our African-American community to be engaged in their health through proper health screenings . Yearly physicals and mammograms are necessary to prevent deaths related to cancer in our community . End 2017 right by making a commitment for the New Year to take care of yourself in every way .
Commissioner Barbara Sharief , MSN , ARNP Broward County Commission District 8 115 S . Andrews Avenue , Room 437C Fort Lauderdale , FL 33301 Phone : ( 954 ) 357-7008 Fax : ( 954 ) 357-5704
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By Superintendent Robert W . Runcie , Broward County Public Schools
Our kindergarten students who entered Broward County Public Schools on August 21 , are the graduating class of 2030 ! Because we do not know what the world will look like in 13 years , we must prepare our students to be successful in a world experiencing rapid rates of change driven primarily by globalization , technology , and global warming .
These forces compel us to revisit the purpose of public education .
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Now is the time to expand our thinking from “ college and career readiness ” to “ life readiness .” Lifeready students will enter the world with agency to navigate their own success , demonstrate critical consciousness to connect school to lived experiences and societal structures in order to make a positive impact on the community , and continue to be independent learners who can solve real world problems .
Most of all , we want our children to grow and achieve happiness and positive relationships in a diverse international community . Preparing students to create the world we need begins at BCPS , where we provide a rich “ portfolio of choice ” for our students and families . Across our district , there are incredible learning opportunities for our students .
There is nothing traditional about our innovative district schools . There
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are more than 160 innovative and magnet programs , many of which are recognized as the best in the country including : Cambridge , International Baccalaureate , Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics + Computer Science , Robotics , Music , Performing Arts , Debate , Dual Language , Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps , Technical & Industry Certifications , Athletics , and much more . These programs carry our students on to more than 600 colleges and universities in America and around the world each year .
We are making great progress in our schools with increased academic achievements , graduation rates that are the highest in five years , and advanced placement pass rates that are the highest in a decade .
We have incredibly dedicated teachers , administrators , and staff working hard every day to support
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our students and give them the confidence and skills to achieve their dreams in this dynamic world .
Finally , public education is undergoing significant challenges from state and federal policy agendas that pivot toward privatization . These challenges are opportunities for us to reimagine public education and create a more hopeful vision for 21st century learning . We must design our system around engagement , connectedness , belonging , and empowerment of our young people .
We look forward to continuing to work with educators , students , families , and communities to redesign learning environments , in and out of school , that are targeted at each young person ’ s culture , lived experience , and access to opportunity .
Every child has a gift for the world . Let ’ s work together to help them unwrap it !
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