<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ZtSCF6gAl8" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3> Serving Size: 4 ounces <br> Number of Servings: 12 </h3> <strong>Ingredients:</strong> <br> <br> 1 lb ground chicken <br> ½ Tbsp extra virgin olive oil <br> 1 Tbsp chili powder <br> ⅛ tsp paprika <br> ½ tsp garlic powder <br> 1 tsp ground cumin <br> ⅛ tsp salt <br> ⅛ tsp black pepper <br> 1 large green pepper, finely diced <br> 1 large red pepper, finely diced <br> ½ medium onion, finely diced <br> 8 large eggs <br> ⅓ cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded <br> ¼ cup fresh cilantro <br> <br> <strong>Directions: </strong> <br> <ol> <li> In a large freezer bag, combine ground chicken, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika. </li> <li> Marinate chicken/spice mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. </li> <li> Preheat oven to 350F and coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray. </li> <li> Add olive oil to a sauté pan and place over medium heat. </li> <li> Add ground chicken to the pan and sauté until fully cooked. </li> <li> Transfer ground chicken into muffin tin. </li> <li> Evenly distribute the diced peppers and onion between the muffin cups, on top of the chicken. </li> <li> In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and pour evenly on top of veggies, about 3/4 of the way full. </li> <li> Season the top of each egg cup with salt and pepper and then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and cilantro. </li> <li> Bake at 350F for around 20 minutes. </li> </ol> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <br> <br> Calories: 136 <br> Total Fat: 7.6g <br> Cholesterol: 150.7mg <br> Sodium: 116.6mg <br> Protein: 13.1g <br> Carbohydrate: 2.3g
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_BCS-hEBXQ8" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> <strong>Are You Doing All You Can to Lower Your Risk of Cervical Cancer?</strong> <br> <br> Before the widespread use of Pap tests, cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the United States. Now, there are even more ways women can lower their risk and screening makes it possible to catch the disease in its earliest stages when it can be cured. <br> <br> Kimberly L. Levinson, MD, MPH, Director, Johns Hopkins Gynecologic Oncology at GBMC, shared the steps women should take to lower their risk of cervical cancer and how HPV (human papillomavirus), which is the cause of 99% of cervical cancers, can also cause head and neck cancer in both men and women. <br> <br> “HPV is a sexually transmitted infection and pretty much everyone who is sexually active will have the virus at some point,” explained Dr. Levinson. “In most people, the virus clears (goes away) on its own. But in some people, it remains active, causing changes in the cells of the cervix that can lead to cancer if left undetected and untreated. Our goal is to catch these changes early with the Pap and HPV screening tests.” <br> <br> Dr. Levinson said that the reason these screening tests are so important is that cervical cancer usually does not cause any symptoms in its early stages. In addition to regular screening starting at age 21, both women and men should be vaccinated against HPV. The vaccination can be done as young as 9 all the way up to age 45. The vaccine not only protects against cervical, penile, and head and neck cancer, it also protects against the strain of HPV that causes genital warts. “While some parents hesitate to vaccinate their children against HPV because they’re uncomfortable that the virus is sexually transmitted, they shouldn’t think about this as a ‘sex vaccine.’ It’s a cancer vaccine,” said Dr. Levinson. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OTbHQQIgV9c" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> About two-thirds of American adults are overweight and, in that group, one-third are obese. Elizabeth Dovec, MD, bariatric surgeon at GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program, and Timothee Freisen, MD, bariatric and general surgeon, discussed how bariatric surgery can change the lives of people living with obesity with Mary Beth Marsden. <br> <br> “There are misconceptions about people who have bariatric surgery,” explained Dr. Dovec. “For some people, there’s a stigma attached to it. They say, ‘Why can’t they just eat less and exercise to lose weight like everyone else?’ But obesity is a complex disease and we have tools, including bariatric surgery, that can treat it successfully.” <br> <br> Dr. Dovec and Dr. Friesen talked about the different approaches to bariatric surgery. The gastric sleeve reduces stomach size and appetite, while gastric bypass makes the stomach smaller but also shortens the intestines so not all nutrients are absorbed, which leads to weight loss and better blood sugar levels. Gastric bypass has been performed for decades, while the gastric sleeve is a newer approach that can work better for people who may have risk factors that make the longer time in surgery required for gastric bypass riskier. The doctors noted that people between the ages of 18 and 80 could be candidates for bariatric surgery if they have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 or over 35 if they have diabetes. And while patients do lose a significant amount of weight after surgery, Dr. Dovec emphasized that it’s not a magic wand. “You need to change your habits and what you’re eating to maintain your weight loss,” she said. “Although it might sound counterintuitive, you need to eat more to lose more—three meals a day. Eat protein first so you stay full, avoid carbs and added sugars, and minimize snacking. Surgery is an effective tool, but you still need to make healthy eating changes to lose the weight, keep it off, and get healthy.” </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C8KIA1_sZTE" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> More than 40% of American adults are obese, according to statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Being significantly overweight can increase your risk for a wide range of serious health problems, from type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure to sleep apnea, stroke, and arthritis. Elizabeth Dovec, MD, FACS, FASMB, a bariatric surgeon and Medical Director of GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program (COMP) talked about why it can be hard to lose weight, what weight loss surgery options are available, and why surgery may be an option you’ve never considered. Her patient, Rick Smith, also shared his weight-loss success and why bariatric surgery was the best health decision he ever made. <br> <br> “Everyone has tried diets,” said Dr. Dovec. “Some are great, some are dangerous, but restrictive diets are not an effective or long term solution for weight loss. In fact, a lot of people who struggle with their weight are eating too little. They end up hungry at the end of the day, with their body craving fuel in the form of carbs and glucose. That leads to them eating the wrong things, ironically, because they’re trying so hard to do what they think is the right thing — limiting their food intake.” <br> <br> For people with a BMI of 35 or more, weight loss surgery may be an effective way to lower their weight and improve their health. Dr. Dovec described the two approaches she uses—laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass — and explained the benefits and risks of both procedures. <br> <br> “People who have the sleeve gastrectomy lose 60 to 70% of their excess weight on average, while those who have gastric bypass lose 80 to 85% of their excess weight,” she explained. “In addition to the better quality of life patients experience after weight loss, their health also improves significantly. After bypass, 98% of patients no longer have type 2 diabetes. Rather than treating the problem with medication, you’ve taken care of the source of the problem.” <br> <br> Dr. Dovec said that weight loss surgery is covered by insurance, usually with little to no out-of-pocket cost for the patient. She also emphasized that the reason her patients do so well is that GBMC’s program goes far beyond just offering surgery. She and her colleagues spend a great deal of time educating patients and getting them as healthy as possible before surgery, as well as providing ongoing support and education to help patients keep the weight off. <br> <br> Rick Smith is living proof of the effectiveness of GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program. At his heaviest, he weighed 320 pounds. Today, he weighs 215 and has run six 5K races in the past seven months. “Before my surgery, I had type 2 diabetes, took six medications a day, and had been hospitalized several times for pancreatitis,” he said. “I went from being a couch potato to falling in love with running, something I never imagined doing. If you’re considering weight loss surgery, I’d ask what you are waiting for. It’s the best decision I ever made. Get your life back before it’s too late.” </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2S8yMP7MCg" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> You might be surprised to learn that even if you quit smoking 15 years ago, you still face an increased risk of lung cancer and should consider being screened for the disease. Dr. Mei Tang, medical oncologist and hematologist at the Malcolm and Sandra Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC, explained who’s at a higher risk for lung cancer, what screening involves, and who should be screened. <br> <br> “The number one risk factor for lung cancer is aging,” she said. “In the 1950's, we saw fewer cases of lung cancer because life expectancy was lower. Today, people are living longer and we’re seeing more cases in these older patients. Of course, the other important risk factors are smoking and chemical and asbestos exposure. If you have a 30 pack year history, are between the ages of 55 and 77, and in general good health, you should talk with doctor about being screened for lung cancer.” <br> <br> (To calculate your number of pack years, multiply the number of packs you smoked per day by the number of years you smoked.) <br> <br> Screening for people at high risk is done with a low dose CT scan to limit the exposure to radiation. If a potential tumor is found, there are a number of other diagnostic imaging tests that can be performed to gather more information, including an airway ultrasound, CT, CT/PET, and MRI scans. Dr. Tang, who performs research in addition to treating patients, explained that lung cancer treatment has progressed significantly in the past decade thanks to patients who took part in a wide range of clinical trials for new approaches including immunotherapy and targeted therapy. If you’ve been diagnosed with lung and want to consider new treatments, GBMC is taking part in several clinical trials and has an experienced clinical trials team who can guide you. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8mHuVm_TGZU" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> When cancer has spread to other parts of the body, radiation may be an important treatment option to consider. Dr. Matthew Boyer, radiation oncologist at GBMC, discussed how targeted radiation, integrated as part of a complete cancer treatment plan, has the potential to improve the outcome of treatment and slow the disease’s spread. <br> <br> “For patients whose cancer has spread to no more than five other tumors in their body, targeted radiation can offer benefits with fairly minimal side effects,” Dr. Boyer explained. “Five treatments of about 10 minutes of radiation that precisely target the tumors damages the cancer cells’ DNA. Some die right away and others become so damaged they can’t divide and create more cancer cells. Early studies have found that targeted radiation not only improves the length of time before metastatic cancer spreads further, it can also increase the length of time that patients live.” <br> <br> Targeted radiation is integrated with other treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy. Some studies also suggest that it may improve the effectiveness of immunotherapy, making the patient’s immune system more active and better able to fight the cancer. Dr. Boyer explained that GBMC’s cancer specialists take a multidisciplinary approach to treating each patient, bringing together medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists as well as pathologists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other specialists to develop a coordinated, comprehensive treatment plan tailored to each patient. He also noted that there are support services for patients and their families as they move through treatment into survivorship. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ziCnz6wbgNs" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Dr. Hira Shakeel discusses the "Plate Method" for diabetics </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-ecuAMMlTiY" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Dr. Hira Shakeel discusses how to read a nutrition label </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p6L3im77Gj0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> The subject of mental health comes up a lot around the holidays, but it’s an important part of your health all year long — almost one in five people in the United States will experience a major depressive episode at some point in their life. Anxiety and depression are common problems that affect both physical and emotional health. On this episode of Greater Living Live, Dr. Kevin Ferentz discussed the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression and explained how they can be treated. <br> <br> As a primary care physician, Dr. Ferentz is often the first person that patients see when they are experiencing a mental health problem. Many times, patients come to him with physical complaints like difficulty sleeping or sudden weight gain that they don’t realize are symptoms of a mental health disorder. <br> <br> There is a diagnostic questionnaire that physicians use to identify the signs of depression in patients called the PHQ-9. If the patient is experiencing five or more of the symptoms every day for at least two weeks, he or she is considered to be clinically depressed. Those symptoms are: </p> <ul> <li> Depressed mood </li> <li> Having little pleasure or interest in doing things </li> <li> Sleep disturbance – sleeping too much, too little, at the wrong time, or waking up during the night </li> <li> Feeling tired and having little energy </li> <li> Feeling bad about yourself </li> <li> Trouble concentrating </li> <li> Change in appetite </li> <li> Feeling either sluggish or agitated and on edge </li> <li> Suicidal thoughts </li> </ul> Dr. Ferentz explained that people often balk at a mental health diagnosis and don’t want to be treated for it, especially if medication is suggested. They may be embarrassed and feel like they just need to push through it. He likened this mindset to telling someone with diabetes that “they need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get rid of their disease.” There is a stigma that depression or anxiety is a weakness when in fact, it’s just like any other disease. There is no shame in taking insulin and there should be no shame in taking an antidepressant. <br> <br> He suggested that patients focus on their symptoms rather than labeling the diagnosis. “If I can give you a medication to help you with your sleep, you would take it, whether or not that’s an antidepressant doesn’t make a difference. Let me make your symptoms better,” he said. Dr. Ferentz also recommended that family and friends who are concerned about their loved one take this same perspective. “Show that you are there to support them and that you care about how this is affecting their life.” <br> <br> A patient’s symptoms and family history can be used to predict what kind of medication may work best for him or her, but it’s not an exact science. There can be a trial and error period during which physicians work with the patient to find the most effective medication and dosage. Dr. Ferentz said that patients generally feel better within six weeks of starting their antidepressant. During the interview, Dr. Ferentz also talked about the prevalence of suicide and how mental health treatment can prevent such tragedies from happening.
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYCedS122C8" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h3> “Impastable” Macaroni & Cheese <br> Number of Servings: 8 <br> Serving Size: ½ cup </h3> <br> <strong>Ingredients</strong> <br> <br> 8 oz uncooked “Impastable” elbow macaroni <br> 2 cups shredded reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese <br> ½ cup grated parmesan cheese <br> 3 cups fat-free milk <br> ⅛ cup butter <br> <br> <strong>Directions</strong> <br> <ol> <li> Preheat oven to 350 F. </li> <li> Cook macaroni a few minutes less than package instructions (to allow for more cooking when baking). </li> <li> In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. </li> <li> Add milk slowly, stirring constantly. </li> <li> Stir in 1 ½ cups of cheddar and ⅜ cup of parmesan cheese, and cook over low heat until melted and the sauce is a little thick. </li> <li> Combine macaroni and sauce in a large casserole dish, stir well. </li> <li> Sprinkle the remaining cheddar and parmesan cheeses. </li> <li> Bake for 30 minutes. </li> </ol> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <br> <br> Calories: 206 <br> Total Fat: 13.4g <br> Cholesterol: 20.9mg <br> Sodium: 330.6mg <br> Protein: 16.8g <br> Carbohydrate: 10.8g <br> <h3> Swedish Meatballs <br> Number of Servings: 4 <br> Serving Size: 5 meatballs </h3> <br> <strong>Ingredients</strong> <br> <br> 3 Tbsp butter, divided <br> ½ cup finely chopped onion <br> 1 tsp kosher salt <br> ¾ lb ground beef (93% lean) <br> ¾ lb ground pork (93% lean) <br> 2 large egg yolks <br> ½ tsp black pepper <br> ¼ tsp ground allspice <br> ¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg <br> 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour <br> 2 cups beef broth <br> ⅛ cup heavy cream <br> <br> <strong>Directions</strong> <br> <ol> <li> Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. </li> <li> Over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. </li> <li> Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside. </li> <li> On medium speed, beat ground beef, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions for 1 to 2 minutes. </li> <li> Divide meat into 1-ounce portions and roll into meatballs. Place on a sheet pan. </li> <li> Over medium-low heat, heat the remaining butter. Add the meatballs and sauté until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven. </li> <li> Once all the meatballs are removed from the pan, decrease the heat to low and add the flour. </li> <li> Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. </li> <li> Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. </li> <li> Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy, and serve. </li> </ol> <br> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <br> <br> Calories: 266 <br> Total Fat: 17.3g <br> Cholesterol: 148.7mg <br> Sodium: 114.7mg <br> Protein: 23.9g <br> Carbohydrate: 3.5g <br> <br> <hr> Every month, GBMC holds a Facebook Live cooking demonstration featuring healthy recipes from The Sleeved Chef, Michael Salamon. Michael graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and is passionate about “teaching cooking techniques and recipes to pre- and post-operative bariatric patients.” He had a type of bariatric surgery known as a sleeve gastrectomy in September 2016 and enjoys sharing his knowledge of cooking with fellow weight loss patients. Co-hosting the demonstration with him is Jana Wolff, RD, LDN, Director of Nutrition for GBMC’s Comprehensive Obesity Management Program, where Michael was treated.
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_VbHajGFtcU" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> <strong>Voice, breathing, or swallowing problems? There’s help.</strong> <br> <br> If you have issues with your voice, breathing, or swallowing that have lasted for more than four to five weeks, it may be time to talk with a laryngologist. Dr. Shumon Dhar, a laryngologist at the Johns Hopkins Voice Center at GBMC, discussed symptoms such as persistent hoarseness, food frequently getting stuck in the throat, and difficulty breathing, and what patients can do to get help. <br> <br> “These issues develop over time and can be very complex to diagnose,” he explained to WMAR News’ Christian Schaffer. “Some people live with problems that are having a significant negative impact on their quality of life for five, 10, 15 years before they receive the correct diagnosis, so seeing a specialist in laryngology sooner can lead to a correct diagnosis more quickly and treatment that will markedly improve your quality of life.” <br> <br> Dr. Dhar explained that a tiny organ, the larynx, which is also known as the voice box, controls your voice, swallowing, and breathing. The vocal cords, which are just one to two centimeters long, can sustain an injury to the muscle, nerve, or lining of the cords. Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and chronic acid reflux can also affect the larynx. <br> <br> The process of diagnosing problems with the larynx starts with listening to the patient’s voice and description of the problem, then examining the vocal cords in the office with high resolution, digital endoscopy. There are a number of treatment options for these voice, breathing, and swallowing problems related to the larynx, from therapy to medical treatments and surgeries, many of which can now be safely performed in the office without general anesthesia. “I focus on my patients’ quality of life,” added Dr. Dhar. “You should be able to communicate, breathe, and eat what you want to eat. You don’t have to live with these problems.” </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JIPwgKWxnGw?rel=0&ecver=1" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2> Orange Vanilla Meringue Kisses </h2> <strong>Ingredients</strong> <br> Servings: 20 meringues (1-2 oz each) <br> <br> 4 large egg whites <br> ¼ tsp cream of tartar <br> ¼ tsp kosher salt <br> ¾ cup Swerve (sugar substitute) <br> ½ tsp vanilla extract <br> 1 orange, zested <br> <br> <strong>Directions</strong> <ol> <li> Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. </li> <li> Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. </li> <li> Beat the egg whites until foamy, then add the cream of tartar, salt, and Swerve. Continue to beat. </li> <li> Add the vanilla and orange zest and beat at high speed until stiff and glossy. </li> <li> Using a pastry tube fitted with a large plain tip, pipe the meringue into “kiss” formations onto the parchment paper. </li> <li> Bake for 2 hours, until the cream is colored and firm. </li> <li> When ready to serve, carefully peel away the paper. </li> </ol> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <br> <br> Calories: 4 <br> Total Fat: 0g <br> Cholesterol: 0mg <br> Sodium: 11mg <br> Protein: 0.7g <br> Carbohydrate: 0.1g <br> <h2> Pumpkin Spice Latte Mousse </h2> <strong>Ingredients</strong> <br> Servings: 8-10 (4 oz mousse cups) <br> <br> 15 oz can pumpkin <br> 14 oz whipped topping (light or fat-free) <br> 3 large egg whites <br> 2 Tbsp Swerve (sugar substitute) <br> 1 cup chilled Espresso <br> Pumpkin Spice, to taste <br> <br> <strong>Directions</strong> <ol> <li> Combine pumpkin and 6 oz of whipped topping in a stainless-steel mixing bowl and mix until thoroughly combined. </li> <li> In a separate bowl, beat 3 egg whites and Swerve into stiff peaks until stiff and glossy. </li> <li> Gently fold egg whites into pumpkin mix until thoroughly combined. </li> <li> Pour 2 Tbsp of chilled espresso into bottom of the cup. </li> <li> Add ½ cup of pumpkin mousse to the mug. </li> <li> Top with a small dollop of whip and dust with pumpkin spice. </li> <li> Chill or serve immediately. </li> </ol> <strong>Nutrition</strong> <br> <br> Calories: 86 <br> Total Fat: 3.8g <br> Cholesterol: 0mg <br> Sodium: 24.1mg <br> Protein: 1.8g <br> Carbohydrate: 8.9g <br> <br> <hr> Every month, GBMC holds a Facebook Live cooking demonstration featuring healthy recipes from The Sleeved Chef, Michael Salamon. Michael graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and is passionate about “teaching cooking techniques and recipes to pre- and post-operative bariatric patients.” He had a type of bariatric surgery known as a sleeve gastrectomy in September 2016 and enjoys sharing his knowledge of cooking with fellow weight loss patients. Co-hosting the demonstration with him is Jana Wolff, RD, LDN, Director of Nutrition for GBMC’s <a href="/node/2332" target="_blank">Comprehensive Obesity Management Program</a>, where Michael was treated. Watch as The Sleeved Chef demonstrates two different recipes for sugar-free desserts!
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_dck_c3osM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Thirty years ago, when they first started being used, cochlear implants were reserved for patients with no hearing. But a lot has changed in the past three decades. Regina Presley, AuD, Senior Audiologist at the Presbyterian Board of Governors Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence at GBMC, shared the innovations that have made it possible for cochlear implants to change the lives of even more patients. <br> <br> “When we started, cochlear implants were only used for patients who could not hear at all,” Dr. Presley explained. “Now, patients of all ages are getting implants for assistance with hearing when hearing aids are not working for them.” <br> <br> Dr. Presley explained that hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. These hair cells send information to the brain, which then gives meaning to the sounds you hear. When they’re damaged, the brain can’t interpret the sounds. <br> <br> For some types of hearing loss, hearing aids can help amplify sound, but when the hair cells are severely damaged, hearing aids just increase the volume of the sounds coming in, but the brain can’t interpret them. That’s when many people consider cochlear implants. <br> <br> The devices are surgically implanted during a 90-minute outpatient procedure that requires very little recovery time. Three weeks later, patients return to the audiologist and the devices are activated. The implants bypass the hair cells and send sound in the form of electrical current, which the brain learns to interpret over time. One of Dr. Presley’s patients, Robert Pullo, shared how cochlear implants changed his life. “I began losing my hearing and it became harder and harder for me to follow and be part of conversations at work and at home. I changed my lifestyle so I wouldn’t be embarrassed by saying the wrong thing, which led to me be more and more isolated. After I retired, I lost my hearing entirely. I tried hearing aids, but I still couldn’t distinguish words from background noise. After I received my cochlear implants, it’s been a complete renewal of my ability to communicate and interact with the world around me. These implants don’t just change your hearing, they change your life,” he said. </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zm6oFN03wgA" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Sara Fogarty, DO, FACS, Associate Director Sandra & Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center at GBMC, discusses the importance of understanding your breast cancer risk. www.gbmc.org/breast-cancer-assessment </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YwIWUP7bwsM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> For women and men diagnosed with breast cancer, medical oncologists play a key role on their treatment team. Robert Donegan, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC, described it this way: “The medical oncologist is just one member of a larger team that includes the surgeon, radiation oncologist, psychologists and counsellors, geneticists, social workers, dieticians, and integrative medicine specialists. My role,” he explained, “in addition to providing treatments including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, and immunotherapy, is to be the quarterback and to coordinate each patient’s care delivered by different parts of the team as the patient moves from treatment to survivorship.” <br> <br> While the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, which increase a person’s risk of developing breast cancer, get a lot of press, Dr. Donegan explained that only 5-10% of breast cancers are caused by an inherited gene mutation. Most breast cancers don’t have an identifiable cause and the patients do not have a family history of breast cancer. Some risk factors that have been associated with an increased breast cancer risk include obesity, hormone replacement therapy, and older age. Dr. Donegan cautions against assuming that you can’t be diagnosed with breast cancer if you don’t have any of the risk factors. “Don’t think you’re safe and skip screening mammograms or breast exams because you don’t have any known risk factors,” he said. “These screening tests are the best tools we have for catching breast cancer early.” <br> <br> Dr. Donegan also answered questions about what steps people can take to lower their risk of breast cancer. He recommended being physically active, eating a healthy plant-based or Mediterranean diet, and maintaining a healthy weight. For women with a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, GBMC has a high-risk breast clinic where patients can get an assessment of their risk and a plan to manage that risk. He also talked about the psychological impact of a breast cancer diagnosis. “People can feel not only afraid, but also isolated,” he explained. “That’s why we provide counselling for our patients and their families — so they know they are not alone in this. In addition to counsellors and support groups, we offer access to psychiatrists and an integrative medicine specialist who can help patients manage anxiety with mindfulness techniques as well manage symptoms with approaches such as acupuncture and therapeutic massage. Our overall goal is to treat the whole patient—body, mind, and spirit.” </p>
