Universal Primary Care (UPC), not to be confused with UPMC, has purchased the property at 2 Center St. to move and expand its healthcare services from 159 Interstate Parkway this year.
UPC expanding local services
By SARA FURLONG
Not to be confused with UPMC, Universal Primary Care — or UPC — will soon expand its services in the Bradford area.
Currently, UPC occupies a small clinic at 159 Interstate Parkway. The company recently purchased Bradford Regional Medical Center’s former SMART physical and occupational therapy facility at 2 Center St.
The move will more than triple the space the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) has to offer up its services, from birth to end of life. The thing to note about an FQHC, is that it provides services regardless of insurance, income or ability to pay — any member of the community can go to UPC and receive treatment. Depending upon income,
these services may be of no cost to the person seeking treatment because payment is based on a sliding fee scale.
Universal Primary Care’s legal name is Southern Tier Community Health Center Network
Inc. It was first established and still operates in Cuba, N.Y., and is headquartered now at 135 N. Union St. in Olean, N.Y. It also has New York locations in Houghton and Salamanca.
UPC opened its Bradford location in 2019, just before the covid pandemic. Services currently offered there include pediatrics, family care, women’s health and care coordination. Providers are Dr. Anil Pradhan, parttime pediatrician; Nicholle Aiello, certified nurse midwife; Francesca Parry, nurse practitioner; and a part-time OB-GYN who is on site periodically.
Jodie Wagner, chief
human resources officer with UPC, added, “We are excited to announce that we have on-boarded a licensed therapist and will be able to offer behavioral health at the Bradford location very soon.”
Wagner and UPC Chief Executive Officer Brett Lawton said the new building will enable the clinic to add services.
“The goal with our expansion is to be able to offer a more comprehensive service line to the community of Bradford. Dental and behavioral health care are consistently seen as high-need service lines and we are pleased to provide access to this much needed care in the Bradford community,” Lawton said.
“We hope to expand our primary care and women’s health providers as well as improving access to care in the community” Wagner said.
UPC will soon launch a $3 million capital campaign to fund the move and renovate its new, larger space. The facility will remain a nationally recognized Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH), which puts patients at the center of the care team working together to create a personalized plan for reaching healthcare goals.
Lawton said, “Health Centers are required to have a board of directors made up of a majority of people who receive care from the facility, and we’re proud that we have representatives from each of the counties in our service area. It creates great accountability to our patients and our community. UPC’s Mission is high-quality healthcare for every member of our community and we mean that.”
BRMC’s Sleep Disorders Center achieves milestone in patient care
The sleep disorders center at Bradford Regional Medical Center achieved a milestone in patient care by completing over 1,000 patient sleep studies in 2024.
Additionally, the center conducted more than 300 in-home studies, providing a tailored option for patients seeking comfort and convenience in sleep testing. The sleep disorders center has experienced remarkable growth, with a 126% increase in testing since 2021.
“It takes a tremendous team to accomplish and surpass this milestone of 1,000 patient tests in a year,” said Misty Sanders, clinical supervisor of respiratory/sleep, BRMC. “We have some of the best technicians and staff in the sleep disorder field working with our patients at BRMC. We’re lucky to have Dr. Eric Tenbrock’s oversight in providing the services here for our community.”
The sleep disorders center at BRMC offers both in-house and inhome sleep study options, catering to diverse patient needs. In-house studies are performed in a fully equipped testing environment, allowing for comprehensive data collection and analysis. Inhouse sleep studies help physicians make accurate diagnoses of various sleep disorders, ranging from obstructive and central sleep apnea to restless leg syndrome and parasomnia disorders.
The growth of this service can be seen through the expansion of two additional rooms that have been put into commission over the course of the last year. The sleep
disorders center has a total of six rooms that provide patients with convenience and comfortable environment to coordinate a sleep study.
“Having options for both in-house and inhome testing means we can meet patients where they are most comfortable,” Sanders noted.
“This flexibility is a significant factor in our success and continued growth. There’s been a substantial amount of work that went into improving processes and increasing access for patients that has proven successful for our sleep disorders center.”
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Photo provided
Pictured from left are Rosa Macilvaine, coordinator, sleep disorders center; Misty Sanders, supervisor, sleep disorders center; and Dave Monroe, chief administrative officer, BRMC.
BRMC’s Sleep Disorders Center
Sleep disorders can significantly impact an individual’s overall health and quality of life. Symptoms such as loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep, dry mouth or sore throat upon waking, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, or conditions like type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease could signal and increase a person’s risk of having an underlying sleep disorder.
BRMC’s sleep disorders center is dedicated to helping patients regain restful nights and improved health through advanced testing and compassionate care. Sleep studies play a critical role in diagnosing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, narcolepsy, insomnia, and parasomnia disorders. Whether in-house or at home, the team is ready to guide you on your journey to better sleep.
Learn more about the sleep disorders center by visiting www.brmc-ogh. org.
BRMC ACHIEVES ACCREDITATION FOR CARE
BRMC achieved accreditation through Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the services of laboratory.
Accreditation is a process through which healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC
reflects on an organization’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.
ACHC is a nonprofit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. ACHC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and has CMS deeming authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. ACHC also has deeming authority Acute Care Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers as well as Clinical Laboratory.
The BRMC laboratory provides the community with fast, accurate and convenient laboratory testing. Clinical laboratory services include blood banking, coagulation, blood has analysis, histology, special chemistry, cytology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry, hematology, serology and urinalysis.
“I am proud to lead this team dedicated to providing exceptional diagnostic services to our rural community. We offer a wide-range of high-quality tests with the same advanced technology and expertise you’d expect from urban laboratories, ensuring timely and accurate results,” said Jennifer Faulkner, laboratory director, BRMC, Olean General Hospital.
“Our team is committed to serving this community and delivering exceptional care and support where it’s needed most.”
For more information, visit www.brmc-ogh.org.
Jones Memorial Hospital uses cutting-edge robotic surgery technology
Jones Memorial Hospital is using state-ofthe-art, robotic-assisted technology designed to provide patients with a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
The advanced equipment — a da Vinci Surgical System — is available for procedures like hernia and gallbladder surgeries, as well as certain obstetric procedures. It enhances surgeons’ precision and control, leading to faster recovery times and improved patient outcomes,
hospital officials said.
The system allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through just 1to 2-centimeter incisions. Using a high-definition 3D camera and miniaturized instruments, the system enables surgeons to operate with much-increased accuracy, reducing the risk of complications and minimizing recovery time.
“We are proud to bring world-class surgical precision right here to our community as a healthcare leader in our region,”
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Photo provided by Jones Memorial Hospital
Nurse practitioner Colleen Truax (left) and Dr. Ted Kaufman, general surgeon at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, are part of the team that will provide robotic assisted surgery.
JMH Robotic Surgery Technology
said Jones CEO Jim Helms. “We are committed to investing in advanced healthcare, close to home for our patients and their families. This addition furthers our vision as the hospital of choice for medical staff and the community.”
“The da Vinci system is a huge win for both surgeons and patients,” said Dr. Theodor Kaufman, a general surgeon at the hospital. “It gives us, as surgeons, the ability to perform intricate surgeries with enhanced precision, all while being minimally invasive. Patients experience less pain, and a faster recovery, with less risk for infection or complications. We’re excited for the applications this will have on both general and gynecological procedures.”
Jones Memorial Board Chairman Karol Marciano added, “It is impressive that our community hospital can now offer this surgical technology which is critical to physician recruitment.”
“We’re proud to bring the advanced technologies of the da Vinci® Surgical System to Jones Memorial Hospital, and offer state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgeries to patients in Allegany County and beyond,” said UR Medicine Chief of Strategic Integration Steven I. Goldstein. “Not only does it further our ability to provide the highest quality care, but it is an important tool to attract surgeons to the area, as robotic techniques are taught in medical school and new surgeons are often eager to work in hospitals with
advanced robotic technologies.”
JMH WELCOMES NEW ER PHYSICIAN
JMH welcomed a new board-certified emergency physician to its emergency department this past fall.
Dr. Julie Williams most recently worked in the emergency department at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in a level II trauma center in Tyler, Texas, which cares for approximately 75,000 patients annually.
She worked as a staff physician, medical director of the sexual assault nurse examiner program, clinical leadership group member, a clinician care as-needed peer support member and she was a recipient of the Clinical Excellence Award in 2023 for Christus Trinity Clinic.
Williams earned her degree in medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch and completed an emergency medicine residency through Scott and White Memorial Hospital and the Texas A&M College of Medicine.
“Dr. Williams has brought more knowledge and expertise since joining us in November,” Sandra Watkins, chief nursing officer at Jones Memorial, said. “Our patients are in great hands with her.”
Williams is board certified in emergency medicine and holds certifications in fundamental critical care support as well as advanced trauma, advanced and basic cardiovascular and pediatric advanced life support.
JMH OFFICE RECEIVES RECOGNITION
The Jones Memorial Alfred Primary Care office as well as the Family Medicine with OB Practice in the Wellsville Medical Village have been awarded Patient-Centered Medical Home recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
The new PCMH providers are Dr. Lu-Ann Kaye in Wellsville, Dr. Ryan Nightingale and nursde practitioner Molly Dempsey in Alfred. With this new recognition, all Jondes Memorial Hospital primary care practices, with the exception of specialty care and OB, are
certified Patient-Centered Medical Home sites.
The NCQA’s PCMH standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care that supports access, communication and patient involvement.
“Receiving this recognition shows our commitment to deliver high quality cost effective care,” said Julie Seaman, medical practices director for JMH.
“By putting patients at the center of their care and using a team based approach we can provide the community resources and tools needed to support access and communication. This team based approach allows patient access across the health system.”
Olean General, BRMC continue to welcome new physicians to team
Olean General Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical Center have welcomed two new radiation oncologists as well as a new chief medical officer and a urologist since the fall.
The Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center operated by OGH added Dr. Varun Chowdhry and Dr. Joshua Regal, both Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center physicians, to fill the role of retired Dr. Gregory Hare.
“Onboarding both Dr. Chowdhry and Dr. Regal as our region’s new radiation oncologists is a great accomplishment for our cancer care services,” Cheryl Klass, interim president of OGH and BRMC, both part of the Kaleida Health system, said. “Continuing to maintain these cancer care services locally provides Olean and neighboring communities with life-saving services right in their backyard and saving patient travel time.”
Chowdhry specializes in treating bladder, breast, colorectal, esophageal, head, neck, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, prostate, sarcoma and skin cancers. He earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, where he also completed his internal medicine and radiation oncology residency.
Chowdhry completed his fellowship in radiation
oncology/proton radiation therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, in Boston.
He is certified by the American Board of Radiology in radiation oncology.
Regal specializes in treating prostate, breast, head and neck, lung, colorectal and skin cancers as well as brain tumors. He earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, and his residency in radiation oncology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., where he also completed his fellowship.
Chowdhry and Regal treat patients at the Mildred Milliman Radiation Medicine Center, 1415 Buffalo St. Appointments can be made by calling (716) 373-7134.
Together, Olean General and BRMC are a Roswell Park Care Network
member. Services include medical oncology at BRMC and the Barry Street Health Center in Olean as well as radiation oncology at the Milliman Center. The Roswell Park network is the most expansive community cancer, supportive and specialized care affiliation, spanning Western New York, Central New York and beyond.
NEW CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER
Dr. Jennifer Rogers was to start her role as the new chief medical officer of OGH and BRMC in January.
A board-certified emergency medicine physician, Rogers currently serves as the emergency department medical director at both Lockport Memorial Hospital and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston.
Her previous experience as an emergency department physician
includes serving as a physician at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital, a Kaleida Health facility, and as an emergency medicine senior physician for the UBMD (University at Buffalo) Emergency Medicine Community Division. She is also a member of the American College of Emergency Physicians.
She graduated from SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and completed her emergency medicine residency at Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.
In her role with Olean General and BRMC, Rogers will oversee the medical affairs of the two Kaleida Health facilities and its ambulatory clinical centers. She will also be instrumental in in developing and implementing a rural health care strategy across Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania.
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Dr. Varun Chowdhry
Dr. Jennifer Rogers
Dr. Joshua Regal
OGH/BRMC New Physicians
“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Rogers join our team at BRMC and OGH,” said Dr. Michael Mineo, chief medical officer of Kaleida. “Her experience as an emergency medicine physician and the leadership roles she held will serve her well in managing clinical operations at our southern tier facilities.
“Adding a physician of her caliber to the leadership team will enhance the overall quality of care to the region that BRMC and OGH serve,” he added.
Rogers has served in several leadership roles, both professionally and in the community. She serves as a member of the Medical Executive Committee and Associate Chair of the Department of Emergen-
cy Medicine at Catholic Health System in Buffalo. She is also a mentor for the UB Emergency Medicine Residency Program and has served on the UBMD Emergency Medicine Board of Directors since 2021.
UROLOGIST JOINS THE TEAM
Dr. Brian F. Dinerman, a urologist, is also among the new members of the physician network serving OGH and BRMC. He was to join both practices of Dr. Gary Carl in Olean and Dr. David Godfrey in Bradford.
Dinerman specializes in treating gross and microscopic hematuria, kidney and ureteral stones, benign prostatic hyperplasia,
He also treats male and female incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, male infertility, varicocele, hydrocele, spermatocele, undesired fertility, neurogenic bladder, urinary retention and urethral stricture.
“I believe in an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of urologic malignancies to offer comprehensive cancer care and optimize surgical outcomes,” Dinerman said. “For non-malignant diagnoses, I offer highly
specialized care to meet the individual needs of each patient’s goals.”
Dinerman performs multiple procedures including ureteroscopy, complex robotic urologic surgeries, insertion of penile prosthesis, urethral sling insertion, artificial urinary sphincter insertion, vasectomy, vasovasostomy (vasectomy reversal), prostate biopsy, transurethral resection of the prostate, prostate enucleation, testis biopsy, circumcision and many more specialized urologic procedures.
Dinerman earned his medical degree at SUNY Downstate School of Medicine in Brooklyn. He completed his urology residency at University at Buffalo and is a member of the American Urological Association.
He is accepting patients at the Mildred Milliman Outpatient Surgery Center, 500 Main St.; call (716) 7011818.
Dr. Brian F. Dinerman
What is healthspan, and how can you maximize yours?
By LAURA WILLIAMSON
American Heart Association News/TNS
Much attention has been paid in recent years to life expectancy in the U.S., which remains lower than in many other industrialized nations that spend less on health care.
But with data suggesting 79% of adults 60 and older have two or more chronic illnesses – such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure – and more than half of young adults reporting at least one chronic condition, health experts are turning their focus to not just how long people manage to stay alive but the number of years they can expect to do so free of disease.
That’s what’s called a healthspan. And, like U.S. lifespans, these too have been shrinking.
“Healthspan means living better, not just longer,” said Dr. Corey Rovzar, a postdoctoral fellow at the Stanford Prevention Research Center within the university’s School of Medicine in California. “We’re talking about those years that are free from any significant chronic disease or any significant disability that might affect one’s quality of life.”
Life expectancy has rebounded closer to levels
before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2023, the average number of years a newborn in the U.S. could expect to live was 78.4, down from 78.8 for babies born a decade earlier. Meanwhile, according to the World Health Organization, the average healthspan for adults in the U.S. dropped from 65.3 years in 2000 to 63.9 years in 2021, the latest year for which such data is available. Women are expected to live longer
than men and enjoy more years of better health.
Like lifespans, healthspans aren’t calculated for individuals but for “an average person in the population,” said Dr. Norrina Allen, vice chair for research in the department of preventive medicine and director of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine in the Center for Epidemiology and Population Health, both at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
The good news is that
the steps needed to extend a person’s healthspan are likely to extend their lifespan as well, she said. “The factors that help prevent the onset of disease are also highly related to preventing your death from those diseases.”
And there’s a lot people can do to stretch out those good years.
Allen co-authored a 2022 report from the American Heart Association that detailed a checklist of eight health factors
Healthspan
and lifestyle behaviors, known as Life’s Essential 8, for improving and maintaining good cardiovascular health. Adherence to these same components has been shown to lower the risk for other chronic illnesses, promote healthy aging and contribute to both longer lifespans and healthspans.
The checklist includes not smoking, staying physically active, getting enough sleep and following a healthy eating pattern that includes whole foods and emphasizes consumption of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds and cooking with olive oil. The checklist also calls for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
Limiting alcohol consumption also is advised by the AHA because drinking too much can increase the risk for high blood pressure, breast cancer, liver disease, stroke, heart disease and other health problems.
Beyond health factors and behaviors, strong family support, good mental health, access to good health care and a strong social network also contribute to a longer healthspan, Allen said. “These additional factors lay the groundwork for maintaining good health behaviors and ideal clinical factors,” she said.
But trying to achieve all of them may feel daunting, especially for people not currently following healthy lifestyles, Rovzar
said. She suggests making small changes to get started and gradually building new habits, one step at a time.
“Think intentionally about what you can do today,” she said. “Add greens to your meal. Walk a little bit longer. Those things add up. People approach lifestyle changes as all or nothing, but we need to shift that mentality to recognizing that every little bit counts.”
A 2022 study in Nature Medicine suggests even short bursts of physical activity – just a few bursts per day lasting a minute or two – may lower cancer and cardiovascular-related death risks. For substantial health benefits, the federal physical activity guidelines recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities twice a week. Adults who are physically unable to meet the recommendations because of chronic conditions or disabilities should be as physically active as possible, the guidelines say.
Rovzar encourages people to start building good habits early in life so they become easier to maintain over the life course. And, she said, remember that a healthy lifestyle “looks different for everyone. Find things that you enjoy doing. Don’t try to become a runner if you don’t like running. Chances are not high you’re going to do it if you don’t enjoy it.”
Physical activities for kids who are not into competitive sports
Competitive sports provide a wonderful opportunity for children to be physically active. That’s a notable benefit and one that could help to confront a growing problem of overweight and obesity among modern youths.
Data from the World Health Organization indicates 37 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2022, while more than 390 million youngsters between the ages of five and 19 were overweight or obese in that same year. In addition, the percentage of children and adolescents across the globe who qualified as obese in 2022 had grown considerably since 1990, increasing from 2 to 5 percent during that span.
Sports can definitely help to remedy the overweight and obesity epidemic among youths across the globe, but what about children who are not into competitive athletics? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all children and adolescents, including non-athletes, get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day. That might sound difficult for parents of non-athletes, but there are a number of physical ac-
tivities beyond organized athletics that can ensure kids get all the exercise they need.
• Dancing: The National Institutes of Health notes that dancing is both an exciting and effective workout that benefits the body in myriad ways. Dancing is a versatile form of exercise that encompasses everything from ballroom dancing to salsa. The NIH notes that dancing is a great cardiovascular exercise that also helps to build strong bones and muscles and improve balance. Dancing also is a social activity, which means it can provide many of the same benefits related to social interactions that are often attributed to team sports.
• Hiking: Hiking is another physical activity
that can provide great exercise for youngsters who are not into competitive sports. According to Piedmont Health, hiking is a whole-body exercise that gets the heart pumping, making it a wonderful cardiovascular activity. Cardiovascular exercise has been linked to a number of benefits, including a lower risk for conditions such as heart disease, stroke and high cholesterol. Hiking also is considered a weight-bearing exercise that helps to build muscle mass.
• Skateboarding: Skateboarding has come a long way since modern parents were children. Though skateboarding might once have been frowned upon due to skateboarders’ penchant for practicing in places that were off
limits, the perception of skateboarding has now changed dramatically and the activity is touted as great exercise. A 2018 study published in the journal Gait & Posture found that skateboarding helps participants develop a strong sense of balance. The motions required to ride a skateboard also help to increase heart rate, which can provide a boost to cardiovascular health.
• Cycling: Many young children love riding their bikes, and it’s worth noting that an afternoon of cycling provides an incredible full-body workout. The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health notes that the health benefits associated with cycling include improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger muscles, greater coordination and general mobility, and reduced body fat. Cycling also has been linked to improved mental health, as riding a bike releases feel-good endorphins that can reduce stress. Children and adolescents who are not into competitive sports can choose from an array of physical activities that provide a host of health benefits.
MRI for dense breasts — what to know
testing is the next step.
Nearly half of all women who have had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer have been identified as having dense breasts. This makes it more challenging to detect breast cancer because dense tissue and tumors both appear white on a mammogram. That’s one reason why it’s recommended to have an additional screening done. But which one?
Dr. Richard Sharpe Jr., a Mayo Clinic radiologist, says it’s crucial to talk with your healthcare team to find the screening method that is right for you. An MRI is one option.
“The first thing to know if you get notified is that dense breast tissue is completely normal.
Half of all women will have dense tissue,” says Dr. Sharpe.
He says dense breasts are identified through a mammogram. Additional
“The most widely available supplemental screening test for women with dense tissues is probably an ultrasound of the breast or an MRI,” says Dr. Sharpe. “There have been lots of studies showing that MRI is the most sensitive test for finding breast cancer.”
An MRI is meant to be used along with a mammogram, not instead.
“MRI is the most sensitive test we have for finding breast cancer. It can see through density. It can find hard-to-see, small cancers,” says Dr. Sharpe.
But it’s not for everyone. You’ll lie face down on a table and then guided into the MRI machine.”Some patients that have challenges with claustrophobia might struggle to be comfortable in the smaller space of the MRI scanner,” explains Dr. Sharpe.
Dr. Richard Sharpe ex-
Mayo Clinic News Network
Breast MRI
amines MRI breast screening images The benefit is clear, he says.
“Women with dense tissue or high risk for breast cancer that undergo breast MRI, we are able to see cancers that would be hiding from the mammogram.”
Supplemental screening options
Other supplemental screening options include molecular breast imaging (MBI), ultrasound and contrast-enhanced mammography.
Dr. Sharpe says choosing what screening method works for you is an individual decision that should be made with your healthcare team, but he says it’s important to start with your annual screening.
“The most important thing for women to know is that you should get your annual mammogram, starting at age 40. Also, if you have dense tissue, consider a supplemental screening, another imaging test looking at the breast tissues in a different way — and you should get that exam regularly as well,” he says.
An ultrasound technician positions a patient for a mammogram “The most important thing for women to know is that you should get your annual mammogram, starting at age 40. Also, if you have dense tissue, consider a supplemental screening, another imaging test looking at the breast tissues in a different way — and you should get that exam regularly as well,” he says.
The impact of reading on cognitive decline
Aging and change go hand in hand. Although some may bemoan the gray hairs that start to arrive or stiffness in the knees that seems to sneak up on a person in middle age, such concerns are not necessarily enough to lose sleep over. However, many people 50 or older are nervous about the potential for cognitive issues like dementia as they grow older.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 6.7 million people have Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. The Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates that there were 733,040 people living with dementia in the country as of January 1, 2024. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can rob people of their memories, personalities and abilities
to live satisfying, independent lives. While it may not be impossible to prevent all cognitive issues completely, there is reason to believe that reading could be an ally in cognitive care.
The American Academy of Neurology says that reading stimulates the brain and has been shown to slow down cognitive decline in old age. Reading also may help slow down memory loss.
The powers of reading were noticed more than 10 years ago when a 2013 study from researchers at Emory University measured readers’ MRI scans as they read books. They found the deeper readers went into a story, the more areas of their brains were activated. This activity remained elevated for several days after participants finished
their books. The more a person reads, the stronger complex networks in the brain become.
Additional evidence that reading can help the brain was noted by researchers at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. A 2024 study suggests that older people with mild cognitive impairment who engage in high levels of activities like reading, hobbies and word games have better memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed than those who do not take part in such endeavors. Furthermore, a 2021 study published in Neurology found that high levels of cognitive activity, like reading and writing letters, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by five years among those age 80 and over.
What parents should know about mental health issues and children
Mental health issues were once stigmatized to such an extent that many people dealing with problems like anxiety and depression felt uncomfortable speaking about them or even seeking help. Though some may still find it difficult to acknowledge their mental health issues, society has made great strides in regard to destigmatizing mental health conditions and recognizing how common such problems are.
Parents may be surprised to learn that many mental health issues begin in childhood. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders, depression and other mood disorders can start to develop long
before children leave for college. Recognition of that reality may compel parents to learn more about children and mental health, including signs of potential issues and how to determine if certain behaviors are indicative of a burgeoning issue or a part of normal development.
Identifying mental health issues in children
The NIMH notes the difficulty in distinguishing between behaviors that are a normal part of a child’s development and those that suggest a potential mental health problem. Parents know that chil-
Children’s Mental Health
dren’s behaviors and emotions can be challenging to deal with, but that’s often a normal part of a child’s development that youngsters outgrow with age. The NIMH notes that time is a potential indicator of a mental health problem, and encourages parents to seek help if a child’s challenging behavior or emotions persist for weeks or longer. Kids will not outgrow negative behaviors overnight, but persistent problems that extend for weeks or months could be indicative of something beyond normal developmental hurdles.
Behaviors and emotions that cause distress for a child or the child’s family are another potential indicator of a mental health issue. In addition, behaviors or emotions that interfere with a child’s ability to function, be it at school or at home or among friends, may indicate the presence of a mental health issue.
What if signs suggestive of mental health issues are present?
The NIMH advises parents to be proactive if they notice signs of mental health issues in their children. Parents can begin by contacting their child’s teacher and asking how the child behaves in school, both in the classroom and on the playground. A child’s pediatrician also can be a valuable resource. Share the particular behavior(s) or emotion(s) that are causing concern with the
child’s pediatrician. The pediatrician may note if the behavior is part of normal development or may recommend a mental health professional to further address the issue.
Is an evaluation really necessary?
The aforementioned stigma associated with mental health issues may make even the most well-intentioned parents hesitant to seek an evaluation. But evaluations can set children on a path to improved mental health, and it’s worth reminding parents that issues like anxiety and depression are quite common and nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, a large-scale 2023 study published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry found that one out of every two people in the world will develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime. Evaluation is one of the initial steps toward overcoming mental health issues, and children may exhibit different signs that an evaluation is necessary based on their age. For example, the NIMH notes that young children who often seem fearful or worried and those who have frequent tantrums or are irritable much of the time may benefit from a mental health evaluation. Older children who engage in self-harm behaviors or those who diet or exercise excessively can benefit from an evaluation. Additional age-based indicators that an evaluation may be necessary can be found at nimh.nih.gov.
Alcohol and cancer: Are warning labels warranted?
By ANYA SOSTEK Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
When Julie Senchak would accompany her mom to doctor’s appointments in the early 2000s, she would listen to what the oncologists said about alcohol — that drinking it could increase the chance of developing cancer. Even at a relatively young age, it was enough to convince Senchak not to drink alcohol, given her family history.
Now 46 and a breast cancer survivor herself, she sometimes finds herself explaining the link between cancer and alcohol if she declines a drink in a social situation.
“There are other people out there who have no idea that this is even a thing,” said Senchak, of South Fayette, Pennsylvania. “They are completely shocked.”
The majority of Americans, in fact, are unaware that alcohol consumption increases cancer risk, according to a report released this month by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
To raise awareness, Murthy is recommending that information about cancer risk be added to alcoholic beverage warning labels, which currently just advise against drinking alcohol while pregnant or operating a car or other machinery.
“Despite clear evidence demonstrating the effect
of alcohol consumption on cancer risk, there is a large gap in public understanding of the risk,” said the report, adding that “public awareness of alcohol consumption as a cancer risk factor has not substantially improved over two decades.”
A direct link between alcohol consumption and cancer risk was first established in the 1980s, said the report, with evidence growing stronger over time. Only 45% of Americans are aware of that link, in contrast to higher awareness of cancer risk factors connected to tobacco use (89%), asbestos (81%) and obesity (53%).
According to the surgeon general’s report, studies indicate that alcohol use causes seven different types of cancer: breast cancer (in women), colorectal, esophageal, liver, mouth, throat and voice box.
And while it says that the more alcohol consumed, the greater risk of cancer, it also emphasizes that for breast, mouth and throat cancers, there is evidence that the risk may start to increase at one or even less than one drink per day.
For Jason Luke, a medical oncologist and associate director of clinical research at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, most of his patients and their families are already aware of the link between
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Alcohol and Cancer
alcohol consumption and cancer risk.
But he appreciates any effort from the federal government — such as warning labels on alcoholic beverages — to bring the issue to light in the general population. Such a change would need to be made by the U.S. Congress.
South Korea currently requires warning labels about alcohol and cancer, and Ireland will require them starting in 2026.
“It’s actually a pretty small step toward trying to improve public health, relatively speaking,” Luke said. “It’s not to say that you can’t have a drink, but you want to conceptualize the idea that we are
adults and you’ve thought through this.”
Luke is most concerned about an increased cancer risk in those who drink excessively, rather than the danger of ever taking a drink.
“Are you going to get cancer from having one drink? Of course not,” he said. “Are you going to get cancer from having a lot of drinks a lot of the time? I think it’s possible.”
There are several theories detailed in the surgeon general’s report as to how alcohol may cause cancer. One of the most established is that alcohol breaks down into a metabolite called acetaldehyde in the body, which damages DNA and allows cancer
plete remission with no evidence of disease.
cells to grow uncontrollably. Alcohol also increases inflammation in the body, which affects the way that cells grow and divide. Alcohol can alter hormone levels, which makes some breast cancers more likely to develop.
For some cancers, there is evidence that even moderate drinking increases cancer risk. According to a study highlighted in the surgeon general’s report, women who consume less than one drink a week have a risk of 11.3% of developing breast cancer in their lifetime by age 80. For those who average one drink a day, that risk rises to 13.1%. And for women who average two drinks a day, the risk increases further to 15.3%.
For Senchak, even a small percentage in reducing the risk of developing cancer is well worth it. Her mom died of breast cancer in 2011 at age 55 after fighting it for 12 years.
In 2018, Senchak was diagnosed with breast cancer, and is now in com-
“I was very young when my mom got diagnosed,” she said. “I knew I was high risk for breast cancer and I never drank. ... When you are fighting for your life and you know reducing or not drinking alcohol is one thing that will help save your life, you are going to do it.”
To remember her mother and to promote awareness of breast cancer, Senchak started the South Fayette/Bridgeville 5K through the American Cancer Society.
She is hoping that warning labels — or just increased public discussion — can also promote discussion of the cancer risks of alcohol.
“I’m not against drinking even though it’s not the thing for me,” she said. “This would create awareness for everybody to understand so they can make educated decisions. It’s more of an eye-opener.”
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS
Breast cancer survivor Julie Senchak stands in front of picture of her mother, Beverly Sanchak, who died of breast cancer, in Julie’s South Fayette home on Friday, Jan.10, 2025.
Mayo Clinic Q and A: Leg pain? It may be your arteries
Mayo Clinic News Network/TN
DEAR MAYO
CLINIC: I’m 52 years old and enjoy long walks with my husband and our dog. I recently started to experience pain in my left calf during our walks. The leg pain goes away when I rest. Because I have a history of high blood pressure, I went to see my primary care physician and was diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. What is this condition, and what treatments are available? Will I need surgery?
ANSWER: Peripheral artery disease is a common, chronic medical condition that affects circulation in the body due to narrowed arteries. The narrowing of arteries is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits, called plaque, which reduces blood flow from the heart to different regions of the body. This can affect the arms, but most commonly, it is an issue found in the legs.
The risk of developing peripheral artery disease increases with age, particularly for those over 65 or after 50 if you have certain risk factors. Factors that can contribute to your risk include:
• A family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Obesity (a body mass index over 30)
• Smoking tobacco/ using tobacco products
Many people with peripheral artery disease have mild or no symptoms, while others experience leg pain when walking or even at rest. The severity of your symptoms and the extent of the blockage are used to categorize the stage of your peripheral artery disease and inform specific treatment options.
There are two stages of peripheral artery disease. The early stage is called claudication, when people experience pain when walking or engaging in activity. In this stage, the pain begins during exercise and ends with rest. It is usually felt in the calves, thighs and buttocks.
The advanced, severe stage of peripheral artery disease is called critical limb threatening ischemia. During this stage, pain is often felt in the feet, even without walking, and is worse during rest or when lying down. You also may experience open sores or wounds on your limbs or feet that won’t heal. Critical limb threatening ischemia may cause tissue death or gangrene on your feet. If this goes untreated, it can lead to leg amputation.
Treatment for peripheral artery disease varies depending on its severity. When it’s diagnosed early, lifestyle changes and treatment of underlying medical conditions are often enough to manage symptoms. This may mean
taking appropriate medications to control high blood pressure and high cholesterol, controlling blood sugar levels if you have diabetes, quitting smoking, eating a healthier diet with fewer fatty and highly processed foods, and regular exercise or engaging in a walking program.
For more advanced disease, restoration of blood flow is necessary in addition to lifestyle changes. Therefore, the goal of surgery is to restore blood flow and prevent leg amputation.
One treatment option is percutaneous endovascular surgery, a minimally invasive approach. In this operation, the surgeon guides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through the groin, foot or wrist to the narrowed part of the artery. A tiny balloon is inflated to widen the blocked artery and improve blood flow. A stent, a small wire mesh tube, may also be placed in the artery to keep it open.
The more invasive surgical option is bypass surgery. The surgeon
creates a path around the blocked artery using either a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body or a synthetic one. One end of the healthy vein is connected to the artery above the blockage, and the other is attached below the blockage so that the blood will detour into the bypass.
When diagnosed with peripheral artery disease, it’s important to consult a vascular surgeon to determine the best treatment for you. Vascular surgeons can perform both minimally invasive procedures and complex bypass surgery. By incorporating lifestyle changes and treating any underlying medical conditions early, you can significantly improve your quality of life and prevent progression to more severe stages of disease. Peripheral artery disease is a marker for your overall cardiovascular health, and managing it correctly can lead to a longer, healthier life.
— Dr. Fahad Shuja, vascular surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
