In 2006, more than 250,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This deadly disease will claim the lives of more than 40,000 friends, neighbors, mothers and daughters. These are staggering statistics.
However, breast cancer death rates are going down. This decline is largely attributed to the benefits of annual mammograms that enable physicians to detect cancer at its earliest stages, and improved treatment programs that help patients better manage their cancer.
Both digital and film-based mammography can identify breast disease in women who may have no obvious signs of breast cancer. Historically, mammograms have been conducted using medical X-ray film. Now, new digital imaging technologies are emerging that offer a complementary method for early detection of breast cancer.
The arrival of more digital imaging options sometimes can cause some patients to “wait it out” until their health care provider installs digital imaging systems. But the advice from physicians appears to be overwhelming: Do not wait for the latest digital technology. One of the most critical aspects for a full recovery is early detection, and it is far better to have any kind of mammogram than to delay or skip a mammogram entirely. The decision on which imaging technology to use should be a secondary issue that patients can discuss with their physicians.
“Digital technologies show great promise in helping to detect breast cancer in certain patients,” said Dr. John M. Lewin, Diversified Radiology of Colorado, a leader in providing technologically advanced radiology imaging. “In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering relaxing guidelines that may make it easier for manufacturers of digital mammography systems to bring new products to market faster.”
Should the FDA adopt revised guidelines, it is possible that health care providers and patients could have access to a broader range of new digital mammography products earlier-and perhaps at a lower cost-as more competition among manufacturers may drive down prices of these systems.
One of the innovators of digital medical imaging systems is Eastman Kodak Company, which currently markets a digital mammography system for use in Europe, Latin America, Asia and other parts of the world. Kodak has applied to the FDA for approval to market this system in the U.S. and the company is conducting clinical trials of this system in the U.S. and Canada. “We applaud the FDA for examining ways to streamline the approval process for digital mammography products that may lead to increased adoption and improved access to these innovative systems,” said Michael Marsh, vice president, Kodak’s Health Group.
Given the benefits and improvements in both digital and film mammogram technology, there is more reason now than ever before to encourage mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends to get an annual mammogram.
The American Cancer Society continues to recommend the importance of mammograms as a highly effective tool in the detection of breast cancer. What is critical is not the technology used to produce a mammogram, but ensuring that women age 40 and older have regular mammograms as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
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Do you consider yourself to be relatively healthy? If so, can gum disease affect you? Absolutely, gum disease is no respecter of persons. A healthy person is likely to be affected by gum disease just the same as the next person. In fact some form of gum disease affects 80% of the American adult population. Do you know the number one reason people get gum disease is due to improper oral hygiene? In America this is a growing epidemic. The two most common forms of gum disease that affect a relatively healthy person such as you, are gingivitis and aggressive periodontitis.
Have you heard of gingivitis? It is the first and most common stage of gum disease. Gingivitis only affects the gums surrounding your teeth. It begins when bacteria toxins from plaque build-up and you will most likely start to notice that your gums are red, swollen, and bleed easily. Another sign you may find that you are experiencing, is bad breath or a bad taste that won’t go away in this stage of gum disease. You will have little or no discomfort. Typically gingivitis tends to go untreated. However, if treated in the beginning stages it can be reversible with professional dental cleaning (every 6 months) and proper daily at home oral care (brushing and flossing twice per day).
When you don’t have gingivitis treated then it will progress. Aggressive periodontitis also known as pyorrhea is the second stage of gum disease. It is caused from bacteria toxins that accumulate below your gum line, when untreated it leads to rapid attachment and bone loss around teeth and familial aggregation. You will probably experience chronic bad breath and bad taste as they are both associated with this stage of gum disease. Aggressive periodontitis is so widespread mainly because the symptoms of gingivitis have gone undetected and untreated. This stage doesn’t have much to do with how healthy you are either.
The main beginning signs you will need to watch for are redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. If these have gone undetected then bad breath, gum recession, and loose teeth may be the signs that are more evident to you because they are going to be more bothersome.
Whether the progression of gum disease is eliminated, decreased, or allowed to worsen will entirely depend on you and how you intend to care for your teeth. Adequate brushing and flossing will help to remove plaque. So if you want to preserve your “pearly whites” for a lifetime then combine proper oral care and see a dental care professional. Your dentist will be able to answer any questions or concerns you have in regards to gum disease. It is important that once you see a dental care professional you follow his/her recommended treatment plan and continue routine visits.
Fast Company released its list of 100 Most Creative People in Business in June. As always, it is a captivating piece highlighting some of the world’s best, brightest and most creative business people. I’m constantly inspired by the innovation happening all around us. This year, I particularly enjoyed recognizing four healthcare visionaries on the list: Jim Yong Kim, MD President of Dartmouth College (#9), Eric Dishman of Intel (#15), Paul Farmer of Partners in Health (#31) and Giovanni Colella of Castlight Health (#57). This year’s visionaries largely focus on working to reduce health care costs while improving quality of care and expanding accessibility through various means.
As President of Dartmouth and a physician, one of Dr. Kim’s personal initiatives is improving global health programs. Dartmouth launched the Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science, a multi-disciplinary collaboration which studies the best practices of successful health systems in order to tackle the twin challenges of reducing system costs and improving outcomes. According to Fast Company, he believes that this endeavor “could improve health-care quality and help lower costs as much as 30%.”
Eric Dishman (follow Eric on Twitter), Director of Health Innovation for Intel’s Digital Health Group, is working to update the healthcare delivery process, particularly in the aging population. Eric champions home-care; his goal for 2020 is to enable 50% of care to be delivered in the home, improving quality of life, fostering independent living for the elderly and potentially saving trillions of dollars. Care Innovations GE, collaboration between Intel and GE which launched in January, was inspired by Eric’s vision.
The vision of Partners In Health, co-founded by Paul Farmer in 1987, is to offer care across the globe to those deemed by many as ‘untreatable’, either too poor or too sick. Specifically, Dr. Farmer’s aim is to provide the kind of care you would want any family member to receive. Partners in Health is currently active in 12 countries through the help of 13,000 employees. They have produced an impressive track record including successfully treating drug-resistant TB in Peru.
Castlight Health’s Founder and CEO Giovanni Colella created an online portal to allow users to comparison-shop for healthcare providers and procedures, bringing a new level of price transparency to the industry. The company believes that by allowing consumers to make smarter decisions, they can impact the cost and quality of care.
There are thousands of innovators in healthcare, working hard every day to broaden access to care, lower ballooning healthcare costs and most importantly improve patient care outcomes.
Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced that it will cover the transition care services of Napervilles Almost Home Kids (formerly CoACH Care Center) for its members the first insurance company in Illinois to do so (see also Aetna).
The staff of Almost Home Kids trains parents whose critically ill children have been discharged from the hospital. Many of these children have complicated needs that require careful monitoring and a wide variety of medical interventions such as respirators, oxygen, suction machines, and therapies. Learning to be a caretaker can be a daunting task, and Almost Home Kids helps families in a homelike setting, by providing education, reassurance and whatever technical training the families need before taking the child home.
In addition, Almost Home Kids staff members provide respite care of up to two weeks for caregivers. Families rely on the comfort of the Almost Home Kids facility and staff without having to worry whether theyre up to the task. Almost Home Kids opened in 1999 as the first center of its kind in the nation; it remains the only such facility in Illinois.
Without a facility of this nature, children typically have to stay longer in a costly intensive-care unit, adding stress to a family and exposing the child to hospital-acquired infections, according to Deborah Grisko, President and CEO of Almost Home Kids.
Were thrilled that Aetna has shown great leadership in the insurance industry and decided to contract with our facility. I hope other insurers will follow suit, said Grisko.
Dr. Haydee Muse, senior medical director at Aetnas Chicago office, said, As we visit our many health care providers, we are constantly inspired and motivated by the work they do. By providing excellent training to caregivers in a comfortable setting, Almost Home Kids lessens the chance of children returning to the hospital. Just the fact that a place like this exists can even shorten the time a child remains in the hospital, since doctors and nurses know the childs next move will be to a safe, controlled care setting.
Martin R. Castro, Aetnas Vice President of External Affairs for the Chicago market, added, A facility like Almost Home Kids is good for the children and their families, and good for containing health care costs. At a time when we are looking at how to lower health care costs and improve health outcomes for all, this innovative relationship with Almost Home Kids is a win-win for everyone. We are proud to be the first health insurer to take this important step, and we encourage others to follow our lead for the benefit of these medically fragile children and their families. About Aetna Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.
