October is National Breast Cancer awareness month in our nation. Breast cancer is one of the most recognized disease entities in the world thanks to organizations like The Susan B. Komen Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. We are all familiar with healthy life style changes that can help prevent breast cancer such as exercising to lower estrogen levels and pump up our immune systems, eating a nutritious low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, not smoking and lowering our intake of alcohol, being careful of staying on oral contraceptives too long, performing self-breast exams monthly and knowing the history of the women and men in our lives that have had either benign or malignant breast tissue disease in their pasts. But even with our knowledge we are still plagued by myths that scare and generate fear in every woman or man who finds a lump (knot) in their breast. Let’s look at some of the most persistent myths so that we don’t become a victim of misinformation.
Myth #1: Breast Cancer is Contagious.
This is not true at all! You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s body. Breast cancer is the result of cell growth that is out of control in one’s own body.
Myth #2: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.
Although finding a lump can be a scary scenario, it in no way proves you have breast cancer. It is, however, a warning that you should see a physician right away to be checked. Schedule yourself a mammogram!
Myth #3: Men do not get breast cancer.
False! Although it is not as common in men, there are cases of breast cancer in males. Men should also do breast exams monthly and report any changes to their doctor immediately.
Myth #4: Knowing you have changes in some special genes (BRCA1/ or BRCA2) in your body means you will get breast cancer.
While alterations in some genes can predispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5-10% actually has the mutation so there is not an absolute correlation but it is a factor. Your physician knowing and your knowledge of this fact and performing regular breast self-exams actually help you stay ahead of the game. Focus on the fact that your chance of not having this disease is greater than 90%!
Myth #5: A mammogram can cause cancer to spread!
Not true! A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and is one of the best tools available for early detection of breast cancer. It cannot cause cancer to spread nor can the pressure on the breast from the mammogram. Do not let other people’s “tales” keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician’s recommendation.
Myth #6: Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.
Not so! While this may put you in a higher risk category, the fact is most people diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. Having a history may mean that your doctor will want you to have a baseline mammogram before age 40.
Myth #7: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute have not been able to find any evidence linking the use of these products to the subsequent development of breast cancer.
As you can see, there are many “tall tales” that prevail about breast cancer but the good news is 8 out of 10 lumps are not malignant (cancerous) and people are now faced with many treatment options. Get informed by talking with your physician, search websites, and read any material you can find on the subject for updated information.
Alice Barlow RN, is the Alternate Administrator of Platinum Home Health, INC, located at 140 S. Collegiate Dr. in Paris, Texas. 903-739-8070
Paris Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of interventional cardiologist, James Young Kim, M.D., FACC, to the medical staff.
An interventional cardiologist is a cardiologist who has undertaken specialized training to perform interventional procedures on the heart. Usually this consists of placing stents in the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) to open up blockages. Interventional cardiologists may also perform other procedures on the heart and vascular system to include blockage in peripheral vasculature, leg arteries and kidney arteries.
Dr. James Kim, MD
“Dr. Kim is an excellent physician with nearly 15 years of experience,” said Bill Porter, PRMC CEO. “Whether he is serving our country or the local community, Dr. Kim is dedicated to providing the highest quality cardiac care. That makes him a perfect fit for Paris Regional Medical Center and the Paris community.”
After graduating from the University of California Irvine with a degree in Psychology, he served in the Army National Guard in California and Illinois from June 1989 to September 1993. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois in 1997 with the support of the Army Health Professions Scholarship Program.
He entered active duty in 1997 and served in the U.S. Army for ten years. During that time, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Eisenhower Army Medical Center and his fellowship in Cardiology at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. He also served overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Prior to completing his training in Interventional Cardiology at University of Cincinnati, he was in private practice with Oconee Heart and Vascular Center in Athens, Ga.
Dr. Kim is board certified in Cardiovascular Diseases with the American Board of Internal Medicine since 2004 and was elected Fellow American College of Cardiology in 2009.
Dr. Kim’s office is located at 2850 Lewis Lane, Suite 114. To make an appointment, please call (903) 905-4602.
Insight Counseling & Psychological Assessment is celebrating their grand opening and ribbon cutting at their office in downtown Paris at 11:30 on the morning of Friday, September 30. The new counseling and psychology clinic that will serve Paris and surrounding communities is located in Suite A of The Main Place at 406 S. Main Street.
Insight Offices at 406 S. Main
Insight is a locally owned and operated clinic that will offer individual therapy, couple’s counseling, family counseling, cognitive behavior therapy, substance abuse counseling, play therapy, career counseling, and psychological evaluations including ADHD and learning disorder assessments, IQ testing, and academic achievement testing. Therapy and assessments will be conducted by licensed professional counselors and a licensed psychological associate with over 35 years of combined experience. The professionals of Insight will strive to use their skills and experience to provide quality and affordable mental health services to Northeast Texas. Insight is now open for regular business hours Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. with evening and Saturday sessions available by appointment.
The therapists of Insight, as pictured above from left to right are: Talor Trenchard, Patricia Palmeri, and Ashley Womack. For more information about Insight or to schedule an appointment, you may call the office at 903.272.3867 or visit the website at www.insightcounselingroup.com today.
Paris Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce the addition of neurologist Sunil Thummala, MD to the medical staff.
Dr. Thummala finished his neurology residency training at the University of Vermont and medical school at Kakatiya Medical College, India. He received the “best team player” award while in residency training. He was ranked 18 out of 50,000 exam-takers on the medical college entrance exam. He has also received a merit scholarship award for best performance in pharmacology, and ranked first in his class for top performance in community and preventive medicine.
“Dr. Thummala is as enthusiastic about joining our team as we are to have him,” said Bill Porter, PRMC CEO. “Undoubtedly, he will be an asset to Paris Regional Medical Center and to the Paris community.”
Dr. Thummala practices general neurology. He has special interest in stroke, neuromuscular disorders, epilepsy and headache disorders. He has particular interest in developing a stroke program at PRMC to provide highest quality care for acute stroke patients in this region.
Dr. Thummala and his family are relocating to the Paris area from Burlington, VT.
To make an appointment to see Dr. Thummala, please call 903-737-1271. Dr. Thummala’s office is located at 2850 Lewis Lane, Suite 106 in Paris.
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