In a recent study, it has been found that boys and girls as young as 9 years of age are recommended to get vaccinated for the Human papillomavirus otherwise known as HPV.

“The young children 11-13 years who get the vaccine, have a better take or a better immune response to the vaccine then late teenagers or young adults.” Dr. David Kragenbrink of Dubuque Pediatrics explains.

This virus will likely affect an estimated 75% to 80% of males and famles in their lifetime.  This disease is very fast spreading because there are often no signs or symptoms present, meaning that people can receive the virus or pass it on with out even knowing it.

There are many different types of HPV present, but there are four that you should really know about: Cervical Cancer, Genital Warts, Vaginal cancer, as well as Vulvar Cancer.

Cancer cases within the HPV virus are not very common, less then 10% of people get some form of HPV cancer. But Kragenbrink explains, ” That is the viruses that we are most concerned about, as far as long term health problems, its estimated that about 6 million American’s will contract an HPV infection every year, if 10% of those are the cancer causing strains, do the math 600,000 people infected with potential cancer causing virus.”

Now, here is where the controversy is coming into play. Many people believe that by giving their children (both boys and girls) the HPV Vaccination, they are encouraging their children to engage in sexual activity.

“Well, I think the vaccine is a great idea, I have given the vaccine to my own children.” Dr. David Kragenbrink of Dubuque Pediatrics.

The HPV Vaccination Gardasil, that is available for children as well as young adults ages 9-26 years of age, is a three step vaccination.

“The vaccine is a three shot series, it’s spread out over six months, so you get the initial shot, second shot at a minimum of two months later, and a third shot a minimum of four months later.” Dr. David Kragenbrink.

If all three shots are taken, the chances of receiving these types of cancers are significantly reduced to almost 100%.

Helpful links: www. dbqpeds.com  , www.aap.org , www.cispimmunize.org, www.vaccine.org, www.cdc.gov/vaccines, www.vaccine.chop.edu , www.ecbt.org, www.immunize.org, www.vaccinesafety.edu, www.immunizationinfo.org, www.vaers.hhs.gov, and www.voicesforvaccines.org

Yesterday,  Republican Herman Cain made a visit to Dubuque. Cain has recently been in the news for fumbling at an interview with the Journal Sentinel of Milwaukee, when asked about President Obama’s handling in Libya. Although Cain, did not talk about this instance while in Dubuque, he did address his supporters about why he believes he would be a great fit in office.

In 2011 alone, about 230,000 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. In theses cases, 39,520 deaths have occurred.  Through the years, Breast cancer has become the second leading killer of women in the United States.  Doctors are now recommending women in their early 20′s begin to perform monthly examinations of themselves in order to gain an understanding of their bodies, so when something does not feel right, they can contact health providers right away. Women in their 40′s are also recommended to receive routine mammograms in order to lower the chances of finding this deadly disease to late.

“Once the cancer spreads, it is a very fetal disease, if we catch it early which is the earliest form of DCIS  —– it can almost always be cured.” Dr. Michael Maiers, of Mercy Hospital Radiology department.

The sooner the cancer is found in breast cancer, the better chances of survival are. The earlier form of breast cancer is called Ductal Carcinoma in situ. This is when cells with thin the breast,  loose their regulation but they are still confined into the breast which means they haven’t broken through the actual breast duct yet to get to a blood supply.

Presently, it seems as though more cases of breast cancer are surfacing, but many of these cases are in the early stages of breast cancer, thanks to new technology that has helped find it in the DCIS state.

George Davis has always been an active member in his community. He has served on the Dubuque Community School District board for the past two years.

“I had a number of people approach me about running for city council, who believed I would be a good fit to help keep the council moving foreward…so here I am running for city council.” Davis reveled in an interview.

Davis is also an attorney in a private practice with Locher & Locher law firm, which he believes will help him if elected to be a city councilmen.

“I think my backround my work with the school board, my financial  backround can be of assistance to the city as we move forwad with those issues.” Davis explains.

Davis has also taught accounting, auditing, tax and business law courses at Clarke Universities Time Saver Program since 1998, as well as been an active member on the Board of Directors of Western Dubuque Biodisel, LLC.

Davis is supported in his decision to run for city council by his wife, Chris, and his two children.

To hear more information about George Davis, here is an exclusive extended interview:

For more information about George Davis click here.

To register to vote, request an absentee ballot, check your registration status, find your precinct/polling place, please visit the Dubuque County Elections Office webpage at:
http://www.dubuquecounty.org/Auditor/Elections/tabid/92/Default.aspx

Images and Information hosted a style show this past week, in order to raise awareness about Breast Cancer. The event featured a silent auction, where all proceeds went to families in need of financial assistance due to the troubles Breast Cancer, as well as a style show.

Greeters and models who participated in the style show all have survived this horrifying disease.  Commentators also informed the audience about different ways one is able to prevent getting this disease, and getting it caught right away if the disease is present in your body.

Survivors, families, friends, and the community all were able to participate in this event, as well as hear some truly inspiring stories.

Two weeks ago,  it was announced that four post offices in the Jackson County area may be closing due to post office cuts that are being made all across the nation. On Tuesday, members of the Dubuque postal service as well as members of the community gathered in Washington Square in downtown Dubuque to host a rally to talk about why they opposed these post office cuts.  It is the last thing that many of these small towns want.

“This so-called debt crisis is phoney” Bruce Clarke, President of the Dubuque local and Iowa State American Postal Workers Union.

Although, it may seem as though these cuts are being made just because of financial reasons. There is actually a lot more that goes into the cuts (or prospective cuts) then meets the eye.

“We are looking at the number of retail actions because what the numbers are telling us is that people aren’t using these post offices as frequently as they used too….We then want you [district office] to take a look at this and do a review, we are not saying to close it, we just want you to review it based on our numbers have dropped.” Said Richard Watkins Spokesperson for the Postal Service Des Moines/Hawkeye District.

In July a list was announced of what post offices may be looked at into getting cut in the Iowa area. At the beginning of July this list was only 91 post offices deep, but by July 26th, the list had grown to a staggering 178 post offices.

Although this may seem like a large cut, Iowa actually has a large number of post offices compared to most states. Out of all 32,000 [retail district] post offices in the United State,  Iowa has about 990 post offices out of that 32,000 making Iowa have around 2.88% of the post offices in the United States.

As of right now, there has been no decision made about the four Jackson County Post Offices that maybe closing, but many residents of the community, fear that they might be loosing something that is so valuable to their town.

“It’s just really sad ,we have a lot of elderly people in the community..You know you go in and a lot of elderly people live by themselves and they can go in and talk our post master.” Jodi Hingtgen of St. Donatus explains.

Saturday, September 10th, 2011, a new vending machine hit the Dubuque area. Carnegie-Stout Library released a vending machine that enables people to rent books from their public library.

Susan Henricks Director of the Carnegie-Stout library says she got the idea from the American Library Association. “I saw this machine, and at the time, I didn’t think to much of it…But then I just thought that was kind of cool…Finally, I called and got a price.”

After receiving grants, the library was able to put in their own book vending machine on the west side of Dubuque, making things easier for people to rent books without having to travel the far distance to downtown Dubuque.

The machine may contain over 400 books at a time, including DVD’s as well. The Carnegie-Stout library is trying to keep the vending machine as up to date as possible, filling it with books that are very popular and flying off their shelves.

This new machine can be found, and used at Hy-Vee on Northwest Arterial road.