Your health: Caring for cancer
When cancer strikes, you might use your health insurance more than ever before. You might also encounter more problems getting coverage. To help patients navigate these challenges, the advocacy group National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has updated its guidebook, "What Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Health Insurance."
The booklet describes pros and cons of different types of insurance policies, Medicare Part D and laws that protect cancer survivors. It also includes resources for additional help and information. The book is available in English and Spanish.
Download a free version or request a copy at www.canceradvocacy.org/resources/pubs/.
Learn about AA:
Thousands of members of Alcoholics Anonymous will gather Saturday for the "All Chicago Open" meeting at the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion. Most AA meetings are limited to people who want to stop drinking. This open meeting is a chance for friends, families and others to attend. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 8. For information, visit www.chicagoaa.org or call (312) 346-1475.
In baby's bottle:
If you're using powdered infant formula to feed your baby, the American Dental Association has new guidelines on the type of water you should use to mix it up.
The ADA now recommends using low-fluoride or fluoride-free water for children younger than 1 year to reduce the risk of fluorosis, a condition that causes streaks on tooth enamel. Fluorosis occurs while the teeth are developing under the gums.
While fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, infants need less fluoride due to their size.
Water labeled as purified, distilled, deionized, demineralized or produced through reverse osmosis is low in fluoride. Some home filtration systems might also remove fluoride.
For more information, visit
www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/infantsformula_faq.asp.
-- Susan Stevens