We Love to See You

“Dr. Barr and his entire staff are welcoming and accommodating. It is so wonderful to step inside a dental office and see the same friendly faces smiling at you every time. My husband, Scott, and daughter, Emma, go to his practice, also. The staff spends quality time with each of us and gets to know us on a personal level. Also, Dr. Barr is very compassionate and an extremely talented dentist.”

— Kim Ethington, Umatilla

Fighting the big “C”

A new treatment is giving men with advanced prostate cancer new hope, and Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute is among the first centers in Central Florida to provide the groundbreaking therapy.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Xofigo (Radium 223 dichloride) for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to the bones but no other organs. In a study released in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year, the treatment proved effective during trials, extending the life of patients by three and a half months on average.

According to the American Cancer Society, about 30,000 men in the United States die from prostate cancer each year, often from cancer that has spread to the bone.

“In addition to extending the lives of patients in the clinical trial, the treatment was also found to reduce bone pain and improve patients’ quality of life,” says Dr. Jeffrey Brabham, radiation oncologist at the Florida Hospital Waterman Cancer Institute. “This new treatment, administered through injection, directly targets the cancer in the bone while sparing surrounding healthy tissue and bone marrow.”

No Blowing Smoke

South Lake Hospital implemented a tobacco-free hiring policy in November. The new policy requires all individuals who receive job offers from the hospital to take a cotinine test as part of the regular drug screening process. The cotinine test detects the presence of nicotine from all forms of tobacco.

“We are committed to being the leaders in the South Lake County community in preventative care and wellness, and this new tobacco-free hiring policy reinforces that commitment,” says John Moore, president of South Lake Hospital. “Our team members should be setting the example of good health behaviors for our patients, visitors, fitness center members, and in our community as a whole.”

The policy applies to new hires at all hospital-owned facilities, including South Lake Home Health, LiveWell Fitness Center, the National Training Center, South Lake Endoscopy Center, South Lake Outpatient Surgery Center, and the South Lake Hospital Outpatient Center.

DID YOU KNOW?

The risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home or in the workplace is increased by 20 to 30 percent.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prostate Cancer Fast Facts

• Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men.

• Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men.

• Nearly two-thirds of cases are diagnosed in men who are 65 and older. It is rare to be diagnosed before age 40.

• When prostate cancer is detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is 99 percent.

Source: Duke Cancer Institute

DECK THE HALLS … WITH SAFETY

No doubt, the family Christmas tree helps light up the holidays for you and your loved ones. While we all want that tree to glow bright, we certainly do not want to accidentally set it ablaze. The Hearst Burn Center at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center offers these Christmas tree safety tips:

• Make sure to keep your tree well watered because it can dry out quickly.

• Use fire-retardant decorations and keep all decorations at least three feet away from heat sources.

• Place a screen over your fireplace to prevent embers from escaping.

• Inspect your holiday lights carefully before plugging them in.

• Never leave holiday lights plugged in and unattended.

• Avoid putting candles on a Christmas tree, even if you do not intend to light them.

Stand Against Child Trafficking

The Department of Children and Families and the Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc. announced a new partnership aimed to provide additional housing and treatment options for child sex trafficking survivors.

In response to the growing epidemic of child sex trafficking in Central Florida, this new partnership will better ensure youth receive specialized recovery services in a safe and supportive environment. The program will address physical and emotional wounds, as well as the lasting effects associated with sexual trauma.

“The human trafficking of a child is the most severe form of child abuse,” says Babette Hankey, chief operating officer of Center for Drug-Free Living, Inc. “Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing environment where youth can recover from the physical, psychological, and emotional wounds they have suffered.”

Cheers To A Safe Holiday

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Considering how many Christmas parties and other events we attend this time of year, it should come as no surprise that many alcohol-related driving accidents occur during the holidays. Here are some tips to follow that will help make this holiday season happy and safe:

• If you are going to a party and are likely to drink, make sure to have a designated driver ahead of time.

• If you are drinking, allow at least one hour between drinks. This is how long it takes your body to metabolize one drink.

• Set a limit to the number of drinks you will allow yourself and stick to that number.

• Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with soda, juice, or water. Eating food will also help absorb the alcohol.

• Do not mix alcohol with over-the-counter and prescription medications.

• Don’t ride with someone who is impaired. Ride with someone who is sober or use public transportation. If those options are not available, remain where you are until you can safely drive home.

Source: www.army.mil/article/92553/

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunken driving accidents account for 31 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. Drugs are involved in 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths.

FAST FACTS:

• In 2012, there were 134 allegations of human trafficking received in the Central Florida area.

• From January through June 2013, there have already been 98 allegations of human trafficking in Central Florida.