The wrong bra can cause everything from unsightly boob bouncing to back pain. Here, five ways to ensure a perfect fit
 Illustration by Justin Renninger I recently moved to the Art Museum area and I couldn’t wait to hit Kelly Drive. On my first morning run, I dressed quickly and hustled down to my starting point. As I began my warm up, I was almost instantly distracted by the heaving bosom of a woman jogging in place beside me. She should really invest in a better sports bra, I thought to myself. I don’t normally spend my workouts scoping out the chests of my fellow exercisers, but I wear a 36D bra so, from one large-chested lady to another, I felt her pain.
A few minutes later, another female runner passed me and I noticed she had layered not one, not two, but three sports bras in order to restrain her bouncing breasts. On my left ,another woman’s chest was bouncing so furiously under her T-shirt that I worried she’d get black eyes if she quickened her pace. Is it that difficult to find a properly fitting sports bra? I wondered. Then I looked down at my own doubled-up boob bondage and realized I was just as guilty as these women. Although I’ve been wearing a sports bra for most of my life, I’ve never learned how to purchase one that fits me correctly. And, the more I looked into it, the more I realized that in addition to being unsightly and a little uncomfortable, wearing the wrong sports bra can also be dangerous. READ MORE
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You don't have to sneeze and sniff all summer, Philly. Follow these simple, no-med tips from our in-house MD to feel better fast
 Illustration by Justin Renninger We are now in the midst of allergy season, and as many as 15-20% of Americans are suffering from runny noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, and a host of other irritating symptoms. My patients are always asking, “What else can I do besides take drugs…they only help so much and have side effects?!” The good news is that there are several things people can do to alleviate allergic symptoms, but the approach is multi-tiered and may include medication as well. (Also, since there is a lot of overlap between allergic symptoms and those of an infection, be sure to confirm with your doctor that allergies are the problem. ) Still, there are a lot of simple changes that can help you weather Philly’s high pollen count. READ MORE
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Daniel A. Monti, director of the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, answers five confusing questions
 Illustration by Justin Renninger If you conduct an internet search for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), you’ll see reams of information that is supposedly intended to help women determine if HRT is “right” for them. From medical journals and health care institutions, to the government and even Oprah, everyone seems to have an opinion on HRT. But there are so many inconsistencies and biased statements that it is a challenge for the average woman to make an informed decision. The answers to the following five questions are what I think every woman should know prior to discussing the matter further with her physician. READ MORE
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You eat right, take a multi ... but there's one vitamin you could still be short on. Daniel A. Monti, director of the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, shares what you need to know
 Illustration by Justin Renninger Vitamin D is an increasingly popular topic among medical professionals, patients and the media. I get asked about it all the time and I check Vitamin D levels on almost all of my patients. The available research and data on Vitamin D has grown exponentially over the past few years and it is becoming clear that this nutrient is more important that we ever could have imagined a few decades ago. That is why everyone needs to know why Vitamin D is important and how to get enough of it. The answers to the following three questions should demystify Vitamin D and illuminate the path to a healthier you. READ MORE
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 Illustration by Justin Renninger The temps go up, and so does the crime. It happens nearly every year in every city across the country, and, unfortunately, we all know Philly isn’t a city full of saints. In the last month, I’ve followed the Sabina Rose story in horror, and we here at Philly Mag have dealt with our own set of scares. One of our co-workers was mugged right near Rittenhouse a few weeks ago—thankfully she’s okay!—and two weeks ago I came home from a weekend-long camping trip only to find my car had been stolen from a spot in No. Libs that I had thought was totally safe and fine. It was found a few days later in Camden, completely gutted and stripped. So to do our part in keeping everyone safe this summer, we rounded up a list of area self-defense classes. Sign up, stay aware, and take a few minutes to purchase a key chain Mace Pepper Spray like the one I tote around (yes, it’s hot pink, and no, I don’t care)—and learn how to use it. — Class descriptions and research by Jillian Skrocki READ MORE
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Top doctor and dermatologist at Riddle Memorial Hospital Leonard Dzubow shares how to spot the all-too-common killer
 If you’ve ever found yourself inspecting a spot on your skin unsure if what you’re looking at is skin cancer or just a little blemish, you’re not alone. “There are three main types of skin cancer and each type has multiple appearances,” says Leonard Dzubow, a Top Doctor and dermatologist at Riddle Memorial Hospital, noting that skin cancer can appear as anything from a pimple-like, pearly, hard little bump with a network of blood vessels to a crusty or scaly flat patch of skin to an irregular-looking, multicolored mole. “The problem is that people think skin cancer will look ominous and most skin cancers don’t start out that way. They are often painless—only when cancers are advanced do they start to scab and bleed. So sadly people often miss the opportunity to catch a skin cancer early, which can result in everything from disfiguration to death.” READ MORE
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Keep your conscience quiet and your face wrinkle-free—all while looking like you've spent the last few days down the Shore
 Okay, I admit it: In my teens and early 20s, every once in a while—before a big event or vacation that required a bathing suit—I would crawl into one of those awful cancer beds and roast my skin to a nice, warm brown. Though I didn’t have much patience for it and I never planned enough in advance to tan more than once or twice each time, I completely regret every minute I spent under those awful bulbs. I can only hope my skin will forgive me.
But the health-conscious (and wrinkle-fearing) among us can now find a streak-free, warm summer’s glow with one of the area’s top sunless tanners. Now my face looks sun kissed and my conscience is quiet. Oh, and swiping some on post-shower takes about 1/100th of time I used to lay there sweaty and bored in one of those DayGlo deathbeds. Enjoy!
— Research by Lana Morelli and Jillian Skrocki
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The Philly body image debate continues
 A few weeks ago, the women at Lithe were up in arms (in a good way) after I called a few people out on my blog regarding a bulky comment that was being made at various Lithe Method studios. Shocking you say? Bad PR? Well, I wrote about this controversial topic to nip it in the bud and make women aware that we won’t stand for unhealthy “fat talk.” I also did it to teach people that muscle isn’t bulk and that genetics plays a huge part in way your body will develop.
I work hard to make sure that every woman that is featured on my blog and teaching my method is a relevant, healthy role model-I want every woman who walks through our studio doors to identify with one of us. Body diversity is beautiful. The results were wonderful and eye-opening. READ MORE
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When's the last time you were checked for skin cancer?
May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month and some of the city’s top hospitals are hosting free skin checkup clinics. Spots go fast, so make sure to reserve an appointment soon. I’m signed up for my very first skin cancer checkup at Jeff on the 19th. See you there! — research by Sara Friedel
PHILADELPHIA
Skin Cancer Foundation’s Road to Healthy Skin Tour, May 18-19, 2010
This tour is now in its third year and will be providing free, full-body skin exams from local dermatologists. The exams take place in a 38-foot RV with two exam rooms. You can also score some free sunscreen. Appointments aren’t necessary; first come, first served.
Where: May 18th: Rite Aid, 9920 Bustleton Avenue; May 19th: Rite Aid, 4000 Woodhaven Road
Times: Tuesday, 10 AM-12 PM; Wednesday: Time to be determined READ MORE
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Arthur Caplan, PhD, director of Penn's Center for Bioethics, weighs in
 Jenna Bergen Walgreens was set to debut over-the-counter, do-it-yourself DNA test kits in its stores this Friday, but has put them on hold due to concerns raised by the FDA. For as little as $249, you would have been able to discover if you carry the gene for 23 major diseases, including breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
But do I really want to know if I’m going to have to deal with a major disease down the road? I work out, eat well, and do my best to stay healthy—so what would change if I found out that one day I might wind up with Alzheimer’s? Other than being totally depressed and freaked out anytime I forget where I put my keys? READ MORE
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