Your Health Connection - Fall 2010/Winter 2011

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FALL 2010/WINTER 2011

your source for healthy living

CLOSE TO HOME, CONVENIENT, STATE-OF-THE-ART

CELEBRATING SUCCESS in Cancer Treatment

Years ago, the Radiation Oncology Services – Newnan (ROS) physicians developed a unique clinical program still in active use today: New Patient Tumor Conference (NPTC). NPTC provides a weekly forum for treatment planning and peer review. All new ROS-Newnan patients have the benefit of this built in second opinion. During NPTC, the treating physician presents new cases to our team of eleven ROS physicians for their input and approval of the treatment plan. Through a collaborative effort, NPTC ensures that all patients receive treatment consistent with both ROS and national standards.

The Newnan center has expanded to include two linear accelerators.

Dr. Rao, Dr. Santiago and the ROS-Newnan team provide state-of-theart technology to include: ■

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

■

Image Guided Radiation Therapy

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Partial Breast Radiation

■

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

■

Prostate Seed Implants

■

High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

■

Gamma Knife

A publication of The Times-Herald

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia...10 Benton House ................................9 RADIATION ONCOLOGY SERVICES–NEWNAN

Fleur de Lis Counseling ..................4

211 Millard C. Farmer Industrial Blvd. | Newnan, GA 30263 | 770-254-9600

Lifeboat Medical Associates ...........6

At ROS-Newnan, we recognize that the word cancer has different meanings depending on one’s perspective.

MedaPhase Inc. .............................5 Radiation Oncology Services ........12

We deliver quality cancer care at all levels throughout a patient’s ROSNewnan experience. In addition, we provide technology and expertise in an environment of compassionate care. It is through the efforts of many that the fear associated with cancer can be replaced with understanding, acceptance and hope.

ROS-Newnan extends a heartfelt thank you for the support of the communities we serve.

University of West Georgia .........3, 8 West Georgia Gastroenterology Associates, P.C.............................11 Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in radiation therapy since 1995.

www.radonc.com

West Georgia Technical College......7

Cancer Treatment • Counseling • Dermatology • Gastroenterology • Healthcare • Medical Career • Podiatry • Senior Living

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YOUR Health

How can I control food portions when eating out?

A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months.

Tips below focus on half portions, avoiding supersize soft drinks, and eating fresh fruit, vegetables.

I

t's flu-shot season already, and for the first time health authorities are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated. There is even a new high-dose version for people 65-or-older.

What a difference a year makes: Crowds lined up for hours for scarce shots during last fall's swine flu pandemic, when infections peaked well before enough vaccine could be produced. This year, a record vaccine supply is expected — an allin-one inoculation that now promises protection against that swine flu strain plus two other kinds of influenza.

Shipments began so early that drugstores were offering vaccinations amid their back-to-school sales.

But without last year's scare factor, the question is how many people will heed the new policy for near-universal vaccination. No more stopping to check if you're on a high-risk list: A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months — the shot isn't approved for tots that young — and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to brew it.

"Influenza is serious, and anyone, including healthy people, can get the flu and spread the flu," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and those around you."

The CDC was moving toward that policy even before last year's pandemic brought home an inescapable fact: The flu virus doesn't just kill grandparents and babies and people with weak lungs or hearts, although they're particularly vulnerable. It also can kill healthy pregnant women and 30-somethings. And 5-year-olds.

"We were discussing how we were going to go get his Star Wars Halloween costume after he got out of the hospital ... and all of a sudden his eyes lost their focus," said Serese Marotta of Dayton, Ohio, describing for reporters how her son Joseph, 5, died of swine flu last October before vaccine was available in her community. She urged families to make vaccination a priority.

Q: I got vaccinated against both seasonal and that so-called H1N1 flu last year, so why do I need vaccine this year?

A: It protects against a different strain of the H3N2 influenza family that has cropped up, as well as last year’s swine flu, part of the H1N1 family, and a Type B strain. Every year a different flu vaccine is brewed to match the constantly

to eat more than you need. ■Stop eating when you begin to feel full. Focus on enjoying the setting and your friends or family for the rest of the meal. ■Avoid large beverages such as “supersize� sugar-sweetened soft drinks. They have a large number of calories. Instead, try drinking water with a slice of lemon. If you want to drink soda, choose a calorie-free beverage or a small sugarsweetened soft drink. ■When traveling, pack a small cooler of foods that are hard to find on the road, such as fresh fruit, sliced raw vegetables and fatfree or low-fat yogurt. Also pack a few bottles of water instead of sugar-sweetened soda or juice. – National Institutes of Health

U.S. smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults

changing flu strains that circle the globe.

Q: Will I need just one shot?

A: Most people will, but any children under 9 getting their first-ever flu vaccine will need two, a month apart, to prime their immune systems.

Q: What if my child’s first-ever vaccine was last year and she got one dose of seasonal and one dose of swine flu vaccine?

A: She wasn’t primed enough and needs her two doses this year, said Dr. Michael Brady of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, who co-authored the American Academy of Pediatrics flu vaccination guidelines.

Q: Who’s at high risk from flu?

A: Young children, anyone 50 or older, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease, pregnant women. Also, health workers and caregivers of infants can infect the vulnerable unless vaccinated.

Q: Why should I bother since fewer people than usual died last year?

A: Last year’s U.S. toll: about 12,000 deaths, 60 million illnesses and 265,000 hospitalizations.

New CDC statistics recently suggest flu strain mortality varies widely, from 3,000 in an exceptionally mild year to 49,000 in a recent really bad one — and it’s impossible to predict how bad each year will be. – The Associated Press

U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported this summer.

About 21 percent of U.S. adults were smokers in 2009, about the same percentage as the year before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The smoking rate — which fell dramatically since the 1960s — has basically been flat since about 2004.

Teen smoking, at nearly 20 percent, has not been improving lately, either.

Health officials believe they’ve lost momentum because of cuts to anti-tobacco campaigns and shrewd marketing by cigarette companies.

The new report suggests that more than 46 million American

adults still smoke cigarettes. “It’s tragic,� said CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden, who calls smoking the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States. He estimates that smoking kills 1,000 Americans a day.

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Some experts were particularly disheartened by a CDC finding in a second report that nearly all children who live with a smoker â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 98 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have measurable tobacco toxins in their body. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Associated Press

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Here are some questions and answers about flu:

Research shows that the more often a person eats out, the more body fat he or she has â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plain and simple.

Preparing more meals at home and less of eating out or getting take-out foods is one way to combat the problem of gaining those extra pounds.

When you must eat away from home, try these tips to help control portions... â&#x2013; Share your meal, order a halfportion or order an appetizer as a main meal. Examples of healthier appetizers include tuna or chicken salad, minestrone soup, and tomato or corn salsas. â&#x2013; Take at least half of your meal home. Ask for a portion of your meal to be boxed up when it is served so you will not be tempted

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Time to get your flu shot, but just one this year

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ER visits for concussions soar among kid athletes While awareness has increased, many parents, coaches and players still don’t understand how serious concussions can be.

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mergency room visits for school-age athletes with concussions has skyrocketed in recent years, suggesting the intensity of kids’ sports has increased along with awareness of head injuries.

The findings in a study of national data don’t necessarily mean that concussions are on the rise.

However, many children aren’t taken for medical treatment, so the numbers are likely only a snapshot of a much bigger problem, doctors say.

“It definitely is a disturbing trend,” said lead author Dr. Lisa Bakhos, an ER physician in Neptune, N.J. The study examined concussions in organized youth sports involving ages 8 to 19. ER visits for 14- to 19-year-olds more than tripled, from about 7,000 in 1997 to nearly 22,000 in 2007.

Among ages 8 to 13, visits doubled, from 3,800 to almost 8,000.

While awareness has increased, many parents, coaches and players still don’t understand how serious concussions can be, Bakhos said. Many often seem less concerned with the injury than with how soon kids can return to sports.

“They want to know if they can play tomorrow, and you’re just like, ‘No!’” she said. “It’s not

just as simple as get up, shake it off and you’ll be fine.

“If they’re not treated properly, with rest, then they can have long-term problems,” Bakhos said.

Those include learning difficulties, memory problems and chronic headaches.

The study appears in Pediatrics along with a report about sports-related concussions from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sports medicine council.

A concussion means the brain has been jostled.

Symptoms aren’t always obvious. There usually is no loss of consciousness. And a concussion doesn’t show up on an imaging scan unless there is bruising or bleeding.

Symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness and trouble concentrating, and may last about a week. Sometimes it can take months to recover.

Potential concussions should not be “toughed out,” say the authors of the Pediatrics report. Affected athletes should always be examined by a doctor or someone else with medical expertise.

– The Associated Press

Tired, achy feet don’t have to be part of your day Standing on your feet all day can take a toll on your body, causing foot discomfort that can really impact your day-to-day life.

Whether it’s long days at work or hours spent running errands around town, you’re constantly putting pressure on your feet, causing them to be tired and achy. As feet are the foundation of the body, it’s important to ensure you’re taking the right steps to keep your feet comfortable.

The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. While this is considered healthy activity, maintaining foot comfort can be a challenge for some.

“Fifty percent of adults suffer from tired, achy feet, especially if they have jobs that keep them on their feet all day,” says Dr. Leslie

Newnan’s fastest-growing educational hub is your place of

Campbell, a podiatrist and consultant for Dr. Scholl’s. “Many aren’t getting the relief they need, but there are simple ways to help relieve foot discomfort to keep you on your feet longer.”

GOT WARTS?

Plantar warts are very painful and unsightly problems that are commonly caused by a virus and often difficult to treat. Methods of treatment include: salicylic acid, drying agents and even surgery.

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Now there is another option that is an excellent method of treatment. The Pulse Dye Laser excludes any cutting. It restricts the blood supply to the wart, therefore completely destroying the wart. The success rates have been 90% with one to four treatments.

Most patients are able to return to their normal activity the next day.

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If you’ve got warts, call today for a consultation:

– ARAContent

The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these basic tips to help you treat your feet right: Make sure your shoes fit. Try purchasing new shoes later in the day as that’s when feet tend to be at their largest.

■ It’s important to alternate footwear — never wear the same pair of shoes every day.

■ Bathe your feet every day in lukewarm water with mild, moisturizing soap.

■

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More than skin: Preventing the unseen signs of aging

Should men be tested for prostate cancer?

The American Cancer Society revised its guidelines for prostate cancer screening this year.

The advocacy group is one of many organizations that make such recommendations.

Some questions and answers: Q: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the advice?

A: The bottom line is the same: Routine screening isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recommended for most men.

Before any testing is done, doctors should discuss the pros and cons of screening and treatment. For the first time, the guidelines give â&#x20AC;&#x153;talking pointsâ&#x20AC;? for that discussion.

Q. When should men have this talk?

A. Starting at age 50 for men at average risk; at 45 for those at higher risk, including African-Americans and men with a close relative with prostate cancer before 65; and at 40 for those with more relatives with prostate cancer before 65.

Q: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong with screening

for prostate cancer?

A: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually done with a blood test and a physical exam. Neither is perfect and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little proof that early detection saves lives.

The tests can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of slowgrowing tumors that might not have caused any problems.

The blood test measures a substance called prostate specific antigen, or PSA. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made by normal and cancer cells in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland just below the bladder. But PSA levels can be high for many reasons, including a benign enlarged prostate or infections, and a biopsy is needed to confi rm a tumor.

Even if cancer is found, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no agreement on the best treatment approach - â&#x20AC;&#x153;watchful waiting,â&#x20AC;? surgery, hormone therapy or

radiation. The treatments can lead to impotence and incontinence.

Q: What if my doctor doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to answer all my questions?

A: The cancer society is suggesting that doctors use â&#x20AC;&#x153;patient decision aidsâ&#x20AC;? - brochures, videos and Web sites - that explain the pros and cons of screening and help men make the right choice for them.

Q: OK, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve considered all the trade-offs. What if I want to be tested?

A: Screening should include a PSA blood test, the cancer society says.

In a change to its guidelines, the group says a digital rectal exam is now optional rather than a standard part of any screening.

testing program, should I go?

A: The new guidelines raise concerns about community screening programs. The cancer society says those programs should provide information about the risks and benefits of screening, and adequate follow-up care for men with abnormal results. Otherwise, men shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t participate.

Q: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all too confusing. What if I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t decide whether to get screened?

A: You can let your doctor decide, factoring in the your health and values. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Associated Press

Q: My church is sponsoring a mobile

From wrinkle cream to hair dye and everything in between, some people go to great lengths to disguise the signs of aging.

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owever, despite the wisdom that comes with getting older, we often overlook the less visible signs of age, like everyday activities becoming more difficult, which can have a more significant impact our lives than a few gray hairs.

Muscle loss can occur as young as age 40, causing weakness or lack of energy that may force people to give up or cut back on activities they once enjoyed - from golfing to gardening to keeping up with their children or grandchildren. But the good news, according to muscle health experts, is that muscle loss can not only be prevented but even reversed, allowing people to stay active and vibrant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting older is a fact of life, so we should take action now to protect our muscles so we can stay healthy as we age,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine for adults over age 40. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong muscles help people continue doing the things they love. Taking steps today to protect and strengthen our muscles can keep us active and independent, leading to a greater quality of life down the road.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Wright offers her expert tips on how to take charge of your muscle health:

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Unlike traditional forms of bullying, youths who are the targets of cyber bullying at school are at greater risk for depression than are the youths who bully them, according to a survey conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Traditional forms of bullying involve physical violence, verbal taunts, or social exclusion. Cyber bullying, or electronic aggression, involves aggressive behaviors communicated over a computer or a cell phone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Notably, cyber victims reported higher depression than cyber bullies or bully-victims, which was not found in any other form of bullying,â&#x20AC;? the study authors wrote in the Journal of Adolescent Health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś unlike traditional bullying which usually involves a face-to-face confrontation, cyber victims may not

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Feed your muscles: Regular activity is only one ingredient in a recipe for better muscle health.

Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re eating a balanced diet that includes protein, fiber and brightly colored fruits and vegetables. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some-

â&#x2013;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting older is a fact of life, so we should take action now to protect our muscles so we can stay healthy as we age,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Vonda Wright.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; National Institutes of Health

â&#x2013; Use it or lose it: The old adage is true. Muscles can deteriorate with time if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use them regularly, leaving you feeling weak. But there is good news: Studies show that muscle atrophy from inactivity is reversible no matter your age, so the more you use your muscles, the stronger theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be.

Get a move on: Even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re completely new to exercising, daily activity is important and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better time to get active than right now. Start out with the basics, like taking daily walks around your neighborhood. Once that becomes a habit, switch up your routine While the aging process canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t with other light activities. Daily be stopped, muscle loss can be exercise can also reduce the risks prevented or even reversed with for diabetes, breast cancer, heart exercise and proper nutrition. Ev

conditions and even depression. eryone, from weekend walkers to after-work athletes, can take simâ&#x2013; Take the muscle test: Test yourple steps now to build and mainself and see just how strong you tain strong, healthy muscles and are. There are many simple, at- continue doing the activities they home tests you can do to measure enjoy for years to come. the strength of your muscles. For â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ARAContent

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Choosing the best option for a senior loved one can be a confusing and overwhelming process. At Benton House we stand ready to serve you, regardless if weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re your ultimate choice. Learn more about: t Service options - defining independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing homes and in-home care t Fees and services - how to pay for the service offered t The process - how to communicate with senior loved ones, what emotions are involved, where to turn for assistance

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instance, do as many pushups as possible until exhaustion to test your upper body strength. For average 40-somethings, men should be able to complete 21 to 28 pushups and women should complete 18 to 24 modified pushups.

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Connection

Can home cooking be hazardous to you and your family?

Could your kitchen at home pass a restaurant inspection?

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ew research suggests that at least one in seven home kitchens would flunk the kind of health inspection commonly administered to restaurants.

The small study from California’s Los Angeles County found that only 61 percent of home kitchens would get an A or B if put through the rigors of a restaurant inspection. At least 14 percent would fail — not even getting a C. I would say if they got below a C, I’m not sure I would like them to invite me to dinner,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

In comparison, nearly all Los Angeles County restaurants — 98 percent — get A or B scores each year.

The recently-released study is believed to be one of the first to offer a sizable assessment of food safety in private homes. But the researchers admit the way it was done is hardly perfect.

The results are based not on actual inspections, but on an Internet quiz taken by about 13,000 adults.

So it’s hard to use it to compare the conditions in home kitchens to those in restaurants, which involve trained inspectors giving objective assessments of dirt, pests, and food storage and han-

Connection w w w . h e a l t h y s k i n r e s e a r c h . c o m YOUR Health

dling practices.

What’s more, experts don’t believe the study is representative of all households, because people who are more interested and conscientious about food safety are more likely to take the quiz.

“You’ll miss a big population who don’t have home computers or just really don’t care” about the cleanliness of their kitchens, said Martin Bucknavage, a food safety specialist with Penn State University’s Department of Food Science.

A more comprehensive look would probably find that an even smaller percentage of home kitchens would do well in a restaurant inspection, he suggested.

An estimated 87 million cases of food-borne illness occur in the United States each year, including 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths, according to an Associated Press calculation that uses a CDC formula and recent population estimates.

Many outbreaks that receive publicity are centered on people who got sick after eating at a restaurant, catered celebration or large social gathering. In this summer’s outbreak linked to salmonella in eggs, several illnesses were first identified in clusters among restaurant patrons.

But experts believe the bulk of food poison-

THANK YOU!

In reality, acne is increasingly common in adult women.

Many continue to break out into their 20’s, 30’s or beyond.

Treatment is often less effective than desired.

Dr. Mark Ling is conducting a research study testing an investigational topical medication. If you are a female beetween the ages of 18-40 with facial acne you may qualify for this study. All office visits and study medication are provided at no charge and participants may be eligible for reimbursement for time and travel of up to $100.00.

ings are unreported illnesses from food prepared at home.

– The Associated Press

NEWNAN HOSPITAL

Do you have Psoriasis?

I’m too old to have acne!

MedaPhase Healthy Skin Research

Dr. Mark Ling is conducting a research study testing an investigational topical medication for plaque-type psoriasis. If you are 12 years of age or older and have moderate psoriasis you may be eligible. Study medication, study-related office visits, and all studyrelated treatments are available to qualified participants at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may be available.

MedaPhase, Inc. was founded by Dr. Mark Ling to research new treatments for skin disease. Dr. Ling is former Director of Dermatology Clinical Research at Emory University. He trained at Harvard and Duke and is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. MedaPhase is in Newnan and serves the southern Atlanta region.

Is A Toenail Fungus Infection preventing you from wearing sandals?

from

School of Nursing

Toenail fungus infection (“onychomycosis”) is an extremely common infection of the nails by fungus. The infection is stubborn, difficult to treat, and results in unsightly and often painful toenails. Treatments are often slow, time-consuming and far from 100% effective.

If you have this difficult to treat condition and are between the ages of 18-70 you may be eligible to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Mark Ling, testing a topical investigational medication for the treatment of toenail fungus infection. All study visits and study medication are provided at no cost to you and qualified participants may be eligible for compensation for time and travel.

If interested, please contact the research staff at 770-252-6900 for more information.

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Report: Obesity hurts your wallet and your health Obesity puts a drag on the wallet as well as health, especially for women.

D

octors have long known that medical bills are higher for the obese, but that's only a portion of the real-life costs.

George Washington University researchers added in things like employee sick days, lost productivity, even the need for extra gasoline — and found the annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.

That's far more than the cost of being merely overweight — $524 for women and $432 for men, concluded the report recently released, which analyzed previously published studies to come up with a total.

Why the difference between the sexes? Studies suggest larger women earn less than skinnier women, while wages don't differ when men pack on the pounds. That was a big surprise, said study co-author and health policy professor Christine Ferguson.

Researchers had expected every-

body's wages to suffer with obesity, but "this indicates you're not that disadvantaged as a guy, from a wage perspective," said Ferguson, who plans to study why.

Then consider that obesity is linked to earlier death. While that's not something people usually consider a pocketbook issue, the report did average in the economic value of lost life. That brought women's annual obesity costs up to $8,365, and men's to $6,518.

The report was financed by one of the manufacturers of gastric banding, a type of obesity surgery.

The numbers are in line with other research and aren't surprising,

Don’t bank on weekend to make up for lost sleep Sleeping in on Saturday after a few weeks of too little shuteye may feel refreshing, but it can give a false sense of security.

New research shows chronic sleep loss cannot be cured that easily. Scientists teased apart the effects of short- and long-term sleep loss and found that the chronically sleep-deprived may function normally soon after waking up, but experience steadily slower reaction times as the day wears on, even if they had tried to catch up the previous night.

Concerns are at work with important safety implications in an increasingly busy society, not just for shift-workers but for the roughly one in six Americans who regularly get six hours or less of sleep a night.

“We know that staying awake

24 hours in a row impairs performance to a level comparable to a blood-alcohol content beyond the legal limit to drive,” said lead researcher Dr. Daniel Cohen of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

But when the chronically sleepdeprived pull an all-nighter, “the deterioration is increased tenfold,” Cohen said.

The National Institutes of Health says adults need seven hours to nine hours of sleep for good health. Regularly getting too little increases the risk of health problems, including memory impairment and a weakened immune system. More immediately, too little sleep affects reaction times; sleepiness is to blame for car crashes and other accidents.

– The Associated Press

said Dr. Kevin Schulman, a professor of medicine and health economist at Duke University who wasn't involved in the new report.

Two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has tripled in the past three decades. Nearly 18 percent of adolescents now are obese, facing a future of diabetes, heart disease and other ailments.

Looking at the price tag may help policymakers weigh the value of spending to prevent and fight obesity, said Schulman, pointing to factors like dietary changes over the past 30 years and physical environments

that discourage physical activity.

"We're paying a very high price as a society for obesity, and why don't we think about it as a problem of enormous magnitude to our economy?" he asks. "We're creating obesity and we need to do a manon-the-moon effort to solve this before those poor kids in elementary school become diabetic middle-aged people."

A major study published last year found medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for the obese than normal-weight people. The most recent report added mostly work-related costs — things like sick days and disability claims - related to those health problems.

It also included a quirky finding, a study that calculated nearly 1 billion additional gallons of gasoline are used every year because of increases in car passengers' weight since 1960.

– The Associated Press

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Using the flow of water to dislodge fat, this technique is unlike any other, providing many advantages.

Using a gentle, pulsating spray of fluid, waterjet liposuction dislodges fat without the brute force used in traditional liposuction or heating and tissue damage of lasers.

Fat is loosened from connective tissues by the gentle fluid spray and then simultaneously removed from any area of the body. This gentle method results in minimal bruising and tissue trauma, while achieving excellent results. Almost no down time, no anesthesia needed.

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YOUR Health

Connection

Report: Obesity hurts your wallet and your health Obesity puts a drag on the wallet as well as health, especially for women.

D

octors have long known that medical bills are higher for the obese, but that's only a portion of the real-life costs.

George Washington University researchers added in things like employee sick days, lost productivity, even the need for extra gasoline — and found the annual cost of being obese is $4,879 for a woman and $2,646 for a man.

That's far more than the cost of being merely overweight — $524 for women and $432 for men, concluded the report recently released, which analyzed previously published studies to come up with a total.

Why the difference between the sexes? Studies suggest larger women earn less than skinnier women, while wages don't differ when men pack on the pounds. That was a big surprise, said study co-author and health policy professor Christine Ferguson.

Researchers had expected every-

body's wages to suffer with obesity, but "this indicates you're not that disadvantaged as a guy, from a wage perspective," said Ferguson, who plans to study why.

Then consider that obesity is linked to earlier death. While that's not something people usually consider a pocketbook issue, the report did average in the economic value of lost life. That brought women's annual obesity costs up to $8,365, and men's to $6,518.

The report was financed by one of the manufacturers of gastric banding, a type of obesity surgery.

The numbers are in line with other research and aren't surprising,

Don’t bank on weekend to make up for lost sleep Sleeping in on Saturday after a few weeks of too little shuteye may feel refreshing, but it can give a false sense of security.

New research shows chronic sleep loss cannot be cured that easily. Scientists teased apart the effects of short- and long-term sleep loss and found that the chronically sleep-deprived may function normally soon after waking up, but experience steadily slower reaction times as the day wears on, even if they had tried to catch up the previous night.

Concerns are at work with important safety implications in an increasingly busy society, not just for shift-workers but for the roughly one in six Americans who regularly get six hours or less of sleep a night.

“We know that staying awake

24 hours in a row impairs performance to a level comparable to a blood-alcohol content beyond the legal limit to drive,” said lead researcher Dr. Daniel Cohen of Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

But when the chronically sleepdeprived pull an all-nighter, “the deterioration is increased tenfold,” Cohen said.

The National Institutes of Health says adults need seven hours to nine hours of sleep for good health. Regularly getting too little increases the risk of health problems, including memory impairment and a weakened immune system. More immediately, too little sleep affects reaction times; sleepiness is to blame for car crashes and other accidents.

– The Associated Press

said Dr. Kevin Schulman, a professor of medicine and health economist at Duke University who wasn't involved in the new report.

Two-thirds of Americans are either overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has tripled in the past three decades. Nearly 18 percent of adolescents now are obese, facing a future of diabetes, heart disease and other ailments.

Looking at the price tag may help policymakers weigh the value of spending to prevent and fight obesity, said Schulman, pointing to factors like dietary changes over the past 30 years and physical environments

that discourage physical activity.

"We're paying a very high price as a society for obesity, and why don't we think about it as a problem of enormous magnitude to our economy?" he asks. "We're creating obesity and we need to do a manon-the-moon effort to solve this before those poor kids in elementary school become diabetic middle-aged people."

A major study published last year found medical spending averages $1,400 more a year for the obese than normal-weight people. The most recent report added mostly work-related costs — things like sick days and disability claims - related to those health problems.

It also included a quirky finding, a study that calculated nearly 1 billion additional gallons of gasoline are used every year because of increases in car passengers' weight since 1960.

– The Associated Press

Introducing

Aqua-Jet Liposuction Body Sculpting – Most Innovative and Safe European Technique Lifeboat Medical Associates

Seven locations Day and evening classes Over 110 programs of study Scholarships and grants Student-centered faculty Golden Knight athletics Hands-on training for today’s hottest careers

PEDIATRICS, OBSTETRICS, GYNECOLOGY & WOMEN’S HEALTH A totally new, totally safe liposuction technique and the first of its kind in the United States. Aqua-Jet Water Liposuction is a revolutionary alternative to laser or traditional liposuction and is gentle, fast and effective.

Using the flow of water to dislodge fat, this technique is unlike any other, providing many advantages.

Using a gentle, pulsating spray of fluid, waterjet liposuction dislodges fat without the brute force used in traditional liposuction or heating and tissue damage of lasers.

Fat is loosened from connective tissues by the gentle fluid spray and then simultaneously removed from any area of the body. This gentle method results in minimal bruising and tissue trauma, while achieving excellent results. Almost no down time, no anesthesia needed.

STILL THE BEST DEAL IN WEST GEORGIA A totally totally new, liposu safe techni ction que.

Make an appointment to speak with Dr. O’Heron today.

What do you have to lose besides some unwanted fat?

*Call For a FREE Consultation* £Óä£Ê ", Ê* , ÊUÊ* /, Ê /9ÊUÊÇÇä ÈΣ {nÇÎ

678.423.2000 www.westgatech.edu

Carroll | Coweta | Douglas | LaGrange | Murphy West Georgia Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia

7

8

YOUR Health

Connection

Can home cooking be hazardous to you and your family?

Could your kitchen at home pass a restaurant inspection?

N

ew research suggests that at least one in seven home kitchens would flunk the kind of health inspection commonly administered to restaurants.

The small study from California’s Los Angeles County found that only 61 percent of home kitchens would get an A or B if put through the rigors of a restaurant inspection. At least 14 percent would fail — not even getting a C. I would say if they got below a C, I’m not sure I would like them to invite me to dinner,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

In comparison, nearly all Los Angeles County restaurants — 98 percent — get A or B scores each year.

The recently-released study is believed to be one of the first to offer a sizable assessment of food safety in private homes. But the researchers admit the way it was done is hardly perfect.

The results are based not on actual inspections, but on an Internet quiz taken by about 13,000 adults.

So it’s hard to use it to compare the conditions in home kitchens to those in restaurants, which involve trained inspectors giving objective assessments of dirt, pests, and food storage and han-

Connection w w w . h e a l t h y s k i n r e s e a r c h . c o m YOUR Health

dling practices.

What’s more, experts don’t believe the study is representative of all households, because people who are more interested and conscientious about food safety are more likely to take the quiz.

“You’ll miss a big population who don’t have home computers or just really don’t care” about the cleanliness of their kitchens, said Martin Bucknavage, a food safety specialist with Penn State University’s Department of Food Science.

A more comprehensive look would probably find that an even smaller percentage of home kitchens would do well in a restaurant inspection, he suggested.

An estimated 87 million cases of food-borne illness occur in the United States each year, including 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths, according to an Associated Press calculation that uses a CDC formula and recent population estimates.

Many outbreaks that receive publicity are centered on people who got sick after eating at a restaurant, catered celebration or large social gathering. In this summer’s outbreak linked to salmonella in eggs, several illnesses were first identified in clusters among restaurant patrons.

But experts believe the bulk of food poison-

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In reality, acne is increasingly common in adult women.

Many continue to break out into their 20’s, 30’s or beyond.

Treatment is often less effective than desired.

Dr. Mark Ling is conducting a research study testing an investigational topical medication. If you are a female beetween the ages of 18-40 with facial acne you may qualify for this study. All office visits and study medication are provided at no charge and participants may be eligible for reimbursement for time and travel of up to $100.00.

ings are unreported illnesses from food prepared at home.

– The Associated Press

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I’m too old to have acne!

MedaPhase Healthy Skin Research

Dr. Mark Ling is conducting a research study testing an investigational topical medication for plaque-type psoriasis. If you are 12 years of age or older and have moderate psoriasis you may be eligible. Study medication, study-related office visits, and all studyrelated treatments are available to qualified participants at no cost. Compensation for time and travel may be available.

MedaPhase, Inc. was founded by Dr. Mark Ling to research new treatments for skin disease. Dr. Ling is former Director of Dermatology Clinical Research at Emory University. He trained at Harvard and Duke and is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Dermatology. MedaPhase is in Newnan and serves the southern Atlanta region.

Is A Toenail Fungus Infection preventing you from wearing sandals?

from

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Toenail fungus infection (“onychomycosis”) is an extremely common infection of the nails by fungus. The infection is stubborn, difficult to treat, and results in unsightly and often painful toenails. Treatments are often slow, time-consuming and far from 100% effective.

If you have this difficult to treat condition and are between the ages of 18-70 you may be eligible to participate in a research study conducted by Dr. Mark Ling, testing a topical investigational medication for the treatment of toenail fungus infection. All study visits and study medication are provided at no cost to you and qualified participants may be eligible for compensation for time and travel.

If interested, please contact the research staff at 770-252-6900 for more information.

5

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YOUR Health

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YOUR Health

More than skin: Preventing the unseen signs of aging

Should men be tested for prostate cancer?

The American Cancer Society revised its guidelines for prostate cancer screening this year.

The advocacy group is one of many organizations that make such recommendations.

Some questions and answers: Q: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the advice?

A: The bottom line is the same: Routine screening isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t recommended for most men.

Before any testing is done, doctors should discuss the pros and cons of screening and treatment. For the first time, the guidelines give â&#x20AC;&#x153;talking pointsâ&#x20AC;? for that discussion.

Q. When should men have this talk?

A. Starting at age 50 for men at average risk; at 45 for those at higher risk, including African-Americans and men with a close relative with prostate cancer before 65; and at 40 for those with more relatives with prostate cancer before 65.

Q: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong with screening

for prostate cancer?

A: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually done with a blood test and a physical exam. Neither is perfect and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s little proof that early detection saves lives.

The tests can lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment of slowgrowing tumors that might not have caused any problems.

The blood test measures a substance called prostate specific antigen, or PSA. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made by normal and cancer cells in the prostate, a walnut-sized gland just below the bladder. But PSA levels can be high for many reasons, including a benign enlarged prostate or infections, and a biopsy is needed to confi rm a tumor.

Even if cancer is found, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no agreement on the best treatment approach - â&#x20AC;&#x153;watchful waiting,â&#x20AC;? surgery, hormone therapy or

radiation. The treatments can lead to impotence and incontinence.

Q: What if my doctor doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to answer all my questions?

A: The cancer society is suggesting that doctors use â&#x20AC;&#x153;patient decision aidsâ&#x20AC;? - brochures, videos and Web sites - that explain the pros and cons of screening and help men make the right choice for them.

Q: OK, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve considered all the trade-offs. What if I want to be tested?

A: Screening should include a PSA blood test, the cancer society says.

In a change to its guidelines, the group says a digital rectal exam is now optional rather than a standard part of any screening.

testing program, should I go?

A: The new guidelines raise concerns about community screening programs. The cancer society says those programs should provide information about the risks and benefits of screening, and adequate follow-up care for men with abnormal results. Otherwise, men shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t participate.

Q: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all too confusing. What if I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t decide whether to get screened?

A: You can let your doctor decide, factoring in the your health and values. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Associated Press

Q: My church is sponsoring a mobile

From wrinkle cream to hair dye and everything in between, some people go to great lengths to disguise the signs of aging.

H

owever, despite the wisdom that comes with getting older, we often overlook the less visible signs of age, like everyday activities becoming more difficult, which can have a more significant impact our lives than a few gray hairs.

Muscle loss can occur as young as age 40, causing weakness or lack of energy that may force people to give up or cut back on activities they once enjoyed - from golfing to gardening to keeping up with their children or grandchildren. But the good news, according to muscle health experts, is that muscle loss can not only be prevented but even reversed, allowing people to stay active and vibrant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting older is a fact of life, so we should take action now to protect our muscles so we can stay healthy as we age,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Vonda Wright, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine for adults over age 40. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strong muscles help people continue doing the things they love. Taking steps today to protect and strengthen our muscles can keep us active and independent, leading to a greater quality of life down the road.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Wright offers her expert tips on how to take charge of your muscle health:

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Unlike traditional forms of bullying, youths who are the targets of cyber bullying at school are at greater risk for depression than are the youths who bully them, according to a survey conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health.

Traditional forms of bullying involve physical violence, verbal taunts, or social exclusion. Cyber bullying, or electronic aggression, involves aggressive behaviors communicated over a computer or a cell phone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Notably, cyber victims reported higher depression than cyber bullies or bully-victims, which was not found in any other form of bullying,â&#x20AC;? the study authors wrote in the Journal of Adolescent Health. â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Ś unlike traditional bullying which usually involves a face-to-face confrontation, cyber victims may not

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING

Feed your muscles: Regular activity is only one ingredient in a recipe for better muscle health.

Make sure youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re eating a balanced diet that includes protein, fiber and brightly colored fruits and vegetables. And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s some-

â&#x2013;

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting older is a fact of life, so we should take action now to protect our muscles so we can stay healthy as we age,â&#x20AC;? says Dr. Vonda Wright.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C; National Institutes of Health

â&#x2013; Use it or lose it: The old adage is true. Muscles can deteriorate with time if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use them regularly, leaving you feeling weak. But there is good news: Studies show that muscle atrophy from inactivity is reversible no matter your age, so the more you use your muscles, the stronger theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be.

Get a move on: Even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re completely new to exercising, daily activity is important and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no better time to get active than right now. Start out with the basics, like taking daily walks around your neighborhood. Once that becomes a habit, switch up your routine While the aging process canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t with other light activities. Daily be stopped, muscle loss can be exercise can also reduce the risks prevented or even reversed with for diabetes, breast cancer, heart exercise and proper nutrition. Ev

conditions and even depression. eryone, from weekend walkers to after-work athletes, can take simâ&#x2013; Take the muscle test: Test yourple steps now to build and mainself and see just how strong you tain strong, healthy muscles and are. There are many simple, at- continue doing the activities they home tests you can do to measure enjoy for years to come. the strength of your muscles. For â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ARAContent

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YOUR Health

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YOUR Health

Connection

ER visits for concussions soar among kid athletes While awareness has increased, many parents, coaches and players still don’t understand how serious concussions can be.

E

mergency room visits for school-age athletes with concussions has skyrocketed in recent years, suggesting the intensity of kids’ sports has increased along with awareness of head injuries.

The findings in a study of national data don’t necessarily mean that concussions are on the rise.

However, many children aren’t taken for medical treatment, so the numbers are likely only a snapshot of a much bigger problem, doctors say.

“It definitely is a disturbing trend,” said lead author Dr. Lisa Bakhos, an ER physician in Neptune, N.J. The study examined concussions in organized youth sports involving ages 8 to 19. ER visits for 14- to 19-year-olds more than tripled, from about 7,000 in 1997 to nearly 22,000 in 2007.

Among ages 8 to 13, visits doubled, from 3,800 to almost 8,000.

While awareness has increased, many parents, coaches and players still don’t understand how serious concussions can be, Bakhos said. Many often seem less concerned with the injury than with how soon kids can return to sports.

“They want to know if they can play tomorrow, and you’re just like, ‘No!’” she said. “It’s not

just as simple as get up, shake it off and you’ll be fine.

“If they’re not treated properly, with rest, then they can have long-term problems,” Bakhos said.

Those include learning difficulties, memory problems and chronic headaches.

The study appears in Pediatrics along with a report about sports-related concussions from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ sports medicine council.

A concussion means the brain has been jostled.

Symptoms aren’t always obvious. There usually is no loss of consciousness. And a concussion doesn’t show up on an imaging scan unless there is bruising or bleeding.

Symptoms can include headache, nausea, dizziness and trouble concentrating, and may last about a week. Sometimes it can take months to recover.

Potential concussions should not be “toughed out,” say the authors of the Pediatrics report. Affected athletes should always be examined by a doctor or someone else with medical expertise.

– The Associated Press

Tired, achy feet don’t have to be part of your day Standing on your feet all day can take a toll on your body, causing foot discomfort that can really impact your day-to-day life.

Whether it’s long days at work or hours spent running errands around town, you’re constantly putting pressure on your feet, causing them to be tired and achy. As feet are the foundation of the body, it’s important to ensure you’re taking the right steps to keep your feet comfortable.

The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. While this is considered healthy activity, maintaining foot comfort can be a challenge for some.

“Fifty percent of adults suffer from tired, achy feet, especially if they have jobs that keep them on their feet all day,” says Dr. Leslie

Newnan’s fastest-growing educational hub is your place of

Campbell, a podiatrist and consultant for Dr. Scholl’s. “Many aren’t getting the relief they need, but there are simple ways to help relieve foot discomfort to keep you on your feet longer.”

GOT WARTS?

Plantar warts are very painful and unsightly problems that are commonly caused by a virus and often difficult to treat. Methods of treatment include: salicylic acid, drying agents and even surgery.

“I have been extremely privileged to be a part of the

Now there is another option that is an excellent method of treatment. The Pulse Dye Laser excludes any cutting. It restricts the blood supply to the wart, therefore completely destroying the wart. The success rates have been 90% with one to four treatments.

Most patients are able to return to their normal activity the next day.

what I was looking for in a nursing program. It even

If you’ve got warts, call today for a consultation:

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The American Podiatric Medical Association offers these basic tips to help you treat your feet right: Make sure your shoes fit. Try purchasing new shoes later in the day as that’s when feet tend to be at their largest.

■ It’s important to alternate footwear — never wear the same pair of shoes every day.

■ Bathe your feet every day in lukewarm water with mild, moisturizing soap.

■

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Connection

YOUR Health

How can I control food portions when eating out?

A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months.

Tips below focus on half portions, avoiding supersize soft drinks, and eating fresh fruit, vegetables.

I

t's flu-shot season already, and for the first time health authorities are urging nearly everyone to get vaccinated. There is even a new high-dose version for people 65-or-older.

What a difference a year makes: Crowds lined up for hours for scarce shots during last fall's swine flu pandemic, when infections peaked well before enough vaccine could be produced. This year, a record vaccine supply is expected â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an allin-one inoculation that now promises protection against that swine flu strain plus two other kinds of influenza.

Shipments began so early that drugstores were offering vaccinations amid their back-to-school sales.

But without last year's scare factor, the question is how many people will heed the new policy for near-universal vaccination. No more stopping to check if you're on a high-risk list: A yearly dose is recommended for virtually everyone except babies younger than 6 months â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the shot isn't approved for tots that young â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and people with severe allergies to the eggs used to brew it.

"Influenza is serious, and anyone, including healthy people, can get the flu and spread the flu," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Flu vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and those around you."

The CDC was moving toward that policy even before last year's pandemic brought home an inescapable fact: The flu virus doesn't just kill grandparents and babies and people with weak lungs or hearts, although they're particularly vulnerable. It also can kill healthy pregnant women and 30-somethings. And 5-year-olds.

"We were discussing how we were going to go get his Star Wars Halloween costume after he got out of the hospital ... and all of a sudden his eyes lost their focus," said Serese Marotta of Dayton, Ohio, describing for reporters how her son Joseph, 5, died of swine flu last October before vaccine was available in her community. She urged families to make vaccination a priority.

Q: I got vaccinated against both seasonal and that so-called H1N1 flu last year, so why do I need vaccine this year?

A: It protects against a different strain of the H3N2 influenza family that has cropped up, as well as last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swine flu, part of the H1N1 family, and a Type B strain. Every year a different flu vaccine is brewed to match the constantly

to eat more than you need. â&#x2013; Stop eating when you begin to feel full. Focus on enjoying the setting and your friends or family for the rest of the meal. â&#x2013; Avoid large beverages such as â&#x20AC;&#x153;supersizeâ&#x20AC;? sugar-sweetened soft drinks. They have a large number of calories. Instead, try drinking water with a slice of lemon. If you want to drink soda, choose a calorie-free beverage or a small sugarsweetened soft drink. â&#x2013; When traveling, pack a small cooler of foods that are hard to find on the road, such as fresh fruit, sliced raw vegetables and fatfree or low-fat yogurt. Also pack a few bottles of water instead of sugar-sweetened soda or juice. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; National Institutes of Health

U.S. smoking rate still stuck at 1 in 5 adults

changing flu strains that circle the globe.

Q: Will I need just one shot?

A: Most people will, but any children under 9 getting their first-ever flu vaccine will need two, a month apart, to prime their immune systems.

Q: What if my childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first-ever vaccine was last year and she got one dose of seasonal and one dose of swine flu vaccine?

A: She wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t primed enough and needs her two doses this year, said Dr. Michael Brady of Nationwide Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital, who co-authored the American Academy of Pediatrics flu vaccination guidelines.

Q: Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at high risk from flu?

A: Young children, anyone 50 or older, anyone with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or heart disease, pregnant women. Also, health workers and caregivers of infants can infect the vulnerable unless vaccinated.

Q: Why should I bother since fewer people than usual died last year?

A: Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U.S. toll: about 12,000 deaths, 60 million illnesses and 265,000 hospitalizations.

New CDC statistics recently suggest flu strain mortality varies widely, from 3,000 in an exceptionally mild year to 49,000 in a recent really bad one â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to predict how bad each year will be. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Associated Press

U.S. smoking rates continue to hold steady, at about one in five adults lighting up regularly, frustrated health officials reported this summer.

About 21 percent of U.S. adults were smokers in 2009, about the same percentage as the year before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The smoking rate â&#x20AC;&#x201D; which fell dramatically since the 1960s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; has basically been flat since about 2004.

Teen smoking, at nearly 20 percent, has not been improving lately, either.

Health officials believe theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve lost momentum because of cuts to anti-tobacco campaigns and shrewd marketing by cigarette companies.

The new report suggests that more than 46 million American

adults still smoke cigarettes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tragic,â&#x20AC;? said CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden, who calls smoking the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States. He estimates that smoking kills 1,000 Americans a day.

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Some experts were particularly disheartened by a CDC finding in a second report that nearly all children who live with a smoker â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 98 percent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; have measurable tobacco toxins in their body. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Associated Press

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Here are some questions and answers about flu:

Research shows that the more often a person eats out, the more body fat he or she has â&#x20AC;&#x201C; plain and simple.

Preparing more meals at home and less of eating out or getting take-out foods is one way to combat the problem of gaining those extra pounds.

When you must eat away from home, try these tips to help control portions... â&#x2013; Share your meal, order a halfportion or order an appetizer as a main meal. Examples of healthier appetizers include tuna or chicken salad, minestrone soup, and tomato or corn salsas. â&#x2013; Take at least half of your meal home. Ask for a portion of your meal to be boxed up when it is served so you will not be tempted

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CELEBRATING SUCCESS in Cancer Treatment

Years ago, the Radiation Oncology Services – Newnan (ROS) physicians developed a unique clinical program still in active use today: New Patient Tumor Conference (NPTC). NPTC provides a weekly forum for treatment planning and peer review. All new ROS-Newnan patients have the benefit of this built in second opinion. During NPTC, the treating physician presents new cases to our team of eleven ROS physicians for their input and approval of the treatment plan. Through a collaborative effort, NPTC ensures that all patients receive treatment consistent with both ROS and national standards.

The Newnan center has expanded to include two linear accelerators.

Dr. Rao, Dr. Santiago and the ROS-Newnan team provide state-of-theart technology to include: ■

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

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Image Guided Radiation Therapy

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Partial Breast Radiation

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Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

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Prostate Seed Implants

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High Dose Rate Brachytherapy

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Gamma Knife

A publication of The Times-Herald

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia...10 Benton House ................................9 RADIATION ONCOLOGY SERVICES–NEWNAN

Fleur de Lis Counseling ..................4

211 Millard C. Farmer Industrial Blvd. | Newnan, GA 30263 | 770-254-9600

Lifeboat Medical Associates ...........6

At ROS-Newnan, we recognize that the word cancer has different meanings depending on one’s perspective.

MedaPhase Inc. .............................5 Radiation Oncology Services ........12

We deliver quality cancer care at all levels throughout a patient’s ROSNewnan experience. In addition, we provide technology and expertise in an environment of compassionate care. It is through the efforts of many that the fear associated with cancer can be replaced with understanding, acceptance and hope.

ROS-Newnan extends a heartfelt thank you for the support of the communities we serve.

University of West Georgia .........3, 8 West Georgia Gastroenterology Associates, P.C.............................11 Accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in radiation therapy since 1995.

www.radonc.com

West Georgia Technical College......7

Cancer Treatment • Counseling • Dermatology • Gastroenterology • Healthcare • Medical Career • Podiatry • Senior Living