Over 60 million Americans, about one-fifth of the U.S. population, live in areas where access to healthcare, including IV administration, is often limited. This particularly poses challenges for people with chronic diseases like MS.
Roger was diagnosed with MS when he was 36, and experienced symptoms including migraines, vision loss and leg pain.
However, he has been able to manage his MS thanks in part to a newly approved treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The treatment is the first and only twice-a-year, 10-minute subcutaneous injection for certain types of MS and provides a new and much needed option for people living with the disease, particularly those who need flexibility in the route of administration or treatment time.
Dr. Robert Shin, Director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Clinical Neuroimmunology Division at UVA Health, is available to discuss the importance of this treatment for MS and will explain how it provides additional choice and flexibility for both healthcare providers and people living with the disease. Roger will also be joining Dr. Shin to talk about his experience with MS and how this treatment option has helped him manage his disease.

Interview is courtesy of Genentech

#ms #managingms #multiplesclerosis #msawarenessmonth #msawareness

The post MS Awareness Month in March NEW OPTION FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS appeared first on Good News!.

www.vascularcures.org

When most people think of heart disease, their association is with coronary artery disease (CAD), where fatty deposits and plaque can build up in the arteries that carry blood from your heart through the body. But artery disease can affect more than just the heart. The limited blood flow caused by artery disease can be dangerous, leading to blood clots and a lesser known but very serious disease called peripheral artery disease (PAD).

CAD is the most common type of heart disease and is the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S.1 Approximately 18.2 million adults over age 20 are living with CAD in the U.S.2 PAD affects an estimated 20 million Americans,3 yet only approximately 8.5 million are diagnosed.4 If left untreated, CAD and PAD can increase the risk of serious health outcomes such as heart attack, stroke,5 and – in the case of PAD – acute limb ischemia or even a lower limb amputation.6

It’s important to be aware of the potential connection between these two artery diseases. If you have CAD, you may have an increased risk of PAD – and vice versa.6 In fact, more than 40% of individuals with CAD also have PAD.1

Further, these conditions have overlapping risk factors – including hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and smoking (even formerly smoking).6 In fact, smoking is the most common preventable cause of PAD.7 Up to 90 percent of people with PAD have a history of smoking,8 and smokers have a 4x greater risk of PAD than nonsmokers.9

Early detection is key to reducing the chance of serious outcomes. Knowing your risk of CAD and PAD – and talking to your doctor – are important first steps.

Dr. Veita Bland, renowned hypertension specialist and family physician, and Pamela Parker, PAD patient and passionate advocate for artery disease awareness, discusses the importance of early detection, intervention and management of CAD and PAD.

Interview courtesy: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc

IT’S HEARTHEALTH MONTH AND AN IMPORTANT TIME TO TALK ABOUT ARTERY DISEASE.

[ALT, if live or airing before February 1: HEART HEALTH MONTH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND IT’S ANIMPORTANT TIME TO TALK ABOUT ARTERY DISEASE.]

ARTERY DISEASECAN AFFECT MORE THAN JUST YOUR HEART AND EARLY DETECTION IS KEY TO REDUCING THECHANCE OF SERIOUS OUTCOMES.

HERE TO TALKABOUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (C-A-D) AND A RELATEDCONDITION, CALLED PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (P-A-D), ARE FAMILY PHYSICIAN ANDRENOWNED HYPERTENSION SPECIALIST, DR. VEITA (“Veeta”) BLAND, ALONG WITH P-A-DPATIENT AND ADVOCATE, PAMELA.

BIO’S:

Dr. Veita Bland, Family Physician and Renowned Hypertension Specialist

Dr. Veita Bland is a practicing physician in Greensboro, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Bennett College, Temple University School of Medicine, and the residency program at The University of Maryland. She is board certified in Family Medicine and is a Certified Clinical Hypertension Specialist.

She has spent her career making sure her patients are informed about their health so they understand why taking care of their health is important and can pass down the correct information about their disease to others.

To that end, she is a columnist of medical articles for papers across the country and is the host of the nationally syndicated podcast, “It’s A Matter of Your Health: The30 Min Health Magazine”.

She believes that we all teach each other. So let’s get the information right.

Pam, PAD Patient and Advocate

Pam is a Health and Physical Education Educator in Washington D.C.’s public school system, a heart attack survivor, and a Champion of Women Heart, a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the health and quality of life of women living with or at risk of heart disease.

Pam has educated and empowered others for more than 25 years. She has consistently earned the ranking of Highly Effective Teacher and this year she was honored to be a Physical Education Emerging Leaders (PEEL) Fellowship Candidate. The fellowship builds teacher capacity and establishes schools that serve as a district-wide model of implementing a successful Health and Physical Education program amongst D.C. public schools.

Pam was diagnosed with PAD in 2009, which included immediate surgery to clear blockages in her legs, and suffered a heart attack in 2014. Her experiences led her to advocate in the heart health space. She is passionate about equipping youth –and all of us – with the knowledge and tools to make smart, healthy decisions. Presently, Pam is in the process of writing a children’s book, titled, “I Love My Heart”.

Pam has shared her experiences with Good Morning Washington in 2018 as well as the U.S. House of Representative in 2019. She has spoken at briefings on Capitol Hill, a panel with Vascular Cures and other events engaging lawmakers to inform future health policy.

#veita #bland #pam #vascular #cures #vascularcures #artery #disease #heart #coronary #peripheral #cad #pad #fatty #plaque #blood #diagnosed #janssen #pharmaceuticals #detection

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http://instagram.com/EveryDayforMBC

What should people be aware of in terms of breast cancer screening and COVID-19?

Can you tell us about your experience treating people diagnosed with MBC? What are the biggest unmet needs and how is the treatment landscape changing?

What are some of the major challenges in MBC today?

Why is it so important for women to not delay routine mammogram screenings?

Where can the MBC community go for more information and support?

BIO-Dr. Bhuvana Ramaswamy is a breast cancer oncologist, physician-scientist at the James. She leads the breast medical oncology section and is also the Chair of the Clinical Scientific Review Committee for the James. Her research interests are in drug-resistance and racial disparities in cancer outcomes. Her lab focuses on finding the molecular link between breastfeeding and risk of breast cancer. She was named as one the “top 27 breast medical oncologists” in the nation by Forbes in 2017 and recently received the Mazzaferri-Ellison Society of Master Clinicians Award.

http://instagram.com/EveryDayforMBC

Interview is Courtesy: Seagen

#breast #cancer #disease #metastatic #covid #mammograms #doctors #ramaswarmy #treating #diagnosed #mbc #treatment #screening #community #support #bhuvana #oncologist #drug #scientist #seagen

The post Women diagnosed with a certain type of breast cancer face a vastly different outlook than others with the disease. appeared first on Good News!.

STORIES OF INSPIRATION
During Holiday Season
https://www.hemlibra.com/

In recent years, people with hemophilia A have found hope thanks to important developments in the treatment of this bleeding disorder. For some living with this chronic condition, this may mean experiencing the coming holiday season with a new outlook on living with hemophilia A.

Guy is in his mid-30’s and was diagnosed with hemophilia A at birth. As a child, he experienced spontaneous brain bleeds at 18-months-old and again at three-years-old, which led to him becoming legally blind and experiencing seizures. Guy remembers going to the hospital multiple times a week for treatment and having over 20 surgeries. As a young adult, he avoided certain activities that might lead to a bleed.

Hemophilia A is a rare genetic bleeding disorder, typically diagnosed at a very young age, in which a person’s blood does not clot properly, leading to uncontrolled bleeding that can occur spontaneously. There are approximately 20,000 people who have hemophilia in the United States, with hemophilia A being the most common form.1,2 For people diagnosed with this rare condition, it can be a life-altering diagnosis. Even with treatment, hemophilia A can result in bleeds in muscles and joints that may lead to joint damage and chronic pain.2

People like Guy can face significant challenges managing their condition.3 After decades of accepting this as his normal, he began a different medicine that he takes once a month and has experienced fewer bleeds requiring treatment. Guy recently earned a master’s degree to pursue a career in strategic marketing. He has so much to celebrate this holiday season–it will be particularly special as his first as a newlywed after getting married in a small ceremony this past June.

Dr. Amy Shapiro, a hematologist-oncologist and Co-Founder of the Indiana Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center along with Guy Law, to discuss the impact this latest treatment continues to have for people living with hemophilia A.

Interview is courtesy: Genentech

1 Hemophilia Federation of America. Hemophilia A. https://www.hemophiliafed.org/understanding-bleeding-disorders/what-ishemophilia/hemophilia-a. Accessed October 12, 2020.
2 Mayo Clinic. Symptoms and Causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemophilia/symptoms-causes/syc20373327. Accessed October 12, 2020.
3 Bauer, K. A. (2015). Current Challenges in the Management of Hemophilia. American Journal of Managed Care, 21(6).

#hemophilia #hemlibra #amy #shapiro #indiana #thrombosis #guy #law #hope #inspiration #holiday #season #bleeding #blood #disorder #chronic #condition #diagnosed #seizures #hospital #muscles #pain #oncologist #treatment #marketing #genentech #america

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NEW RESEARCH FROM PROMINENT CANCER MEETING FOR THOSE WITH LUNG CANCER

People with Lung Cancer, Like Others with Serious Underlying Medical Conditions
Might Be at an Increased Risk for Severe Illness from COVID-19

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women. This year, an estimated 228,820 adults (116,300 men and 112,520 women) in the United States will be diagnosed.

The fight against lung cancer continues with new research and scientific advances, including cancer experts investigating potential ways to treat the disease in earlier stages. Some of these latest findings in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including investigational studies in earlier stages of the disease, were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program.

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD of Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital talks on the latest news from ASCO in the fight against lung cancer.

Lung cancer makes up almost 25% of all cancer deaths. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer. In fact, about 80%-85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC. About 40% of patients are diagnosed at a later stage of disease, such as Stage IV, when the cancer has progressed to other organs. Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFRm NSCLC. The prevalence of EGFR mutations in early stage are estimated to be ~33% in a global NSCLC population.

Interview courtesy: AstraZeneca
#roy #harbst #yale #cancer #center #smilow #covid-19 #covid #19 #covid19 #lung #severe #illness #medical #risk #diagnosed #research #scientific #advances #disease #cell #nsclc #american #society #clinical #oncology #asco #virtual #hospital #astrazeneca

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Do you have vivid dreams or sometimes laugh so hard your knees give way? It could mean you have narcolepsy – the chronic neurologic condition where the brain is not able to control sleep-wake cycles normally. If you do, you’re not alone. It’s estimated that 1 in 2000 people in the U.S. experience this condition, but more than half of them don’t know they have it. Now, one woman who was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy is on a mission to educate others about it. UNC professor Julea Steiner has teamed up with Jazz Pharmaceuticals to share her story. She, joins us now with more. www.morethantired.com
Bio
Julea Steiner
Julea Steiner is a sleep health advocate and Assistant clinical professor and director of professional development in the Public Health Leadership Program at the University of North Carolina. After suffering with sleepiness and cataplexy for more than 20 years, she was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 36.
Before she was diagnosed, Julea felt tired all the time and experienced vivid dreams and hallucinations. She saw a number of doctors who misdiagnosed her with everything from ADHD to vitamin deficiency until finally one physician suggested she go in for a sleep test. Julea is passionate about raising awareness about narcolepsy. She encourages others to explore their symptoms and break through the cultural stereotypes of the disorder.

The post Julea Steiner, Chronic Neurologic Condition appeared first on Good News!.

Dr. Grandin has become a prominent author and speaker on the subject of autism because “I have read enough to know that there are still many parents, and yes, professionals too, who believe that ‘once autistic, always autistic.’ This dictum has meant sad and sorry lives for many children diagnosed, as I was in early life, as autistic. To these people, it is incomprehensible that the characteristics of autism can be modified and controlled. However, I feel strongly that I am living proof that they can” (from Emergence: Labeled Autistic).

Even though she was considered “weird” in her young school years, she eventually found a mentor, who recognized her interests and abilities. Dr. Grandin later developed her talents into a successful career as a livestock-handling equipment designer, one of very few in the world. She has now designed the facilities in which half the cattle are handled in the United States, consulting for firms such as Burger King, McDonald’s, Swift, and others.

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., is now the most accomplished and well-known adult with autism in the world. Her fascinating life, with all its challenges and successes has been brought to the screen. She has been featured onNPR (National Public Radio), major television programs, such as the BBC special “The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow”, ABC’s Primetime Live, The Today Show, Larry King Live, 48 Hours and 20/20, and has been written about in many national publications, such as Time magazine, People magazine, Forbes, U.S. News and World Report, and New York Times.. Among numerous other recognitions by media, Bravo Cable did a half-hour show on her life, and she was featured in the best-selling book, Anthropologist from Mars.

Dr. Grandin presently works as a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. She also speaks around the world on both autism and cattle handling. At every Future Horizons conference on autism, the audience rates her presentation as 10+.

Dr. Grandin’s current bestselling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s. She also authored Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, Animals Make us Human, Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, Emergence: Labeled Autistic and produced several DVDs. All books and DVD’s available through Future Horizons.

Temple Grandin’s work continues to inspire millions, drawing superlative reviews such as these:

“Temple is my hero. She has my vote for the person who has provided the greatest advance in our understanding of autism this century.”

-Dr. Tony Attwood, world renowned expert on autism spectrum disorders.

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Thanks Jason Senders, Good News Sports Producer for suggesting this important and “life affirming”  Good News Story.

Thanks to ESPN for broadcasting the draft and the NBA for doing such a honorable gesture.

Special thanks to Isaiah for inspiring so many with your positive conviction for making the most out of  our lives.

Early years

Austin was born October 25, 1993 in Fresno, California to Ben and Lisa Green. His family later moved to Arlington, Texas where he grew up and attended Grace Preparatory Academy.

High school career

Austin attended Grace Preparatory Academy. As a senior, he averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks a game. This lead him to his second straight Fort Worth Star-Telegram Super Team Player of the Year. Austin participated in the 2012 McDonald’s All-American Game, 2012 Adidas Nations and the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic. In the McDonalds All-American Game, he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 assists to lead the West to victory. In the Jordan Brand Classic, he recorded 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks to again lead the West to victory. He was named to the ESPNHS All-American Elite second team and was the nations no. 3 recruit according to ESPN.

College career

In his freshman season at Baylor, Austin was named to the 2013 All-Big 12 third team and the Big 12 All-Rookie team. On April 4, 2013, he recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals in the NIT championship game in which Baylor defeated Iowa 74–54. In 35 games (all starts), he averaged 13.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 29.9 minutes per game.

In April 2013, he declared for the 2013 NBA draft, but later returned to Baylor due to a shoulder injury.

In his sophomore season, he was named to the 2014 Big 12 All-Defensive team. In 38 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 3.1 blocks in 28.0 minutes per game.

On April 22, 2014, he declared for the 2014 NBA draft, forgoing his final two years of college eligibility.

On June 21, 2014, Austin learned that he had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. In an emotional interview with ESPN‘s Holly Rowe, Austin said that he could no longer play basketball at a competitive level since there was too much risk of his heart rupturing. In response, NBA commissioner Adam Silver invited Austin to attend the draft as his guest. Shortly after Austin’s diagnosis was made public, his agent revealed that Austin had taken out an insurance policy against career-ending disability through a special NCAA program. The amount of the policy was not disclosed, but the agent stated that it was at least $1 million. The policy would not have paid out if his career had ended due to the aforementioned shoulder injury or his eyesight, but is expected to pay out due to his Marfan diagnosis.

Personal

Austin is blind in his right eye from an injury he sustained in middle school. He had kept the injury a secret, known only to his teammates and close friends until January 17, 2014.

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Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, which is the affected area of the brain. The disorder may often involve connections between the cortexand other parts of the brain such as the cerebellum). The term palsy in modern parlance refers to disorder of movement, but the word root “palsy” does still technically mean “paralysis” today, even though it is not used as such within the meaning of cerebral palsy. The use of “palsy” in the term cerebral palsy makes it important to note that paralytic disorders are in fact not cerebral palsy – meaning that the condition of quadriplegia, which comes from spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury, should not be confused with spastic quadriplegia, which doesn’t; nor should tardive dyskinesia be confused with dyskinetic cerebral palsy, or the condition of (paralytic) “diplegia” with spastic diplegia. In fact, as of the early 21st century some clinicians have become so distressed at common incorrect use of these terms that they have resorted to new naming schemes rather than trying to reclaim the classic ones; one such example of this evolution is the increasing use of the term bilateral spasticity to refer to spastic diplegia. Such clinicians even argue quite often that the “new” term is technically more clinically accurate than the established term.

Cerebral palsy’s nature as a broad category means it is defined mostly via several different subtypes, especially the type featuring spasticity, and also mixtures of those subtypes.

Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the motor control centres of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy, during childbirth or after birth up to about age three. Resulting limits in movement and posture cause activity limitation and are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, depth perception, and other sight-based perceptual problems, communication ability; impairments can also be found in cognition, and epilepsy is found in about one-third of cases. CP, no matter what the type, is often accompanied by secondary musculoskeletal problems that arise as a result of the underlying disorder. Improvements in neonatology (specialized medical treatment of newborn babies) have helped reduce the number of babies who develop cerebral palsy and increased the survival of babies with very low birth weights (babies which are more likely to have cerebral palsy). A 2007 six-country survey found an incidence of CP of 2.12–2.45 per 1,000 live births, indicating a slight rise in recent years. A 2003 study put the average lifetime cost for people with CP in the US at $921,000 per individual, including lost income.

Of the many types and subtypes of CP, none has a known cure. Usually, medical intervention is limited to the treatment and prevention of complications arising from CP’s effects.

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