(NAPSI) — A mother, a sister, a friend…many of us know someone who has been touched by breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, affecting an astonishing one in eight women in the United States.

Thanks to technological advances in detection and new treatment approaches, women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer can opt to keep their breast with less invasive surgery and with breast-conserving treatments. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that 59 percent of women with an early breast cancer diagnosis (Stage 1 or 2) undergo breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) versus 36 percent of women who decide to have a total mastectomy. Research has shown that breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy is as effective as a mastectomy in decreasing the risk of local cancer recurrence for most women*.

“One way that breast-conserving surgery is now easier is due to a new innovation in breast cancer treatment—SAVI SCOUT® Radar Localization. This resolves one of the most difficult aspects of breast conservation surgery by eliminating the need to place a wire inside of the breast tissue to locate a tumor,” said Dr. Barry Rosen, Chairman of Department of Surgery at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago; and Assistant Professor, University of Illinois College of Medicine. “Many of my patients who have undergone a procedure with SCOUT® are impressed with the benefits, including shorter procedure times and decreased anxiety.”

Prior to 2015, surgeons generally relied on wire localization to locate a tumor during a lumpectomy procedure. With wire localization, a radiologist guides a thin, hooked wire through the skin and into the tumor on the day of surgery. The surgeon then uses the wire to identify the area of tissue targeted for removal. This resulted in long days of surgery for women, with two procedures performed on the same day. With SCOUT, a tiny reflector, the size of a grain of rice, is placed at the tumor site at any time during the patient’s treatment and well in advance of surgery.

The SCOUT Wire-Free Radar Breast Localization System uses safe, nonradioactive, radar technology to provide real-time and precise surgical guidance during the surgery.

The ability to precisely locate tumors increases the probability of complete cancer removal and reduces the likelihood of needing follow-up surgery, allowing any additional treatments to occur sooner. In addition, the ability to strategically plan the incision may result in better cosmetic outcomes.

SCOUT is also used to effectively localize lymph nodes and tumors prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (chemotherapy administered prior to surgery) and can be used with any type of imaging over the course of a patient’s care. More than 350 hospitals have implemented the SCOUT System, and to date, over 45,000 women have had a wire-free localization experience.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about SAVI SCOUT or the SCOUTCare™ program, visit www.ciannamedical.com.

(NAPSI)—Halloween can be a scary holiday for families. Not because of the haunted houses, ghosts and goblins, but because of tooth decay.

On average, between parties and trick-or-treating, kids consume three cups of sugar on October 31 alone, but even before that, the battle has already begun. Parents trick themselves into thinking that this sweet holiday is just one day, but the treats begin early in the month and continue long after the costumes are put away, and the sugar-laden Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays loom ahead.

That’s one reason October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Another is that while people generally have a brushing “routine,” most don’t really know how to take optimal care of their teeth. Now, that is frightening.

It’s time to correct some myths about mouths:

Myth #1—Brush After Every Meal

Brushing right after meals, or after consuming sugar-sweetened drinks, can do more harm than good. Surprised? After you eat or drink sugars and starches, acids may be present on your teeth, attacking the enamel and causing them to soften. If you brush them before the enamel has time to reharden, the polishing compounds in your toothpaste can act as abrasives and actually damage your teeth. Tiny amounts of precious enamel are being sanded away forever if you brush too soon.

To make things worse, the primary function of toothpaste is to deliver minerals to repair your enamel, and this remineralization is inhibited if your mouth is still acidic right after a meal or sweet beverage.

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends waiting an hour before brushing to lower the risk of harming your enamel. Experts also recommend brushing with fluoride toothpaste 30 minutes before eating. This ensures that your enamel is strong and ready for the acid challenge of typical foods and sweetened drinks.

Myth #2—Fillings Are the Only Way to Treat Tooth Decay

The traditional approach is to “drill it and fill it.” You’re born with a limited amount of enamel and when it’s lost, it’s gone forever. Thankfully, new science-based research says preventive dental care can avoid painful fillings, crowns and root canals. Weakened enamel can repair itself with the right products and protocols, such as those found at NewEnamel.com, a new, prescription-based dental care system that helps remineralize teeth to reverse early decay and lower the risk of future decay, when used correctly.

Myth #3—Sensitive Teeth Cannot Be Cured

Tooth sensitivity can be a sign of early tooth decay. Millions of Americans suffer from sensitive, painful teeth, purchasing various over-the-counter toothpastes seeking relief. These products often lack sufficient levels of necessary active ingredients and only mask the sensitivity. Prescription-strength dental care products, containing the optimal amounts of key minerals (calcium, phosphate and fluoride), can more effectively remineralize teeth, greatly reducing sensitivity.

“It’s important to follow validated best practices to prevent tooth decay, and keep your enamel strong and healthy,” advises Dr. Anthony T. Fernandez, DDS. NewEnamel is designed to reduce the risk factors that promote decay, and increase the protective factors that enhance repair to the surface of the tooth. The newly repaired enamel surface is often stronger than it was before treatment.

With some simple precautions and changes to your dental routine, you can help your teeth last a lifetime—and save yourself a lot of money and unnecessary visits to the dentist.

Learn More

For further facts about preventing, reducing and even reversing tooth decay, visit www.newenamel.com.

(NAPSI)—Tailgates typically mean enjoying lots of fun foods and big flavors. The good news is that you can enjoy tasty treats and activities that bring a little healthful balance to the festivities.

Smarter tailgating can be as simple as adding some nutritious treats to the menu—and staying on your feet a little longer throughout the day.

“Everyone loves a good tailgate with family and friends, but it’s important to remember that the main activities are usually sitting and eating. Bring a little healthy living back into the mix with foods like blueberries,” says Jenna Braddock, RDN and spokesperson for the Blueberry Council. “Everyone loves the delicious flavor of blueberries—and they love your body back with nutritious benefits. Try a recipe like my gluten-free Boozy Blueberry Bacon Bites, a finger food that’s easy to eat and easy to savor.”

Smart and Delicious Choices

Here’s another tip to encourage healthier tailgate habits: Rather than have all food out all day, set a “meal time” for the main dishes. Before and after that time, set out healthy snack options like blueberries. That way, guests can still graze while being mindful about what they’re eating.

It may also help to bring your own food into the stadium, where easy-to-eat finger foods like blueberries make a natural choice. They taste deliciously refreshing on a warm day, and they’re a good source of fiber, helping you stay full and satisfied—and away from the concession stands. Many stadiums allow outside food if it’s in a clear container, but it’s important to check the policy ahead of time.

Healthy Anytime

Blueberries contain just 80 calories per cup, are low in sodium and contain virtually no fat, making them a go-to food for experts like Jenna Braddock. They’re also a good source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system-great for tailgates and events as the weather gets cooler.

Staying Active

A little bit of planned activity goes a long way at a tailgate. Even 10-minute bouts of movement will help meet your daily exercise needs. Try:

• Walking around to visit other tailgaters
• Playing games like cornhole, horseshoes or Jenga
• Throwing a Frisbee or football
• Organizing a relay race
• Parking farther away to get a good walk in (and get out faster).

Learn More

For more ways to enjoy blueberries at all your favorite events, visit www.PositivelyBluetiful.com.

(NAPS)—The flu is nothing to sneeze at. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza has resulted in between 9.2 million and 35.6 million illnesses annually since 2010. The best way to stay out of such statistics, the CDC says, is for everyone who is eligible and at least 6 months old to get a flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

To help, all CVS Pharmacy and MinuteClinic locations have the vaccine available seven days a week with no appointment needed.

Study Shows

That may be just as well, since the annual survey, conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of CVS Pharmacy [1], found that two-thirds of those surveyed get a flu vaccine every year or plan to get one this year, a 5 percent increase from last year.

One reason so many are flocking to get the shot is the knowledge of last year’s flu season—which according to the CDC had flu levels that were the highest observed since 2009. Twenty-two percent of those surveyed[2] say that knowledge of last year’s severe flu season makes them more likely to get a flu shot this year. On a similar note, among the 27 percent of parents of children under 18 whose child did not get the flu vaccine last year, 26 percent say they are more likely to get their child vaccinated this year after learning about the notably high flu levels during last year’s flu season.

The percentage who get vaccinated at a pharmacy stayed at 22 percent, but the percentage of employed adults who get vaccinated at their workplace fell from 22 percent to 15 percent while those who got vaccinated by a health care professional rose from 44 percent to 48 percent.

The survey also found that doctors’ opinions (39 percent), where insurance is accepted (38 percent), and convenience (33 percent) rank among the top three factors in determining where to go for the shot. The flu vaccine is a preventive service under the Affordable Care Act, so it’s fully covered and available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B.

Nurse’s Advice

“Surprising to many, it can actually take up to two weeks for the flu vaccine to build immunity,” explained Angela Patterson, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer at MinuteClinic. “Because of this, CVS Pharmacy recommends patients get their flu shot as soon as the vaccine becomes available to ensure patients are the most protected before flu season peaks. Furthermore, influenza strains tend to change each year, so it’s very important to get vaccinated annually to make sure you are protected.”

What Else You Can Do

Here are four suggestions:

1. Stay home if you’re sick. The survey found that two out of three respondents would still go to work if they had flu-like symptoms.

In fact, flulike symptoms haven’t stopped some people from going out in public in general:

• 28 percent have gone to the supermarket
• 12 percent have picked up a child from school or day care
• 10 percent have taken public transportation.

2. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based cleansing gel.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
4. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.

Learn More

Consumers can visit www.CVS.com and www.MinuteClinic.com for further information and to find a nearby pharmacy or clinic. Customers get a $5 off $25 coupon when they get the shot at CVS Pharmacy or MinuteClinic.

[1] Survey was conducted in the United States by The Harris Poll on July 12-16, 2018, among 2,020 adults ages 18 and older.
[2] U.S. adults surveyed who did not get a flu shot last year.

(NAPSI)—If any of America’s 56 million schoolchildren is yours, you are probably familiar with the “lice letter” alerting parents that a head lice outbreak has been identified at school. When the letter comes home, some parents panic while others delay action because “it wasn’t my child.” Fortunately, there are steps you can proactively take to control the exposure risk.

Be Proactive

Catching lice early is vital in halting the spread of these itchy pests. It can take four to six weeks after infestation begins for itching to start, and not everyone develops this telltale symptom. Help the entire family to avoid an outbreak by acting quickly after exposure.

Steps to Take

• Check the child and ALL family members for lice using a nit comb. To check fine sections of hair with the comb, apply a 50/50 solution of conditioner/water to the hair to help facilitate combing. Work under bright light and watch for movement. Examine the comb after each stroke, wiping it on disposable towels or running it under water.
• Nits and scurrying lice are so small that they can be easily missed. It’s likely other family members and friends have already been exposed to lice by the time an infestation is identified. If you don’t find lice but are still concerned, switch the whole family to a daily lice defense shampoo. How is a daily lice shampoo different from a lice treatment shampoo? For starters, shampoo is a form and treatments come in many forms. This topic really deserves its own article, but there is one key difference worth noting. A daily lice defense shampoo is pesticide-free and can be used like regular shampoo to defend your family against a head lice infestation or control against re-exposure to someone who has not been successfully treated. A lice treatment shampoo is used to treat an active lice infestation, and most OTC products contain pesticides so they aren’t ideal for a daily regimen. One gentle daily shampoo that offers ongoing control is Vamousse Lice Defense. It’s been found in laboratory studies to kill lice with each use and is recommended for 10 to 14 days following the risk to help reduce the potential growth of an infestation contracted but not yet identified.
• Treat anyone who is infested. With lice increasingly resistant to traditional over-the-counter pesticides, look for a pesticide-free treatment that is proven effective against super lice. There are many new types of products, so read the instructions carefully. For example, Vamousse Lice Treatment comes in a convenient mousse format that kills lice and eggs before they hatch—in just one application. Lice eggs are rendered no longer viable with this treatment, so there’s no waiting for them to hatch to treat again a week later, thus decreasing hassle and the risk of spreading lice throughout your family.
• If you are concerned about your home, vacuum, and then wash and dry any launderable items in high heat. For items that cannot be washed or soaked in 130° F soapy water, the company offers a powder that is the only one on the market proven to eliminate super lice in the environment.

Learn More

For more facts and tips, go to http://vamousselice.com.