MRI Helps Detect Breast Cancer in High-Risk Women

When a friend wrote me the other day that she found a lump in her breast, I was at first relieved when she told me she had had a mammography in February, 2011. But then she went on to write that the lump proved to be Stage III breast cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes.

According to an article by Amy Norton for Medline Plus, "breast cancer screening that includes MRI scans might help find cancers at an earlier stage in high-risk women, reducing the likelihood that the tumors will become advanced before they're diagnosed."

Women who have mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are at higher risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer. Their chances for developing the disease are 60% (vs. 12% by the general population).

Therefore, the American Cancer Society advises that these high risk women be screened with both a mammography and an MRI.

The MRI screening, however, has its drawbacks. It's much more expensive than mammograms (about $1,000) and the test needs to be repeated every year. There comes a higher risk of false-positives with an MRI.

Some of this group opts for preventive mastectomy, a less expensive way to deal with a possible cancer in the future.

Electronic Medical Records Available to You

People who have basic computer skills and are associated with a physician that provides online "personal health records" can review lab-test results and communicate by email with their health care providers, among other things."

It is estimated that more than 70 million Americans now have access to some form of their online medical history. Less than 10% of them appear to be using this Internet tool.

"It's really to the patient's advantage to be more informed about the care they're getting, " said Dr. David Bates at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, because "it should improve the patient experience and quality of care."

Be like Mikey. If you have access to your electronic medical records, try it. You might like it.

How to Pack It In: Travel Essentials

It's that time of year again--when many of us take our vacations. I just returned from San Antonio for a wedding.

This is my list of travel essentials:

Swim suit

Umbrella

Book --read a couple of chapters prior to your trip

Medication--always in your carryon

Jacket/sweater

Sandals (summer)

Boots (winter)

Shoes (preferably waterproof)

Jeans

Light sweatpants

Sunscreen

Money

Cosmetics

Credit cards

AAA card

Tickets

Discount coupons

Itinerary

ID inside luggage pieces

Phone numbers

Extra flat carryon--for trip purchases

Clear plastic bags

Pen and paper

Camera and charger

Alarm clock (or alarm on cell phone)

Cell phone recharger

To this list, I add Vibrant Nation's 13 travel essentials:

1. A large scarf to serve as a shawl, blanket or pillow.

2. Duct tape for simple, easy repairs.

3. Travel yoga mat for exercise or luggage padding.

4. Cozy socks for relaxing on the airplane.

5. A small headlamp to use as a lamp or flashlight.

6. Multi-plug electrical adaptor.

7. Comfy running shoes.

8. Your own face soap and moisturizer.

9. Saline nasal spray for dry airline cabins.

10. Tums for stomach upsets.

For more on traveling, visit 50somethinginfo.com.

Have a great time!!

Heart Smart: How Health Literacy Directly Affects Your Heart Health

"Health literacy refers to the ability to acquire, process and understand basic health information and services required to make appropriate health decisions", according to author Robert Preidt of HealthDay.

The lower the level of "health literacy," the more likely the patient will be at risk for hospitalization and death due to heart failure.

Therefore, the question is posed as to whether heart failure patients should be screened to determine how educated they are about their health.

Cardiac Stem Cells Provide New Hope For Heart Patients

Elderly patients suffering from heart disease have hope.

Last year the American Heart Association reported that cardiac stem cells--even their own--could generate new heart muscle and vessel tissue in heart and diabetic patients.

A study showed that most of their patients (who had enlarged or weakened muscles due to coronary artery disease) can potentially use cardiac stem cells (CSCs) that have been harvested and multiplied in labs to rescue the decompensated human heart.

Cardiac Risk For Victims of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a cluster of symptoms including emotional numbing, avoidance in certain situations, hyperarousal, sleep disruptions and impaired concentration.

At the end of last year the American Heart Association reported that "post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) more than doubles a veteran's risk of death from any cause" because PTSD appears to clog arteries with greater calcium buildup.

Veterans who suffer from it should be diagnosed and treated aggressively for cardiovascular risk.

Grandparent Essentials

When Grandparents.com advertised its 30 essential items every grandparent should have, I paid attention. After all, who's more important than the grand babies?

Author Paul Rogers divided the essentials into 3 groups--safety, snacks, and fun.

Safety essentials included a first aid kit, emergency information, ice packs, sunscreen and more.

For snacks grandparents should keep foods such unprocessed cereals, yogurt, cut-up veggies and fruit, peanut butter, whole-wheat tortillas, unbuttered popcorn.

Include in your fun pack: sidewalk chalk, washable markers, old photo albums, a library card, a deck of cards, board games, jigsaw puzzles.

Learn more about bonding, long-distance grand parenting and investing in your grandchildren's future at 50somethinginfo.com