september october 2017 www.ourhealthcville.com l
PLUS:
CANCER TIES US
TOGETHER WITH HOPE
SEVEN
BRAIN EXERCISES TO
BOOST MEMORY WHAT DO WATERMELON
AND YOUR HOMETOWN HAVE TO DO WITH
PROSTATE CANCER
?
4
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
18 23 10 38
28
24
TABLE OF CONTENTS SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2017
10
THE PULSE
| KEEPING THE PULSE ON HEALTHCARE
24
While cancer diagnoses have remained alarmingly high in the US, there’s a silver-lining: the uptick is partly tied to cancer being caught and treated sooner.
10 – Q&A ON HEALTH 14 – HEALTH HAPPENINGS 16 – NEW PEOPLE & PLACES
18
CHECKUP
| LOCAL HEALTH & MEDICINE
18 – 3 REASONS WHY THE BENEFITS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL DON'T BENEFIT THE RISK 20 – THE OURHEALTH BOOKSHELF
TAKING AIM AT CANCER
28
CANCER CARE
| LOCAL CANCER SUPPORT
28 – CANCER TIES US TOGETHER WITH HOPE | This is a story of three people, three cancers and one purpose: to live life with hope, every day. 38 – CAN YOU TRUST ONLINE CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES?
23 – ANATOMY CHALLENGE | Cancer
www.OurHealthCville.com
5
44 48 42 50
40
46
TABLE OF CONTENTS SEPTEMBER • OCTOBER 2017
40
NUTRITION
46 – CAN WATERMELON & WHERE YOU LIVE PREVENT PROSTATE CANCER? | Pampering your prostate in youth could make for a healthier life later on.
| LOCAL FOODS & RECIPES
40 – HEALTHY EATS | Local restaurant reviews
42
FITSTYLES
| LOCAL FITNESS & ATHLETICS
42 – HOW TO AVOID HURTING YOURSELF IN THE GYM
44
FAMILY CARE
48 – SEVEN BRAIN EXERCISES TO HELP BOOST MEMORY
50
| HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
CLOSER LOOK
| LOCAL HEALTHCARE Images reflecting the local landscape of healthcare.
44 – HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG? | Should your teen be getting cosmetic surgery?
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MORE THAN A MAGAZINE ONLINE
september • october 2017
SOCIAL MEDIA
E-NEWSLETTERS
PUBLISHER PRESIDENT/EDITOR-AT-LARGE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTION CHIEF DESIGNER GRAPHIC DESIGNER DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER | EVENT SPECIALIST DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGY ACCOUNTING MANAGER
McClintic Media, Inc. Steve McClintic, Jr. | steve@ourhealthvirginia.com Jennifer Fields Hungate Karrie Pridemore Tori Meador Heidi McClintic Dalton Holody Laura Bower
CONTRIBUTING MEDICAL EXPERTS
Leah Argie, PharmD Corey C. Burgoyne, DMD Michael Keng, MD Mary Beth Landes, MS, RD, CSO Kevin Lawrence, MD, FCCP Ines Soukoulis, MD
Brandy Centolanza Laura Neff-Henderson, APR Rick Piester Brandon Shulleeta Christine Stoddard
CONTRIBUTING PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS & WRITERS
ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Kim Wood • Vice President of Business Development 540.798.2504 • kimwood@ourhealthvirginia.com Cindy Trujillo • Senior Media Consultant 434.907.5255 • cindy@ourhealthvirginia.com Cindy Morris-Scruggs • Senior Media Account Executive 804.300.0650 • cmscruggs@ourhealthvirginia.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions are $19.95 per year. To receive OurHealth Shenandoah Valley & Charlottesville via U.S. Mail, please contact Heidi McClintic via email at heidi@ourhealthvirginia.com or at 540.387.6482
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COMMENTS/FEEDBACK/QUESTIONS We welcome your feedback. Please send all comments and/or questions to the following: U.S. Mail: McClintic Media, Inc., ATTN: Steve McClintic, Jr., President/ Publisher/Editor: 303 S. Colorado Street • Salem, VA 24153. | Email: steve@ourhealthvirginia.com | Phone: 540.387.6482 Ext. 1 Information in all print editions of OurHealth and on all OurHealth websites (websites listed below) and social media updates and emails is for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to replace medical or health advice of an individual’s physician or healthcare provider as it relates to individual situations. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF YOUR DOCTOR. All matters concerning physical and mental health should be supervised by a health practitioner knowledgeable in treating that particular condition. The publisher does not directly or indirectly dispense medical advice and does not assume any responsibility for those who choose to treat themselves. The publisher has taken reasonable precaution in preparing this publication, however, the publisher does not assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. Copyright © 2017 by McClintic Media, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. OurHealth Charlottesville/Shenandoah Valley is published bi-monthly • Special editions are also published • McClintic Media, Inc. • 303 S. Colorado Street, Salem, VA 24153, P: 540.387.6482 F: 540.387.6483. MAIN: ourhealthvirginia.com | ourhealthswva.com | ourhealthlbss.com | ourhealthrichmond.com | ourhealthcville.com | Advertising rates upon request.
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HEALTH H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS
“
Can poor dental hygiene lead to mouth cancer? There is limited evidence that bacteria directly causes oral cancer. However, there is an association between bacteria and stages of cancer development because bacteria may cause chronic inflammation and produce cancer-causing substances. Viruses, specifically the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), have been directly linked to oral cancer.
Oral cancer ranks as the 6th most common cancer in the world and is responsible for 8,000 deaths annually in the United States.
”
– Corey C. Burgoyne, DMD
Patients with poor oral hygiene may have other risk factors that lead to oral cancer such as poor diet, suppressed immune systems, or lifestyle habits such as tobacco use or drinking alcohol. Tobacco use, particularly when combined with heavy alcohol consumption, is the primary risk factor for of patients with oral cancer in North America. An oral cancer examination can detect early signs of cancer. During the exam, your oral surgeon will check your face, neck, lips, tongue, mouth, and the back of the throat for signs of cancer. Having a biopsy to detect early malignancies is important to effective treatment and recovery from oral cancer. Corey C. Burgoyne, DMD
Blue Ridge Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Fishersville and Lexington 540.886.2956 www.blueridgeoralsurgery.com
I’m on so many different medications, I can barely keep them straight. How can my pharmacist help me? The need to take multiple medications, vitamins, or supplements is a challenge many face. Keeping on schedule can be difficult, but a pharmacist can help in several ways. A pharmacist can help organize your medications into a system that works for your schedule and ensures you are taking medications at the time they will work best for you. Pharmacists can sync your medications to be due on the same day each month and even automatically refill your prescriptions. Using auto-refill for your prescriptions will also allow your pharmacist to keep track of refills. Some pharmacies can package your medications in monthly blister packaging verses bottles, preorganizing all prescriptions together by date and time of day they are to be taken. The risk of developing medication related problems increases as you take more medications. Meet with your pharmacist to help identify side effects or medication interactions. Your pharmacist can work with you and your doctors to resolve these issues. Leah Argie, PharmD
Top Notch Family Pharmacy Charlottesville | 434.995.5595 www.topnotchpharmacy.com
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
Is it possible to reverse damage to the skin caused by the sun in hope of preventing skin cancer? Our skin has a long memory. Sun damage starting from childhood can show up as wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancers later in life. While we cannot undo all the damage, there are ways to keep on top of skin cancers. Daily sunscreen to prevent further damage is a must. Evaluation by a dermatologist will help catch precancerous changes that can be treated with creams, office light therapy, and chemical peels before they have a chance to progress. Another exciting development on the horizon is DNA enzyme repair creams, which have the potential to undo DNA damage caused by UV rays – the cause for most skin cancers. As for erasing wrinkles and brown spots, very effective options including vitamin A based creams, chemical peels, lasers, and micro needling are available to help keep our skin looking young and healthy. Ines Soukoulis, MD Charlottesville Dermatology Charlottesville | 434.984.2400 www.cvillederm.com
THE P ULSE | Q&A on Health
www.OurHealthCville.com
11
HEALTH H E A LT H C A R E QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY LOCAL PROFESSIONALS
Can anyone qualify for a lung cancer screening? Lung cancer screening is used only for people of a certain age who are at high risk of developing lung cancer due to smoking. According to the Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services, the risk factors used to determine who is at high risk are:
“
•
Nutrition is an
important part of
cancer prevention, with different
foods providing
distinct individual benefits. While
there is not one best food that fights cancer, there are some strategies
”
to reduce cancer risk.
Smoked for at least 30 packyears. (To calculate pack-years, multiply number of packs a day x number of years you smoked. If you smoked two packs/day for 15 years, that’s 30 pack-years (2x15=30). If you smoked two packs/day for 20 years, that’s 40 pack-years (2x20=40)
•
Still smoke cigarettes or quit less than 15 years ago.
•
Age 55 to 77 years.
For high-risk smokers, the radiation risk from a lung screening is less than the risk of getting cancer. If you never smoked, smoked less than 30 pack-years or quit more than 15 years ago, your risk is not considered so high that a CT scan is needed. Kevin Lawrence, MD, FCCP
Pulmonary/Critical Care SMJ Medical and Surgical Associates Charlottesville | 434.654.5260 www.sentara.com
– Mary Beth Landes, MS, RD, CSO
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
If there were one cancerfighting food people should include in their diet, what would it be? Nutrition is an important part of cancer prevention, with different foods providing distinct individual benefits. While there is not one best food that fights cancer, there are some strategies to reduce cancer risk. •
Consume a mostly plant-based diet that includes fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, beans, legumes, and whole grains.
•
Choose whole foods and season appropriate foods with herbs and spices instead of salt. Choose grilling, steaming, or roasting for lean meats as well as fruits and vegetables that require cooking.
•
Eat a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables with each meal. Seek fruits and vegetables with a bright and vibrant color throughout the whole piece of produce.
•
Incorporate known cancer fighters into you daily meals and snacks. These include blueberries, spinach, Swiss chard, walnuts, whole grains, and winter squash. See the American Institute for Cancer Research website for a full list at www.aicr.org.
Mary Beth Landes, MS, RD, CSO Oncology Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Navigator Augusta Health Cancer Center Fishersville | 540.332.5960 www.augustahealth.com
What is Polycythemia Vera or PV? Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare bone marrow disorder that is more common in people over 60. It affects men more than women and occurs in an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. In PV, a person’s body typically makes too many red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. PV is a chronic disorder, meaning it may never go away. Some people with PV have no symptoms. Others have severe symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. Common complaints include fatigue, facial flushing, itching, sweating, muscle aches, joint pain, headaches, blurred vision and abdominal discomfort from an enlarged spleen. PV can lead to thicker blood, which can increase the risk of blood clots, strokes and heart attacks. In a very small number of people, PV leads to other diseases such as myelofibrosis or leukemia. Phlebotomy (removing blood) and/ or medications are used to keep blood counts under control. Michael Keng, MD
Hematology University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville | 434.924.9333 cancer.uvahealth.com
www.OurHealthCville.com
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THE PULSE
KEEPING THE PUL SE ON HEALTH
ON THE MOVE
>> Local Healthcare Providers Announcing a Relocation AUGUSTA HEALTH welcomes twelve medical students from the EDWARD VIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (VCOM) in Blacksburg. The medical students will spend their third year of training in clinical rotation with physicians at Augusta Health. Augusta Health’s partnership with VCOM is one that trains students to provide community-focused care and encourages students to return to their clinical rotation community following residency to practice medicine. Pictured to the left.
Augusta Health welcomes twelve medical students from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic medicine (VCOM) in Blacksburg. This year’s third year students are: Front row, left to right: Michael Luu, Sarah Cottrell-Cumber, Eric Kim, Stefani Mead. Back row, left to right: Michelle Anderson, Jourdan Hall, Michael Armstrong, Marissa Burd, Mikel Muse. Not pictured: Eben Alexander, Alexis Goss, Kate Slaymaker.
VIRGINIA HEARING GROUP is now seeing patients in their new office, located at 207 Lee Highway, Suite 103 in Verona. The new practice location, across from Central Tire, is open Monday – Wednesday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Thursday from 10 AM – 8 PM (after 5 PM, by appointment) and Friday from 8 AM to 1 PM. For more information visit www.virginiahearinggroup.com or call 540.248.1670.
A local cardiology group, HARRISONBURG MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, joins SENTARA RMH MEDICAL GROUP. The cardiology group is now located in the Sentara Hahn Medical Office Building, at 2006 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg, on the main hospital campus. The practice name has also changed to SENTARA CARDIOLOGY SPECIALISTS. For more information or to make an appointment, visit www.sentara.com or call 540.689.7400.
FUNNY BONE
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
Healthcare Providers The 2017-2018 U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT “BEST HOSPITALS” guide rates UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA MEDICAL CENTER as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia and honors 10 UVA specialties as among the best in the U.S. This is the second consecutive year UVA is ranked as the No. 1 hospital in Virginia.
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THE P ULSE |
AT THE FOREFRONT
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Four UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL specialties were also ranked in the U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT’S BEST CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS GUIDE. The four ranked specialties are: •
Neonatology: 30th
•
Diabetes and endocrinology: 34th
•
Orthopaedics: 41st
•
Cardiology and heart surgery 44th
For more information about the U.S. News & World Report rankings visit, health.usnews.com/best-hospitals.
READ THIS EDITION OF
ON YOUR TABLET OR SMARTPHONE www.OurHealthCville.com
15
THE PULSE
KEEPING THE PULSE ON HEALTH
Cherif Abdelmalek, MD Miguel G. Hematology/Oncology Aguinaga, MD, FACS
Divyangkumar Gandhi, MD
Jeffrey S. Genda, MD
Channing Heller, PA-C Johann Hsu, MD, MPH Frank Johnson Jr, MD Paul Kunk, MD Augusta Emergency Physicians 78 Medical Center Dr. Fishersville | 540.932.4444 www.augustahealth.com
Hematology/Oncology UVA Cancer Center Pantops Charlottesville | 434.982.6900 Cancer.uvahealth.com
Colleen Law, DPM
Nicole Linton, MD
Louise Man, MD
Loren Moscinski, PA-C Johnathan Moss, MD
Matthew Reilley, MD
G. Ryan Reiser, MD
UVA Cancer Center Augusta Fishersville | 540.213.2220 Cancer.uvahealth.com
Hematology/Oncology UVA Health System Charlottesville | 434.924.9333 Cancer.uvahealth.com
Augusta Health Thoracic Surgery Fishersville | 540.245.7705 www.augustahealth.com
Augusta Emergency Physicians Fishersville | 540.932.4444 www.augustahealth.com
Kerri Stillwell, PA
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Lexington | 540.463.7628 CarilionClinic.org
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Stephen L. Carter, MD, FACS
Augusta Health Surgery Fishersville| 540.245.7705 www.augustahealth.com
Augusta Health Staunton Medical Associates Staunton | 540.886.6259 www.augustahealth.com
Carilion Clinic Family Medicine Bridgewater | 540.828.2634 CarilionClinic.org
George M. Tran, MD
Family Medicine Augusta Health Churchville Family Practice Churchville | 540.213.9960 www.augustahealth.com
Melissa deWolfe, DO
Augusta Health Surgery Fishersville | 540.245.7705 www.augustahealth.com
Hematology/Oncology UVA Health System Charlottesville | 434.924.9333 Cancer.uvahealth.com
Charles Pagels, MD
Anesthesia Associates of Augusta Fishersville | 800.249.5835 www.augustahealth.com
Nicholas Teman, MD
Augusta Health Gastroenterology Fishersville | 540.245.7350 www.augustahealth.com
Blue Ridge Foot and Ankle Clinic Fishersville | 540.949.5150 www.brfootandankle.com
Hematology/Oncology UVA Health System Charlottesville | 434.924.9333 Cancer.uvahealth.com
Naheed Velji, MD
Thoracic and Cardiovascular Augusta Health Cancer Center Surgery Fishersville | 540.332.5960 UVA Health System www.augustahealth.com Charlottesville | 434.982.4301 heart.uvahealth.com
OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
Augusta Health Hospitalists Fishersville www.augustahealth.com
Anesthesia Associates of Augusta Fishersville | 800.249.5835 www.augustahealth.com
Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Fishersville | 540.932.5850 www.shenandoahvalley orthopedics.com
Carlin A. Williams, MD
Vascular and Endovascular Surgery UVA Health System Charlottesville | 434.243.9250 heart.uvahealth.com
THE P ULSE | New People and Places
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www.OurHealthCville.com
CHECKUP
LOCAL HEALTH & MEDICINE
REASONS
THE BENEFITS OF
DRINKING ALCOHOL
DON'T
OUTWEIGH THE RISK
words | LAURA NEFF-HENDERSON, APR
While moderate alcohol use has possible health benefits, it's not risk-free, and the benefits don’t outweigh the risk, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. Moderate alcohol use is believed to be of most benefit to individuals with existing risk factors for heart disease, but even then, researchers advise people to avoid alcohol and take other steps to improve their heart health, including
1 2 3
eating a healthy diet and exercising.
EXCESS INCREASES RISK People who drink excessive amounts of alcohol over an extended period of time are more at risk of developing six cancers: colorectal, breast, esophageal, liver, stomach and oral (mouth, larynx and pharynx cancers). About 412,500 people died from an alcohol related cause in 2012 according to the World Health Organization.
ALCOHOL DAMAGES DNA Like tobacco and radiation, ethanol (commonly referred to as alcohol) is one of 248 known carcinogens according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Ethanol can cause DNA damage and reduce the body’s ability to absorb cancer-fighting nutrients (like folate and multiple vitamins) making it easier for potential carcinogens to enter cells.
A BAD COMBINATION Combining alcohol with smoking dramatically raises the risk of developing mouth and throat cancers.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
C HEC K UP |
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a standard alcoholic drink in the United States contains 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol.
3 Reason Why the Benefits of Drinking Alcohol Don't Outweigh the Risk
STANDARD ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
12
OUNCES BEER About 5% Alcohol
8
OUNCES
MALT LIQUOR About 7% Alcohol
Excessive drinkers can reduce their risk by stopping alcohol consumption, but the effects are not immediate. It can take years to undo the damage.
5
OUNCES WINE About 12% Alcohol
1.5
OUNCES
80-PROOF LIQUOR About 40% Alcohol
Moderate alcohol use for healthy adults means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.
www.OurHealthCville.com
19
OurHealth BOOKSHELF words | RICK PIESTER
Living with Childhood Cancer:
A Practical Guide to Help Families Cope By Leigh A. Woznick and Carol D. Goodheart, EdD 359 Pages | Available with:
Drawn from the experiences of a mother (Goodheart) and daughter (Woznick) and what they confronted when Woznick’s youngest daughter developed cancer, this is a real-life guide to the practical and emotional impacts of cancer in the family. The authors intersperse their own experiences with those of other families, and it includes a 44-page section of sources of help. It is full of useful actions and strategies for any family facing cancer — a welcome and valuable resource.
6 Months to Live, 10 Years Later: A Healing Journey and Guide to Wellbeing By Suzanna Marcus 282 Pages
A story not only of cancer, but also of how author Marcus overcame almost lifelong violence, loss and betrayal with internal tools and techniques. A candid, moving story, it is offered here not as a suggestion to reject modern diseasefighting methods, but to help the reader realize that a powerful ally in fighting disease is our own ability to create inner peace and harmony.
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
By Siddhartha Mukherjee 571 pages | Available with:
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction and included on the New York Times list of the 100 most important books of all time, The Emperor of All Maladies has its source in the demand of a cancer patient. Columbia University cancer specialist and author Mukherjee’s patient told him, “I’m willing to go on fighting, but I need to know what it is that I’m battling.” And with that, Mukherjee set to work on what has become an eloquent “biography” of the disease whose name was not even uttered in polite society until recent generations. At different times, painful, hopeful, discouraging and ultimately profound, this is a majestic book. 20
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C he ckUp | OurHealth Bookshelf
21
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
C HEC K UP |
How much do you know about Cancer?
7. Match each cancer with the corresponding awareness ribbon:
A)
Brain Cancer _____
1 Million
B) 1.7 Million
C)
500,000
D)
850,000
Anatomy Challenge on Cancer
1. In 2017, there will be an estimated ____________ Americans diagnosed with cancer.
Breast Cancer _____ 2. In 2017, there will be an estimated ____________ cancer related deaths in the United States.
A) 600,000
B) 300,000
C) 500,000
D) 200,000
Colon Cancer _____ Leukemia _____ Liver Cancer _____ Lung Cancer _____
3. True or False: In the United States the most commonly diagnosed cancer is non-melanoma skin cancer followed closely by breast cancer and then prostate caner.
Prostate Cancer _____ Skin Cancer _____
4. Approximately ____________ American males will develop cancer in their lifetime.
1 in 5
D)
1 in 3
5. Approximately ____________ American females will develop cancer in their lifetime.
1 in 2
C)
1 in 5
D)
10% less likely
Source: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org
C)
25%
more likely
D)
40%
less likely 8. True
more likely
B)
H)
8. True or False: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States.
7. F, C, A, D, H, E, B, G
20%
G)
1 in 3
6. Men are an estimated ____________ to be diagnosed with cancer in the United States then women.
A)
F)
6. A
B)
E)
5. D
1 in 4
D)
4. B
A)
C)
3. True
C)
2. A
1 in 2
B)
B)
1. B
1 in 4
A)
A)
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23
TAKING AIM at
CANCER WHERE ARE WE HITTING THE MARK?
While cancer diagnoses have remained alarmingly high in the US, there’s a silver-lining: the uptick is partly tied to cancer being caught and treated sooner. words | BRANDON SHULLEETA
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to educate people about preventing cancer in the first place — while also encouraging screenings that catch cancer in its infancy, when least dangerous. “With better screening, you can see that cancer diagnoses go up, because we’re identifying cancer in earlier stages on more people,” says Domenick Casuccio, who represents the American Cancer Society for Charlottesville and other areas of Virginia. “However, the death rates are declining because we’re diagnosing cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage, so people’s chance of surviving that cancer is higher.” As of the start of last year, more than 15.5 million living Americans knew they had cancer at the time or had previously been diagnosed, according to Casuccio. About one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
25
CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
In an exhaustive report released this year, the American Cancer Society found the “five-year relative survival rate” has increased by 20 percentage points among Caucasians and 24 percentage points among African Americans.
1 IN 3
PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH
CANCER
IN THEIR LIFETIMES.
The relative survival rate is the percentage of people who are alive over a designated time period (five years in this case) after having been diagnosed with cancer, compared with normal life expectancy. Skin and lung cancers are the most common of them all, Casuccio notes, adding that the overwhelming majority of lung cancer diagnoses are “directly attributed to tobacco usage.” “That’s why we’re working so hard to get people to either not smoke, or quit smoking,” he says. Ranked high among the other forms of cancer that are either largely preventable or effectively treated when caught early are: breast cancer, prostate cancer and cervical cancer, as well as ovarian cancer, which is often tied to the HPV virus. The American Cancer Society, for that reason, has been lobbying for HPV vaccinations for children.
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
CANC ER CAR E |
“We know those are preventable cancers,” Casuccio says. “We have a way to prevent them, but people are smoking and aren’t vaccinating their children.”
Taking Aim at Cancer
Local organizations that fight cancer have also been greatly focused on attacking colon cancer nowadays, continues Casuccio. “There’s a screening available for colon cancer, but many people, because of what’s involved, don’t get screened for the disease. So, we are trying to educate and encourage people that this is a cancer that we can catch early,” Casuccio explains. “If we catch it early, the polyps of the cancer can be removed and there’s no other radiation or chemotherapy involved.” “If you don’t get screened and the cancer advances, treatment will likely involve radiation, chemotherapy, and/or surgery,” he adds. Casuccio likens a colonoscopy to “having a mole removed before it’s skin cancer.” The American Cancer Society has been working with other local entities, including Virginia Commonwealth University, to educate people and provide screenings for people who have a family history of colon cancer or are over the age of 50, which is when people need their first colonoscopy. In addition to education and earlier screenings, survival rates have also improved because of technology, according to experts. “So, for instance, mammography 20 years ago was very basic, but now it is possible to find breast cancer that is smaller than a grain of salt,” Casuccio says. The American Cancer Society has also initiated outreach programs aimed at encouraging people to eat healthier, exercise more and keep tabs on alcohol consumption. In a large part, when it comes to cancer prevention and screening, people are finally listening. However, there’s more work to be done. “There are still people out there who are not getting screened,” says Cascuccio. “But, with continued awareness programs about the importance of screenings and early education programs about not smoking and living a healthy lifestyle, we will continue to make progress. And that is important to celebrate.”
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OurHealth | The Resource for Healthy Living in the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville
Cancer Ties Us
with Hope
This is a story of three people, three cancers and one purpose: TO LIVE LIFE WITH HOPE, EVERY DAY. words | BRANDY CENTOLANZA
“Working with cancer patients during the most difficult time of their lives has changed my perspective about life,” reflects Reshma Kheptal, MD, an oncologist with Augusta Health in Fishersville. “It has taught me to appreciate life deeply and understand the fact that how fragile we human beings are and yet how strong we can be during these difficult phases of our lives.” Everyone knows someone impacted by cancer. Whether it’s your grandfather, your mom, your next-door neighbor, your best friend, or even you, it affects not only the patient in profound ways, but people around them as well. Wendy Hewitt, 40, describes the past four months of her life as a “whirlwind.” In March, Hewitt, who lives just outside Charlottesville, was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram. Though two cancer tumors were discovered on her right breast, she opted for a double mastectomy, which came in April. The cancer then spread to her lymph nodes, requiring radiation treatment, which she started in May. Currently, Hewitt is undergoing hormone therapy, which could last five to ten years. When Hewitt found out she had cancer, “I was in a state of disbelief about what was really happening,” she says. “I was worried because I have a husband and two young kids. It’s been an adjustment. You have to start looking for a new normal.”
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CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
YOU HAVE TO START LOOKING FOR A NEW NORMAL. - HEWITT Carol Hurley, 63, of Farmville, agrees. Hurley discovered she had stage 4 lung cancer in January. Hurley, a former smoker, scheduled an appointment with her physician when she started having difficulty breathing. Doctors initially thought it was allergies, then tuberculosis. It turned out to be cancer. “Working with cancer patients during the most difficult time of their lives has changed my perspective about life.” RESHMA KHEPTAL, MD An oncologist with Augusta Health.
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“When they told me, I thought, ‘Okay, I have cancer,’” Hurley says. “I wasn’t upset. I just accepted it and thought ‘I just have to do what I have to do.’” On an early Sunday morning in September 2015, Mauricio Esperon, 46, of Staunton drove himself to the emergency room because he was having pain in his back and trouble breathing. The doctor ordered a chest x-ray, thinking it might be pneumonia, but it wasn’t. A series of additional tests revealed that Esperon’s condition was likely much more serious. “When the doctor came in to tell me what was going on, he was sad, and he asked me if I had someone with me before he told me the news,” says Esperon. “He offered to call my wife, but I didn’t want to trouble her. It was a bad dream that had become real.”
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CANC ER CAR E |
The doctor scheduled Esperon an emergency appointment with an oncologist for the next day. When the diagnosis came back, it was Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Cancer Ties Us Together with Hope
“I asked God, ‘How can this be?’” says Esperon. “I have three small boys and my wife. What would happen to them? I started having flashes that I would not see my sons graduate from school, get married or have kids of their own. But then a peace came over me, and I turned it over to God.” It is never easy, hearing the news that you have cancer. Minds start racing with questions and possible outcomes, even worst-case scenarios. Once the initial shock wears off, patients must focus on treatment plans, which may require spending multiple hours or days in a hospital, away from their homes and their daily routines. Life may never be the same again. “I recommend that patients have a good understanding of where they are in the disease process, but not dwell on numbers or bad prognoses,” says Ryan Gentzler, MD, an oncologist with University of Virginia Cancer Center. “Instead, I urge them to set goals for themselves at each stage of the treatment process, be optimistic that they will have good outcomes with treatment, and take things one step at a time.” Esperon’s treatments included six sessions of chemotherapy, one every three weeks. After he finished the chemo sessions, he had radiation 30 minutes a day for 30 days. He recalls the first chemo session at Augusta Health, which lasted twelve hours. “That first chemo treatment was horrible,” he says. “But every session got better and better. The good thing about those days is that even though I was at the hospital, when I passed the oncology door, I would act like I was going to the beach. And everybody around me was so great too – the nurses, the office staff, other patients, everyone. I made a lot of close friendships. It helped me develop and keep a positive attitude.”
Mauricio Esperon and his family.
HOW CAN THIS BE? I HAVE THREE SMALL BOYS AND MY WIFE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO THEM? - ESPERON
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CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
Hewitt spent a great deal of time researching her options after receiving the news she had cancer.
A FEW TIMES, IT HAS GOTTEN TO ME, BUT I JUST TURN ON THE MUSIC IN MY KITCHEN AND DANCE. – HURLEY
“The best thing you can do is inform yourself,” she says. “Empower yourself with information.” Hewitt underwent 28 radiation treatments for roughly one to two hours a day for five days a week at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. She suffered severe side effects, including burning, fatigue and nausea, and eventually had to cut back on her work hours. “My boss was great at working around my scheduling of doctor’s appointments,” says Hewitt. She also relied on her family for support. “All of my siblings and my parents have been supportive and helped me recuperate,” she shares. “My husband has also been amazing in helping me stay positive, and supporting all my decisions through this process.”
…SPEAK TO OTHER PEOPLE. DON’T HIDE IT. TALK ABOUT IT. THERE ARE A WHOLE BUNCH OF PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. – HEWITT
Hurley’s whole family also rallied around her during her time of need; one daughter temporarily relocated from her home in Florida to assist Hurley as she underwent treatment while a nephew made weekly trips from Washington, DC to help out. Hurley went through a 12-week experimental clinical trial this past spring that included sessions of chemotherapy as well as chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy using the antibody Pembrolizumab, or Keytruda. “I couldn’t go from my bedroom to my bathroom without having a hard time breathing,” she says. “Then one morning, I woke up, went from the bedroom to the bathroom and back and thought ‘Oh my God, I can breathe.’ I felt so much better. The treatment was phenomenal.” Cancer can be consuming, and it is typical to have ups and downs while undergoing treatment. Some people seek out their faith to cope, while others turn to nature, their friends and family, or use humor as a mechanism to get by. “The best advice I can give is to be moderately active,” shares Anthony Crimaldi, MD, an oncologist at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “It helps keep the fatigue away and lessens the side effects. Also, try to keep your daily routine. There is life outside of this hospital. Journaling is good. It helps a lot of patients. Patients write down their feelings, their needs and wants, their fears, and then we can help them if we can.” Hewitt, a Jehovah’s Witness, turned to her faith especially on bad days.
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CANC ER CAR E |
“Prayer has been a big help,” she says. “It’s made me mentally stronger. Exercise also helped me. I kept remembering that there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
I AM NOT LETTING CANCER CONSUME ME. – HEWITT There were times, however, when, lying in bed at night, “I would cry, but I would let myself have those moments,” Hewitt says. “I would cry and then I would take a minute to let everything sink in and then think that everything is okay. That it could be worse.” Nighttime also was difficult for Esperon, as his mind would go into overdrive thinking about the worst outcomes. During these times, he also turned to his faith in God to give him guidance and strength. “I read my Bible every day,” says Esperon. Esperon says that his family received a lot of help and support from people in their church, which allowed him to focus on doing what he had to do in order to get better.
Cancer Ties Us Together with Hope
“Everyday, I would repeat to myself, ‘I am not letting cancer consume me’,” says Hewitt.
“I recommend that patients have a good understanding of where they are in the disease process, but not dwell on numbers or bad prognoses.” RYAN GENTZLER, MD An oncologist with University of Virginia Cancer Center
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CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
While his treatments took a lot out of him, he still tried to fill his days will small things when he could to keep himself busy. “I began doing little chores around the house. Go to breakfast with men from my church. Pick up my sons after school and spend time with them,” explains Esperon. “My family and I would take walks together, laughing and being happy. I focused on the good things in my life, not my disease.” “The best advice I can give is to be moderately active. It helps keep
I FOCUSED ON THE GOOD THINGS IN MY LIFE, NOT MY DISEASE. – ESPERON
the fatigue away and lessens the side effects. Also, try to keep your daily routine.” ANTHONY CRIMALDI, MD An oncologist at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.
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Esperon says he also joined a support group at the hospital so he could learn what others were going through and in turn, share his own story in hopes it would help them. “I know what it’s like to have bad days,” he continues. “So many other people have had it worse than me. I talked with people about how my faith in God made me stronger, made me better. To live every moment like it is the last. How building a strong spiritual foundation for your life today will prepare you for difficult situations in the future. I just hope my story helped others as much as theirs helped me.”
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Esperon credits his faith in God, the support he received from people in his church, the doctors and nurses who cared for him and most of all, his wife and boys for making the darkest days of his life, brighter.
wonderful people by my side,” he says. Hewitt agrees. “You should speak to other people about it,” she says. “Don’t hide it. Share your experiences. There are a whole bunch of people going through the same thing.” And try not to dwell on the negative, no matter how awful it may seem. “I see myself as a positive person and feel that whatever happens, happens,” Hurley notes. “A few times, it has gotten to me, but I just turn on the music in my kitchen and dance, go tend to my roses, or go shopping for a new blouse. Buying a new blouse makes me happy.”
Wendy Hewitt and her family.
“I’ve always had a Bucket List,” Hurley shares. “When I first found out I
…INFORM YOURSELF. EMPOWER YOURSELF WITH INFORMATION.
had cancer, I didn’t think it possible to fulfill it, but now I feel like I can
– HEWITT
When she lost her hair as a result of the chemotherapy, Hurley turned it into “a diva moment,” she says. “I would match my caps to my outfits, and put on makeup, even if I was just going to Food Lion. That made me feel like I was going to be alright. To get up, put on my clothes, and have somewhere to go is an inspiration.” Hurley’s cancer will never go into remission; the tumor may shrink, but it will never fully disappear. On the days when she does not have treatment, she tries to check off items on her Bucket List. She’s been to see her favorite jazz singer, Jeffrey Osborne, and visited the National Museum of African History & Culture in Washington, DC.
accomplish anything.” It’s important for patients to take each day as it comes.
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Cancer Ties Us Together with Hope
“I wouldn’t have beat cancer without God and so many
CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
…NOW I FEEL LIKE I CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING! – HURLEY
“My best advice is to attempt to maintain some sense of normalcy,” Dr. Gentzler says. “A cancer diagnosis can be quite a devastating shock to an individual’s way of living. Too many changes at once can be difficult.” The word “cancer” evokes emotions we dread the most. Fear. Uncertainty. Panic. Despair. But the one emotion that matters, the one that trumps all others, always rises to the top. Hope. Every day, people are delivered the unfathomable news of a cancer diagnosis, and every day, each finds a strength they may never knew was inside of them, and using it, they pick themselves up and prepare for the fight of their lives. It’s not easy, as Wendy, Carol and Mauricio all attest. But with people by their side – family, friends, doctors and sometimes even strangers – all sharing their pain, their plight, their purpose, a day can get better and give us new hope that another will certainly follow. EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS Anthony Crimaldi, MD with Central Virginia Radiation Oncologists. Ryan Gentzler, MD with the University of Virginia Cancer Center. Reshma Khetpal, MD with Augusta Health Cancer Center.
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CANCER CARE
LOCAL CANCER SERVICES
CAN YOU ONLINE CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES?
If it looks TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, then it probably is.
What you need to know to AVOID CANCER FRAUD when browsing the web. words | CHRISTINE STODDARD
The ubiquity of the internet has made it easy for individuals to find information quickly and from the comfort of their homes. Unfortunately, it has also made it simple for some organizations to take advantage of people – especially those who may be most vulnerable, looking for resources and
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support to help them through difficult times. To help you in your search for the most credible information, keep these simple tips in mind:
If it looks too good to be true, it is. Be cautious of offers of ‘free trips’ for cancer patients, websites that ask for personal information, like your social security number or bank information and use screenshots of doctors claiming they have “miracle cures” so you can bring them to your provider. Even blogs can sometimes be misleading as they offer a very individualized experience and don’t provide the most accurate information needed for your own experience.
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CANC ER CAR E |
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Use websites with .gov or .org for general information and support services.
Can You Trust Online Cancer Support Services?
Be careful if you come across a .com site offering “too good to be true” services or uncorroborated information. Some websites that are recommended include the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society (which has over 800 resources for patients in Virginia), Cancer Care, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Caregivers, you should be aware too. There are also many misleading websites geared to caregivers. In addition using sites with .gov and .org, you can find resources at the Family Caregiver Alliance, National Family Caregiver Association, and the National Cancer Institute. Always remember that it’s easy to type in the word cancer and go to many different sites, all with promising or misleading information, but this does not mean you should avoid the internet altogether. As long as you know what to look for, online resources can be great tools to help talk with providers and find some great services.
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So, what do you do if you find fraudulent services or see acts of abuse online? Unfortunately, a specific agency for reporting cancer fraud doesn’t exist, but you can report it to USA.gov via their Online Safety portal. There you can learn more about safety on the internet, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and report cyber crime with the Department of Justice.
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NUTRITION
LOCAL FOODS & RECIPES
HealthyEats
>> First Impressions of Three Healthy Restaurants in the Charlottesville & Shenandoah Valley Area words | RICK PIESTER
Roots Natural Kitchen
The Salad Maker
Threepenny Café
300 East Market Street | Charlottesville
420 W Main Street | Charlottesville
1329 West Main Street | Charlottesville
434.284.5523 www.thesaladmaker.com
434.995.5277 www.threepennycafe.net
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Closed Monday, Tuesday
434.529.6229 www.rootsnaturalkitchen.com Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. In the scant couple of years since four UVA alumni opened the doors of Roots Natural Kitchen, it’s become a mainstay in the daily life of The Corner, the bustling, five-block commercial district around the entrance to the university’s grounds. Roots Natural Kitchen models its service on the currently popular bowl concept, where you pick all locally sourced base ingredients (grains, greens, or legumes) and then enhance them with a seemingly endless variety of vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and nuts. Very friendly staff people then dress your choices with your selection from at least ten dressings. And then you can top it all of with barbecued tofu, chicken, or sautéed mushrooms. If you’re not up to building your own salad, there’s a list of about a half-dozen signature salads from which to pick. A constant favorite is the El Jefe, a base of brown rice, with chicken, kale, chickpeas, roasted broccoli, charred white corn, red onion, feta, pita chips, and avocado. Suggested dressing is a cilantro lime mixture. 40
If there ever was a city with a “gracious plenty” of locally sourced, fresh, clean food, it’s Charlottesville. And to excel in the food environment hereabouts, you have to have a very special product. And you’ll find a great many special products at The Salad Maker. The brainchild of respected Charlottesville restaurateur Jacie Dunkle (The Tin Whistle Pub and Fellini’s #9,) the yearold Salad Maker answers the need for a downtown (on the Downtown Mall) source of healthy, quickly served foods from local farms. Located near the Paramount Theater on the Mall, the restaurant is one of a growing genre of establishments that have created a select menu of signature salads, while also maintaining the flexibility and ingredients for create-your-own salads. Your visit starts with a paper menu you pick up at the door. You circle the specialty salad or the ingredients and dressing of your choice, take your slip to the Create counter, pay roughly $8.95, and pick up your salad. It’s that simple, and it’s delicious.
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“At Threepenny Cafe,” this restaurant’s web site proclaims, “we believe food is art. Food should not only fill you up, it should please all of your senses. It should be composed of fresh and healthful ingredients, locally and responsibly sourced. And the place you break bread with family and friends should make you feel welcome.” And by every measure, “3p” more than lives up to that philosophy. Restaurant owners Merope Pavlides and her husband Peter Emch were first brought to Charlottesville from Baltimore, when their son was a patient at the UVA Medical Center. That’s not the best way to be introduced to a city, but they quickly fell in love with the area and opened an eatery that has assumed a rightful space in the city’s longstanding farm-to-table tradition. The relatively small, simple space is matched by a comparatively brief menu that promises fresh, clean food, and Threepenny Café delivers it beautifully.
NUTR I TI O N | HealthyEats
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FITSTYLES
LOCAL FITNESS & ATHLETICS
Take it From a Certified Personal Trainer. words | RICK PIESTER
The old adage “rules are meant to be broken” can certainly help you get further in life by encouraging you to think outside of the box, but in the gym this fast and loose ideology is dangerous. We’ve all seen (and probably laughed at) those viral videos of people using gym equipment incorrectly, but the reality is many people haven’t been taught how to exercise safely. With gym membership prices falling and access to facilities increasing across the nation, more people are walking into their local gym, but without proper guidance it’s easy to get hurt. Marcus Evins, a certified personal trainer at American Family Fitness with over four years of hands-on resistance training experience, says he sees the most misuse in the squat rack. This daunting piece of equipment is generally in the back corner of a commercial gym, near the free weights, where you can often find people neglecting to utilize any of the safety features while carrying hundreds of pounds on their shoulders. 42
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FI TSTY LES |
To safely squat, Evins says the first step is to properly set up the rack.
How to Avoid Hurting Yourself at the Gym
“The catches that support the weight should be set in a manner that matches a comfortable position in which you would unrack the weight,” Evins explains. Meaning those metal bars on the side of the squat rack that so often go ignored are actually there for a reason and should be set purposefully, so “if any accidents occur where you ‘fail’ a squat attempt, the safety bars will prevent the barbell from crashing down on your body.” And even if you don’t “fail” an attempt, un-racking hundreds of pounds with bad form can still be disastrous.
“At the end of the day, the most important aspect of an effective workout is good form.” MARCUS EVINS A certified personal trainer at American Family Fitness
Whether you’re using your body weight during a simple plank or stacking on hundreds of pounds for barbell squats in the squat rack, form always comes first. Great form isn’t always intuitive, so practicing good form is the best way to ensure you stay safe and injury-free. Never be afraid to ask a professional for help, either. Places like Gold’s Gym have free 7-day passes that can get you started with a trainer even if you don’t opt to pay for the full membership after your trial (the Charlottesville Gold’s offers both a free 7-day VIP pass and a free class pass). If you have access to the University of Virginia’s Recreational facilities, you can take advantage of their beginner weight-training sessions that start in the fall and even if you don’t, check out Eventbrite or Facebook for local free fitness activities in and around the city. Just remember: exercise smarter, not harder. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Marcus Evins, a certified personal trainer at American Family Fitness.
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FAMILY CARE
HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Pampering Your Prostate in Youth Could Make for a Healthier Man Later On words | RICK PIESTER
For such a small thing (about the size of a walnut,) the prostate sure gets a lot of press. The vaguely kidney-beanshaped gland sits at the base of the male bladder and encircles the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. Its job is to produce some of the fluid that nourishes and protects sperm cells in semen. Every male should be mindful of the prostate, because after age 50 or so for most, it can be the source of trouble that no man would want. The prostate tends to enlarge as a man ages, with ills ranging from an overly enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia in medical terms) to inflammation of the gland (prostatitis) to prostate cancer, which can affect as many as 230,000 men each year. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. It’s the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer in men. So it makes good sense for every man to do what he can in youth to avoid problems with the prostate later on in life. There’s no guarantee, but there are steps that men can take 44
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in their 20s, 30s and 40s to up the chances for a healthier 50s and beyond. According to Brian Stisser, MD, of Blue Ridge Urological Associates, PC, in Fishersville, the main step to take in prostate care is to take care of the packaging around it. Good, general health practices, Dr. Stisser says, can pay dividends. “There’s more and more data and thought,” Dr. Stisser notes, “that many cancers are almost immunologic — like catching a virus or having an infection. So if you are able to do things to boost the body’s immune system, it can reduce the likelihood of cancer developing, but if cancer does develop it gives the person a much better chance of beating it. Certain risk factors, he says, can’t be avoided. Those include your age, your family history, your race (a higher incidence of cancer among African Americans, especially people of Caribbean extraction and Caucasians higher than Hispanics, for example) and even where you live. Research suggests that men living above the 40th degree of latitude have a higher chance of a diagnosis of prostate cancer. Virginia is below 40 degrees latitude.
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THOSE FACTORS ASIDE, HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO TO KEEP YOURSELF, AND YOUR PROSTATE, HEALTHY: PROPER NUTRITION. Cultivate a diet low in saturated fats and high in fruits and vegetables. Think Mediterranean Diet. Limit your intake of animal fats, including dairy products; eat lots of fish, fruits (especially watermelon), nuts, vegetables (especially cooked tomatoes, onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, leafy green vegetables and others). Green tea also helps.
Can Watermelon & Where You Live Prevent Prostate Cancer?
•
“There’s more and
Did you know? Watermelon is a GOOD SOURCE OF LYCOPENE, an antioxidant linked with treatment and prevention of cancer.
more data and thought that many cancers are almost immunologic — like catching a virus or having an infection. So if
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EXERCISE. Dr. Stisser notes that current exercise recommendations for males over age 40 are for about 150 minutes of cardiovascular exercise per week, something to get the heart rate elevated. And, he cautions, it doesn’t have to be wind sprints at the local track. It can be like mowing the lawn, cleaning gutters, etc. “Other times, he says, “it can be choosing a flight of stairs instead of an elevator, parking a little further away from where you’re going, and things like that.” HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS. There are no studies that suggest clear benefit to the prostate of vitamins and herbal supplements, and Dr. Stisser cautions that they are tricky subjects pertaining to prostate cancer. He further cautions that if you are thinking of take them, see them as medications and treat them accordingly, which includes discussing your plans with your doctor. “As long as someone has a well-rounded diet, most of the supplements really are not needed,” advises Dr. Stisser. REGULAR SCREENING. The American Urological Association recommends screening for prostate cancer between the ages of 55 and 70 for healthy men, with the ages adjusted for at-risk men, healthier older men, etc. The screening is quick, simple and painless, involving a rectal exam and a blood test called the PSA. And always be sure to discuss your individual needs with your physician.
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Brian Stisser, MD, of Blue Ridge Urological Associates, PC, in Fishersville.
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you are able to do things to boost the body’s immune system, it can reduce the likelihood of cancer developing, but if cancer does develop it gives the person a much better chance of beating it.” BRIAN STISSER, MD A urologist with Blue Ridge Urological, PC in Fishersville. Dr. Stisser is certified by the American Board of Urology.
Schedule your screening today! According to the American Urological Association, you should schedule a prostate screening if you meet the following criteria:
Male between the ages of
55 and 70. Note: ages may be adjusted for at-risk men, healthier older men, etc.
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FAMILY CARE
HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
“The goal of cosmetic surgery is improvement, not perfection,� says Naderi. The quest for perfection cannot overshadow common sense.
Should Your Teen Be Getting Cosmetic Surgery? words | CHRISTINE STODDARD
There was a time when plastic surgery was only for devastated accident survivors and aging movie stars trapped in an increasingly superficial industry. Yet today it is becoming a far more common choice for younger candidates to go under the knife. For the young and famous like Kyle Jenner of Kardashian family fame, cosmetic surgery is an expensive but expected rite of passage. By 16, the young star already had lip augmentation, while recent photos and rumors indicate possible breast implants. SHERVIN NADERI, MD A plastic surgeon at Naderi Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Care in Herndon. Dr. Naderi is certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
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So, when it comes to teen cosmetic surgery, how young is too young?
What are the risks? According to rhinoplasty expert Shervin Naderi, MD of Herndon, it depends on the procedure. The most common cosmetic surgery for children as young as 6 years of age is otoplasty, also known as ear pinning. This procedure is commonly done before the start of the school year to help a child avoid
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FAMI LY CAR E | How Young is Too Young?
too much teasing about “elephant” or “Dumbo” ears. Other procedures, such as rhinoplasty, can begin as early as 14. Less invasive forms of enhancement, such as Botox, can be performed on 20-year-olds. No matter the procedure or the reason, cosmetic surgery is not something to be taken lightly at any age. “I talk 20-30 percent of all patients out of surgery at any age,” says Naderi. Mental, emotional, and physical maturity are key factors. “Giving a 14 or 16-year-old who is mature and wants more self-confidence a better nose is very rewarding,” he says. “The surgery must be appropriate. We will not do major bone shifting or major architectural changes to the face before 18 simply to ensure the patient is at a mature and a legal age to make the decision— and have no regrets.” Parents need to vet doctors carefully to make sure they have their children’s best interests at heart.
Surgery Pressure When young people are pressured to undergo cosmetic surgery by either parents or doctors, the results can be tragic and traumatizing. “Kids who were taken for plastic surgery by their parents recall the heartbreaking harsh comments or scrutiny or mocking by their parents affecting their selfconfidence which creates scars much longer lasting than a surgeon's scalpel,” says Naderi. A botched surgery can be fixed, but a scarred psyche cannot.
Improvement, Not Perfection The risks for young people electing to undergo cosmetic surgery are primarily psychological. If they have low selfesteem, therapy is a better option. No child or teen should ever feel that they are unlovable or unattractive. After all, “The goal of cosmetic surgery is improvement, not perfection,” says Naderi. The quest for perfection cannot overshadow common sense. Ultimately, parents are responsible for protecting their kids—even from themselves. EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR Shervin Naderi, MD with Naderi Center for Cosmetic Surgery & Skin Care in Herndon.
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FAMILY CARE
HEALTH FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
BRAIN
EXERCISES
TO HELP BOOST MEMORY
Brain exercises are to the mind what weight lifting is to the body. words | LAURA NEFF-HENDERSON, APR
As we age, our brain’s ability to withstand the natural neurological damage that occurs lessens and can make it more difficult to perform seemingly simple mental tasks. Brain exercises can help strengthen the neural connections in the brain by challenging our working memory and mental agility. In combination with a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutrient-rich diet, getting plenty of sleep, and physical exercise, some researchers believe brain exercises (also referred to as brain training) can strengthen our mental ability. Find a few minutes to fit the following brain exercises into your schedule to boost your memory and flex your mental muscles.
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Make a list – grocery items, daily tasks, or anything else that comes to mind – and memorize it. An hour or so later, see how many items you can recall. Make items on the list as challenging as possible for the most benefit.
Playing a game, like Chess or Sudoku, makes you to think several steps ahead to your next move. The planning and strategizing component of games requires focus and self-control.
7 Hit the gym:
Exercise affects the brain on multiple fronts. It increases heart rate, which pumps more oxygen to the brain. It also aids the bodily release of a plethora of hormones, all of which participate in aiding and providing a nourishing environment for the growth of brain cells.
Learn something new:
Take up a new hobby that involves fine-motor skills or learn a foreign language. Knitting, drawing and painting are all good ways to refine your hand-eye abilities and the listening and hearing involved in learning a foreign language stimulates the brain.
Did you know?
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A rich vocabulary has been linked to a REDUCED RISK for cognitive decline.
Challenge your taste buds:
Choose a cuisine unfamiliar to you for dinner tonight. Pick up the ingredients and make it at home, or visit a local restaurant to try something new. While you eat your meal, take time to identify each of the smells and tastes.
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7 Brain Exercises to Help Boost Memory
Test your recall:
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Figure out how much you can save at the grocery store with coupons and sale items without help from a pencil and paper or your phone calculator. Make it even harder by walking up and down the aisle at the same time.
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Research has shown that using the opposite side of your brain can result in a rapid and substantial expansion in the parts of the cortex that control and process tactile information from the hand. Don't forget to open the tube and apply toothpaste in reverse, too.
Play a game:
Do the math… in your head:
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Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand:
closer LOOK
Can you identify which local practice the image belongs to?
E E R AF
n N o I i t W crip
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