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March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Joe Dangor 
Disparities in the level of awareness and knowledge of breast density exist among U.S. women, according to the results of a Mayo Clinic study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Image A: Non-dense breast tissue showin.g a small cancer (upper left)
Breast density is the term used to describe the variation in dense tissue on a mammogram image. Fatty breast tissue appears more radiologically translucent than dense (fibroglandular) breast tissue. Regions of a breast that comprise fatty tissue will appear darker on a mammogram, while regions that comprise dense tissue appear whiter.
Image B: Dense breast tissue with palpable lump, cancer diagnosed (far right center)
Increased breast density has been shown to mask cancers on the mammogram as well as to be associated with future risk of breast cancer. Recent legislation in several states mandates that women be given information about breast density in order to guide decisions about breast cancer screening.
Researchers conducted a national cross-sectional survey of 2,311 women ages 40 to 74 in English and Spanish. The survey response rate was 65 percent. Overall, more than half of women who responded (58 percent) had heard of breast density, 49 percent were aware that breast density affects breast cancer detection and 53 percent knew that breast density is associated with cancer risk.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.
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Tags: Breast Cancer, breast density, Deborah Rhodes, disparities, Dr Rhodes, JCO, Journal of Clinical Oncology, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Minnesota news release, News Release
March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines 3/2/2015
By balzerdeb 
In today's Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines with Vivien Williams:
- Good news for coffee drinkers
- Peanut allergies and children
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. Click here for script.
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Tags: coffee, Dr. Donald Hensrud, Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines, Peanut Allergy, Vivien Williams
March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
CREEPY, DREADFUL, WONDERFUL PARASITES: A Parasitologist’s View of the World – Week of March 2, 2015
By Dana Sparks 
Every week Bobbi Pritt, M.D., posts a new case, along with the answer to the previous case. Read Dr. Pritt's blog: Parasite Wonders and submit your answers, comments and questions. Enjoy science!
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Tags: Dr Bobbi Pritt, MML, Parasites
March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
What the New Dietary Guidelines Mean to You
By balzerdeb
If you are confused about what foods to eat and what to avoid to maintain a healthy lifestyle, don't worry. You are not alone. Remember the old food pyramid? It's time to rethink we what we put on our plate and in our bodies.
The Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee recently released a 571-page report that offers a new take on some previously thought nutritional data. The report is the primary body of literature that guides all recommendations on how Americans should eat and is targeted to those making nutritional policy in the U.S.
Donald D. Hensrud, M.D., says the report shows a continued emphasis on plant-based diets and less meat consumption. He stresses the guidelines change as new information and research becomes available, calling guidelines evolutionary, not revolutionary.
Guidelines recommendations include:
- Increase plant-based diet
- Consume less red and processed meat
- An egg a day is okay
- Less sugar consumption
- Coffee and caffeine may have health benefits
Dr. Hensrud recommends the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid which emphasizes fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains along with lean protein from a variety of sources and a limit on sweets and salt.
Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Hensrud are available in the downloads, along with b-roll of examples of packaged food products (gluten-free, sugar sweeteners, beans, whole wheat)
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Tags: Caffeine, dietary guidelines, Dr. Donald Hensrud, healthy diet, Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid, whole grains
March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Webinar: Stroke Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment Options
By Dana Sparks
Wed., Mar 4, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT
This webinar will cover a variety of stroke topics. Robert Brown, M.D, M.P.H., will discuss the prevention and diagnosis of stroke, and Giuseppe Lanzino, M.D., will talk about the surgical and non-surgical treatment options for stroke. Both physicians will answer questions after their presentations.
Please click here to signup and receive email reminders for the event.
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Tags: Dr Giuseppe Lanzino, Dr. Robert Brown, Mayo Clinic Connect, Social Media, stroke, Webinar
March 2nd, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Jen O'Hara 
THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES
Fitting in fitness: Finding time for physical activity
Can't seem to make time for exercise? Try taking your dog for daily walks, ramping up chores, moving while watching TV and more.
Bedbugs
About the size of apple seeds, bedbugs hide in and around beds. Know how to keep them out of your home and how to avoid them when traveling.
EXPERT ANSWERS
Dental Floss vs. Water Pick: Which is Better?
Discover why you may not want to toss your floss in favor of a water pick for a healthy smile.
Energy Drinks: Do They Really Boost Energy?
Energy drinks may give you a temporary energy boost — but it doesn't last long.
Click here to get a free e-subscription to the Housecall newsletter.
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Tags: acne, Bedbugs, dental hygiene, energy drinks, fitness, Healthy Recipes, hypertension, Monday's Housecall, sore throat, stress
February 28th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic Q & A: Regardless of risk, take steps to protect heart health
By lizatorborg 
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am a 37-year-old man and have no health problems, but both of my parents have heart disease. My dad had his first heart attack at age 50. Are there things I can do now to prevent it, or is heart disease inevitable for me because of my family history?
ANSWER: Based on your family history, your risk for heart attacks is higher than the risk of a person without that kind of history. But that does not mean heart attacks are inevitable. A thorough medical evaluation can help determine your specific risk of developing heart problems. You can also take steps to help protect your heart health, no matter what your risk level.
A family history of heart attacks — especially one in a parent younger than 55, as in your father’s situation — is a major risk factor for the type of heart disease known as coronary artery disease, sometimes called CAD. Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients — your coronary arteries — become damaged or diseased. Cholesterol-containing deposits, or plaques, and inflammation in your arteries are usually the source of coronary artery disease. There are many factors that may cause coronary artery disease, including high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity and high blood pressure, to mention some.
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Tags: Coronary Artery Disease, Dr Francisco López-Jiménez, Dr Lopez-Jimenez, heart attack prevention, Heart Disease, Mayo Clinic Q A
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Something to Think About ~ When do you truly fail?
By Dana Sparks
"Our crabapple is more resilient than I am. I try. I fail. And then I stop trying. I lose hope, get frustrated and impatient, and then give up..." More from Amit Sood, M.D. - When do you truly fail?
Dr. Sood is director of research in the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. He also chairs the Mind-Body Medicine Initiative at Mayo Clinic.
Click here to read previous blog posts. Follow Dr. Sood on Twitter @AmitSoodMD
"Failing isn't in falling; failing is falling and not trying to rise." – Dr. Amit Sood
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Tags: Complementary Integrative Medicine, Dr Amit Sood, Something to Think About
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
Mucus. It isn’t pretty, but it’s a frontline weapon in the fight against the common cold and sinusitis. On this week’s Mayo Clinic Radio, ENT specialist Dr. Erin O’Brien explains why.
Also on the program, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Rekha Mankad answers listener questions about heart health. And Mayo Clinic urologist Dr. Jeffrey Karnes discusses the pros and cons of the PSA test for prostate cancer.
Myth or Matter-of-Fact: Humming can improve sinus health.
Mayo Clinic Radio is available on iHeart Radio.
Click here to listen to the program on Saturday, February 7, at 9:05 a.m. and follow #MayoClinicRadio.
To find and listen to archived shows, click here.
Mayo Clinic Radio is a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic. The show is taped for rebroadcast by some affiliates.
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Tags: cold, Dr. Erin O'Brien, Dr Jeffrey Karnes, Dr Rekha Mankad, Heart Health, Mayo Clinic Radio, Prostate Cancer, PSA test, sinusitis
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
WHAT: On Friday, Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. ET/10 p.m. PT, HBO will air a documentary from VICE Media entitled Killing Cancer, which follows pioneering cancer researchers including those at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center. The broadcast will conclude with the announcement of a matching gift campaign established by the documentary’s host and producer Shane Smith to fund cancer research at Mayo Clinic.
WHO: Shane Smith, CEO and founder of VICE Media, is no stranger to the impact cancer has on families. To honor his mother, a cancer survivor, Smith is establishing a $500,000 matching gift to fund cancer research at Mayo Clinic.
WHERE: Gifts qualifying for the match can be made online here.
WHEN: Gifts made between February 27 and April 28, 2015, qualify for this matching gift opportunity.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Dangor, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284 5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu.
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Tags: Cancer Center, HBO, Killing Cancer, measles virus therapy, oncolytic virus therapy, Research, Shane Smith, VICE
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Seasonal Affective Disorder or a Case of the Winter Blues
By balzerdeb
The winter has been especially harsh for millions of Americans with record snowfalls and extreme temperatures forcing many to stay indoors due to inclement weather. Short days, lack of sunlight and cold temperatures especially in the northern areas of the U.S. are being blamed for bouts of cabin fever and the winter blues. You may also hear people refer to seasonal affective disorder or SAD this winter, however, there are some distinct differences.
Mark A. Frye, M.D., says SAD is a significant cyclical mood disorder that affects patients most winters beginning in late fall or early winter when the skies are gray during the day or the sun sets early.
While many people, especially during a difficult winter, struggle with cabin fever and winter blues, SAD depressive symptoms can be severe and functionally disabling. Dr. Frye says SAD is a mood disorder much like bipolar disorder or major depression but specifically related to the change of seasons.
Journalists: Soundbites with Dr. Frye are in the downloads. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Cabin Fever, Dr. Mark Frye, light therapy, mood disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Wellbutrin, Winter Blues
February 27th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines 2/27/2015
By balzerdeb
In today's Mayo Clinic News Network Headlines with Vivien Williams:
- Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Winter Blues
- What Color is the Dress
Journalists: Video is available in the downloads. Click here for the script.
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
Cancer Treatment and the Heart
By Dana Sparks
Cancer treatment and the heart
Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can increase the chance of heart damage. Know the risks.
Alternative cancer treatments: 10 options to consider
Looking for relief from cancer treatment side effects? These 10 types of alternative medicine may help.
Mayo Clinic to be featured in "Killing Cancer" — a special report from VICE on HBO Don't miss the HBO documentary "Killing Cancer" on Friday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. ET. Follow the revolution happening in the treatment of cancer and discover how viruses will become a main driver for cancer therapy. Thanks to thousands of hours of research, the courage and optimism of our patients, and generous gifts from people like you, we are closer than ever to cures for some of the deadliest, hardest to treat cancers. Learn more.
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Tags: Cancer Treatments, HBO, heart, Living With Cancer Blog
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
By Dana Sparks
Fever treatment: Quick guide to treating a fever
Dense breast tissue: What it means to have dense breasts
Blood pressure chart: What your reading means
Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan
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Tags: Blood Pressure Chart, Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, Dense Breast Tissue, Diabetes, fever, Thursday Consumer Health Tips
February 26th, 2015 · Leave a Comment
What Do You Know About Superbugs?
By balzerdeb
You may have heard the term superbug in the news lately. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (En-tero-bacteria-ce·ae) (CRE) has been linked to several deaths around the United States after those patients had endoscopic procedures using a duodenoscope. CRE is often referred to as a superbug because it's resistant to the carbapenem antibiotic and other commonly used antibiotics.
The duodenoscope is a complex instrument used in an endoscopic procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Bret Petersen, M.D., calls the ERCP a very important procedure that potentially saves many lives and says more than 100,000 ERCP procedures are done annually in the U.S.
Instruments used in common procedures such as colonoscopy and upper endoscopy have not been related to these cases of CRE. Dr. Petersen says patients should not be fearful of having these important procedures.
Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. Petersen are available in the downloads. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Colonoscopy, CRE, Dr Bret Petersen, duodenoscope, superbug, upper endoscopy