PULSE A GROOVY PAD FOR MAMMOGRAMS.Byline: Mariko Thompson Dr. Gail Lebovic kept hearing women complain about the pain involved in mammography mammography, diagnostic procedure that uses low-dose X rays to detect abnormalities in the breasts. The early diagnosis of breast cancer made possible by the routine use of mammography for screening women increases a woman's treatment alternatives and improves her . A breast surgeon breast surgeon A general surgeon specialized in breast surgery at USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Lebovic knows how important it is for women to detect breast cancer as early as possible. Hoping to encourage more women to get mammograms, Lebovic set out to develop a cushion that would reduce the pain and discomfort of the breast screening. After two years of trial and error, Lebovic created the Woman's Touch MammoPad. Launched in 2001, the disposable cushion made of foam is used by more than 1,000 breast centers in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . The thin mat cushions the surface of the compression plates, yet doesn't interfere with the X-ray image. Lebovic and her team tried 100 different materials before inventing a foam that didn't degrade or distort the X-ray. The foam mat is recyclable and costs about $4 per pad. In studies, 60 to 70 percent of the women who used the MammoPad reported a decrease in discomfort and pain. The American Cancer Society American Cancer Society, n.pr established in 1913, this national volunteer-based health organization is committed to the elimination of cancer through prevention and treatment and to diminishing cancer suffering through advocacy, scholarship, research, recommends that women receive annual mammograms after the age of 40. Yet only 60 percent of women do so. ``It's a different kind of contribution than doing surgery,'' Lebovic said. ``It's very rewarding to help patients that way, to do something that affects millions of women.'' SPIRIT OF YOGA: For the yoga enthusiast looking to learn more about the practice, Stephen Cope's book of essays and interviews with top yoga teachers could serve as a stop on the road to enlightenment. In ``Will Yoga & Meditation Really Change My Life?'' (Storey Publishing; $22.95), 25 experts discuss their individual journeys and how yoga benefited and affected their lives. From Sylvia Boorstein's essay ``I Got Kinder'' to an interview with Patricia Sullivan titled ``Dharma dharma (där`mə). In Hinduism, dharma is the doctrine of the religious and moral rights and duties of each individual; it generally refers to religious duty, but may also mean social order, right conduct, or simply virtue. Gates Are Boundless,'' Cope creates a portrait of yoga in America, an evolution that has taken the meditative practice from the hippie fringe to the fitness mainstream in three decades. BABY TALK: There's a pregnancy book out there to fit the style of every Mom-to-be. ``A Bun in the Oven'' (Ten Speed Press; $16.95) by Kaz Cooke should appeal to expectant mothers who prefer to have the aches and pains of childbirth served up with some humor. The information is doled out between entries of Maddie the Modern Girl's pregnancy diary. This isn't the most comprehensive pre- and postnatal postnatal /post·na·tal/ (-na´t'l) occurring after birth, with reference to the newborn. post·na·tal adj. Of or occurring after birth, especially in the period immediately after birth. book out there - Cooke suggests additional resources for each topic. But her witty, irreverent approach to impending im·pend intr.v. im·pend·ed, im·pend·ing, im·pends 1. To be about to occur: Her retirement is impending. 2. motherhood is a welcome relief from the saccharine sac·cha·rine adj. Of, relating to, or characteristic of sugar or saccharin; sweet. and straight-laced tones of most other pregnancy guides. HEALING BOUTIQUE: A crafts fair benefiting Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is a hospital in Mission Hills, California, USA. The hospital has 254 beds, and is part of Providence Health & Services. History will be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Hand-crafted items will include holiday gifts, clothing and jewelry. Proceeds from the Arts for Healing Boutique will go toward services at the medical center, which provides comprehensive trauma and emergency heart treatment, cancer rehabilitation and women's health Women's Health Definition Women's health is the effect of gender on disease and health that encompasses a broad range of biological and psychosocial issues. . The boutique will be held at the North Building Conference Center of Providence Holy Cross, 15031 Rinaldi Street, in Mission Hills. Call (818) 898-4736 for more information. CANCER CARE: The Wellness Communities of Southern California will host a free seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday called ``Journey to Wellness: Take Control of Cancer With Medicine, Mind and Body'' at Union Station in Los Angeles. In addition to a slate of speakers, the conference will feature a photo exhibit on ``The Faces of Wellness'' by Ginny Rickey. To register, visit www.thewellnesscommunity.org/conference or call (800) 571-7790. CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) Dr. Gail Lebovic (2 -- 3) no caption (Woman's Touch MammoPad) (4) no caption (book: ``Will Yoga & Meditation Really Change My Life?'') (5) no caption (book: ``A Bun in the Oven'') |
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