News Briefs

David Thomas, left, gets good news from Leonard G. Gomella, MD, during his 10th consecutive yearly prostate cancer screening at Jefferson University Hospital. Robert Neroni Photography

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings Boost Awareness

Once again, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Urology and Prostate Center was among more than 1,200 sites nationwide offering free annual prostate cancer screenings to men age 40 and older during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. The turnout included some past participants.

"I've been coming here every year since 1991," said David Thomas, 53, of Maple Glen, PA. Mr. Thomas's motivation is family history. "My father had prostate cancer, so getting an annual screening makes me feel more secure."

"I first learned about your hospital's free screenings in 1993 through a TV community bulletin board announcement," recalled Vincent M. Cerquitella, 59, of Cherry Hill, NJ. "I had recently stopped smoking to reduce my risk of lung cancer, and knew that prostate cancer was another leading cause of death among men."

For the past three years, Mr. Cerquitella's brother, Charles, 53, also of Cherry Hill, has been coming to the screenings as well. "It's a great opportunity to get good preventive medicine," he said.

The availability of these screenings accounts in part for annual decreases in the number of deaths from prostate cancer, notes Leonard G. Gomella, MD, Director of Urologic Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson. "Each year, more and more men become aware of the importance of annual exams, and make certain to have one," said Dr. Gomella, who is also The Bernard W. Godwin Jr. Associate Professor of Prostate Cancer, Department of Urology, Jefferson Medical College, and editor of the recently published book, The 5-Minute Urology Consult, published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Jefferson Scientists Shed New Light in Fighting AIDS

Persistent investigations by three Jefferson researchers have shed new light in the battle to treat AIDS patients.

Writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the researchers describe a medical paradox. They tell how some AIDS patients whose immune systems show regained strength from therapy also surprisingly show infections from other sources.

After first seeing this pattern in some of their own patients, the Jefferson doctors doggedly searched the medical literature and cross-checked with research colleagues across the country. Their efforts found the pattern repeated.

The Jefferson team reasons that the unexpected infections occur from inflammatory reactions to bacteria or viruses present in a patient before powerful AIDS treatment begins. Before treatment, a patient's immune system is so weak, or non-existent, it cannot mount an inflammatory reaction.

Then, the evident paradox shows when the patient's immune system is strengthened by powerful anti-AIDS medication, and an immune reaction occurs, explains Timothy J. Babinchak, MD, Clinical Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College (JMC).

"Physicians need to be aware of this syndrome, which at times may be difficult to diagnose," notes Roger J. Pomerantz, MD, Director, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Professor of Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, JMC.

"No one is exactly sure what to do against this syndrome yet," adds Joseph A. DeSimone, MD, Instructor, Department of Medicine, JMC, and the third member of the research team.

Chef Robyn Webb conducts "The Diabetes Forecast Cooking School" at McClellan Hall to kick off tour to several other major cities in the United States. Don Walker Photography

November Is American Diabetes Month

Hospital Helps Kick Off National Tour of Diabetes Cooking School

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital hosted the national tour kick-off of "The Diabetes Forecast Cooking School," a hands-on demonstration showing people with diabetes how to prepare foods meeting their dietary requirements.

About 70 participants saw chef Robyn Webb, food columnist of Diabetes Forecast magazine, who has been featured nationally in print media and television, demonstrate a variety of recipes. In addition to learning guidelines for good nutrition, audience members were able to sample actual dishes.

The unusual public session was sponsored by HealthWorks, the hospital's diabetes education program that carries the prestigious American Diabetes Association (ADA) Education Recognition Certificate.

November is American Diabetes Month and November 5-11 is National Diabetes Education Week.

Diabetes Month activities on campus include free screenings in the Atrium and diabetes education programs at the Women's Health Source. For dates and other details, see the Calendar on Page 4.

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