Aspirin may slow down breast cancer.
Feb 19th
Scottsdale – A report seen on CBS news says breast cancer patients who take aspirin regularly may be able t cut their risk of dying by 50 percent, according to a study by Harvard Medical School and published Tuesday in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Most of the women taking the aspirin to reduce their risk of stroke or cardiac problems may find an additional benefit when it comes to breast cancer recurrence and mortality, according to the study. In the survey, from 1976 to 2006 of more than 4,000 registered nurses showed that women who took aspirin regularly (two to five days a week) cut their risk of having the cancer spread by 60 percent and reduced their risk of dying from breast cancer by 71 percent.
Breast cancers produces inflammatory chemicals when compared to normal breast cells. Lab tests show that aspirin keeps breast tumor cells from growing and invading other tissue. Researchers theorize that aspirin may help control cancer by fighting inflammatory chemical or signal produced by cancer cells.
The medical investigators said more study is needed and they caution that aspirin therapy can thin blood and can cause stomach bleeding or ulcers, even in healthy women.
A cleft palate for King Tut?
Feb 17th
King Tut's mummified head.
Scottsdale – New findings, from the most extensive study ever carried out on Egypt’s King Tutankhamun, show he suffered from a cleft palate and that he died from complications of a broken leg exacerbated by malaria. The findings were from two years of DNA testing and CT scans on 16 mummies, including those of Tutankhamun and his family (Source: Fox News).
The team that carried out the study established the clearest yet family tree for Tut. The researchers said Tut’s father was most likely Akhenaten, the pharaoh who tried to revolutionize ancient Egyptian religion to worship one god. Tut, who became pharaoh at the age of 10 in 1333 B.C., ruled for just nine years at a pivotal time in Egypt’s history. In 1922, the discovery of his tomb filled with stunning artifacts, including the famed golden funeral mask, made him known the world over.
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. There are many causes of cleft lip and palate. A cleft lip and palate can affect the appearance of the face, and may lead to problems with feeding, speech, and ear infections. Signs may range from a small notch in the lip to a complete groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose.
Cleft genes are passed down from one or both parents. Drugs, viruses, and other toxins can cause such birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects. These features may occur separately or together. Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defects. The chances of having cleft lip or palate are about 1 out of 2,500.
Today, cleft lip and palate can be repaired using plastic surgery techniques. For those who are interested in King Tut’s study, the full article will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
5 Quick Facts: Breast Reduction.
Feb 16th
Scottsdale – Breast reduction is a popular plastic surgery operation. Here are some quick facts:
1. Anesthesia: General anesthesia.
2. Length of surgery: 3 hours.
3. Anticipate: Swelling may last up to 8 weeks.
4. Return to work: 2 weeks.
5. Final result: 1 year.
Breast Reduction in Arizona Resources
Breast Reduction General Information
Breast Reduction Details
Breast Reduction Befor and After Photos
Lipo or Liposuction in Scottsdale, Arizona
Feb 15th
Lipo or liposuction plastic surgery in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Lipo or liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that leads to the permanent removal of fat tissue using a suction technique. Liposuction can help sculpt the body by removing unwanted fat from specific areas, including the abdomen, hips, buttocks, thighs, knees, upper arms, chin, cheeks and neck. Many patients are concerned about the fat they have in different parts of their body, and for that reason, liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States (See Quick Facts About Plastic Surgery).
Actual lipo or liposuction patient testimonial in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Considering liposuction in the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona area? Please call (480) 970-2580 or use our contact form today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
A word of thanks….
Feb 14th
Thanks facebook fans!
Scottsdale – We made it! We now have reached 300 fans on our AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center Facebook fan page. It took a lot of hard work on our part, that is true. However, it is the fans that deserve all the credit for sticking with us. It seems not so long ago that we started our Facebook fan page.
We promise to periodically update our Facebook fan page and continue to provide interesting and thought provoking blogs on plastic surgery related topics… And, don’t forget that we appreciate all your comments!
Thanks,
Dr. Guerra.
A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Sketchbook Saturday: Rhinoplasty Tripod.
Feb 13th
Scottsdale – The art form here is via concepts in rhinoplasty. The tripod was first proposed by Dr. Jack Anderson at Tulane University School of Medicine.
Rhinoplasty tripod.
GOP proposes 10 ideas for fixing healthcare to the President.
Feb 11th
Health care on Capitol Hill
Scottsdale – The Republicans have proposed 10 ideas for the President and the Democrats to consider (Source: Wall Street Journal). I have listed these for your eyes only! I agree with all these ideas. I also believe you should read the original article for yourselves by clicking on the link above. Here are the 10 ideas:
- Make insurance affordable.
- Make health insurance portable.
- Meet the needs of the chronically ill.
- Allow doctors and patients to control costs.
- Don’t cut Medicare.
- Protect early retirees.
- Inform consumers.
- Eliminate junk lawsuits.
- Stop health-care fraud. Save up to $120 billion each year.
- Make medical breakthroughs accessible to patients.
I believe the current health care bill in congress is bad for the country. It creates more spending (that we cannot afford), more bureaucracy, and more regulations that limits access and reduce the quality of health care. We need to start over!
These are good ideas that cost little to implement, could save the country lots of money, and will improve the system. I hope Congress can help us here. My only other suggestion would be to STOP making cheesy deals with unions and out-of-touch Senators that infuriate the American people. Only by working together and putting away political influence, can we reform the health care system so that it benefits us all!
Will the iPad change the way medicine is done?
Feb 10th
Will the iPad change things?
Scottsdale – Apple, Inc., has a new tablet computer. It is called the iPad. Will this change the way medicine is done in America?
I am not sure, but I can honestly tell you, I have been waiting for an advanced tablet product for many years. It is possible that an efficient, light platform like the iPad could simplify my daily routine in clinic.
Here is where I think the Apple’s iPad can help me:
- Facilitate entry of medical record data while in the examination room with the patient.
- Schedule patient appointments in the examination room, without having patients return to the front desk.
- Check patients out when they make any purchases in-office, such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, and skin care.
- Access before and after photos for comparison and discussion with the patient about plastic surgery results.
- Allow for an improved patient experience by reducing their steps and wait time in our office.
These 4 changes in my daily routine will make the office run more efficiently. I am thinking about purchasing several Apple iPad tablets so that my nurse and medical assistant can help schedule patients and look up any important information without having to go back to their desks . At least this will save some leg work, if not a tremendous amount of time!
At the AB Guerra Plastic Surgery Center, our practice stays in the forefront of technology and health care by considering the latest advancements for plastic surgery in Scottsdale.
Silicon in beer good for you?
Feb 9th
Beer good for you?
Scottsdale – A new scientific study suggests that silicon found in beer, may be good for your bones. According to this new information, beer is a significant source of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for increasing bone mineral density. It is proposed that moderate consumption may help fight osteoporosis.
The research was performed at the University of California-Davis and sought to determine the link between beer production techniques and the resulting silicon content. The study tested 100 commercial beers for silicon content and categorized the data according to beer style and source. The researchers concluded that beer is a rich source of dietary silicon.
Based on these findings, some studies suggest moderate beer consumption may help fight osteoporosis, a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. “The factors in brewing that influence silicon levels in beer have not been extensively studied,” said Charles Bamforth, who led the study.
“We have examined a wide range of beer styles for their silicon content and have also studied the impact of raw materials and the brewing process on the quantities of silicon that enter wort and beer.” Silicon is present in beer in the soluble form of orthosilicic acid (OSA), which yields 50 percent bio-availability, making beer a major contributor to silicon intake in the diet.
According to the National Institute of Health, dietary silicon, may be important for the growth and development of bone and connective tissue. The original article appears in the February issue of the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.
I am happy to see this article, which places positive light on dietary silicon. Silicon is also used, as a basic building block, in the construction of many biologic implants, including silicone breast implants. The shell on the outside of saline breast implants is also derived from silicon. Dietary silicon is reportedly important in preventing osteoporosis.
FDA approves new drug for Dupuytren’s.
Feb 8th
Scottsdale – On February 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xiaflex (collagenase clostridium histolyticum) as the first drug to treat a progressive hand disease known as Dupuytren’s contracture.
Dupuytren’s contracture can affect a person’s ability to straighten and properly use their fingers. The disease process affects the connective tissue beneath the skin of the palm of the hand. When too much collagen builds up, it forms thick cords of tissue that prevent the fingers relaxing and straightening normally.
Xiaflex is a biologic drug made from the protein product of a living organism, a bacteria. The enzyme collagenase is derived from this organism. The medication works by breaking down the excessive buildup of collagen in the hand. Xiaflex is injected directly into the collagen cords and should be administered only by a health care professional experienced with injections of the hand.
Common adverse reactions included swelling, bleeding, and pain in the injected area. No serious allergic reactions have been observed, such a response would not be unexpected because this foreign protein could prompt an immune system reaction. (Source: FDA)
