====================== JeffNEWS, June 7, 1994 ====================== Is There a Difference in Cancer Care Outcomes? ---------------------------------------------- Clearly, yes. When compared to national and regional data, Jefferson's five-year survival rates for localized cancer are higher for breast, lung, colon, rectal and prostate cancer. While survival rates are often difficult to compare, the figures provide a general indication of the excellence of therapy at Jefferson. Are Your Lower Eyelids Puffy and Discolored? -------------------------------------------- If you're considering plastic surgery to restore a fresh-looking appearance, Edmund Pribitkin, MD, assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, says, "Not so fast." Dr. Pribitkin cautions, "There are many causes for lower-lid puffiness, ranging from allergies to thyroid problems. A quick check with your doctor may provide the solution for a healthier appearance, without surgery. Taking care of associated illnesses before surgery also will ensure a better and longer-lasting result from any cosmetic procedures you do have." Turning Back the Hands Of Time ------------------------------ Twenty years ago, if a woman wanted to look younger, she followed the path to the fountain of youthful appearances marked "cosmetic surgery" and had a face lift. In the process, she also experienced some pain during several weeks of healing. Welcome to the 90s. Today, if a woman wants to reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles, she can follow an entirely different path and opt for a glycolic acid peel. Her dermatologist can peel away decades of experience lines in a matter of minutes. Glycolic acid, found naturally in sugar cane, is a type of alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs can be used to help many minor skin problems, although it is not effective in tightening droopy or saggy skin. Glycolic acid appears to stimulate cells to increase their production of substances that retain moisture in the skin, thereby "plumping up" wrinkles and giving skin a thicker, smoother look. After a glycolic acid peel, skin is younger-looking and more even-toned. Since glycolic acid is a mild peeling agent, there is little or no healing needed following a peel. The degree of improvement varies with each person and the strength of the peel. Preparing for Summer's Heat --------------------------- Winter's over! Now's the time to watch out for heat stroke or heat illness. The elderly and people with chronic illness are predisposed to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. People with these health problems should take extra precaution when the temperature is extremely high. Alan Forstater, MD, a medical emergency specialist at Jefferson, says, "They should use air conditioners or fans when the temperature rises above 90 degrees, especially if the humidity is high." Make sure to check on any elderly relatives or neighbors. They may need help when the temperature rises. The best way to avoid heat illness or heat stroke is to prepare yourself with these items before it's too late. Active people should avoid exertion in hot, humid weather. If you are active you should drink plenty of fluids. Also, eat some extra salt if you have no dietary restriction. Make sure to dress with light-colored, loose fitting clothing to keep cool. Include Safety in Your Summer Plans ----------------------------------- Summer can be more fun if you plan to be safe - then you can enjoy this wonderful season to the fullest. To help you include safety in your plans, here's some good advice from the American Cancer Society, Philadelphia Division, Inc. on safe sunning and from the American Red Cross on safe swimming and endorsed by Jefferson's departments of dermatology and of environmental health and safety. For fun sunning: o Avoid the sun from 10 am. to 3 p.m. - that's when the rays are strongest o Wear wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants. Ninety percent of skin cancers occur on parts of the body not usually covered: the face, hands, forearms and ears. o Beware of cloudy days - clouds don't protect you from sunburn. o Use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15, and apply it at least 15 to 30 minutes before going into the sun. Remember to apply more after swimming or sweating. o You need a sunscreen even when swimming. Did you know the sun's rays can penetrate three feet of water? For safe swimming: o Swim only with companions in lifeguard-supervised areas. o Never drink alcohol or use drugs when swimming or boating. o Don't swim if you can't see the bottom of the pool in the deep end or if the water is cloudy. This means the water isn't clean. o Watch out for the dangerous too's: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much hard playing. o Follow all swimming rules, lifeguard directions and instructions for safe diving. o Don't chew gum or eat while swimming because you could easily choke. Soccer May Be the Sport And Exercise for You -------------------------------------------- Americans will soon have a chance to view this fast-paced game of "feet-only football." They now know it as a raucous European field sport with little of its foreign allure intact in the United States. "But soccer is exercise for everyone," says Arthur Bartolozzi, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine for Jefferson, who is a medical consultant for the 1994 World Cup. "Following the basics of soccer and just kicking a ball around the field provides tremendous aerobic activity," he notes. "It's a great workout - like jumping rope - and hones agility." Dr. Bartolozzi explains that playing soccer is equivalent to endurance training involved in jogging or cycling and tones even more muscles. "The cutting and pivoting needed for pursuit and retrieval of the soccer ball require substantial muscle strength," he says. The sport can be played on many levels, depending upon the fitness of the individual or group of people. One person can juggle a ball in any open space; five or six people can play on half a field. Dr. Bartolozzi recommends that people considering soccer for a cardiovascular workout should check with a doctor first if they can claim risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure or a family history of heart disease. "Soccer as an exercise program," says Dr. Bartolozzi, "may be more liberating than an indoor aerobic program and can provide the same results, with a little competition and camaraderie thrown in." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Information provided by: Editor, JeffNEWS (215) 955-6204 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------