OCR Text |
Show Magna Times and West Valley News, Sept 21, 2000 2 Quality Health Quality Caring Quality You New technology helps in fight against osteoporosis By PIONEER VALLEY HOSPITAL million Americans Twenty-fiv- e have osteoporosis. Fifty thousand people die each year because of it. Yet, most of us know little about protecting ourselves from this disease. Pioneer Valley Hospital is now able to perform bone densitometry. This is a test that assist in the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Medicare will reimburse for the test if indicated, and ordered by your physician. Osteoporosis results in more than 1 million hip, spine, and wrist fractures annually. This disof all order affects nearly one-ha- lf post menopausal women, the largest group at high risk for osteoporosis. Research in osteoporosis, the disorder is which- progressive bone loss results in increased risk of fracture, is making important new advances, A key factor in this success has been the availability of new and improved equipment to measure bone density. Using a bone densitometer, physicians can measure patient bone density and follow it over time. If the patients bone density - is low, or decreases at an abnormally fast rate, the patient may be at risk for osteoporosis. Through changes in diet, exercise habits andor medication further deterioration of bone can be prevented. A bone densitometer was recently installed at Pioneer Valley Hospital. The PRODIGY bone densitometer measure the density of the spine, hip and other bones which are the most frequent sites of fracture, said Dr. Karen Dittrich, radiologist at Pioneer Until now, Valley Hospital. bone density using evaluating conventional systems did not reveal a potential problem until a patient had lost 2S-3- 0 percent of her bone density. Lance Armstrong Launches Cycle Of Hope Campaign Cancer survivor, and cyclist Lance .Now, in just 30 seconds, this highly sensitive densitometer - helps us identify risk at a much earlier stage. It can ilso evaluate response to treatment so thatwe 'i know whether our therapy is effective or it we need to modify our approach. Dittrich said, Fortunately, recent research finding clarify the nature of the disease, and demonstrate the effectiveness of : new treatments. New diagnostic devices, such at the PORDIGY bone densitometer, improve the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis. Dittrich encourages individual to visit the facility and be evaluated for a bone density examination. There is no special preparation involved for the patient, the exam is very brief, and is a very comfortable procedure for the patient, Dittrich said. Further information regarding osteoporosis, risk factors and bone density measurement may be obtained by contacting the radiology department at Armstrong - recently launched the Cycle of Hope, a national cancer education campaign. or .people with cancer and tlfese at risk for developing the dfseaie. At the age of 25, Armstrong was diagnosed with cancer and given less than a fifty percent chance to live. Soon afterward, he vowed to help others get the best information and treatment possible. I ignored my symptoms until it was almost too late, he said. I am dedicated to the Cycle of Hope campaign because I want to help others break out of their cycle of mis- their families fighting the understanding and fear and Cancer Care, the National empower themselves through the Cycle of Hope. for Cancer Coalition Armstrong considers himSurvivorship and the Oncology self a cancer survivor first and a Nursing Society. cyclist second. He wants others Lance, the 1999 Tour de to learn from his experience. France champion, is competed The Cycle' of Hope is in this years Tour de France, which was held in France durdesigned to support early cancer detection; reduce fear assoing July. ciated with cancer, encourage a For a free Cycle of Hope team approach to treatment, information packet, call 1 including a medical oncologist; (4673) or visit and foster hope fat patients and 'www.cycleofltope.org. . . . X f v i PIONEER VALLEY HOSPITAL o a $ i t i s . . Now offers state-of-the-a- rt ; LUNAR bone density measurements t v HOIMTAI Now in just 30 seconds, this highly sensitive densitometer identifies bone loss at a very early stage. Come see our new densitometer on Sept. 27 from 9'a.m. to 5 p.m. We will provide a free mini screening of your heel to see if you may be a candidate for further testing on our new full body unit. yh Free lecture on osteoporosis Sept.27 ct 10 cum. and 2 p.m. Can 964-310- 9 for information or schedule an appointment m dis- ease. The Cycle of Hope offers a free useful information packet about cancer. For healthy people, the packet contains information about the risks and symptoms of cancer. And for those who have recently been diagnosed with the disease or are caring for a loved one, there are tips on fighting cancer, questions to ask doctors and nurses and easy to understand information about cancer and cancer treatments. The Cycle of Hope is conducted through a partnership between the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Bristol-Mye- rs Squibb. It is endorsed by |