Monday, October 31, 2011

ROSWELL PARK MARKS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WITH SERIES OF EVENTS



Events highlight need for greater awareness, early detection for those at high risk

BUFFALO, NY — A jarring fact underscores the events and activities that Roswell Park Cancer Institute(RPCI) has coordinated as part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month this November: 1,500 people die every year in Erie County because of this disease, which is the biggest cancer killer in the United States. Lung cancer kills more men than prostate cancer and more women than breast cancer.
“By getting these cancers detected early when they’re small and more easily treated, we can cut that statistic down dramatically,” said Mary Reid, PhD, Director of Collaborative Research and Associate Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at RPCI. “So many people in the Buffalo area have had their lives devastated by lung cancer — smokers as well as people who never smoked a cigarette in their life, so we’re really hoping to get the word out about risk factors and early detection.”
RPCI will hold two events to share information about lung cancer this November:
  • Breath of Life: A Celebration for Lung Cancer Patients and Survivors — Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m. to noon, Research Studies Center, Carlton Street at Elm Street, RPCI. Hosted by the Roswell Park Thoracic Cancer Team, this event will feature personal testimonials from lung cancer survivors and offers patients — regardless of where they are being treated — an opportunity to gather information about new approaches to lung cancer surveillance, treatment, research and survivorship. Refreshments will be served. Attendees should register by November 2 by calling 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).
  • Lung Cancer Expo — Saturday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Boulevard Mall by Sears, 730 Alberta Drive, Amherst, NY. Information will be available on risk factors, detection, treatment options, smoking cessation and more. Roswell Park’s lung cancer experts will be on hand until noon to answer questions, and representatives will be available to do initial risk evaluations throughout the event for anyone who would like to learn more about their possible eligibility for the Roswell Park High Risk/Early Detection Lung Cancer Program. Details atRoswellPark.org/Expo.
A third event hosted by Susan and Steven Roney, part of RPCI’s Team Cure initiative, will raise funds for lung cancer research at Roswell Park:
  • Taste for Life Wine Tasting — Wednesday, November 16, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Saturn Club, 977 Delaware Ave., Buffalo. Tickets for this event, an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres and jazz, cost $50. To register, send an email to tasteforlife2011@aol.com or call 716-867-0333.

Community Health & Wellness Fair


Come to the Community Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, November 5, 2011, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas and DeGraff Memorial Hospital! 


Workshops Include: 
  • Alzheimer's and related concerns 
  • Medication Management with "Ask the Pharmacist" 
  • Vascular Leg Health, Nutrition with cooking demo 
  • Stress Management and relaxing techniques
Free Health Screenings: Bone Density, Carbon Monoxide Levels, Glucose, Blood Pressure & Cholesterol 

Representatives on hand from all areas of health and wellness, UNYTS Blood Drive

***FREE ADMISSION *** FREE PARKING***

Sponsored by Walgreens, Health System Services, Elderwood, Univera Healthcare, Liazon Benefit Solutions, 
Niagara's Choice Federal Credit Union, Pioneer Printers and Keybank h/c access, 

Student Alumni Center, 405 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda 14120, www.the-tonawandas.com, 716-692-5120.
UNYTS Blood Drive

Sponsored by Walgreens, Health System Services, Elderwood, Univera Healthcare, Liazon Benefit Solutions, Niagara's Choice Federal Credit Union, Pioneer Printers and Keybank

State Health Commissioner Leads by Example in Getting Flu Shot


               Versión en Español
All New Yorkers Urged To Get Vaccinated As Soon As Possible
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 25, 2011) – New York State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., visited the Whitney M. Young Jr. Albany Health Center today to demonstrate how easy it is to protect yourself against the flu. As he received his annual flu shot, Dr. Shah urged all New Yorkers to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
"About five minutes is all it takes to protect yourself from a dangerous virus," Commissioner Shah said. "Flu vaccinations are available at a variety of locations, including health centers, physician offices, and many local pharmacies, and are often covered by insurance plans. There's simply no reason not to be vaccinated."
Over the past 50 years, the flu vaccine has proven to be safe. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work with state and local health departments and health care providers to monitor the safety of the vaccine and ensure it meets the highest safety standards.
Flu season typically runs from October through May. To date, there have been fewer than 20 reported cases in New York. During the 2010-11 flu season, there were more than 4,200 flu-associated hospitalizations in the State and seven pediatric deaths. Over the past four years, 50 children in New York have died from the flu.
Dr. Shah noted that the State Health Department and CDC recommend that anyone six months of age or older receive a flu vaccination. Children under six months of age are also at risk from flu, but cannot receive a flu vaccination. The best protection for these young children is to ensure all family members and caregivers are up-to-date with flu vaccinations.
The flu vaccine stimulates the body's immune system to protect the body from the flu virus. This year's vaccine includes the three most common seasonal flu viruses, including H1N1.
Most people who contract the flu will likely recover without complications, but individuals under two years of age or older than 50, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems or chronic medical conditions are at greater risk for serious illness or flu-related complications.
The State Health Department is also recommending that all health care workers get vaccinated to protect themselves from the influenza virus, and also avoid putting patients and their families at risk.
Individuals who lack health insurance or do not have access to the vaccine are advised to contact their local health department. Many counties hold free flu vaccination clinics that are open to local residents.
For additional information, visit the State Department of Health web site at: http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/seasonal/.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

FREE Alzheimer's Patient Safety Program November 7

On Friday November 7 from 10am-2pm the Alzheimer's Association and the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons (Masons) will hold a free program modeled after the Amber Alert/Silver Alert Program. The program makes it possible to easily identify patients through photo, fingerprinting and an ID card. All participants will receive an ID card and CD to take with them. Reservations to participate are not required. Program location is at 2805 Wehrle Drive, Suite 6, Williamsville NY 14221. For questions about this free program call the WNY Alzheimer's Association at 716.626.0600. To learn more about the Masonic Safety Identification program visit http://www.nychip.org/Welcome.html

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER THURSDAY AS SABRES TAKE ON BLUE JACKETS


Proceeds to benefit Roswell Park; fans at home can support cause through text donations

The Buffalo Sabres will square off against the Columbus Blue Jackets tomorrow night at First Niagara Center, but there’s another fight going on in a special way during the game. It’s Hockey Fights Cancer night in Buffalo, as part of the NHL’s national Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. And Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is teaming up with the Sabres to raise needed funds for cancer research and patient programs.Special autographed New Era hats will be sold in the arena, as well as Ryan Miller Sockey Caps being sold on Roswell Park’s website. Plus everyone — no matter where you are watching the game — is urged to text CURE to 501501 to make a $5 text donation during or after the game.The Sabres and Roswell Park are hoping it all adds up to a cure.

Friday, October 21, 2011

ROSWELL PARK TO THANK BLOOD DONORS WITH GLEN OAK APPRECIATION BRUNCH SUNDAY

Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) Donor Center Donor Appreciation Brunch takes place on Sunday October 23 from 11-1:30 pm at Glen Oak Banquest Facility at 711 Smith Road in East Amherst. It will feature keynote speaker, Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP, President and CEO of RPCI, and remarks from Mitch Flynn, President of Flynn & Friends and founder of The Ride For Roswell.

Founded by Elias Cohen, MD, in 1964, the Roswell Park Donor Center was one of the first facilities in the country to begin collecting platelets for patient transfusion. The annual Donor Brunch is a way to recognize the center’s most consistent and frequent donors. Those invited to Sunday’s brunch have made 20 or more platelet donations or at least six whole-blood donations.

There is significant, ongoing need for blood and blood products for patients undergoing cancer treatments or surgery at RPCI. The Roswell Park Donor Center is open six days a week, with flexible daily hours of operation. To donate, you must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 716-845-8275 or go to www.roswellpark.org/donorcenter.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Local consumer engagement in health care linked to understanding of health care reform efforts


Studies show more engagement in personal health care on the part of Western New Yorkers and underline need for collective responsibility to drive health care reform

BUFFALO, N.Y. (October 10, 2011) -  Western New York consumers appear well-prepared to continue their role in the national health care reform effort by taking charge of their personal health, based on two recent studies.

The DSS Health Care Engagement Indexä (www.dssresearch.com) finds Western New Yorkers are more fully engaged or involved in their health care than typical health plan members nationally by approximately 38 percent. Further, the DSS findings indicate the proportion of Independent Health customers designated as “engaged” or “involved” in their health care is larger than competitive carriers’ customers by about 19 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

Another study on health care reform, sponsored by Independent Health and conducted by Thoroughbred Research Group, found Western New Yorkers increasingly realize the impact of unhealthy behaviors on overall health care costs. Of commercial consumers polled, 65.3 percent cite unhealthy lifestyles as having an impact on rising costs. One year earlier, 58.2 percent believed unhealthy lifestyles affected costs.

“These findings are very encouraging,” said Michael Cropp, M.D., president and CEO, Independent Health. “As the health care law continues its role in the national discussion leading up to the November 2012 elections, Western New Yorkers have shown an increased understanding of the responsibility every consumer has in changing the course of health care costs.”

The survey results also draw parallels between Western New Yorkers’ understanding of health care reform and their understanding of the role of consumers in the health care system. Those who say they understand the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provisions are also more likely to acknowledge the responsibility of consumers to maintain their own health – a key component to lowering health care utilization and costs. Of commercial consumers who understand the health care reform law, 70.5 percent believe consumers arepartly responsible for “fixing” health care, compared with 43.5 percent among those who say they don’t know much about health care reform.

This annual survey aims to gauge Western New Yorkers’ reactions to health care reform and their perceptions on the role of various participants within the reform effort.

Other key findings include:

▪ Western New Yorkers who understand PPACA are more likely to have a favorable opinion of reform. Of those who rated their knowledge of health reform at the seven to 10 level, 64.8 percent had a favorable opinion of reform, compared with 36.8 percent who rated their knowledge in the one to six range (with 10 being the highest and one being the lowest).

▪ Health insurers continue to be seen as the party most responsible for “fixing” health care among commercial consumers (74.3 percent) and Medicare beneficiaries (64.6 percent), followed closely by government (73.4 percent and 62.6 percent, respectively).

▪ Commercial consumers in particular are increasingly looking to businesses/employers, doctors and pharmaceutical companies to “fix” health care. Perception of the responsibility of these groups increased from the 2010 survey by an average of about 22 percent.

▪ Of those who understand the health reform law, 79.5 percent say it’s important to use electronic medical records, compared to 60.1 percent among those who aren’t confident in their knowledge of health care reform.

▪ Sixty-one percent of all survey respondents say they want to know more about PPACA. The top three topics of interest include the Medicare prescription coverage gap, access to preventive screenings and financial help to low-income individuals who don’t have insurance through their job.

Survey results also indicate Independent Health is seen as taking the lead to deliver affordable, quality care and the health plan offering the most health promotion and fitness activities to better the community.

“We continue to focus on empowering consumers by offering products, services and programs that enable them to become more engaged in their health.  We’re also continuing to partner with physicians on programs that reward quality outcomes, rather than volume of services, thus changing the health care paradigm from reactive care to proactive care. In essence, we’re moving from health insurance to health assurance,” said Dr. Cropp.

“While national reform efforts remain a vital part of reshaping health care, the most sustainable solutions will take place at the local level. Western New York must continue to make progress toward improving the health and wellness of our community by engaging in collaborative initiatives that improve the quality of health care and reduce cost,” said Dr. Cropp. “We all have a role to play in creating a culture of health in Western New York.”

DSS Research is a national marketing research firm specializing in health care. Over the past 27 years, DSS has conducted research and provided insight for health insurance organizations, hospitals and other health care providers across the country. The firm’s services include product development services, satisfaction research, brand analysis and strategy research, ad testing and tracking, market segmentation research and health risk assessment, giving DSS a high-level view of the evolving health insurance business. DSS employs more than 200 health care market research specialists.  More information is available at www.dssresearch.com.

The Independent Health-sponsored survey included 500 telephone interviews, conducted by Thoroughbred Research Group of Louisville, Ky., of local consumers of commercial and Medicare health plans, with the data weighted to better represent the local population. The interviews were conducted from April 28 through May 2, 2011.

Thoroughbred Research Group is an employee-owned company headquartered in Louisville, Ky. For more than 30 years it has worked with clients in a collaborative spirit to deliver Preemptive, Proactive and ProjectiveTM business critical research to a wide range of public and private enterprises. National in scope, personal in delivery, Thoroughbred Research Group has expertise in all types of data collection, web-enabled research, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, analysis and consulting. More information is available at www.torinc.net.

Headquartered in Buffalo, Independent Health began operations in 1980 and has consistently been rated among the top health plans in the country for customer service and member satisfaction. Independent Health’s comprehensive portfolio of product and service offerings include HMO, POS, PPO and EPO products, Medicare and Medicaid plans, traditional indemnity insurance, consumer-directed plans, coverage for self-funded employers, plus health savings account (HSA) and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) services. Independent Health’s extensive provider networks include more than 846,000 physicians, 3,700 hospitals, and 53,000 pharmacies nationally. Combined, the company provides health benefits and services to nearly 375,000 individuals in Western New York and throughout the country.  For more information, visit Independent Health’s website at www.independenthealth.com.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Medical 411: Syringomyelia and Chiari


Syringomyelia (SM) is a disorder in which a cyst forms within the spinal cord, expands and elongates over time, and destroys the center of the cord, resulting in pain, weakness, and stiffness in the back, shoulders, arms or legs. Symptoms can include headaches, inability to distinguish heat and cold, disruption in body temperature, and may adversely affect sweating, sexual function and bladder and bowel control.

SM can be caused by trauma to the spinal cord, congenital developmental problems of the brain and/or spinal, or from trauma as a result of a car accident or serious fall. It may lie dormant and undetected for months or years until symptoms become bothersome enough to warrant medical attention. Many people are not diagnosed until mid-life, but MRI testing has greatly improved the ability to diagnose SM.

Chiari (kee-AR-ee) malformation (CM) is characterized by herniation of the cerebellus through the large opening in the base of the skull into the spinal canal.  The herniated tissue blocks the circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain which can result in the formation of a cavity within the spinal cord.  Patients with CM1 may experience no symptoms, or may not appear until adolescence or early adulthood. They often complain of severe headaches and neck pain, dizziness, vertigo, disequilibrium, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, difficulty swallowing, palpitations, sleep apnea, muscle weakness, impaired fine motor skills, chronic fatigue and painful tingling of the hands and feet. Because symptoms are so complicated, patients with CM1 are often misdiagnosed. CM2, the most prevalent form, is usually as a result of congenital malformation, although some cases are acquired. CM2 and CM3 are more severe malformations that are apparent at birth.

Today SM and CM affect approximately 300,000 people in the U.S. with an estimated 13,000 additional cases diagnosed each year.  In an effort to create awareness of, and to learn more about the causes, symptoms and potential treatment options for SM and CM, Mark and Barbara Kane of West Seneca founded the Column of Hope (COH) Foundation in an attempt to help find answers for their daughter who suffers from both.

Over the past eight years COH has raised more than $430,000 to fund research, with much of it occurring in Australia under the supervision of Dr. Marcus Stoodley, aided by the study of many local patients participating in the ”Out of Phase” portion carried out at Dent Neurological Institute in Amherst.  Today the Stoodley team’s research, focusing on post-traumatic syringomyelia, continues.


On October 15, 2011 John Hiess, M.D., from the National Institute of Health (NIH) informed an audience in Buffalo that further studies are currently underway. The combined talents of researchers in Madison, Wisconsin and Oslo, Norway, are now in the process of studying turbulence in cerebral spinal fluid.

About the Author:
Barbara Woodworth Amherst resident Barbara Woodworth is a freelance journalist who focuses on health, careers, diversity and business. Her more than 1,000 articles have appeared in 50+ national, international and regional publications.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Volunteer to Become a Living Healthy Peer Leader


The P2 Collaborative is seeking volunteers to help facilitate community workshops, and says:

We need you to help put the life back into life for people in Western New York. Volunteer to become a Peer Leader for Living Healthy, an international program developed by Stanford University’s Patient Education Research Center (Stanford’s Chronic Disease Self-Management Program).  Living Healthy community workshops help people with chronic disease improve their health and well-being.

As a Peer Leader, you facilitate Living Healthy community workshops for people living with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease.  This free 4 day training will cover the Living Healthy curriculum, which includes topics such as nutrition, appropriate medication use, stress and pain management and exercise techniques. 

The Peer Leader training will be offered October 27 & 28 and November 3 & 4 at the American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter, Blood Services Building, 786 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209. 

We want you to be part of the growing movement to improve health care in Western New York, led by the P2 Collaborative and the American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter.  Fill out an application to become a Living Healthy Master Trainer today!

For questions and to apply please contact:

Melanie Keem
American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter:
786 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone:  (716) 878-2351
Fax: (716) 878-2220

Please note that:   Trainees must attend all required days of training, and satisfactorily demonstrate program skills.  Once trained, Peer Leaders must facilitate a minimum of two (2) workshops within six (6) months of completing the training. Once trained, Peer Leaders must adhere to the program and licensing requirements set forth by the Stanford Patient Education Research Center.