Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Every year in October, communities across the country participate in walks and fundraisers to support those affected by breast cancer and to raise awareness and funds to save lives from breast cancer. The campaign funds breast cancer research, promotes education and risk reduction, and provides patient support.

In 2017, about 252,710 new invasive breast cancers will be diagnosed. And about 63,410 new cases of carcinoma in situ (the earliest form of breast cancer) will be diagnosed. Are you doing your monthly self breast exams? Do you know what to look and feel for during your exam? Do you know when you should start your mammograms? Talk with your healthcare professional about your risks and when to start your mammograms. It is also important to discuss your family history because some cancers can be hereditary and your screening management could change. Monthly self breast exams and screening mammograms are crucial in the early detection of breast exam which leads to early treatment and improves survival rates.

For more information visit the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors

Patient Testimonials

We love to hear what our patients have to say! Check out what they are saying about the FemTouch procedure for vaginal rejuvenation! We are also still offering 20% off the FemTouch procedure until September 30th! Call today and talk to our staff if you think you could benefit from the FemTouch procedure!

“I am 25 years old and a mother to 3 kids. After having my kids and breastfeeding, I was having some issues with vaginal dryness, discomfort with intercourse and was leaking urine when I would cough, sneeze, laugh or play with my kids. After completing my three FemTouch treatments, I have noticed a tightening of my vagina and increased lubrication. The intimacy between my husband and I has increased. I am also no longer leaking urine!  I am so happy with my results from FemTouch.”

              -Kim

“Before FemTouch, I was having a hard time controlling my incontinence. I was wearing a pad all day, every day. Since completing the FemTouch procedure, my quality of life has immensely increased because I am no longer leaking urine. I only have to be aware of urge and I do not have to push a vacation off from embarrassment. I also had treatment done on my abdominal scar and it has improved so much.”

              -Melissa

“I’m in my 50s and was experiencing vaginal dryness which was making intimacy painful and also leaking urine when I coughed. I had heard about FemTouch and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised at how painless the procedure was and how much the treatment helped me with my difficulties. The staff at Heartland Women’s Healthcare was wonderful!”

              -Ann

“It is so nice not to worry every time I sneeze or have a good laugh. Prior to FemTouch that was the issue. Since having the FemTouch, I no longer have to even think about it. I also no longer have problems with vaginal dryness, which is common for women my age. I found the staff to be friendly and knowledgeable. I didn’t have to wait a long time in the waiting room. The procedure itself was quick and while there was at time some discomfort, it was not painful.”

              -Elizabeth

*Patients names have bene changed for privacy

FemTouch FAQ's

Since January, our office has done over 70 FemTouch treatments! We are excited that our patients are seeing great results!

We have had many questions regarding the FemTouch procedure. Check out our website for a list of Frequently Asked Questions! Here is a link to the FemTouch page: http://www.heartlandwomenshealth.com/femtouch-faq/

We are still offering an introductory discount price that will be ending September 30, 2017. If you have been debating on the FemTouch procedure or if you have additional questions, now is an excellent time to discuss with us further!

Zika Update June 2017

Summer's warm weather is finally here! Which also means rain, humidity, and bugs! Our goal is to keep our community updated on any potential risks. About 2 years ago, we started to hear about the Zika virus. What we know about the Zika virus is that it is transmitted from a mosquito and that it can also be transmitted during sexual intercourse with an affected person. Prior to last fall, the only known cases were related to travel outside of the United States. In the fall, there were cases reported in Brownsville,Texas and Miami – Dade County, Florida. On June 2nd, 2017, the “yellow” travel caution was removed from Miami – Dade County, Florida but the “yellow” travel caution still stands for Brownsville Texas.

What does the “yellow” travel caution mean?

The yellow travel zones in the United States are areas where local mosquito-borne transmissions have been identified and pregnant women are at some undetermined risk. It is recommended that pregnant women travel with caution and consider avoiding or postponing travel to these areas.

Currently there are no “red” areas in the US. Red zones are areas of active Zika transmission with multi-person local mosquito-borne transmission. These areas pose a significant risk of contracting Zika and a significant risk for pregnant women. Again, there are currently no “red” zones in the US but many popular travel areas are affected including areas in Mexico and the Caribbean. For an inclusive list of affected areas of the World you can visit the CDC website. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/world-map-areas-with-zika

Those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss travel with their healthcare provider.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Avoiding mosquito bites is the #1 preventative action we can take! Visit the CDC website for information on prevention, including insect repellents, wearing long pants and shirts, and controlling insects inside and outside of your home. https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/fs_mosquito_bite_prevention_us.pdf

For more information visit the CDC website or your local health department.

National Women's Health Checkup Day!

Its National Women’s Health Checkup Day!

Have you had a Well Woman Exam in the past year? If not, it is time to take charge of your health! Doing a Well Woman Exam is one of many things that you can do to keep yourself healthy. Your healthcare provider will review your history and ensure that you are up to date on recommended testing, screenings, and immunizations. The goal of regular health checks up are to find problems before they start!

Recommended health screenings depend on age, your past medical history and family history.

              -Breast Cancer Early Detection

              -Cervical Cancer Early Detection

              -Cholesterol

              -Diabetes 

              -Colorectal Cancer Screening

              -Blood pressure

              -Immunizations

              -Skin Cancer

              -Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections

At your appointment, it is important to review your medical history and family history. This is also a great opportunity to discuss any questions that you may have about your health. Have you noticed any lumps, bumps, or skin changes? Any pain, dizziness, fatigue, menstrual changes? Change in eating habits? Experiencing anxiety, depression, or sleeping issues?

Call to schedule for annual exam today! We are scheduling appointments for new and existing patients!

https://www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw

Sexual Assault Awareness

We are full swing into the month of April, which is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of this month is to raise awareness and education on preventing sexual violence. Sexual violence is a serious public health problem and this problem, unfortunately, is on the rise.

Sexual violence affects millions of men and woman. In the United States, 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence and about 1 in 10 men. Most victims experience this before the age of 25. Sexual violence can happen to anyone and leads to many long-term physical and emotional health problems.

The 2017 campaign for SAAM is “Believe Survivors – Change the Culture”. So, the big question is, what can we do to change the culture around us?

·       Build health and supportive relationships

·       Speak up when you hear sometime harmful or hurtful

·       Create supportive policies in the workplace and schools

If everyone does what they can do raise awareness and change the culture around us then we can make a difference! The smallest change and make the biggest difference! Together we can make a difference!

If you or someone you know has or is being abused - there is help.

              National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

              National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

              National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline – 1-866-331-9474

              Nebraska Spanish Helpline – 1-877-215-0167

For more information on Sexual Violence and the campaign for Sexual Assault Awareness Month visit:

http://www.nsvrc.org/saam

https://www.cdc.gov/features/sexualviolence/

http://ndvsac.org/get-help/

We are excited to introduce the FemTouch Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation!

We are excited to introduce the FemTouch Laser for Vaginal Rejuvenation at Heartland Women’s Healthcare!

You may be wondering, what is the FemTouch Laser and how can it help you?

As women age or after childbirth, they may experience uncomfortable vaginal symptoms. This is usually due to a change in hormones or lack of estrogen. This can occur during and after pregnancy, while breastfeeding or during perimenopause and menopause. The FemTouch Laser can improve vaginal health in women in many ways including:

·       Increasing vaginal moisture

·       Strengthening vaginal muscles

·       Improve painful intercourse

·       Decrease urinary leakage and urgency

·       Improve vaginal laxity

·       Increase vaginal sensitivity

FemTouch works by promoting rejuvenation of the vaginal tissues. The procedure requires no downtime and consists of 3 treatments for optimal results. The treatments are quick, cause little discomfort, and the results can last 12+ months!

You may be a candidate for FemTouch Laser if you are interested in restoring your vaginal health or improving bothersome symptoms. Give us a call today to get one step closer to a healthier, happier you!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Alright ladies, it’s that time of year again! Did you know that breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women? Are you doing your monthly self breast exams? Do you know what to look and feel for during your exam? Do you know when you should start your mammograms? Talk with your healthcare professional about your risks and when to start your mammograms. Doing your self breast exams and mammograms are important because early detection of breast cancer leads to earlier treatment and improved survival rates.

One in eight women will develop breast cancer some time in their life. Some risk factors include being a woman, age, race and ethnicity, dense breast tissue, certain breast conditions and having a family history of breast cancer. Lifestyle factors that increase risk of breast cancer include drinking alcohol, being overweight, lack of physical activity, using oral contraceptives or hormone replacement during menopause.

It is also important to discuss family history with your healthcare provider. 5% to 10% of breast cancers are thought to have a hereditary trait, meaning a gene mutation that can be passed down generation to generation. Some women may meet criteria for specific testing for hereditary cancers.

Knowing your breasts is important! If you have questions please discuss with your healthcare provider.

For more information visit the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/detailedguide/breast-cancer-risk-factors

Do you know the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

“Today, cancer research is on the cusp of major breakthroughs, and it isof critical national importance that we accelerate this progress and keep reaching for prevention, treatment, and a cure. Each September, in honor of the women who have been taken by ovarian cancer and the brave individuals still fighting this disease, we reaffirm our commitment to carrying forward this important work.”  -President Barack Obama

As a healthcare professional I see patients daily. Every patient that walks through my door has a risk of cancer. It is important to review risk factors with each and every patient, whether they are 20 years old or 70 years old. Ovarian cancer can have many "silent" and "sneaky" symptoms. Early detection is the key to increase survival rates. Did you know that one in 75 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer during their lifetime. Do you know what the symptoms of ovarian cancer are?

Symptoms of ovarian cancer include bloating, pelvic and/or abdominal pain, difficulty eating/feeling of fullness and urinary symptoms such as frequency and urgency.

Ovarian cancer risk can be increased in women who have a family history of breast, ovarian or colon cancer, genetic mutations (like BRCA), hormone replacement, more menstrual cycles and increased age. The risk of ovarian cancer can be decreased with the removal of ovarian/fallopian tubes, childbearing, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use and tubal ligation.

If you have a family history of ovarian cancer and/or other cancers, it is important to discuss it with your healthcare provider. You could be a candidate for genetic testing to test for hereditary cancers. It is important to know your cancer risk to develop a medical management/screening plan. Remember ladies, knowledge is power!

For more information visit: Ovarian Cancer National Alliance at http://www.ovariancancer.org/

Breastfeeding Awareness Month

Its National Breastfeeding Awareness Month!

When a woman becomes pregnant one of the most important decisions she will make is how to feed her baby. Will she breast feed, bottle feed or formula feed? It is important to remember that this is 100% the mother’s choice. The goal of Breastfeeding Awareness Month is to EMPOWER women to commit and help them be successful in breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has many wonderful benefits for babies, as well as the mother! Babies who are breastfed have a decreased incidence of infections, long term protection on their health, less SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) risk and stronger bones. Mothers also get some benefits from breastfeeding including better healing after delivery, decreased risk of ovarian and premenopausal breast cancer, and breastfeeding also burns calories which can result in quicker weight loss!

There are many helpful resources throughout the community to help with common breastfeeding problems including poor latch, sore or painful nipples, milk supply issues and many more. The first resource most women have is the lactation consultants and nursing staff in the hospital! My advice: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HOSPITAL HELP! They are there to help with any issues you have! It is normal for breastfeeding to be hard and draining in the beginning but it will pass! Remember – MOM and BABY are both learning, just like a child learning to ride a bike! After discharge from the hospital, there are resources such as Milk Works, who have lactation consultants and supplies. Many hospitals also have weekly “Mommy and Me” classes that offer help, advice and discussion on common problems.

Are you aware of GBS?

Group B Streptococcus, also known as GBS, is a bacteria that can be found in the digestive, urinary and reproductive tracts of men and women. In women who are pregnant, GBS could affect pregnancy. Here is what women need to know about GBS:

Women can have GBS and not know it because typically GBS does not have any signs or symptoms and does not cause serious health problems in adults. Rarely, GBS can cause infections of the uterus and urinary tract and these can be transmitted to the baby as the baby passes through the birth canal. In newborns and infants, GBS can cause lung infections, blood infections, and meningitis. Therefore, it is important to have testing done during pregnancy to see if you are a carrier for GBS.

When should pregnant women be tested? Your doctor will typically test you for GBS using a vaginal/rectal culture around 35 to 37 weeks gestation.

How is GBS treated? GBS is treated with antibiotics after a positive culture. Typically a woman is treated with antibiotics during labor. Antibiotics help stop the spread of the bacteria from the mother to the newborn. If your water breaks, call your doctor and go to the hospital to ensure that you receive adequate antibiotic treatment.

What are the risk factors for developing GBS?

-Positive culture results at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy

-Previous newborn with GBS infection

-Previous GBS infection before or during pregnancy

-Urine bladder infection caused by GBS with or without symptoms

-Water breaking more than 18 hours before delivery

-Labor onset or water breaking before 37 weeks gestation

-Fever in labor greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit

For more information visit:

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. https://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq105.pdf

What you need to know about the Mumps virus

The recent Mumps outbreak has been a hot topic during the last month! Here is what you need to know!

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has confirmed 23 cases of Mump related to an outbreak at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska. New cases have been reported in Cass, Douglas, Dodge, Hall, Madison, and Platte counties. So far in 2016, the CDC has confirmed 1,148 cases in the United States which far exceeds the number of total cases in 2015.

Mumps is a virus that is caused from the paramyxovirus. Signs and symptoms of mumps include pain, tenderness and swelling of the parotid salivary glands in your cheek and jaw area. Other symptoms include a low-grade fever, joint pain, fatigue and headache. The mumps virus is spread through contact with respiratory secretions and the risk of transmission increases with longer and closer contact with an infected person.

Complications from the virus include orchitis (inflammation of the testicles) which could lead to sterility of a male. Rare complications include mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast), oophoritis (inflammation of the ovary), deafness, meningitis and encephalitis.

During pregnancy an active infection can cause an increased risk of complications, especially in the early months of pregnancy. Infants and children who have not had the MMR vaccine are also at increased risk.

There is no treatment for Mumps except supportive care for pain and fever. It is important for symptomatic people be in isolation to prevent the spread of the virus. The best way to prevent is through vaccination with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine and thorough handwashing. The MMR vaccine prevents most, but not all, cases of mumps and complications from the virus.

If you have been exposed to someone with mumps, or have signs or symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for evaluation.

For more information visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/mumps/about/index.html

Break Free from Osteoporosis

One in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. We want to help you take action and Break Free from Osteoporosis! Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken and increases the risk of bone fractures. Most people do not have signs or symptoms until a bone fracture occurs.

Are you at risk? You could be at risk for osteoporosis due to family history or lifestyle choices! Risk factors include:

                -Genetics and family history of osteoporosis

                -Lack of exercise

                -Poor diet

                -Personal history of bone fracture

                -Cigarette smoking

                -Excessive alcohol consumption

Should you be screened? Menopausal women over 65 should have a bone density screening done. Women under 65 with risk factors for osteoporosis should talk with their health care professional. Osteoporosis can be treated with lifestyle modification, dietary changes, exercise and medications. Ask your healthcare provider today if you should be screened and what you can do to reduce your risk!

How can you protect your bones?

                -Eat a well balanced diet with fruits and vegetables

                -Get enough calcium and Vitamin D

                -Engage in regular exercise

                -Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake

For more information visit:

The National Osteoporosis Foundation - https://www.nof.org/

What you need to know about the Zika Virus

The Zika virus has been a hot topic the past few months, especially for women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Hopefully we can answer some common questions many people are having.

What is the Zika Virus? The Zika virus was first discovered in Uganda’s Ziika forest and has been around since the 1940s. Since 2007, there has been an increase in the number of cases reported. The World Health Organization declared the Zika Virus a public health emergency in February.  In May 2015, the Zika virus was reported in South America and has since spread throughout the Americas. Signs and symptoms of the Zika virus are pretty non-specific and include rash, fever, arthralgia (joint pain), and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

The Zika virus can also spread to an unborn baby, therefore, it is important for pregnant women and women who desire to become pregnant to avoid exposure as much as possible. Exposure to the Zika virus during pregnancy has been linked to pregnancy loss, microcephaly (small head), and abnormalities in the brain and eye.

How is the Zika Virus Spread? The virus is primarily spread through a bite from an infected mosquito but can also be spread through sexual contact with an infected sexual partner.

Is the Zika virus in the United States? There are no reported mosquito borne Zika virus infections reported in the US but there have been travel associated infections. The number of travel related infections is expected to increase, which could result in local spread of the virus.

Precautions for pregnant women and women who plan to become pregnant:

-Avoid exposure to the virus including avoiding travel to areas where the Zika virus has been detected. An updated list is available through the CDC.

-If travel is unavoidable, women should avoid mosquito bites by using DEET bug spray, keep exposed skin covered and stay in screened in areas or air-conditioning.

-If a male has traveled to a Zika area and/or been exposed to Zika, then sexual contact should be avoided.

Should I be tested for Zika? Routine testing for the Zika virus is not recommended without clinical signs and symptoms. If you develop signs or symptoms during or within 2 weeks of travel, you should contact your healthcare provider for testing.

What if I plan to become pregnant after exposure to the Zika virus? ACOG has released that if a woman has been diagnosed with the Zika virus they should wait 8 weeks from symptoms to attempt pregnancy, and if a man has been diagnosed, they should wait 6 months from onset of symptoms.

For more information visit:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/