Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the next most prevalent type of cancer among women in the US. And while it can occur on the breast cells of both men and women, breast cancer is by far most common in women.

Despite the massive support for breast cancer awareness, diagnosis, and treatment, it is still the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, this does not mean that the efforts remain futile. The survival rates are now higher, and the death rate continues to decline.

Scientists attribute these achievements to the following advances:

1.    Node Preservation

Initially, patients underwent routine axillary lymph node removal from the armpit during breast cancer surgery. The process was traumatizing, painful, and sometimes caused numbness. Even worse, some patients experienced lymphedema.

The introduction of sentinel node mapping remains phenomenal. Surgeons can now accurately identify which nodes can remain and those that should go. Through targeted axillary dissection, surgeons can preserve a considerable number of nodes. The result is fewer complications and reduced cases of lymphedema.

2.    Oral Option for Targeted Therapy

PARP inhibitors were for a long time only used for treating ovarian cancer. However, the targeted therapy is now a popular method for treating breast cancer, too. Like in ovarian cancer, PARP inhibitors work by preventing specific cancer cells from repairing themselves after damage.

While breast cancer has remarkably fewer mutations than any form of ovarian cancer, PARP inhibitors still can exploit and prevent them from repairing themselves. Many scientists see this as an exceptional advancement in the treatment realms.

3. Genomic Testing Reduces Exposure to Chemotherapy

For decades, chemotherapy was a standard treatment procedure for patients with breast cancer. But since recent studies proved that chemotherapy is non-beneficial to up to 85% of patients aged above 50 years, not every patient has to go through chemotherapy.

Through genome testing, doctors can now determine those who can benefit from chemotherapy and those who cannot. The process helps to minimize the chances of overtreatment while still receiving the same results.

Key Takeaway

While there are more than these three advances, many patients or caregivers do not know about them. The trick is to consult your doctor or clinic. An ideal example of a treatment center that will furnish you with all the information is the City of Hope breast cancer Newport Beach Clinic.…

Continue reading →

Improving the care of chronic patients is one of the greatest challenges for the healthcare field. It imposes a necessary restructuring of the way to face medical problems from the care perspective. Therefore, tools and product platforms must be integrated that meet the needs of patients. Some of the things that are involved include:

• Post-surgical processes
• Home Hospitalization
• Situations of dependency or Geriatrics
• Long-term and chronic and acute diseases

For remote patient monitoring and management, there are unique solutions with the possibility of integration and communication between devices and sharing patient information. The remote patient monitoring tools are usually connected with the hardware and software healthcare ecosystem that is easy to handle and integrate.

Clinical Software for Remote Patient Monitoring

One of the remote patient monitoring tools is clinical software where a professional portal is used. This is a common space that is possible to configure and manage the healthcare activity of patients. This includes:

• Multi-center structure
• Clinical staff registration
• Personalized follow-up plans
• Alerts and Notifications System
• Internal communication
• Clinic history
• 360 tracking

Patient Portal

The patient portal is an easy-to-use, intuitive environment adapted to any device. These are some of the tools and features of the patient portal:

• Notification of breaches and tasks
• Activities Calendar
• Activity log
• Communication with the medical team
• Access and download of the clinical history
• Relevant information about your illness and treatment

Kiosks

Kiosks involve remote integration of medical centers and the network of commercial pharmacies as it relates to the patient. Multi-parametric vital signs are used to manage and monitor patients. These are easy to use, intuitive, and also includes:

• Activities Calendar
• Activity logs
• Simple measurements such as blood pressure
• Connectivity

Biodata – Devices

Biodata involves devices that check vital signs and is a great monitoring solution for every patient. It also makes it easier for medical professionals to do their jobs successfully. This includes:

• Low cost multi-parameter vital signs monitor
• The tool created to support any telemedicine or socio-health clinical scenario
• Remote diagnosis

Healthcare Briefcase

The healthcare briefcase is another remote patient monitoring tool, which makes it easy to:

• Send patient data to the hospital
• Access to patient information
• Improve connectivity

Conclusion

Due to confinement and other reasons, the use of remote patient monitoring tools has become popular as a continuity solution to daily activities. Some tools have given patients a certain feeling of “normality.” The medical profession has taken a giant step forward in digitization and advancement.…

Medicare for All was one of the most hotly debated policy topics in the 2020 Presidential primary election. Ultimately, none of the major party candidates backing this proposal made it to the general election, but it is still a topic of debate. The Medicare for All plan would open up the existing Medicare program to all Americans, rather than just Americans who are 65 and older. While this plan got the most attention, there are some alternatives.

1. Medicare Advantage for All

Medicare Advantage plans are an existing alternative to the regular Medicare program. These plans are offered by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. When people purchase Medicare Advantage plans, they still have Medicare, but it is bundled with services that Medicare doesn’t cover. The Medicare Advantage for all movement seeks to open up these private company plans to everyone, instead of Original Medicare, believing they have more advantages of Medicare for All Washington DC than the traditional Medicare for All option.

2. Expanding the Affordable Care Act

The approach favored by President Joe Biden is to expand the existing Affordable Care Act. Biden has claimed that this option would provide more insurance choices for Americans, lower premiums, extend coverage, increase affordable options and expand coverage for lower-income people, reduce drug costs and expand mental health and reproductive health services.

3. Enacting a Different Single-Payer System

Medicare for All was not the first single-payer system to be proposed. The American Health Security Act was introduced in 2009. It would have required all participating states to establish a state health security program that would replace existing programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

While most people agree that the current healthcare system in the United States is flawed, there is still a lot of disagreement about how to fix it. These are just three of the many possible solutions.…

Summer provides your children with a refreshing break from school and their other important responsibilities. The pleasant weather and free time provide ample opportunities for fun, but sometimes those factors make it difficult to choose them. Additionally, summer break is a long time to spend without structure. Consider the following ideas so your kids make the most out of this time.

Send Them to Summer Camps

The most reliable way of keeping your children occupied throughout most of the season is via summer camps Raeford NC. They vary in length and intensity, from local classes to full experiences away from home.  Some teach specific sports and skills while others focus on a broader subject via multiple smaller activities. Talk to your children and learn about their abilities or interests, then see if there are camps that cater to them.

Visit the Local Library

The right books can keep your kids entertained for hours, so trips to the local library are the logical solution. Get them their own library card and encourage them to read more. Libraries also have much more to offer than just books. They often hold reading programs and other local activities, especially during this season. The kids can also rent other entertainment items such as movies and games. Finally, libraries can sometimes offer free passes to museums, attractions or sporting events.

Explore the Nearby Parks

Depending on where you live, there might be a large variety of parks to visit and enjoy. A larger city may hold more parks and other natural areas than you might know. Make it a goal to visit as many of these areas with your children as you can. Research the features so you can plan various activities, from using the playground to setting a picnic or even throwing a small party with loved ones.

Your children might have more downtime during the summer than you would expect. These suggestions can make this time interesting and lively for them.…