Cheers Spring 2015

St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

CELEBRATING YOUR HEALTH

Spring 2015 Volume 5, Number 2

NO PAIN

is a

BIG

GAIN

Keeping pace with top collegiate athletes is a lot easier thanks to advanced joint replacements at St. Mary-Corwin.

Kip Drown, head coach of the women’s basketball team at CSU-Pueblo, is free from hip pain for the first time in 10 years.

Story on Page 4

Rate your stroke risk PAGE 3

New way to spot lung cancer PAGE 6

Running can save your life PAGE 7

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

Health Briefs

3 THINGS to teach your kids now about cancer prevention Children aren’t known for their self-restraint and long-range planning abilities.

But preventing cancer later in life starts now. Do three things for your kids today to help protect them years down the road: SLATHER ON THE SUNSCREEN. Your kids will accumulate about 23 percent of their lifetime sun exposure by the time they turn 18, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Although that’s much less than the rumored 50 or 80 percent you may have heard in years past, now’s the time to instill healthy sun habits. Teach them to apply sunscreen before going outdoors, no matter the time of year. As they get older, talk to them about the dangers of tanning.

SCHEDULE AN HPV VACCINE SERIES. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical, throat, anal, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancer. The vaccine is given in a series of three shots. Schedule your child’s at 11 or 12. It can be administered up to age 26 in females and 21 in males, but the sooner, the better.

TALK ABOUT TOBACCO. Tobacco use is the cause of many types of cancer, not just lung cancer.

The No. 1 thing you can do for your child’s health is not smoke.

Children of smokers are 15 times more likely to smoke than children of nonsmokers. And ensure older siblings set good examples for younger ones. Children with an older sibling who smokes are six times more likely to light up themselves.

 A FREE head and neck cancer screening for adults will be held on Tuesday, April 14. See back cover for details. 

HEALTH

TIP

F

Pass the peas this season

or years we’ve known about diet’s effect on cancer prevention. But new studies suggest that eating a healthy diet can also affect cancer survivorship. Specifically, a recent study found that women with ovarian cancer who ate healthier diets fared better and had a higher survival rate than women with ovarian cancer who ate poorly.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends eating a plant-based diet and aiming for five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. One tasty way to work more vegetables into your diet this season is to reach for the peas. They’re loaded with vitamins A, B, C, and K, and have more protein than almonds. Sweet and versatile, peas can be added to many dishes, from salads and pastas to soups and smoothies.

They even make for a delicious and convenient snack when eaten straight out of the pod.

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cheers | St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

Gardening good for dementia patients

S

pring is the perfect time of year to take up gardening, and dementia patients may benefit in particular. British researchers recently announced their findings that gardening helps alleviate the anxiety and agitation associated with dementia. And a green thumb isn’t necessary.

Watering plants and simply sitting in or walking through a garden were found to be beneficial.

It’s more about creating a soothing distraction than anything else. Exercise, social interaction, calming music, and pets have also been found to help put dementia patients at ease.

PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/MANGOSTOCK, /TADAMICHI, /JULASZKA, /KATAYAMA, /YURAKP

St. Mary-Corwin is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

Stroke Scorecard We examine six risk factors and weigh in on just how much they affect your odds of having a stroke “Calm down, you’ll give yourself a stroke.”

How many times have you heard that phrase? It’s most often uttered to parents by unwitting teenagers.

But is there truth behind it? Does stress, in fact, lead to stroke, the fourth leading cause of death in Americans?

What about other factors? How much do they really affect your risk of stroke? We take a closer look:

Risk Factor Tobacco use

Personal/ family history

Obesity

PHOTOS: FROM TOP ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/MESKOLO, /KLETR, /PETRIK, /WAVEBREAKMEDIA, /MICRO, /AZPWORLDWIDE

Stress

Birth control/hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Skipping your annual flu shot

Stroke Certified Did you know?

St. Mary-Corwin is a certified Primary Stroke Center and part of the Centura Health Stroke Network, the region’s leading provider of stroke care. It has received the “Gold Seal of Approval” from The Joint Commission every year since 2006.

What to Know

What to Do

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Significant Smokers are twice as likely to suffer a stroke than nonsmokers, according to the National Stroke Association. Smoking causes blood vessels to restrict and blood vessel walls to become thick, both of which make it harder for blood to get through. Add to that the fact that smoking increases the chances blood clots will form, and you have a recipe for blockage.

In short, don’t smoke. But even that’s not quite good enough. “Secondhand smoke and even chewing tobacco decrease blood flow, too,” says Ashley Trujillo, RN, stroke program coordinator at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center. Stay away from all forms of tobacco.

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Moderate Once you’ve had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or ministroke), you’re at greater risk (about 17 percent) for having another, according to the National Stroke Association. Your risk also is increased if a close family member has had a stroke.

There’s nothing you can do about your personal or family history of stroke now, but you can take steps to protect yourself. Talk to your doctor about your family history and if you’ve had a stroke or TIA yourself, work with your doctor on a rehabilitation program or lifestyle modifications that can keep you from having another.

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Moderate Carrying around excess fat puts a strain on the body’s circulatory system. It also increases your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all of which are also risk factors for stroke.

“Obesity is a risk factor for a lot of chronic diseases,” Trujillo says. “If you aren’t able to lose weight or keep it off on your own, talk to your doctor.”

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Significant Your teenager may be onto something here. People who are chronically stressed, hostile, or depressed are at greater risk for stroke than those with less on their minds. In fact, these emotions increased stroke risk fourfold in study participants, according to the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry.

“It’s really important to manage your stress and anxiety in a healthy way,” Trujillo says. “Some people smoke or eat poorly when they’re stressed.” Instead, try deep breathing, meditation, exercise, or simply sitting in a dark, quiet room.

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Low Taking even a low dose of estrogen has been linked to increased stroke risk in women, particularly those who possess other risk factors, such as smoking.

“If you have any other risk factors, such as diabetes, you are inactive, or you smoke, talk to your doctor before taking birth control or HRT,” Trujillo says.

EFFECT ON STROKE RISK:  Low Getting an annual flu shot can lower your risk of stroke by as much as 36 percent, according to Harvard Medical School. It seems as though getting the flu takes a toll on the body through inflammation and lower blood oxygen levels that can last several months after clearing up.

It’s easy. Get a flu shot every year.

 STRIKE OUT STROKE Pack the Park is a FREE event on April 10 where the CSU-Pueblo

Thunderwolves strive to beat the all-time attendance record for a Division II baseball game.

Before the game, there will be FREE screenings and booths designed to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke. For full details see page 8.  stmarycorwin.org | cheers

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Stepby A

s the head women’s basketball coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo, Kip Drown knows a thing or two about game plans and teamwork. So when he needed hip replacement surgery, he looked for the same winning approach and found it at St. MaryCorwin Medical Center.

“As a basketball coach, I feel like when our team knows what’s coming, they’re more confident and relaxed. St. Mary-Corwin’s program did that for me,” says the 58-year-old Drown, who had his right hip replaced last May. When Drown went back to coaching following surgery, “I came off the floor and told my assistant coaches, ‘That’s the first time I’ve been pain-free on the basketball floor in 10 years.’ It was really nice to just enjoy doing my job without dealing with that pain all the time.”

P Sidelined by Pain

More than 1.1 million total hip or knee replacement surgeries will be performed this year in the United States. Most of those are needed due to pain “I’ve caused when the cartilage protecting the recommended the joint wears away over time, leaving bone program to numerous rubbing on bone and causing pain that people. All the way is so excruciating that even simple activities become impossible. through, I felt like I was “They can’t do the simple things in very good hands.” in life, like walk or get in and out of a – KIP DROWN, car or chair [without pain], and their life hip replacement surgery, Designated as a becomes quite sedentary,” says Ken D. May 2014 Danylchuk, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at the St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center.

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

Winning Results The St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center’s accolades include: for Spine Surgery

Ninety-nine percent patient satisfaction. “Asking patients on our unit, 99 percent of them are likely to recommend our Joint Replacement Center, and 99 percent of them were very satisfied with their care,” says Margie Stratton, RN, total joint program coordinator.

99%

Women’s Choice Award® recipient. “As one of America’s Best Hospitals for Orthopedics, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center was selected due to its excellent rating in areas such as post-treatment complications, patient recommendation ratings, availability of microscopic surgery, and adequate postsurgical care,” says Delia Passi, CEO and founder of the Women’s Choice Award program.

Designated as a

Blue Distinction Center for Hip and Knee Replacement.

Recognized by for Spine Surgery Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better overall quality for joint replacement surgery, including lower readmission rates and fewer complications than non-designated facilities.

yStep As pain leads to inactivity, people’s overall health and fitness decline. “Deconditioning of the heart and lungs really takes a toll on people,” he says.

Drown’s experience was a classic example.

“My pain had gotten progressively worse over the years,” says Drown, who couldn’t walk without limping and had been forced to cut back on exercise. “Pain saps your energy and affects your focus. It was making it more difficult to do my job.”

Kathy Worthington was in a similar situation. Knee pain had forced her to retire her bike for an ATV and kept her from walking any distance. “I enjoy golf, and it’s embarrassing when you have to take a cart for nine holes rather than being able to enjoy the walk,” says the 63-year-old Puebloan.

Anticipating retirement, Worthington had her right knee replaced at St. Mary-Corwin last October. “It’s one thing to worry about whether you have enough money saved for retirement, but do you have enough body saved to do what you want to do?” Worthington says. “I wanted to be able to continue to do as many things as possible.”

surgery to physical therapy and going back home, says Priscilla Verner, lead orthopedic physical therapist. “Nothing is a surprise.”

“They prepare you for the work that’s involved,” Worthington says. “They give you a full-color, spiral-bound notebook that tells you exercises you should be doing before and after surgery.”

Every patient is up and walking on the same day as joint replacement surgery. The benefits are mental as well as physical: “It shows them the new joint is going to work, and helps get motion in the joint so it doesn’t get stiff,” says Margie Stratton, RN, total joint “I was so program coordinator. impressed with Patients do several the skills of the doctors sessions a day of individual and group and staff and their physical therapy. ability to put things into The intensive work human terms.” pays off. Rather than – KATHY WORTHINGTON, being discharged to a knee replacement surgery, skilled nursing facility, 87 October 2014 percent of St. Mary-Corwin joint replacement patients go directly home with outpatient therapy, Stratton says.

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

P Getting a Game Plan

P A Team Approach

“ There’s an aggressive stance to get patients moving.

Outcomes are spectacular.”

- DR. KEN DANYLCHUK

ILLUSTRATION: ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/GUNNAR3000

A winning game plan gets joint replacement patients at St. Mary-Corwin back on their feet faster

The first step in treating joint pain is trying conservative nonsurgical approaches, Danylchuk says. Those can include physical therapy, medications to reduce inflammation and pain, and cortisone injections. If those don’t work — or stop working — and a patient’s pain significantly impedes his or her lifestyle, joint replacement surgery is the next step.

“When people present with joint pain, we start with a conservative, step-by-step approach to try to treat their concerns,” he says.

But once surgery is selected, a comprehensive game plan that starts well before the actual surgery is set in motion. St. Mary-Corwin requires every patient to complete a class well before surgery that helps them understand what to expect and their role in a successful outcome. The class covers what happens at the hospital, from admission through

Before, during, and after surgery, it takes a unified team approach to help patients get a jump start on a better quality of life. “Everybody’s got to be on the same page to make it work,” Stratton says, “so we have multidisciplinary team meetings every quarter.”

For example, surgeons try not to use epidurals and spinal anesthetics that can prevent patients from moving right away and delay physical therapy, Danylchuk says. “There’s an aggressive stance to get patients moving. Outcomes are spectacular.”

Worthington agrees. Now that knee pain isn’t standing in her way, she has added trips to the gym back to her life. What kept her going during her recovery, she says, was “knowing that the end game was going to be the improvement of my whole life.”

 IS JOINT REPLACEMENT FOR YOU? Come to a FREE class on April 13 or July 13 to learn whether joint replacement is right for you. To register or learn more, call the St. Mary-Corwin Joint Replacement Center at 719-557-5622.  stmarycorwin.org | cheers

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New ways to look for lung cancer L

ung cancer is the deadliest of all cancers, but a new screening for current or former heavy smokers has increased survival rates dramatically.

The screening, a low-dose (radiation) CT, can detect lung cancer earlier, when it is more treatable.

Despite advances in treatment for lung cancer, five-year survival rates average less than 15 percent. In studies, patients who received low-dose CTs were diagnosed at the earliest stage, and 80 percent of patients who received early treatment lived 10 years or longer.

“Smokers are at high risk for lung cancer, and now they have a better option for early detection — and earlier, more effective treatment options,” says Isaac Asbury, director of imaging at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center.

Who says quitters never win?

Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to decrease your lung cancer risk. And the benefits begin almost immediately — even for longtime smokers.

After 20 minutes Heart rate and blood pressure decrease.

After 12 hours

1-855-456-LUNG (5864) to schedule a lung cancer screening. The screening costs $199. Participants must have a primary care physician, but a referral is not needed. 

6 symptoms not to ignore

Who needs a lung cancer screening?

While lung cancer often has no early symptoms, if you experience any of these signs, talk with your doctor to evaluate the cause:

Current or former smokers who meet these criteria are eligible for screening through the Centura Lung Screening Program:

1 z A cough that doesn’t go away 2 z Coughing up blood 3 z Chest pain that worsens with coughing or deep breathing 4 z Shortness of breath and wheezing 5 z Hoarseness 6 z Recurrent infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia

Age 50 to 74 z Smoking history of 20 “pack-years” or more (for example, a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years) z No history of lung cancer z

St. Mary-Corwin is part of the Centura Health Cancer Network, delivering integrated, advanced cancer care across Colorado and western Kansas.

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cheers | St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center

Carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal.

After 2-3 weeks Lung function and circulation improve.

After 1-9 months The cilia, the lung’s tiny hairlike structures, regain their ability to clean the lungs of mucus and reduce your risk for infection. Shortness of breath and coughing decrease.

After 1 year Risk for heart disease decreases to half that of a continuing smoker.

After 5 years Risk for mouth, throat, esophageal, and bladder cancer is cut in half.

Stroke and cervical cancer risk return to that of a nonsmoker.

PHOTOS: CLOCKWISE ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/HAERTLE, /KAYHAN, /KENISHIROTIE

 CALL toll-free

Ready toRUN? Five minutes a day could add years to your life

R

unning less than one hour a week — or just five minutes a day — can add up to three years to your life, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“The study makes a powerful statement, giving us evidence that even limited cardio can provide long-term benefits,” says Alex Romero, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at St. Mary-Corwin Physician Partners — Orthopedics. “We have always known intuitively that getting your heart rate up and cardio stimulation will extend life, and this study finally gives us evidence.”

The study found that compared to those who didn’t run, people who ran experienced a 30 percent reduced risk of death from any cause and a 45 percent lower risk of death from heart disease. And Dr. Alex Romero those benefits extended to people who ran less than 51 minutes weekly or ran slowly at less than 6 miles per hour. Even people who ran just once or twice a week extended their life span, according to the study, which looked at data for more than 55,000 people over the course of 15 years.

“While other cardio activities could likely warrant similar results, running is one of the easiest cardio activities to do,” Romero says. “All you need is a pair of shoes.

You can run basically anywhere, anytime.”

There’s no better time to start a new running habit than spring. Romero recommends consulting with your physician first before starting a new exercise routine. He also encourages those new to running to: START SLOWLY — “It’s so easy to go out too hard, too soon,” he says. “When you do so, you can get injured or discouraged and burn out quickly.” Rather, start slowly and focus on your own pace. When starting a new routine, only run a few days a week and build up as you go.

FOCUS ON MOBILITY — Engage in a dynamic warm-up that elevates body temperature and activates muscles prior to running. Static stretching — exercises that pull the muscles while at rest — have been found to decrease performance and lead to injuries when done prior to intense workouts, according to numerous studies.

“Dynamic exercises before and static stretches after running,” Romero stresses.

PHOTO: ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/AFRICASTUDIO

To spruce up your spring with a running routine, try the following: p Recruit friends or family members to start a running routine with you.

They can offer encouragement and keep you accountable. p Put running on your schedule. Block off 10-20 minutes every day and set reminders for yourself. p Invest in running shoes that fit. Well-fitting running shoes can reduce your chance of injuries.

Dynamic To-Do List Dynamic warm-ups that activate muscles are key to reducing injuries from running. Light jogging is a good dynamic warm-up, Romero says. Other dynamic exercises to try include: Inchworms: While in a push-up position, walk your feet as close to your hands as possible.

Then walk your hands out in front, back into push-up position, lower to your stomach, and arch your back to stretch your spine. Repeat.

Leg swings: Stand by a rail or wall and swing your outside leg forward and backward.

Alternate legs.

 WALK WITH A DOC: Take your first step toward starting a running routine and discuss your health questions with a physician by joining the St. Mary-Corwin Walk With a Doc. Attendees receive a FREE T-shirt and pedometer. For dates and times of upcoming walks, visit walkwithadoc.org/our-locations/pueblo/. 

stmarycorwin.org | cheers

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St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center brings specialized care in the complex areas of cancer care, robotic surgery, joint replacement surgery, sports medicine, pediatrics, women’s services, cardiology, and more. We are part of Centura Health, the state’s largest healthcare network. The purpose of this publication is to support our mission to improve the health of the residents in our community. No information in this publication is meant as a recommendation or as a substitution for your physician’s advice. If you would like to comment on this magazine, please email cheers@centura.org.

Cheers is produced by Clementine Words LLC of Denver, Colo.

Executive editor is Rochelle Kelly Wristen.

Catholic Health Initiatives Colorado

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Colorado Springs, CO Permit No. 14

1008 Minnequa Avenue Pueblo, CO 81004

Part of Centura Health, the region’s leading healthcare network.

Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2015.

Events Calendar

Looking for some inspiration or motivation to improve your health? Join the health experts at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center at a variety of health classes and programs around the community. Here are just a few of the programs we offer. To see more classes, go online to stmarycorwin.org/calendar. Cheers to your health!

Fri, Apr 10 Runyon Field Join CSUPueblo for the seventh annual Pack the Park event and help break the all-time attendance record for a Division II baseball game. Youth grades K-8 are invited to participate in a baseball clinic before the game.

And to help promote stroke awareness, there will be booths and FREE health screenings. Prizes will be given away throughout the event. For more information, go to gothunderwolves.com.

Tribute to Women

Free Cancer Screening

Tue, Apr 14 | 5-7 p.m.

Dorcy Cancer Center 719-557-4548 FREE In recognition of Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®, the Dorcy Cancer Center is offering a FREE oral, head, and neck cancer screening. Schedule your screening today!

Walk With a Doc

Sat, Apr 18 | 9 a.m.

Sats, May 9, Jun 6 | 8 a.m.

Lake Minnequa FREE Walk with physicians from Southern Colorado Family Medicine while you explore your health questions. Meet by the Lake Avenue fire station.

Skin Cancer Screening

Wed, May 6 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Dorcy Cancer Center 719-557-4548 FREE The Dorcy Cancer Center is offering a FREE skin cancer screening. An appointment is required, so call and schedule your screening today.

AMR Safety Jam

Sat, May 30 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

City Park FREE Learn safety tips and help us raise community awareness of traumatic brain injuries in children who participate in outdoor activities such as skateboarding and BMX. There will be booths, giveaways, food, and fun for all.

Thu, Apr 30 | 6 p.m. | Pueblo Convention Center St. Mary-Corwin is giving away two tickets to the 2015 YWCA Tribute to Women, honoring women in the community. This year’s keynote speaker is actress and comedienne Vicki Lawrence. Benefits help provide emergency shelter for women who are victims of domestic violence. Enter to win tickets by going to St. Mary-Corwin’s Facebook page and posting #SMCPuebloProudTribute.

National Cancer Survivors Day

Mon, Jun 1 | 4-6:30 p.m.

Rusted Poppy FREE Come to an evening dedicated to celebrating and honoring cancer survivors. Call 719-557-4548 to RSVP.

Relay For Life®

Sat & Sun, Jun 6-7 | 5 p.m.

Pueblo Community College Join St. Mary-Corwin and the American Cancer Society as walkers circle the track all night long to fight cancer. To learn more, join a team, or sponsor a walker, go to relayforlife.org.

St. Mary-Corwin Stroll for Stroke

Sat, Jun 27 Pueblo Community College Walkers: $25 in advance or $30 the day of the event Runners: $35 in advance or $40 the day of the event Join St. Mary-Corwin’s Primary Stroke Center team to support the education and treatment of strokes. For more information, call 719-557-5961.

PHOTOS: BALL ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/MANGOSTOCK; SHOE PRINTS ©DOLLARPHOTOCLUB.COM/RATKOM

Pack the Park & Strike Out Stroke