Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - North Mississippi - (Page 18)

OSTEOPOROSIS HOW FAR WE’VE COME: Although it’s not exclusively a female condition, osteoporosis is much more prevalent in women than in men. Ofﬁce visits for the bone-thinning disease have increased ﬁvefold in the past 10 years, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. This indicates more women are seeking diagnosis and treatment. In addition, women are more aware than ever of the impact that choices made early in life can have on their future bone health. They’re also recognizing the importance of early detection through bone density testing—vitally important because osteoporosis has no symptoms. Many medications are available now that can help slow or even stop the progression of osteoporosis. WHAT’S NEXT: Although central DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) is an excellent test to detect bone density loss or the potential for it, it doesn’t predict every possible fracture risk. Researchers are studying whether a high-resolution imaging test called radiographic texture analysis, which studies the patterns of bones, might be an even better diagnostic tool. CERVICAL CANCER HOW FAR WE’VE COME: The development of a vaccine against cervical cancer was “a giant leap forward,” says Carolyn Runowicz, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and a spokeswoman and past president for the American Cancer Society (ACS). “It’s the ﬁrst vaccine speciﬁcally targeted to reduce the risk of cancer, and in addition to preventing cervical cancer, it has the unintended ripple effect of possibly preventing anal, vulvar, vaginal and head/ neck cancers, too,” she explains. The vaccine is most effective when administered to girls and young women ages 9 to 26. But women who have not been very sexually active may beneﬁt from catch-up doses in adulthood. In addition, the treatment of advanced cervical cancer has improved signiﬁcantly, Runowicz says, through a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. WHAT’S NEXT: While researchers are always hard at work, the good news for women is that excellent prevention and treatment strategies already exist. More women need to take advantage of them. Many women aren’t diligent enough about getting routine Pap tests, which can detect cervical cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Pap tests can also detect precancerous cells that can be removed to prevent cervical cancer altogether. The ACS advises that women begin cervical cancer screening about three years after they begin having vaginal intercourse (and no later than age 21 regardless of sexual activity). The organization recommends that women have a Pap test annually if using the regular test, or every two years with the newer liquid-based test. Another big risk factor many women ignore? Smoking. “If I study a woman’s cervical mucus, I can tell whether she’s a smoker,” Runowicz says. “That mucus harbors the carcinogens from smoke and is related to cervical cancer.” Yet another reason to kick the habit. FERTILITY AFTER CANCER HOW FAR WE’VE COME: Women diagnosed with cancer no longer have to give up their dream of having children. Depending on the type of cancer, there are many options. One of these is the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) to create an embryo that can be frozen and later fertilized and placed in the uterus after cancer treatment is over. There are other strategies, too, which vary widely based on the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. The key is taking as much time as possible to weigh every option. “This is something women need to discuss with their doctors,” Runowicz says, “but there’s almost always time before starting treatment to make an informed decision about one of the many ways women can still have a baby after a cancer diagnosis.” WHAT’S NEXT: Researchers are studying options such as removing healthy ovaries before cancer treatment begins. The follicles inside the ovary that contain eggs could be isolated and the eggs matured to give women another alternative after cancer treatment. 18 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - North Mississippi
Opening Thoughts
Building Healthier Hearts
Young at Heart
Caring for the Little Ones
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
Jennifer Hudson, Grammy-winning recording artist
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
Virtual Health
SPECIAL You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby
Get Heart Healthy!
Growing Stronger
The Doctor Will See You Now
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - North Mississippi