Cancer Detection in At-Risk Women
By Beth L. Stambaugh
Half of all women in the U.S. have dense breasts. Although common, many women aren’t sure what that means. Breasts are comprised of two types of tissue: dense tissue (fibrous and glandular) and non-dense, fatty tissue. Having dense breast tissue makes it harder to detect breast cancer because it’s difficult to see through on a mammogram.
“On your mammogram, dense breast tissue appears white and hard to see through,” says Laila Samiian, MD, a surgeon and director of the Breast Program at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center. “Tumors or calcifications that are cancerous can be hidden within the dense tissue and are more difficult to detect.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, women with dense breast tissue have a higher risk of breast cancer than women with fatty breasts, and the risk increases with greater breast density. The first step to finding out if you have dense breasts is to have an annual mammogram, recommended for women 40 and older.
“Breast density is mostly hereditary and genetic,” says Dr. Samiian. “Younger women tend to have dense breasts before menopause, especially during lactation, making mammography more difficult. However, some women’s breasts remain dense, especially in women who stay on hormone replacement therapy. They tend to have a high risk for developing breast cancer.”
Whether you have dense breasts or not, several other factors can affect a woman’s breast cancer risk, such as lifestyle, family history and menstrual history, among others. “Talk to your doctor about your breast cancer risks,” says Dr. Samiian. Women with dense breasts and other risk factors may want to consider consulting the High-Risk Breast Screening & Prevention Clinic at Baptist MD Anderson Cancer Center to determine their lifetime risk percentage. For those with a family history of breast cancer, genetic counseling is also available.
For women with dense breast tissue, other screening methods for detecting breast cancer may be recommended, including digital 3D mammography, breast MRIs, and whole breast ultrasound. Women who have already had a mammogram that identified dense breast tissue may be eligible for an additional screening tool called (ABUS), now available at Baptist Health’s Margaret and Robert Hill Breast Center.
The quick, noninvasive method uses high-frequency sound waves to produce enhanced 3D images of areas not clearly visible on traditional mammograms. The images are reproducible year after year, so any subtle change in the breast can be observed and evaluated. “ABUS is not a replacement for a mammogram, but rather a complement to it,” says Amanda Kent, DO, a fellowship-trained breast radiologist.
“Although mammograms are still the gold standard for breast cancer screening, we’re excited to be able to offer this supplemental imaging option to women with dense breasts,” adds Dr. Samiian.
Beth L. Stambaugh is a Senior Communications Strategist for Baptist Health. The Margaret and Robert Hill Breast Center is the largest dedicated breast center in our region and excels in patient satisfaction measures. For more information, call (904) 202-2222.
Where There is Racquet, Expect More Racket!
By Andy Parker
Thou shalt not complain about the racket; instead, embrace it, specifically the handheld devices used for playing table tennis, pickleball, squash, or tennis. Where there are people playing racquet sports, people are extending their lives, carving out more time to make a little noise!
Multiple studies on health and aging show that exercise and healthy diets are beneficial for longevity. More recent studies indicate life expectancy gains even vary by sport.
For people who consistently engage in sporting activities, the Copenhagen City Heart Study lists life expectancy gains as follows: tennis, 9.7 years; badminton, 6.2 years; soccer, 4.7 years; cycling, 3.7 years; swimming, 3.4 years; jogging, 3.2 years; calisthenics, 3.1 years.
Racquet sports are fantastic for cardiovascular health, offering a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise. They help players build endurance for sustained activities. In addition to being low impact, they engage the whole body: core, legs, back, and arms, maintaining muscle mass and strength, even compared to other activities such as jogging, swimming, or bicycling. Additional benefits include physical and mental coordination, improved balance and agility, reflexes, concentration, and mental alertness.
Racquet sports are not just about physical health. They also foster social engagement, which is a significant boon to mental health. It’s easy to expand your social circle while improving your health by engaging in these fun sports.
Members at Osprey Village, an Amelia Island senior living community, take advantage of well-rounded wellness calendars that consistently schedule varying activities, such as Tai Chi, aquatic aerobics, and pickleball, the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world.
With a holistic approach to wellness, through which they amalgamate physical, mental, and diet into a focused lifestyle for their members, Osprey Village incorporates the most beneficial aspects of each discipline, making healthy living easy, fun, and routine. Their members’ lifestyle parallels racquet sports by offering more than just one or two nuanced benefits. It’s a comprehensive construct that delivers more significant benefits than its counterparts.
In addition, members enjoy exclusive access to the beautiful Amelia Island Club courts, where they can indulge in hours of pickleball and tennis, filled with fun, laughter, and fitness.
If it’s a sport that keeps you energized, competition that fuels your improvement, then look no further than racquet sports. It’ll keep you healthy and happy, and you will be playing for years to come.
Andy Parker is Creative Director at Senior Living Communities.
Enhancing Smiles and Boosting Confidence
By Dr. Steven A. Garrett
As a dentist who focuses on cosmetic dentistry, I understand the impact a beautiful smile can have on a person’s confidence and overall well-being. Cosmetic dentistry focuses on improving the appearance of teeth, gums, and smiles, helping patients achieve a look they can be proud of.
What is cosmetic dentistry? Cosmetic dentistry enhances the visual appeal of your teeth while often improving function as well. It addresses issues like discoloration, misalignment, chips, or missing teeth, offering solutions that can range from subtle improvements to full smile makeovers.
One popular cosmetic dental procedure is teeth whitening, which is a quick, non-invasive way to brighten your smile. Teeth whitening removes stains caused by food, drinks, and aging. Whether done in-office or at home, this treatment delivers noticeable results. Another popular cosmetic procedure is veneers. Custom-made veneers are thin shells applied to the front of teeth, which correct imperfections like chips, discoloration, or gaps. Veneers provide a long-lasting and natural-looking solution.
Bonding is a cosmetic dental procedure which uses tooth-colored resin to repair cracks, chips, or gaps. This procedure is fast, affordable, and can dramatically enhance a smile in just one visit. Clear Aligners (Invisalign) is a dental procedure for those who want to straighten their teeth without resorting to traditional braces. Clear aligners gradually shift teeth into back into place. They are a popular choice for adults seeking a discreet way to improve their smile.
Dental implants are another dental procedure which provides a permanent solution for missing teeth. Implants look and feel like natural teeth, improving both appearance and functionality. A confident smile can improve self-esteem and open doors in both personal and professional life.
Cosmetic dentistry can be life-changing, as it addresses both the appearance and health of your teeth. Studies show that people with attractive smiles are often perceived as more approachable and successful, highlighting the power of a great smile.
Is cosmetic dentistry right for you? If you’re self-conscious about your smile, Amelia Dental Group offers a range of solutions to fit your needs. From whitening to implants, cosmetic dental procedures can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted.
Dr. Garrett is a general dentist with Amelia Dental Group, located at 1947 Citrona Drive in Fernandina Beach. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (904) 261-7181 or visit www.ameliadental.com.
New Dry Eye Treatments
By Dr. Gerald Koss
Dry eye is a condition in which a person doesn’t have enough quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye. Tears are necessary for maintaining the health of the front surface of the eye and for providing clear vision. Dry eye is a common and often chronic problem, particularly in older adults. People with dry eyes may experience irritated, gritty, scratchy, or burning eyes; a feeling of something in their eyes; excess watering; and blurred vision. Advanced dry eyes may damage the front surface of the eye and impair vision.
With each blink of the eyelids, tears spread across the front surface of the eye, known as the cornea. Tears provide lubrication, reduce the risk of eye infection, and wash away foreign matter in the eye, keeping the surface of the eyes smooth and clear. Dry eyes can occur when tear production and drainage is not in balance.
The new OptiLight by Lumenis is a groundbreaking light-based therapy (IPL) for the management of dry eye disease. With its patented technology and versatile capabilities, Lumenis’ light therapy has transformed our ability to manage dry eye signs and symptoms for patients. OptiLight is the only FDA approved light therapy for the treatment of dry eye disease and has been providing fantastic results. It targets the underlying cause of dry eye and breaks the vicious cycle of inflammation, providing patients a real, clinically robust solution for their dry eye disease.
Along with the new FDA approved IPL, Amelia Eye Associates has added the OptiPLUS. The OptoPLUS is an FDA approved innovative dual-frequency RF technology. This unique technology delivers heat across skin tissue layers, enhancing blood circulation and collagen production while targeting the meibomian glands. Thinning the meibum requires sustained heat, which is difficult to achieve with a mask or compress. By combining dual-frequency RF with IPL technology, doctors can express meibomian glands more effectively, see clearer meibum, and observe signs of improvement!
Another available therapy is TriLIFT facial muscle stimulation. This new device helps with lid apposition to maintain a nice, smooth tearfilm distribution. Using TriPolar RF energy and Dynamic Muscle Stimulation (DMSt), TriLIFT encourages the body’s natural healing response to produce additional collagen and elastin. Simultaneously, action is taken to increase facial volume, improve skin
tone and texture (reduced wrinkles), and tone muscular structures. An added benefit of TriLIFT is that the neck muscles are organically strengthened while the face is treated. Therefore, patients attain a more youthful and defined neck area post-treatment.
Amelia Eye Associates is the first practice in Florida to offer all three treatment modalities. Schedule an appointment for your dry eye disease evaluation today.
Dr. Gerald Koss is a board certified optometrist with Amelia Eye Associates. For more information, please call Dr. Koss at (904) 321-1333 or visit www.ameliaeye.com.
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography
By Nicole Escobar
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM) is an innovative imaging technique designed to improve breast cancer detection by enhancing the visibility of abnormalities. This method involves injecting a contrast agent into the bloodstream before the mammogram. The agent highlights areas of increased blood flow, which are often associated with tumors, offering a more detailed view than traditional mammography.
CEM is particularly useful in cases where standard mammograms may not provide clear results, especially for women with dense breast tissue, which can obscure potential issues.
The key advantage of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography over traditional mammography lies in its ability to differentiate between benign and malignant tissues more effectively. The contrast agent enhances abnormal areas, making suspicious growths easier to spot. This is especially important for women with dense breast tissue, where normal mammograms may miss smaller or hidden tumors.
Studies have shown that CEM is highly sensitive, making it a valuable tool for early cancer detection, reducing false positives, and providing greater diagnostic confidence.
Ideal candidates for Contrast-Enhanced Mammography include women with dense breast tissue, which can make it harder to detect abnormalities through traditional mammography alone. Women at higher risk for breast cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease, or individuals who have had inconclusive results from standard mammograms, may also benefit from this advanced imaging technique.
CEM is a valuable option for those requiring additional screening or a more thorough evaluation after initial imaging has raised concerns.
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography offers a powerful tool in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, improving outcomes and aiding in treatment planning. For women facing breast cancer concerns or requiring more detailed imaging, CEM is a game-changer.
Nicole Escobar is a senior Community Relations Specialist with Ackerman Cancer Center in Fernandina Beach. For more information or to discuss if Contrast-Enhanced Mammography is right for you, contact Ackerman Cancer Center at (904) 277-2700 or visit www.ackermancancercenter.com.
Your Spine is Worth Your Time
By Dr. Kevin Lin
Raise your hand if you have a skincare routine. What about brushing your teeth daily? We invest a lot of time and resources into taking care of ourselves, but when was the last time you thought about taking care of your spine?
Your spine is the central pillar of your body, serving as the backbone—literally—of your musculoskeletal system. It provides structure, supports movement, and protects the critical nerves that send messages between your brain and the rest of your body. Unfortunately, the spine is often neglected until we feel discomfort or pain, but proactive spine care can prevent these issues and help you live a healthier, more active life.
The spine gives your body shape and structure, allowing you to stand tall, walk, run, and perform nearly any movement. Whether you’re bending, twisting, or simply standing, your spine is involved in virtually every motion. Ignoring spine health can lead to mobility issues over time, so maintaining proper posture and performing exercises that strengthen the back muscles are key to avoiding future discomfort.
One of the spine’s most critical roles is housing and protecting your central nervous system (CNS). Your CNS is responsible for controlling and coordinating nearly every bodily function, from breathing and digestion to muscle movements and sensory responses. If the spine is misaligned, it can compress or irritate the nerves running through it, potentially causing headaches, numbness, muscle weakness, or even more severe issues, such as digestive problems or
poor circulation.
Taking care of your spine means taking care of your CNS, and in turn, optimizing your overall body function. If you’re having trouble with coordination, experiencing random aches, or noticing a decline in how well your body functions, it could be your spine sending out distress signals. Getting it checked out by a professional might be worth your time.
Waiting for back pain to develop means you’re already one step behind. Proactive spine care can prevent many of these issues from arising in the first place. Incorporating daily practices like good posture, ergonomic seating, regular stretching, and strengthening exercises can drastically improve your spinal health over time.
Your spine is the unsung hero of your body’s well-being, yet it’s often the most neglected. A little effort in maintaining spinal health today can make a world of difference in your mobility, comfort, and overall functioning tomorrow. After all, it’s impossible to be at your best without a healthy, properly aligned spine.
Dr. Kevin Lin is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a Diplomate of CranioCervical Junction Procedures, and the owner of Precision Chiropractic in Fernandina Beach. Dr. Lin focuses on an area of Chiropractic called Upper Cervical Care and has been in practice for 13 years. You can reach Dr. Lin at precisionchirofl.com or (904) 310-0064.
Venous Insufficiency
By Dr. Gabor Kovacs
When veins weaken and become enlarged, their valves cannot close properly, which leads to venous reflux and impaired drainage of blood from the legs. Venous reflux most commonly affects the veins closest to the skin, the largest of which is the saphenous vein, that runs from the top of the foot to the groin. Symptomatic venous reflux is an advanced stage of the disease that can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life.
The most common signs of venous reflux are leg pain, swelling, painful varicose veins, discoloration or inflammation of the skin, and leg ulcers. The primary goal in treating symptomatic venous reflux is to eliminate the refluxing vein, usually the greater saphenous vein. Several treatment options are available which can help determine which treatment is best for you at your consultation.
Women are more likely than men to develop varicose veins. Other risk factors include age, family history, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and multiple pregnancies. If you are having leg pain, even a dull ache, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment for a consultation. Sometimes people do not seek treatment until the disease has progressed. If caught early, however, there are minimally invasive laser treatments available, including sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, or combination therapy. A consultation can help determine the best treatment for your individual needs.
Spider veins are another common problem. Spider veins occur when tiny capillaries dilate close to the surface of the skin. They can develop anywhere on the body. Commonly you’ll see these veins on the face around the nose, cheeks and chin, and on the legs around the upper thigh, below the knee joint, and around the ankles.
At the Vein Care Center of Amelia Island, we use the Vein Gogh, which is a device designed for treating those tiny veins around the face. Spider veins can be caused by hormone changes, pregnancy, exposure to the sun, and injuries. Taking medications containing estrogen and progesterone also may contribute to the forming of spider veins.
Sclerotherapy is the preferred treatment for spider veins on the legs. Treatments done for spider veins are typically for cosmetic purposes. If you are self-conscious about your spider veins or if they become painful or tender, a consultation can help determine the best treatment for your individual needs.
Dr. Gabor Kovacs MD, FACS is a Board Certified General and Vascular Surgeon with the Vein Care Center of Amelia Island. To schedule an appointment, call (904) 572-3074 or email vccofamelia@gmail.com.