CMN: Managing with care

Source: Oncology Referral Network of America (ORNOA)

Good health is achieved through prevention, not reaction. We wait until we detect something wrong before deciding to go to the doctor. If our insurance does not cover it, and we have to pay – we don’t go. If the doctor cannot give us an appointment when we want it, or if his/her office is not conveniently located – we don’t go. In truth, our health belongs to the entire family. And so collectively, families need to remind and encourage preventive action. Of all the preventive measures within our reach, none is as important or as cost-effective as getting a physical exam. We encourage everyone to visit their local family practice physician, and get a routine check-up. Give your doctor just 1 hour and your family years of health.

Some folks because of age, health status or family history may need a more comprehensive physical. Executive Physicals can uncover conditions missed by a routine medical exam. Leading edge medical technology used for diagnostic testing can focus on weak areas. These exams can detect early health problems, in time to take corrective action and avoid pain, cost and premature death. Diseases such as heart problems, diabetes, and cancer can be managed more effectively if detected early. Executive Physical exams may include:
• Heart scans (calcium Scoring)
• Cardiac CTA (Angiogram)
• Cardiac MRI
• Colonoscopy (Virtual and Optical)
• Echo Stress Test
• Nuclear Stress Test
• Pulmonary Function Test
• Lung Scan
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound
• Caratoid IMT
• Berkeley Heart Lab
• Breast Ultrasound, Digital Mammogram, Mammogram MRI
• Prostate Exam

When you visit an ORNOA physician for an Executive Physical you get high quality exams that are suitable specifically to you.

For more information, please contact us at info@ornoa.com.

Source: Oncology Referral Network of America (ORNOA)

Family histories of cancer can change significantly between ages 30 and 50 and may warrant earlier or more intense cancer screening. The new findings suggest that doctors should regularly update the family health histories of middle-aged patients.

Your family’s medical history is one of the best tools for predicting your risk for cancer and other disorders. By some estimates, more than 1 in 5 people are at increased risk for cancer based on family history. When family history suggests an elevated risk for colorectal, breast or prostate cancer, patients are often advised to undergo earlier screening. More sensitive tests may also be recommended than for average-risk people.

Although family health history tends to change over time, there are currently no guidelines for how often clinicians should update their patients’ information. A team of scientists from 14 universities and medical centers across the country took a closer look at the issue. They combed through family medical data collected over a decade from more than 11,000 people with a personal or family history of cancer. The data came from the Cancer Genetics Network, a national, population-based cancer registry supported by NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI). The researchers looked for changes in colorectal, breast or prostate cancer history among participants’ closest relatives. They analyzed data from each patient’s birth to enrollment in the registry. They also evaluated data on over 1,500 of the participants from enrollment to their last follow-up an average of 8 years later. The researchers found that adults 30 to 50 years old are most likely to have family history changes significant enough to affect recommendations for cancer screening. During that span, the percentage of patients recommended for high-risk screening of colorectal cancer increased from about 2% to 7%. The percentage of women recommended for MRI screening-a more sensitive test for breast cancer than standard mammography-increased from about 7% to 11%. The results for prostate cancer were less clear, possibly because limited data were available.

These findings led the researchers to recommend that physicians get a comprehensive family history from their patients by age 30 and then update it at least every 5 to 10 years. Make sure you get your annual physical and let your doctor know about your family medical history so this can be documented in your medical records.


Sources: Journal of American Medicine, June 2011; National Institute of Health, July 2011

Source: Philadelphia International Medicine

In the first rankings of hospitals in metropolitan areas by U.S. News & World Report, the Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM) network placed four hospitals in the top seven of adult hospitals, and one of the top two in children’s hospitals. More than 90 hospitals in the tri-state Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware region were evaluated.

“The U.S. News rankings affirm that our international patients are receiving the very best medical care,” said Leonard Karp, president and CEO of Philadelphia International Medicine. “In addition to the rankings, international patients can find other data on outcomes on our hospitals’ websites, via reports published online by the Pennsylvania Healthcare Cost Containment Council, Medicare, and other sources.”

Leading PIM hospitals in the rankings include Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, which ranked second and was noted for 8 nationally ranked specialty areas and an additional 6 high performing specialty areas. Medical services noted by U.S. News nationally for Jefferson were cancer, ear, nose and throat, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, orthopedics, pulmonology and rehabilitation. High performing specialties included endocrinology, heart and heart surgery, kidney disorders, neurology and neurosurgery, rheumatology and urology.

Temple University Hospital was ranked fourth with a national ranking in pulmonology and 11 other high performing specialty areas, including cancer, ear, nose and throat, endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, kidney disorders, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopedics, rehabilitation and urology.

Fox Chase Cancer Center, as a National Comprehensive Cancer Institute designated hospital, was listed as a nationally ranked cancer hospital and among the top in the region and the nation.

Wills Eye Institute, ranked third nationally by U.S. News, is a specialty hospital for treatment of diseases of the eye, was also ranked as a top regional ophthalmology center.

Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children was the second ranked pediatric hospital in the three-state region. DuPont was ranked nationally in gastroenterology, orthopedics and urology.

“For the international patient seeking good outcomes, high patient satisfaction and concierge support services, the rankings are another indication that PIM hospitals and physicians are among the best in the world,” said Karp.