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2 Minute Breast Exam Project

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:30:00 -0700

Even though mammograms are considered the best form of early breast cancer detection, they are not completely accurate. Since early detection of breast cancer is key to surviving the disease, it is important to do all that you can to stay abreast (no pun intended) of the issue. You should do monthly self breast exams (sign up here for a monthly email reminder) and you should receive a clinical breast exam at your annual appointment, be in gynecological visit or your annual physical. The problem is many women don't receive a breast exam, or if they do it is often hurried and brief.

That is where the 2 Minute Breast Exam Project comes in. Dr. William Goodson, who spearheads the project, wants women to know that they should be receiving a full two minute breast exam. That is a full minute per breast. He has even created a video of a two minute breast exam to illustrate how thorough the exam should be. Not only is it informative for self breast exams, but it teaches us to want our doctors to spend time on the exam. Plus, it is important to know that it is not disrespectful of them to do so. In fact it is good medicine.

Doctors Tell Women to Ditch Annual Pap Test

TresSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:42 -0800

There may be no need to feel guilty about putting off your annual trip to the gynecologist anymore! New guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists assert that healthy women should not get cervical cancer screening pap tests every year. Instead they encourage women to get the screening every two to three years. The medical group also recommends against getting a pap test until after the age of 21, even if an adolescent is sexually active.

The new recommendations against annual cervical cancer screenings are not intended to save you embarrassment or discomfort - they're meant to prevent unnecessary and possibly harmful treatments. For example, treatment of precancerous HPV symptoms that would otherwise go away on their own puts women at a higher risk of giving birth to a premature or underweight baby. Still, cervical cancer rates have dropped 50 percent since the 1970s mostly thanks to the pap test, so I hope the doctors aren't trying to fix something that isn't broken. But the authors of the guidelines explain that the same results can be accomplished with less-regular screenings.

I'll admit the idea that less screening can be better for your sexual health seems counterintuitive. Will you stick to your annual pap test or do you welcome a chance to get one less frequently?

DrSugar Answers: Breast Cancer Screenings?

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hello Doc,
My mother is 50 years old and has never had a mammogram. She has lived in Florida for about 26 years now and has not had health insurance since my father passed away seven years ago. However, due to the economy and her low income, she can not afford health insurance and her employer does not offer it to their employees either. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I was hoping to find an affordable way for her to get screened?
Best Regards,
- Worried Daughter in Miami

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought we would answer a breast cancer-related question. To see more on the serious and important topic of screening for breast cancer read more.

Approximately one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. The fact that breast cancer is so common makes screening very important. If caught early, breast cancer can often be surgically cured before it spreads. Mammograms are recommended yearly, starting at forty, to screen for breast cancer. Frequent self breast examinations can also be useful for finding suspicious lumps, but are not a substitute for yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams. Sometimes breast cancer screening is recommended at a younger age when there is a strong family history of breast cancer or a known family history of having the BRCA gene.

It’s unfortunate that your mother does not have health insurance. Mammograms can be very expensive without insurance. Luckily many communities have programs to offer mammograms to patients with little or no health insurance. The Centers for Disease Control website has a list of breast cancer screening resources by state. You can also go to the American Cancer Society website, enter your zip code, and find the ACS branch closest to her and see what breast cancer screenings they offer. Many of the programs offer free breast cancer screening for women without insurance. Good luck with your search and don’t give up.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Gear Review: slotRadio by Sansa

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:25 -0800

I love my iPod, but there is a new music player vying for my heart: the slotRadio ($79) by Sansa.

The two-inch-by-two-inch clip-on music player comes with a data card with 1,000 songs from the Billboard music charts, with prearranged playlists by music genre. I tried the additional Health and Fitness mix, which includes the mixes for warmup, cardio, roadwork (cycling), power (lifting), yoga, cooldown, and the even more mellow spa mix.

To see what I thought of this music player, just read more.

I must admit I am a bit technically challenged - ironic since I am a blogger, I know. Even with my latent Luddite ways, I found the slotRadio super easy to use. The instruction manual was simply written with helpful graphics. Open the box, charge the radio, which took about an hour, put in your music card, and go. My inaugural run with the slotRadio was great. It clips onto your clothes and is so small and light you don't even notice it. The volume button is easy to find, as is the skip button. You can easily skip genres, too. I warmed up with Lady Gaga and Nelly and moved onto cardio with a few bands I have never heard of, like VHS or Beta. The slotRadio feels like a pop music education in a good way. This little player is a great way to introduce yourself to new music. However, I had to remove the foam covers from the earbuds to keep them from falling out of my ears.

The video screen features graphics of exercises and lets you know the next song up on the playlist so you can advance easily to find motivational music. The slotRadio is also a real radio. As an NPR junkie, I love that I can switch over to radio and catch up on news or Fresh Air while working out.

I enjoyed the Health and Fitness music card much more than the standard Billboard artist music card. Thankfully, the data cards are easy to change, and there are many options to choose from, including Christmas tunes, '80s and '90s music, Latin, and classical. The extra data cards cost $40. The slotRadio bundle comes with headphones, charger, and Billboard music card. These make a great gift for the musically impaired fitness fanatic in your life.

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Screen Tests

FitSugar — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 10:32:37 -0800

Did you know that after the age of 40, it is recommended that you get a mammogram every 1-2 years? Or that you should think about getting a Cholesterol Test at the age of 20?

Being a woman can be confusing so luckily WomensHealth.org has created a chart that lists recommended screenings and immunizations for women at average risk for most diseases. For the full chart, visit WomensHealth.org.

Fit's Tip:The chart is for guideline purposes only. Your health care provider will personalize the timing of each test and immunization to best meet your health care needs.

Today Is National Depression Screening Day

TresSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:10:39 -0700

Some of us say, "I'm so depressed" and refer to situational depression - something happened that bummed us out. But for some people, undiagnosed clinical depression can affect quality of life and lead, in extreme cases, to suicide if untreated.

Today is National Depression Screening Day, so if you're worried you may have more than a passing case of the blues, go to this website to find out where in your area you can get free and confidential screening for depression. The screening doesn't diagnose depression but helps lead you to qualified professionals who can provide a full assessment. You can also take their online assessment questionnaire.

Stars Come Out After Midnight For This Is It UK Premiere

PopSugarUK — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:20:02 -0700

It was midnight when celebs including JLS, Westlife, Mel B, Harry Connick Jr and Keisha Buchanan walked the red carpet for the This Is It premiere in London's Leicester Square. The Jacksons attended the LA premiere, but there were simultaneous screenings in eighteen other cities, including the capital! The film is made up of footage from the rehearsals of the tour Michael Jackson was preparing for before he suddenly died, although it's causing controversy with some fans who believe that his ill health was edited out. The film's now in cinemas for a limited two week run - are you going to see it?

To see more photos from the UK premiere, just read more.

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Does Mama Obama's Chitchat Help You Understand Better?

babysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:29 -0700

Though she may be a tad biased on the subject of healthcare reform, First Lady Michelle Obama is taking the opportunity to speak out to women and mothers on the hot topic. While most Americans are aware of the legislation being introduced, many still have questions when it comes to the facts behind it. In her small-screen reachout to other mothers and female Americans, first mom Obama gives real-life examples of existing health care and the possibility of what the future holds with her husband's proposed plan. Watch the video and tell me if it changes your view on the subject.

When the Boob Tube Gets Scary, Leave the Kids Alone

babysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:00 -0700

One might assume that a child would be less frightened watching something scary if he were in the company of his parents. Not so says a group of Finnish researchers. According to a new study published in the journal Child: Care, Health and Development, children are actually more afraid of the events on the screen when their folks are in their presence. Though they may be cuddled or soothed by dear mom, the tot is more likely to pick up on the hair-raising moments thanks to his parent's facial expressions or physical reactions. Had the tot watched the show alone, he may have skipped right over the apparently shocking scene. So next time you're thinking of cuddling up for a family night of horror flicks, think again.

Will this revelation change your family's viewing habits?

To Do List: Medical Tests

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Medical screenings are not just for your grandma anymore. Preventive medicine is important for you to stay healthy and catch diseases in early stages when they are more likely to be cured. To see what screenings you are due for, click here

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