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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2499 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 Flexible Spending Accounts: Don’t Lose Your Hard-Earned Money Encouraging A Child’s Creativity In The Arts (NAPSA)—Everyone has the ability to be creative in some capacity. And by simply fostering a child’s creative muscles, he or she might develop more than just a hobby. Here are some tips to help unearth children’s interests and encourage their creativity: • Visual art—Keep an ample supply of craft items on hand. Limit coloring books; instead, offer crayons, markers, colored pencils and paper. Attend art classes and local art shows. Talk to artists. • Writing—Ask your child to suggest alternate endings to the book you’re reading together. Write captions for pictures pulled from a magazine. Write a book or short story together. • Drama—Make or buy a puppet stage and put on your own shows. Give your child a video camera. Take an acting or production class. Take in a live theater performance. • Music—Listen to a variety of music at home and in the car. Attend local concerts. Play musical games. Find a good music teacher. • Dance—Put on some music and dance with your child. Teach him or her a dance you used to do. Enroll your child in a class; observe so you’ll have something to talk about on the way home. Another option for encouraging a wannabe dancer or choreographer is a new video game for the Nintendo DS. In Ubisoft’s “Ener-G Dance Squad,” players embody Laura, an athletic and enthusiastic girl who is ready to work as hard as it takes to become the world champion of modern dance. With the help of her eccentric coach and his charming son, she A new dance and choreography video game can help encourage girls’ creativity and interests. will learn new skills and soon reveal her full potential as a dancer. Players can play through story mode or try their skills in challenge mode. Girls can also express their creativity by choreographing dances through the combination of the coolest moves—and score extra points by following the rhythm of the music. Players can also choose custom outfits and accessories to wear during competitions. With a variety of musical styles (from R&B/soul to funk/disco to tribal) and 12 different opponents, each with his or her own specific strong points and personalities, “Ener-G Dance Squad” lets girls have a virtual blast on the dance floor—a refreshing way to keep up their interest in dance when they’re between classes, or to raise a young one’s interest in trying out her own steps. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.ener-ggame.com. (NAPSA)—Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are a valuable benefit to help pay for medical expenses. Employees can contribute a portion of each paycheck to a FSA, tax-free account that can be used to cover anything from acupuncture to X-rays. However, by law, people who contribute to FSAs must use all of their contributions by the end of the year or forfeit them. Unfortunately, about one-third of people who take advantage of FSAs leave an average of $168 in their accounts each year. Some people may not realize the range of medical expenses covered by FSAs, which may contribute to their leaving unspent funds behind. What’s Reimbursable Reimbursable medical expenses cover a variety of health-related products, treatments and procedures, including over-the-counter medication, dental care and even many treatments for vein disorders, including varicose veins and venous leg ulcers. FSAs May Cover Vein Treatments Dr. Ted King, Medical Director of the Vein Clinics of America, says FSAs have become a common way for patients to cover treatment for their vein disorders. “While FSAs don’t cover cosmetic procedures, many vein disorders are much more than a cosmetic issue,” said Dr. King. “Because vein disorders can have an impact on lifestyle and lead to serious complications, FSAs may cover vein treatments, which can improve health and well-being, in addition to self-esteem.” Vein disorders, while often unsightly, can also be painful and, if left untreated, lead to serious problems—even life-threatening consequences. It is estimated that more than 80 million people in the United States have varicose veins. For more information, please visit www.veinclinics.com. Early Detection Of Prostate Cancer Saves Lives (NAPSA)—A simple exam could save a man’s life. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men. In fact, during a man’s lifetime, his chances of being diagnosed with prostate cancer are one in six. For African-American men, the chances are even higher, with one in four men at risk for developing the disease. “The good news is the disease is treatable with early detection,” said Jonathan L. Myles, MD, FCAP, a pathologist from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “Survival rates for men with low-grade prostate cancers are encouragingly high if the cancer is detected before it has spread to other parts of the body.” Pathologists, physicians who examine tissues and cells to diagnose prostate cancer and other diseases, state that early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, making screening for the disease even more critical. Prostate cancer is commonly detected through the use of two screening tests—a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A PSA exam detects the level of PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells, in the blood. Higher PSA levels indicate the possibility of cancer. Identifying Risk If the results of the DRE and/or PSA are not within normal range, a pathologist will conduct a biopsy and assign a Gleason grade if cancer is identified. This number is a strong measure of how aggressive the prostate cancer is and can be used to help determine prognosis and treatment options. Men 50 years of age and in good health should speak with their physician about receiving an annual PSA and DRE. African- David O. Rice Jr., prostate cancer survivor, speaks with pathologist Jonathan L. Myles, MD, FCAP. American men and men who have a close relative who was diagnosed with the disease should consult with their physician and consider beginning screening at age 45. Choosing Treatment Many treatment options are available. If you are older, it might be appropriate to take a “watchful waiting” approach. Surgery, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are also used to treat prostate cancer. “Even if you don’t look sick or feel sick, you should speak with your primary care physician about screening for prostate cancer if you’re over 50,” said Dr. Myles. “Early detection is a major factor in successful treatment.” Free Resources For more information regarding prostate cancer, screening tests and possible treatment options, visit the College of American Pathologists’ patient information Web site, MyBiopsy.org. The site offers information on other common cancers and cancer-related conditions. To register for an email to schedule a prostate cancer screening exam, visit MyHealth TestReminder.org, a free Web site also developed by the College.
