CARIBOU, Maine — The Caribou Public Library will host a special informational session with Cary Medical Center Health Educator, Nancy Holmquist from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 24, and Thursday, Aug. 25.
Holmquist, who coordinates the Siruno Stroke Prevention Program and the Screen Aroostook for Lung Cancer initiative, will offer information on both programs.
“This will be an opportunity for Caribou area residents to learn more about our ‘Eat Mediterranean – It’s a Healthy Choice’ Program,” said Holmquist. “The Mediterranean diet has been named the world’s healthiest way of eating for five years in a row. It has been named the best overall diet for health and wellbeing. It is especially beneficial in the prevention of heart disease and diabetes and it is the number one easiest diet to follow.”
Cary now offers a seven-week series on the Mediterranean diet and will begin another series of classes this fall. The first session is a free general information introduction to the diet followed by six weeks of instruction and cooking demonstrations. The informational session is free and there is a $5 fee for each of the next six classes. Participants will receive a packet of information including recipes.
In addition to the information on the Eat Mediterranean Program, Holmquist will also discuss the Screen Aroostook for Lung Cancer initiative. The program, made possible by a grant from the Maine Cancer Foundation, is spreading awareness about the importance of low-dose CT lung cancer screening for people who have chosen to smoke or have smoked in the past.
“I will be reviewing the guidelines for low-dose CT lung cancer screening,” said Holmquist. “We have already seen an uptake in this screening since the beginning of our program. Lung cancer screening can identify any issues early so that they may be treatable. Many recent advances in Lung Cancer treatment are now available.”
The impact of radon exposure on lung cancer will also be discussed. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. According to maine.gov, 25 percent of the homes tested in the state have radon problems.
The session at the public library will be informal and people can visit at any time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information call Cary Community Relations at 498-1112.
