BREAST CANCER

CARE with a Personal Touch page 4

GLUTEN-FREE:

Good or Bad? page 3

3 Big Benefits of

ADULT VACCINES

page 6

Sharon Black, patient at John Stoddard Cancer Center, shares her journey through breast cancer.

Fall/Winter 2014

How To Perform a Breast Self-Exam

When performed monthly, breast self exams play an important role in identifying irregularities or changes in breast tissue that may indicate cancer.

Step 1: Looking in the mirror, examine your breasts for changes in size, shape and color, first with your hands on your hips and again with your hands over your head.

Step 2: Raise one arm above your head. Using

small, circular motions, feel the breast under that arm from your cleavage to your armpit and from your collarbone to just below the breast. Repeat on the other side.

Step 3: Lie down with one arm behind your head. Repeat the hands-on breast tissue inspection from step two on each breast.

Regular physical activity combats painful

inflammation, keeps bones strong and helps prevent falls. For an exercise plan you’ll stick with, follow these three simple

guidelines. Start small. Walking for

five or 10 minutes at a time is better than staying still. Set

your timer and walk around the house, at a shopping center or in a park with benches.

Stretch it out. Proper stretching keeps you flexible and helps your joints maintain proper range of motion. Always warm up with a walk or jog for five to 10 minutes before you stretch.

Stick with it. Make exercise and stretching part of your daily routine. Schedule it into your day if necessary!

Finding the right doctor is an important part of building a preventive health care plan that can help keep you and

your family healthier longer.Keep these two things in mind before choosing your

next doctor:Office location. Consider a doctor’s proximity to

your home or place of work, or choose a doctor who is part of a network with multiple locations.

Practice type. You may prefer an internal medicine doctor, who specializes in caring for adults. Others benefit from seeing a family medicine doctor, who

can care for all ages. Above all, it’s important to find a doctor who you feel comfortable speaking with and who understands your needs.

An Active Life = Happy Joints

The Right Care Close to HomeFor more information about keeping your joints healthy,

visit unitypoint.org and search “Orthopaedics.”

Visit unitypoint.org and select “Find a Doctor” to find a

doctor who fits your family’s location and lifestyle.

For a list of Breast Cancer Awareness events, visit unitypoint.org and

select “Classes & Events” from the menu.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org2

The popularity of gluten-free diets is on the rise, but that doesn’t mean they’re worth the additional cost and hassle.

An Active Life = Happy Joints Is It Time

to Go Gluten-Free?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, triticale (a wheat-rye hybrid) and barley. People with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder in which gluten damages the small intestine, have no choice but to practice strict avoidance.

Some people experience celiac disease–related symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, fatigue or diarrhea, after eating foods containing gluten but test negatively for celiac disease. This form of gluten intolerance, a condition known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity, isn’t as severe as celiac disease and doesn’t cause intestinal damage, but your doctor may still recommend eating a gluten-free diet if it helps you feel better.

When “Gluten-Free” Doesn’t HelpGluten-free processed foods, many of

which contain refined potato and tapioca flours, provide empty calories just as other processed foods do, and they’re expensive. Also, gluten is found not only in obvious places, such as bread, crackers and wheat cereals, but also as an additive in hundreds of processed foods. Avoiding it can be difficult and unnecessary if you don’t suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Talk to your doctor first if you think avoiding gluten could benefit you. Naturally gluten-free foods, such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats, are always a healthy option.

The Big “D”Approximately 11 percent of Americans older than 20 currently have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Yet it takes just a few small changes to lower your risk for developing the disease.

Research suggests that losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight can delay or even prevent onset of the disease. Take charge of your health with these simple steps:

• Restructure your meals. Break up large meals into smaller portions or have set snack times throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels steady. Fill your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Always keep healthy, single-portion snacks on hand in case you need them.

• Keep an eye out for hidden sugar. Nowadays, excessive sugar levels can be found everywhere, even in seemingly healthy foods, such as flavored yogurt. That sugar ups your risk for diabetes, and it can mess with blood sugar levels and cause you to eat more, which adds

pounds. Men should eat no more than 36 grams of sugar per day, while women should have only 20.

• Work to get 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Take a walk with a friend or join a workout class to make sure you’re getting enough movement in your day.

For more nutrition tips, visit unitypoint.org and search “Nutrition.”

Yes, you can manage your diabetes! Visit unitypoint.org and

search “Diabetes Education” to learn about Diabetes Education

Programs hosted by Unity Point – Des Moines.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org 3

At John Stoddard Cancer Center, our caregivers offer the absolute best care possible, not only treating cancer, but also providing total support for women—body, mind and spirit.

“We have a history of providing quality cancer care, from radiation to chemotherapy to surgery,” says Carma Herring, RN, MS, OCN, executive director of John Stoddard Cancer Center. “We also have support groups to help patients during treatment and a survivorship program that helps them after they’ve completed treatment. With those extra pieces, we have the whole package.”

Don’t just take our word for it. Two independent agencies recently verified two facts about John Stoddard Cancer Center:

1. We do things right.

In 2014, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) granted the Center a three-year full accreditation, recognizing our reputation for delivering a higher standard of care for our patients. John Stoddard Cancer Center is the only cancer center in central Iowa to have this honor.

To achieve NAPBC accreditation, John Stoddard Cancer Center underwent a rigorous evaluation and review of our performance, along with demonstrating compliance with standards established by the NAPBC for treating women with every type and stage of breast cancer.

One requirement of the accreditation is that breast centers have established a breast program leadership group that represents multiple specialties, including nursing, radiology, radiation therapy, surgery and medical oncology. This group then must provide effective direction for the services that are provided at the breast center. The goal is to ensure that any treatments a woman needs are administered in a seamless and coordinated fashion so that navigating the cancer treatment process does not cause patients any undue confusion or stress.

“The multidisciplinary breast cancer team at John Stoddard Cancer Center is dedicated to constantly improving the quality of care we provide our patients,” says Scott Hamling, MD, surgeon at The Iowa Clinic and chair of the Breast Program Leadership at John Stoddard Cancer Center. “Our accreditation is a testament to that dedication.”

A Better Guide forYour Breast Cancer JourneyA diagnosis of breast cancer can easily send a woman into a tailspin of fear and worry.

But a team of compassionate doctors and nurses, and the support they provide, can bring an end to that tailspin and send breast-cancer patients on a new journey toward health.

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org4

Finding More TomorrowsSharon Black comes from a large family of women, none of

whom had a history of breast cancer. So when the pain that suddenly developed in her right breast led to a diagnosis of breast cancer last September, she was shocked.

“Fear, terror, anger, disbelief—I felt all of it,” Sharon says. “My husband Brent and I decided I needed a second opinion, so we went to John Stoddard Cancer Center.”

There, Sharon found much more than a second opinion.“By the time I walked out of my first appointment, my confidence

was through the roof,” Sharon says. “I was ready to put on the boxing gloves and start fighting.”

During that appointment, Sharon met with her personalized care team, which included surgeon Jeffrey Dietzenbach, MD, FACS, nurse Christine Clancy, MSN, and care coordinator Edra Fouts, RN.

“They answered all our questions and showed genuine empathy,” Sharon says. “Coming from a big family, I’ve always felt like I had a big support network surrounding me. My cancer team made me feel that way, too.”

After discussing her options with Dr. Dietzenbach, Sharon elected to undergo bilateral mastectomy (removal of both breasts). The surgery was performed on Oct. 14, 2013, and her 16-session chemotherapy treatment ended on March 28 of this year.

Throughout chemo, Sharon kept herself positive by setting small exercise goals each week and putting a hopeful spin on things when she could. She hosted a “Hairwell Tour” party when she shaved her head, with some of her friends wearing rubber bald caps and serving a mixed drink called the Baldheaded Woman. She had friends drive her to chemo on Fridays, calling it “friend day” instead of “chemo day.”

“You have to try to make it a positive experience,” Sharon says. “You have to focus on the future. My friends reminded me of that every day and so did the doctors and nurses at John Stoddard Cancer Center.”

Her advice to other women: “Surround yourself with family and friends and get a good wig!”

John Stoddard Cancer Center is also the recipient of the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award for 2013. Established by the American College of Surgeons, the award means we’ve not only met the stringent criteria for breast center accreditation, but we’ve also gone the extra mile to achieve the highest possible marks in 27 different standards, ranging from research to quality improvement.

Coming from an independent, nationally renowned organization, the Outstanding Achievement Award offers objective input about the kind of care patients can expect from our cancer center. We are actively and intentionally pursuing excellence in providing the highest level of quality care to our patients.

John Stoddard Cancer Center is now among an elite group of only 74 programs nationwide that have earned the Outstanding Achievement Award this year, and it makes us the only program in Iowa to do so.

“This award should give people in our community peace of mind at this very difficult time in their journey,” says Herring. “They can stay right here in Des Moines knowing they’re receiving the same level of care they would get at the best cancer centers in the country.”

To begin your journey with us, visit johnstoddardcancer.org.

Sharon Black, center, surrounded by friends at her “Hairwell Tour.”

2. We want more than just a passing grade.

Edra Fouts, care coordinator, and Sharon Black, breast cancer patient

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org 5

You protect those around you. You can spread the flu to others even if you don’t feel sick, but getting vaccinated cuts down on the chances that you’ll spread the virus. Getting your measles and pertussis (whooping cough) booster is particularly important if you have infant children or grandchildren, since adults can spread both diseases to young unvaccinated children.

Vaccines wear off over time. Not all vaccines offer a lifetime’s worth of protection. For example, a booster for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)—all diseases that are still common—is recommended every 10 years. Boosters can also protect you if you weren’t fully vaccinated as a child.

Shingles. Enough said? This severe, painful skin rash becomes riskier as you age, and if you had chickenpox as a child, the virus that causes shingles is dormant in your system. A vaccine, recommended at

age 60, can prevent it from flaring up.

Vaccines

12

3

Vaccinations aren’t just for children. Adults also benefit from sticking to an immunization schedule, protecting themselves and those around them.

Staying Healthy:It’s Worth a Shot

“I don’t need vaccines. I never get sick!” You’ve probably heard friends say this, or you’ve even said it yourself. But there are lots of reasons for adults to stay on top of annual flu shots and vaccine boosters—and it’s not just to keep yourself healthy.

Learn about other preventive

health services provided at

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines by

visiting unitypoint.org.

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention recommends adults adhere to the following vaccination schedule:

• Influenza vaccines every year to protect against seasonal flu• Measles, mumps and rubella, with one or two doses

administered by age 50

• Pneumococcal vaccine, with one dose once you reach age 65• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDaP) booster every 10 years • Varicella, with two doses administered after age 19• Zoster vaccine for shingles, with one dose starting at age 60

Which Vaccines Do You Need?

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org66

Vaccines

Certain urologic symptoms may be more than annoyances. They could be warnings of more serious health problems.

Going to the bathroom is such a routine biological function that you can easily take it for granted—until something goes wrong. Urological problems can be no-cause-for-alarm nuisances caused by benign conditions, or they might be signs of a more serious underlying illness, such as cancer.

If you experience any of the following four symptoms, see a urologist, stat:

• Slow stream—This symptom can indicate an enlarged prostate in men, a benign condition, or could be a symptom of prostate cancer. However, struggling to empty the bladder can increase both men’s and women’s risk of developing a urinary tract infection or kidney stones.

• Painful urination—Another potential cancer indicator, discomfort during urination can also be a sign of a reproductive system infection in women or a prostate infection in men.

• Blood in the urine—If urine is red, pink or dark brown, the first possibility a urologist will want to rule out is bladder or kidney cancer. Bloody urine can also be a sign of blood clots or inflammation of one of the structures involved in urination, such as the kidneys,

Know When to Go (to the Doctor)

bladder or urethra. Less serious conditions—such as urinary tract and viral infections—may also cause bloody urine.

• Incontinence—loss of bladder control—can be a significant quality-of-life issue for older adults, but it isn’t typically a sign of a serious health problem.

Visit unitypoint.org to find a UnityPoint Health – Des Moines

urologist who can pinpoint urological problems and prescribe

a solution.

Nearly 50 percent of American women will contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetimes. A UTI is one of the most uncomfortable health conditions you can face, but it’s usually easy to treat. The key to banishing bacteria in a timely manner, however, is recognizing what your urinary tract is telling you.

When bacteria invade the urinary tract, the tissue becomes inflamed, and that can prompt a variety of symptoms, including:

• Abdominal or pelvic pain• Burning sensation during urination• Foul smelling or discolored urine

• Frequent urges to urinate• Occasional incontinence• Reduced flow during urinationSee your primary care physician or OB/GYN as soon as

possible after noticing symptoms, particularly if you have a fever or if blood appears in your urine. A urine sample is usually all that’s needed to diagnose a UTI, and a course of antibiotics will typically clear up most infections. Drink plenty of water and urinate as often as needed to help speed the infection on its way out of your body.

I Spy a UTI

UnityPoint Health – Des Moines • unitypoint.org 7

Proudly serving Iowa for 35 years.Ongoing dedication to cutting edge patient care and enhanced community partnerships Past, Present, and Future.

• Dedicated Neonatal and Pediatric Transport Teams for almost two decades.

• First and only air ambulance to carry blood on-board for patients.

• Extension of Central Iowa’s Only Level I Adult Trauma Center and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center.

• Ability to carry two patients.

• Spacious cabin allows for full-patient access optimizing care delivery.

• Ability for a family member of a patient being transported to ride along.

• Night vision goggle capability, terrain avoidance warning system and IFR capabilities allowing for safer transport in various weather conditions. unitypoint.org/lifeflight

NONPROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE

PAIDDes Moines, IA

PERMIT #2462

Iowa Methodist Medical Center1200 Pleasant StreetDes Moines, IA 50309

This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician

before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting

any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us at (515) 241-6302

or visit unitypoint.org. To be removed from our mailing list,

please call (515) 241-6302.