I talked to Einstein Montgomery's breast-surgery chief to find out more about BRCA testing and preventative mastectomies.
 I’m sure by now you’ve read Angelina Jolie’s op-ed , which appeared in the New York Times this morning, about her decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy. To recap: The actress’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer back in 2007, so Jolie decided to get tested to see if she carries a gene mutation that would increase her risk for both breast and ovarian cancer. Turns out, she does.
Jolie learned that since she carries the BRCA1 mutation, she has a 50 percent risk of developing ovarian cancer and an 87 percent risk (!) for developing breast cancer. That’s why back in February, she began the process of undergoing preventative double mastectomy, which included a nipple-sparing procedure, mastectomy and reconstruction—all of which she was able to keep private.
But she decided to speak out about it now, she writes, “because I hope that other women can benefit from my experience. Cancer is still a word that strikes fear into people’s hearts, producing a deep sense of powerlessness. But today it is possible to find out through a blood test whether you are highly susceptible to breast and ovarian cancer, and then take action.”
This morning, I spoke with Jennifer Simmons, chief of breast surgery and director of the Women’s Center at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, about who should get tested for BRCA mutations, what the medical treatment entails, and what Angelina Jolie and others can expect post-op.
READ MORE
|
A woman collapsed near Jefferson Hospital recently—and it ended up being her lucky day.
A word to the wise: If you’re going to suffer a cardiac episode ever, anywhere, try to make sure it happens in front of a hospital. (You know, to the extent to which you’re able to plan such a thing.) That’s just what happened to a woman recently, who collapsed on the sidewalk on Chestnut Street near Jefferson Hospital. A post on the hospitals’ blog this morning details how several of its doctors happened to be in the right place at the right time, ultimately saving her life.
READ MORE
|
And how your doctors could make better use of the Internet.
We’ve all been there: waking up in the middle of the night with a pounding headache, lymph nodes the size of tennis balls, tingling fingers or another ailment with an unexplained origin. More often than not, we’re concerned, and the first thing we’re inclined to do is fire up a computer and begin nervously Googling our symptoms, looking for possible problems our symptoms can lead to and treatments that can ameliorate them. In fact, according to Pew Internet and American Life Project, eight in 10 Internet users look online for health information.
And while sometimes Internet searches can lead to the right answers, other times it can lead to anxiety or what’s called cyberchondria: the unfounded concern over common symptoms based on online literature and research. Once someone begins self-diagnosing and agonizing over a health problem they may have, this becomes an issue.
“The Internet is a tool,” says Rajnish Mago, psychiatrist and director of the Mood Disorders Program at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. “You can use the tool appropriately or you can misuse it.” It’s no news that there is a lot of bogus information on the Internet, particularly when entering the realm of medical forums. But while self diagnosis can lead to stress and improper diagnosis or self-treatment, the use of the Internet in healthcare actually has some amazing potential.
READ MORE
|
Temple podiatrist Howard Palamarchuk and his team of students sprung into action in the minutes following yesterday's bombing.
 Howard Palamarchuk, director of sports medicine, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine • I feel absolutely sick to my stomach about what happened in Boston yesterday. I’m sure like many of you, I can barely look at the images coming out of the finish line bombing, where more than 100 people were injured, according to the latest reports, and three were killed. And perhaps like many of you, too, I’m looking for and clinging to stories now of the heroic rescuers who pulled people out, of the other runners who sprung into action, of the EMTs who walked into what’s being described as a “war zone” to bring people to safety. Here’s a local angle: NBC 10 posted a story late last night of a Temple podiatrist who was at the finish line with a team of students. Though they had trekked to the race to help with blisters and busted ankles in the medical tent, the ended up working in an impromptu triage unit, where the blast-injured runners and spectators were brought for on-the-scene medical attention. Dr. Howard Palamarchuk and his students sprung into action and became part of the front line helpers. Read his full account here.
• Let’s talk about something a tad lighter, okay? If you’re left handed, you probably oughta read this—a New York Post story from over the weekend that delves into the research and mysteries about what left-handedness means for how your brain works. Good stuff.
• Oh, wow. A new study shows that a small taste of beer may be enough to push you to overdo it. Apparently the flavor of beer, especially among people who drink it regularly enough to have a favorite brand–and especially especially among people with a family history of alcoholism—triggers the reward center of your brain and makes you really, really, really want more. Which, as you can imagine, could be the tipping point for some people and drive them to get drunk. Read more about the study here.
|
A new construction project will add a boatload of patient rooms.
 Einstein Medical Center Montgomery Well, geez, it feels like I was just reporting on the opening of the new Einstein Medical Center Montgomery in East Norriton, and now I’m getting word that the seven-month-old hospital is already planning an expansion.
The new project will turn a fourth-floor wing of administrative space into 24 additional patient rooms. Once it’s completed, the hospital will have a grand total of 170 patient rooms—all of which are private.
READ MORE
|
Click for gratuitously cute puppy photos.
I think I speak for Be Wellers everywhere when I say, we absolutely fell in love with Magee Rehabilitation’s therapy-dog-in-residence, Ford, last fall during our Health Hero Challenge. But Ford might have some stiff competition in the Cuteness Department now that Joey, a two-year-old black lab and golden retriever mix, has joined the team. I mean, look at that faaaaace.
READ MORE
|
This does not look good.
If the sequester goes into effect on Friday and budget compromises can’t be reached in Washington, Pennsylvania may have to cut 24,201 health-care jobs by the end of the year.
The Philly Post has more.
|
Current employees who use tobacco could be subject to higher health-insurance premiums.
Dang. Talk about bringing down the hammer. The University of Pennsylvania Health System announced yesterday that starting July 1st, it won’t hire any more tobacco users. The policy covers all future employees, including physicians, and includes all of the health system’s locations, with the exception of clinical practices in New Jersey.
Residents and fellows will be subject to the policy starting July 1, 2014, allowing for the lengthy recruitment process; notably, professors and staff at the university will not fall within the policy’s purview.
READ MORE
|
Walk-ins welcome seven days a week.
New Year’s Eve was opening day for Temple Health’s newest facility, an urgent care center called Temple ReadyCare in Northeast Philadelphia. The seven-days-a-week facility (open most holidays, too) is staffed by Temple physicians, who will see patients from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 to 4 on weekends.
As with other urgent care centers, ReadyCare is equipped to handle patients seeking non-emergency care for things like sinus infections, colds or even ankle sprains. Doctors there will also offer x-rays, lab testing, immunizations and physicals, and insurance is accepted. Unlike traditional doctor’s visits, appointments aren’t necessary.
The Northeast location, on Boulevard next to Chickie’s and Pete’s, is Temple’s second ReadyCare facility, following the Port Richmond facility that opened in 2009. According to the website, other locations are planned for Fort Washington and Jenkintown this spring.
Temple ReadyCare, 11000 Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia, 215-677-1475.
|
The Rothman Institute's Steven Cohen will answer your questions about injury prevention, hydration and more.
 Photograph by Jim McWilliams Running a marathon’s a huge accomplishment but can be a pretty scary undertaking, especially for first timers. Tonight at 7 p.m., Philadelphia Marathon medical director and Rothman Institute sports medicine surgeon Steven Cohen will answer your questions in a live web chat. He’ll hit on injury prevention, how to hydrate properly, what to eat and more. The free chat will last an hour. Head to rothmaninstitute.com/chat to join in.
FREE, November 13 from 7 to 8 p.m.
> > Have a health or fitness event you’d like to share with Be Well Philly readers? Email eleaman@phillymag.com with details.
|
