Iowa Radiology Blog

Physicians have long recognized the value of cold for reducing inflammation and relieving pain. Over time, they found that it is also an effective way to destroy specific tissues in a targeted way, a process called cryosurgery or cryoablation. Cryosurgery has been used since the 19^th century to treat a variety of conditions, including warts, shingles, boils, and tumors. Today, cryoablation shows growing potential for the successful treatment of a variety of cancers as well as precancerous conditions.

Expanded Medicare Coverage

In February of this year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it was expanding coverage for an early lung cancer detection procedure known as low-dose CT lung screening (LDCTLS). In its official statement, the agency said the move was aimed at improving outcomes for patients with lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the US. This screening procedure, which can detect lung cancer in its earliest stages, is now accessible to more Medicare recipients, including those who are younger and those who have smoked less over their lifetimes.

Following a mastectomy to remove breast cancer, some women undergo reconstructive surgery, and some do not. The decision is very personal, and the right choice for each woman is the one that best supports her physical and mental health. Some women delay breast reconstruction surgery so they can take their time to decide. Sometimes, however, reconstruction isn’t possible due to health complications or cost barriers.

If you have had or are planning to have a mastectomy following a breast cancer diagnosis, you may decide to have reconstructive surgery to restore the shape of your breasts. To make the best choices for your body, mind, and lifestyle, you need information. Here are five things you should know about breast reconstruction.

What is MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technology that uses a powerful magnet to produce a strong magnetic field around the body. This magnetic field causes protons in the body to align with it. Then, radio waves are used to disrupt this effect; when the radio waves are turned off, the MRI sensors detect changes in the protons as they come back into alignment. This information can then be translated into images that depict various structures in the body. Doctors can examine these images in detail on a computer monitor.

When you visit a new health care provider, your new patient paperwork often includes questions about not just your medical history but also that of your close family members. Maybe you have sped past this section, filling in whatever happens to come to mind in the moment and perhaps inadvertently leaving out a few details. When your family medical history is incomplete, however, your providers could be missing important information that would empower them to better care for your health.

Benefits of Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Staying active can bring a host of physical and psychological benefits, including

• Stress reduction
• Improved energy, mood, and sleep
• Enhanced cognition
• Better weight control
• Stronger bones and muscles
• Reduced risk of falls
• Reduced risk of many cancers and chronic illnesses

Navigating provider appointments with your family care physician and specialist can be challenging enough; then you receive an insurance explanation of benefits. After deciphering what you are responsible for, do you wonder, “Could I have made a choice that would have lowered my responsibility? or, “What is a deductible, and why was it applied to the services instead of a co-pay?” With the many insurance options that are offered directly to individuals and through employers, it is important to understand the benefits your plan provides. Before pulling out your insurance policy paperwork to review your benefits, let’s talk about deductibles and how they could affect your costs.

If you’re a long-term smoker, you probably don’t need to be reminded that it’s bad for your health. You understand that smoking makes it more likely that you’ll develop lung cancer. If it were easy to just quit, you would have done it by now.

In your 50s, your body changes in important ways. Staying healthy and strong takes more effort than it used to, but it’s well worth it! Follow these tips to feel your best and help your body carry you through this decade with grace.