Not Just Surviving. Thriving!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to help raise funds and awareness for the fight against this life threatening disease, Seasons is donating to Susan G. Komen. You can help us raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure in the following ways:

• For every October Beauty Bonus purchased, Seasons will donate $10 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
• For each “Not just surviving. Thriving.” t-shirt purchased, the total amount of the proceeds will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Not just surviving. Thriving.” t-shirts can be purchsed at  Seasons Ruston location.
• For each gift card purchased during the month of October, 10% of the total amount will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
• Donations can be made at Seasons Wellness Open House on October 21st.

Seasons Wellness Open House will be October 21st from from 5-8 p.m. Guests can take a tour of Seasons’ new location at beautiful Northpointe Office Park in Ruston, learn about the many new services they now offer, and help raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Come and meet Seasons’ friendly and highly-trained aestheticians Lisa Best and Joy Smith, massage therapists Bethany Cox and Aaron Jennings, RNs Susan McWhorter, Jennifer Johnson, and Amanda Williams, registered dietitian Valerie Costanza, nurse practitioner Anna Stephens, as well as board-certified and fellowship trained Metabolic Specialist Dr. Nathan Goodyear. In addition to the entire Seasons staff, representatives from respected companies such as Guinot, Xymogen, Allergan, Sprayology, and more will attend.

Help make a difference in the lives of our patients, our mothers, our sisters, our friends, and others who have been affected by breast cancer.

From the Doctor’s Desk: Think Pink — It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I love the change of seasons. I particularly love fall in the South. The oppressive heat of summer gives way to crisp, cool mornings, green leaves give way to brilliant colors, and college football returns.  But, October is even more special than that. October brings attention to one of the greatest fears of women — breast cancer.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

There is much to be excited about in the arena of breast cancer treatment. Earlier detection, minimally invasive surgery, and high survival rates head the list. Credit needs to be given to the great work of many organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and many researchers and physicians around the world.

But, breast cancer has not given up.

Let’s look specifically at the most current statistics of breast cancer. The lifetime probability of women developing breast cancer (2003-2005) is 1 in 8.  That amounts to about 185,000 women annually. Breast cancer accounts for 27% of all cancers in women. Breast cancer accounts for 15% of all cancer deaths in women and is the second leading cause of death due to cancer in women — only surpassed by lung cancer.  

The statistics are not all bad. Breast cancer has decreased by 27% from 1990 to 2005. Five-year breast cancer survival rates are improving — 91% for Caucasian women and 78% for African-American women.

Weight contributes to breast cancer risk. Since 1960, the percentage of obesity has risen from 16% to 36% (2006). That means that 1/3 of the female population is obese. What a disturbing trend! And even worse, the trend of breast cancer has paralleled the obesity trend in women.

Here are the current Screening Guidelines:

• Yearly mammograms starting at age 40
• Clinical breast exam every 3 years for women in their 20’s and 30’s; annually after 40
• Self breast exams should begin in early 20’s

The focus in breast cancer today is on early detection and treatment.  At Seasons, we want to focus on prevention. Why ever let the cancer develop in the first place. Follow us over the next couple of weeks as we focus on how.