What's New
Dr. Nancy Carlson Fisher has changed her
name back to Dr. Nancy A Carlson, which is her maiden name and the
name on her medical license. She apologizes for any confusion.
“The Beauty Within”
A Workshop Series for Women
Who Seek Beauty and Happiness
“Beauty is the
promise of happiness.” -- Edmund Burke
The holiday season is approaching
and with it the busiest time of the year.
Consider giving yourself
a gift…. Plan to start the New Year with a chance
to reflect on beauty, inner peace and happiness.
Women who stay beautiful
throughout their lives cultivate their beauty. They take
care of their bodies as well as develop their character,
mind, and spirit. They know that beauty is a light brightened
by experience and wisdom. This internal light not only makes
them more beautiful to others but also makes others feel
more beautiful in their presence.
Starting on January 5th,
we invite you to participate in a series of workshops designed
to help you find and cultivate the sources of your own internal
beauty and happiness.
January 5th, 2013
Session 1: The Four Elements of Self:
The Ingredients Of Character & Refining My Personal
Vision
February 9th, 2013
Session 2: Personal Evolution:
Understanding How We Grow & Mapping My Personal Development
March 16th, 2013
Session 3: Making Change:
Understanding Change & Making Life Changes
April 13th, 2013
Session 4: Managing Pain and Fear:
Understanding Pain, Fear & Coping With Both
May 11th, 2013
Session 5: Finding Happiness, At Least Sometimes:
Understanding What Happiness Is & Cultivating More of
It in My Life
All sessions will take place
on Saturdays from 9 am - 12 pm at Lumina, 1775 Williston
Rd, Suite 220 in South Burlington, VT 05403 12 spaces available
per session
Fee: $199.00 per session
Discounted fee: $159.00 per session if payment made three
weeks prior to a workshop date
or call 802 355-3462
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New cervical cancer guidlines have recently been released.
American Cancer Society, American Society for Colposcopy
and Cervical Pathology, and American Society for Clinical
Pathology screening guidelines for the prevention and early
detection of cervical cancer. The following is a summary
of the scientis'ts key recommendations:
•Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21.
•Women 21 to 29 years old should be screened with
Pap test alone every three years.
•Women 30 to 65 years old should be screened with
Pap and HPV tests (co-testing) every five years (preferred)
or with Pap test every three years (acceptable).
•Women who co-test HPV positive but cytology negative
should be followed with either (1) repeat co-testing within
12 months or (2) immediate HPV genotype-specific testing
for HPV 16 alone or for HPV 16 and HPV 18. If co-testing
is repeated at 12 months, women testing positive on either
test should be referred to colposcopy; women testing negative
on both tests should return to routine screening.
•In most clinical settings, women ages 30 to 65 years
old should not be screened with HPV testing alone as an
alternative to co-testing at five-year intervals or Pap
test alone at three-year intervals.
•Women at age 65 with adequate negative screening
in the last 10 years and no history of cancer may stop screening.
•Women at any age following a hysterectomy with removal
of the cervix who have no history of CIN2+ should not be
screened for vaginal cancer using any modality.
•Recommended screening practices should not change
on the basis of HPV vaccination status.
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DaVinci Laboratories of
Vermont - Supplements now Available...
A genetic test for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
Dr. Carlson now offers genetic testing
for breast and ovarian cancer. Many people don't realize that about
10% of breast and ovarian cancers are hereditary-that is, they are
due to a mutated (altered) gene passed on from parent to child.
You don't actually inherit cancer, but rather you inherit a
higher risk of developing it.
If there's a pattern of breast and/or ovarian cancer
in your family, you can reduce your risk. You many benefit from
learning more about your own risk. Current cancer research shows
that early detection-along with proactive medical care-has been
proven to help reduce cancer risk, and save lives.
You could have an inherited risk if:
you were diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50 and/or
ovarian cancer at any age
you have close family members (mother's or father's side) diagnosed
with breast cancer before the age of 50, ovarian cancer at any age,
or male breast cancer at any age.
Two specific genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a big
role in preventing breast and ovarian cancers. normally, these genes
act like brakes that help stop abnormal cell growth. However, alterations,
or mutations, can occur in these BRACA genes. When this happens,
the genes do not work as they should, and there is a loss of control
on cell growth. Certain groups of cells can grow at an abnormally
fast rate, and cancer may develop.
Some important facts and figures
Women with a BRCA mutation have:
-- a 33%-50% risk of developing breast cancer
by age 50 and a 56%-87% risk by age 70
-- a 27%-44% chance of developing ovarian
cancer by age 70
Certain mutations of the BRCA genes are more common among
people of Ashkenazi jewish descent (Central or Eastern European)
Half of all women with a hereditary risk of beast and ovarian
cancers inherited the risk from their fathers, not their
mothers.
BRCA mutations also increase the risk for other cancers
in both men and women, including up to a 6% risk for male
breast cancer
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BRACAnalysis® test results may enable you and your family to
make more informed choices and decisions.
A
woman who discovers she carries a BRCA mutation can decide whether
to start screening earlier in life or to reduce her risk by using
measures such as medications or surgery.
A
woman already diagnosed with cancer can take proactive steps to
try to prevent a second cancer. Her healthcare provider may also
use the information to make treatment decisions. For example, to
help determine whether surgery is needed.
A
woman with a family history may also find out she is NOT carrying
the gene mutation.
Individuals
with family histories of breast or ovarian cancer may want to know
whether they carry a mutation that could be passed down to their
children.
Some Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the testing process like?
A: After meeting with your doctor or other trained healthcare
provider, you will need to sign an informed consent form and provide
a small blood sample. Your blood sample will be shipped directly
to Myriad. Results can be obtained from your healthcare provider
in about 2 weeks.
Q: Will my health insurance pay for the BRACAnalysis®
test?
A: Most health insurance plans pay for BRACAnalysis®. In fact,
more that 90% of tests receive coverage, and the average reimbursement
is greater than 90%.
Q: Can my health insurance company refuse
coverage based on the results?
A: No. The Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996, as well as legislation in most states, protects
patient privacy and prohibits health insurance discrimination based
on genetic information.To date, there are no documented cases of
health insurance discrimination as a result of genetic testing for
hereditary breast and ovarian concerns.
Q: Will anyone else know the results of my
test?
A: No. Your test results are strictly confidential. Myriad only
releases test results to the healthcare provider who ordered the
test. Even when insurance plans pay for testing, the insurer does
not receive the results. Under no circumstances will Myriad give
patient results to any party other than the ordering healthcare
provider without the written consent of the patient.
Q: How can I get more information about cancer
risk assessment and BRACAnalysis®?
Please talk with your Dr. Fisher, a genetic counselor, or other
healthcare provider. You can also call Myriad at 1-800-4-MYRIAD,
or visit the website at www.myriadtests.com.
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