Women and Infants Hospital now offers 3-D mammogram imaging with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, the most advanced digital imaging available.  Approved by the FDA in 2011, W & I is the only hospital in southeastern New England currently offering this service.  Used in conjunction with standard digital imaging, tomosynthesis captures 3-D images of the breast vs. the standard 2-D imaging.  This gives the doctor a clearer image of the breast and has helped increase the early detection rate.  Because of its 3D capabilities tomosynthesis is particularly beneficial for women with dense breasts.

For more information call 401-274-1122, x1248.

From www.womenandinfants.org

The cancer program at The Westerly Hospital has been awarded a Three-Year Approval with Commendation from the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer.  ACOG performs a rigorous review in many aspects of hospital cancer care and treatment before awarding approval.  They also re-evaluate programs every three years to insure continuity of high standards of cancer care. 

Westerly's program was commended in the areas of prevention and early detection; cancer education for cancer registry staff; and cancer-related quality improvements.

The Westerly's cancer program offers a comprehensive range of services.  For more information call 401-348-2300 x3423 or go to www.westerlyhospital.org.

From www.westerlyhospital.org

The New York Times reports that surgeons performing lumpectectomies on breast cancer patients have no clear guidelines to tell them when a second surgery is needed.  Additional surgery is done when pathology reports suggest that the first surgery may not have removed all the cancer cells.  But surgeons differ in interpreting those reports. 

At issue is how big the margin of healthy tissue should be around the tumor being removed.  Some doctors think a wider margin of healthy tissue is safer; others disagree, and studies have not proven that wider margins are safer.

In a study published by the Journal of the AMA, half of the women having repeat lumpectomy surgery had clean margins, meaning the surgery may have been unnecessary.  More disturbingly, 14% of patients who had evidence of cancer left behind did not have a second surgery, for reasons unknown.  Dr Lawrence McCahill, a leader of the study, said that the number of surgeries performed "depends on where you're treated," and (even more so) "on which surgeon you see."  He went on to say that the study showed "a lot of second operations that maybe don't make a difference."

Dr. McCahill and others called for better surgical guidelines for lumpectomies, a procedure that has been in use for 30 years.

From www.nytimes.com  

It's January, time for a fresh start!  Let's review the American Cancer Society's guidelines for cancer prevention:

1. Maintain a healthy weight.  Avoid excesssive weight gain, a prime cause of increased cancer rates and numerous other health issues.

2. Adopt a physically active lifestyle.  For adults, 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity, 5 days/week, is recommended.

3.  Eat a healthy diet, with emphasis on plant sources.  This includes 5 or more servings of fruits and veggies a day; whole grains over processed or refined grains; and limiting processed and red meats.

4. Limit alcohol intake.    For women, this means no more than 1 drink per day; for men, no more than 2 per day.

Now that we have the basics, let's work toward putting them all together.  Schedule an extra workout at the gym each week; or go for a neighborhood walk before or after work.  Try stir-frys and hearty soups for dinner to increase your vegetable intake.  If you're dieting, try new recipes to help keep you on track and keep your palate happy.  And don't skip the snacks--just snack healthy! 

Be creative, to reach your goals and keep cancer away!

From www.cancer.org

Memorial Hospital of RI

March 28, 2012

9:00-10:30 AM

Memorial Hospital offers "The Doctor Is In," a monthly free breakfast lecture series.  On March 28 the featured topic is "Cancer Care: Prevention, Surviving and Thriving," featuring screenings for prostate, skin and colorectal cancer; imaging services; and support group information.  The lectures are held in the Sayles Conference Center at 111 Brewster St., Pawtucket RI.  For more details or to register call  401-729-2459.

From www.mhri.org  

You've just been diagnosed with cancer.  The next thing you want to do is research your condition.  But where to turn? 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for cancer information called Physician Data Query (PDQ).  Available on NCI's website, www.cancer.gov., PDQ's cancer information summaries discuss prognoses and treatments for many adult and pediatric cancers, as well as supportive and palliative care, screening, prevention, genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine.  Written by experts, the summaries are reviewed monthly and updated as new information becomes available.  Most of the reports are available in Spanish.

Comparing the NCI site to Wikipedia, researchers noted that "although the wiki resource had similar accuracy and depth as the professionally edited [PDQ] database, it was significantly less readable." 

The PDQ summaries will be available for e-book readers in the near future.

From www.cancer.gov

As we ring in the New Year and look forward to a fresh start and new adventures, it's time to focus on a healthier you.  Remember that nothing is more important than your health.  So make it your first priority to take good care of yourself this year. Stay informed and proactive about your health, and set a goal to get, or stay, in good shape. 

FOR EXAMPLE:  When was your last colonoscopy?  Lifespan.org reminds us that colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.  It is estimated that 60% of colorectal cancers could be prevented if everyone aged 50 and older had regular colonoscopies.  That's because a colonoscopy helps identify cancers early, when they are most treatable.  Talk to your doctor about scheduling the test if you're overdue; then treat yourself to a fine dinner afterward!

Happy New Year!  Be Healthy!

This week's NCI Cancer Bulletin has encouraging news for women with HER-2-positive breast cancer.  A new combination of drugs used in a large randomized trial has shown better results in extending patients' survival than the standard drug treatment.  Doctors used a combination of Herceptin, Pertuzumab and Docetaxel and saw a 6-month improvement in progression-free survival (i.e., the disease does not get worse) in patients, compared to use of Herceptin and Docetaxel alone.  Lab studies showed the combination of drugs may have a synergistic effect on HER-2-positive tumors. 

Said Dr. Jose Baselga of Harvard Medical School, lead investigator on the study: "I think dual HER-2 blockade is coming soon, and it will be in our daily practices."  He stressed that they don't yet have enough data to confirm that this new drug combo will help patients live longer, though it is trending that way. 

Drug manufacturer Genentech has submitted an application to the FDA to approve Pertuzumab for initial treatment of women with HER-2-positive breast cancer.

From www.cancer.gov/ncicancerbulletin

Kent Hospital

December 8, 2011

6:30-8:00 PM

The Breast Cancer Support Group is an informal, ongoing group meeting the second Thursday of each month in the Women's Diagnostic Imaging Center Conference Room.  Breast cancer patients and their families are invited to attend; meetings are free.  Use the Imaging Center entrance next to the Emergency Dept.  For more information call the Breast Health Center at 401-736-3737.

From www.kentri.org

Jewish Family Service

959 North Main St. Providence

December 20, 2011

6:30 PM

Jewish Family Service offers a monthly support group for women affected by breast cancer.  Meetings are on the third Tuesday of each month, and light refreshments are served.  Come share, learn, and get support!  For more info or to register, call Amy at 401-331-1244.

From www.lifespan.org