January 5th, 2010
The Pap smear screening test has shown to decrease cervical cancer incidence and mortality. Consensus guidelines advise screening starting three years after starting sexual activity or at age 21, whichever comes first. It is recommended every one to two years for women less than 30 years old, and every two to three years for women above 30. Women with increased risk should be tested more frequently.
We pause this month to commemorate women suffering from cervical cancer and to recognize that it is a treatable disease if detected early.
When was your last Pap smear test?
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November 18th, 2009
Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology Medical Group’s breast cancer specialist, Tiffany Svahn, M.D. has been given the honor of accepting from the City of Orinda a Proclamation which official declares October Breast Cancer Month. Dr. Svahn has received this recognition because of her dedication and perseverance in the fight against breast cancer.Seeing approximately 800 breast cancer patients a year, Dr. Svahn’s approach involves treating the whole person, not just their disease. “I find it important to address not only my patient’s medical needs, but their emotional and psychological ones as well. In addition to focusing on treatment of the disease, I think it is equally crucial to urge my patients to lead a healthy life, and I help them learn about the different aspects of wellness,” says Dr. Svahn.
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September 21st, 2009
Don’t let the flu bug you this season. It’s more serious than the common cold and very easy to transmit to other people. The best way to keep from catching the flu or passing it on to your loved ones is by getting an annual flu vaccination.
Who should get a seasonal flu shot?
Everyone in your household should get a yearly flu shot, but they are especially important for:
- children 6 months old up to their 19th birthday
- anyone 50 or older
- anyone with a chronic health condition
- pregnant women
- health care workers
- anyone living with or caring for someone in one of the above high-risk groups or with a child under 6 months old
If you have a severe allergy to eggs, a history of Guillain Barré syndrome, or experienced a severe reaction to a prior flu vaccination (not just redness or swelling at the injection site), please discuss flu vaccination with your physician.
The seasonal flu shot does not protect you against the new H1N1 (swine flu) virus strain.
Update on the H1N1 flu vaccine
| Q. |
When will the vaccine for the new H1N1 flu be ready? |
| A. |
Manufacturers are working to get the vaccine ready for distribution as soon as possible. It could be available as early as this October or November. Most likely, the H1N1 flu vaccine will be given to at-risk individuals in two injections spaced one month apart. |
| Q. |
Who should get the H1N1 flu vaccine once it becomes available? |
| A. |
According to the recommendations by the CDC and local public health and infectious disease specialists, the following groups should get vaccinated:
- Pregnant women because their risk of complications is higher and being vaccinated can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
- Household caregivers for children younger than six months old because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated.
- Health care and emergency medical services personnel.
- Children from 6 months through 18 years old because they’re often in close contact with others in day care or school, which increases the chance that H1N1 flu could spread.
- Young adults ages 19 through 24 years old because the CDC has seen many cases of H1N1 flu in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity.
- Adults ages 25 through 64 years old who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complication from influenza (for example, ongoing conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and immune deficiencies).
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| Q. |
When the H1N1 flu vaccine becomes available, can I get it and the regular seasonal flu vaccine at the same time? |
| A. |
Most likely, the regular seasonal flu vaccine will be ready before the vaccine for the new H1N1 flu. We encourage you to get the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it’s available in early September, since regular seasonal flu viruses are still expected to cause illness this fall and winter. When the H1N1 flu vaccine becomes available, patients in any of the groups listed above should get it as well. The H1N1 flu vaccine will probably be given in two shots one month apart.
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September 15th, 2009
Come and experience the Many Faces of Breast Cancer, an event focusing on the uniquenees and issues of survivors and providing the latest information on breast cancer, one of the most common cancers in women. join an engaging panel of leading medical experts, as they speak to issues that directly affect the 2.5 million survivors in the U.S. today, offer insight into the latest data surrounding treatment and explore key survivorship issues. FREE with reservation. Diablo Valley Oncology/Hematology partners with American Cancer Society, Wellness Community, and AstraZeneca to bring this event to the community at the Lesher Center for the Arts. Stage 3. Saturday, October 24, 2009 from 10am – 12pm. Diane Dwyer, KNTV News, NBC 11 Bay Area will be the moderator. To reserve your spot, call 1-877-732-6033 today!
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July 21st, 2009
In October 2008, the doors opened to the California Cancer and Research Institute in Pleasant Hill, the largest nonhospital affiliated freestanding cancer treatment facility in Contra Costa County. Already, the center has managed to provide what every cancer patient hopes for: the very best in leading-edge cancer treatment offered in an environment that feels welcoming and personal. Here is a link to a digital version of the full article. http://catalog.proemags.com/publication/ad649eaa
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May 5th, 2009
Diablo Valley Oncology sponsored the Concord Relay for Life which was on 7/11-12/2009. We had 31 employees & 2 patients participating as a team to walk and fund-raise for this amazing event. We surpassed our team goal of $5000. Thank you to everyone who donated to this event. A huge thank you to Safeway, Costco, Chevys, Jamba Juice, and Premier Designs for their generous donations.
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