Health & Well Being

Health & WellBeing SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART SMART

CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES Inside: CHOICES • Reactive bodies • A healthy perspective CHOICES • Taking aim at cancer CHOICES • and more…

CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES CHOICES

Special Pages in the Addison Independent • January 25, 2016

PAGE 1 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

Man learns to deal with his body’s sensitivity Larry Plesent took action, found results

By CHRISTY LYNN MIDDLEBURY — Larry Plesent grew up in a suburb of New York City surrounded by chemicals. His parents were cigarette smokers and he can remember insect foggers being set off in the area that produced clouds of toxins.

Plesent become a window cleaner to earn some extra money while he was in college and worked for seven years cleaning high-rise commercial buildings, exposing himself to even more toxic cleaning compounds.

LARRY PLESENT He constantly had dry, itchy skin, but, generally, everything was fine.

Then, suddenly, it wasn’t.

“In 1991 my body went through a breakdown of sorts,” Plesent writes in his book

IN 1992 LARRY Plesent founded Vermont Soap in Middlebury in an effort to produce soap that he could comfortably use without having the itchy breakout reactions he was used to from commercial soaps, due to his highly sensitive “reactive body.” Vermont Soap’s natural, organic handmade soaps, as well as other skincare and cleaning products, have since become an effective tool for many people with sensitivities to certain chemicals.

Independent photo/Trent Campbell

“The Reactive Body Handbook.” “I became highly sensitized or intolerant to most artificial scents, many artificial colors, propylene glycol, and many aromatic and petrochemical products, including most plastics.”

“By the time I realized that the window cleaning chemicals were hurting me I had al-

Take good care of yourself • fresh produce, organic & local

ready become intolerant of everything in the cleaning mix,” Plesent recalls. “I could not use ANY personal care product in the store without an asthmatic or dermatitis reaction. It took me 10 years to fully return to health. I still have to avoid those molecules.”

Plesent, now a successful Middlebury busi-

nessman, went to see medical specialists and was given allergy tests. They found he was allergic to dust mites and was asthmatic, but did not validate his chemical sensitivities.

For over 20 years, Plesent has struggled to cope with this hyper-awareness of the chemi(See Reactive body, Page 5)

Put some KICKS into your life Contact Us & Come try a Free Class!

• rBST-free dairy products • no artificial preservatives - ever!

Offering classes for ages 18 months through 99 years – Day & Evening Classes.

Also offering: Special PE Classes and Self-Defense Seminars for businesses & schools as well as on-going Women & Teen Self-Defense, Birthday Parties, Vacations & Summer camps.

lots of great tasting food that’s good for you!

Classes in Middlebury, Shoreham & Vergennes 802-377-0476 or email tkdkicks101@yahoo.com

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 2

warm the body and soul

in the middle of the Marbleworks

teahouse open tue-sat 11 to 6 stoneleaftea.com

Your eyes aren’t just your windows to the world – they’re also windows to your health.

Keep your get-healthy resolution, stay active WILLISTON — It is documented that the majority of New Year’s resolutions fail and most do so early in the year, but if your resolution involves improving nutrition and increasing your level of physical activity, the American Cancer Society is urging you to stick it out to reduce your cancer risk.

According to the Society, more than half a million Americans will die of cancer in 2016, but about one-third of cancers are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity and carrying too much weight.

Getting to and staying at a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of several cancers, including those of the breast (in women past menopause), colon and rectum, endometrium (the lining of the uterus), esophagus, pancreas and kidney, among others.

Being overweight can increase cancer risk in many ways. One of the main ways is that excess weight causes the body to produce and circulate more estrogen and insulin, hormones that can stimulate cancer growth.

The latest recommendations for adults call for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week, or an equivalent combination, preferably spread throughout the week. It’s also important to limit sedentary behavior such as sitting, lying down, watching television, or other forms of screen-based entertainment.

The American Cancer Society offers multiple opportunities to train for and participate in challenging physical endeavors while supporting the lifesaving mission of

the Society, including its annual Pedal to End Cancer, a three-hour indoor cycling event hosted at health clubs across New England; Bicycles Battling Cancer, a one-day scenic bike ride through central Massachusetts with three different course routes to attract all levels of experience; Hope on the Slopes, a ski and ride event at Jay Peak Resort; and Relay For Life Nordic Style at Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Williston, the only winter Relay in the world. Visit cancer.org/ getinvolved for a list of events near you.

For more information on reducing cancer risk through proper nutrition and adequate physical activity or athletic events or for free, 24hour expert cancer information and connections to programs and services, visit cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.

802-458-0460

Eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration aren’t all that an eye doctor can find.

Medical conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol or blood pressure, and heart disease can be detected too.

Regular eye exams are part of overall health assessments.

Schedule yourself an eye appointment soon!

802-877-2422 27 Main Street, Vergennes VT • Mon. 8-4, Tues.– Fri. 8-5

The Bristol Recreation Department

WINTER CLASSES

Go to bristolrec.org for more details on these and other classes & programs: MONDAY NIGHT MEN’S BASKETBALL BES Gym 7-9pm WEDNESDAY NIGHT CO-ED VOLLEYBALL BES Gym 7-9pm ZUMBA WITH VICKI BES Gym (2/1-3/14) 3:30-4:15pm $40 TODDLER OPEN GYM Holley Hall Tues 4pm (Ongoing, Drop-ins Welcome) Free SATURDAY GYMNASTICS! Parent & Toddler (9-9:50); Preschool (10-11); School Age (11-12:30) WINTER ADVENTURE CAMP – NEW! Common Ground Center Tue & Wed (2/16 & 17) $90 SNOWSHOE TOUR – NEW! Common Ground Fri (2/19 & 3/11) 6:30-8:30pm $20 per MT. KENPO KARATE Holley Hall (now thru 6/16) Thurs; Ages 5-11 5-6pm; Adults 6:30-7:30pm $65 OPEN SWIM (now thru 4/22) Mt. Abe Pool 9:30am-12pm TAI CHI FOR SENIORS Holley Hall (Starts Feb!) Mon 1-2pm (Starts March) Thu 1-2pm. PLUS (now thru May)! TAI CHI SUN STYLE 73 FORMS Tue 9:45-11am TAI CHI GRADUATES Mon 11am-12pm AMERICAN HEART ASSOC. FIRST AID Bristol Rescue Squad (2/16) Tue 6:30-9:30pm $55.

PLUS! PEDIATRIC FIRST AID (4/12) Tue 6:30-9:30pm $50 DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE Holley Hall (2/6) Sat 6-7:30pm $15/couple; $25/family MOTHER & SON NIGHT OF FUN Holley Hall (3/26) Sat 6-7:30pm $15/couple $25/family ROYAL EVENT— MEET PRINCES & PRINCESSES Holley Hall (4/30) Sat 1pm $15 parent & child Please visit bristolrec.org for a complete listing of programs and events.

Pre-registration required.

Bristol Recreation Department • 453-5885 Find us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter:@bristolrec

PAGE 3 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

What it really takes to be well is an open mind

By CHRISTY LYNN extending allowances for those measures that reveal MIDDLEBURY — Why is it so our vulnerabilities. hard to go to a doctor, or change the We tell ourselves that considering how regularly patterns to better your health? we exercise it’s fine to enjoy a few too many high-fat Why do we have the tendency to or high-sugar foods; because we’ve never smoked a invent a rationale for why we hurt or cigarette it’s reasonable to ignore the family history try to explain why it’s OK that we’re of lung disease. feeling awful?

Because it’s the easiest way to Perhaps because it is easier to “succeed,” we tell ourselves that feel strong and fight courageously “In our culture whatever the particular combination of through the battle than it is to admit there is a lot things we do to stay healthy is perfect. weakness and ask for help. Denial of pressure Presto, bingo, gold star. seems to be an easier option and we to ‘think Even when we’re not in fact well, we think that if we can push through blame outside influences before we’re what we convince ourselves is a positively,’ willing to expose the weakness that temporary strain we’ll be OK in but it’s often enabled the sickness or injury to take the long run. We tend to ignore in a shallow hold. We mask the symptoms and try to the measures that expose our it until we make it back to perfect and unrealistic fake vulnerabilities in exchange for health. those that show off the stronger manner. Denial (By the way, as I’m writing this story, qualities. Sometimes that works is not a form I am sitting with a box of tissues and out, but other times it backfires. a mug filled with herbal tea, nursing a of positive I can’t be alone when I admit cold that I haven’t been able to shake that even when at the doctor’s of- thinking.” for a month. Was it the kid who coughed — Devon Jersild on me in the grocery store, or the fact fice, I tend to downplay the amount that that I’ve been at work for too many something hurts, accentuate long days and haven’t been sleeping or exercising the number of times I exer- enough and am carrying more than a healthy amount cise in the week and cut of stress from day to day?) the average number of Sometimes, of course, what starts as a nagging cookies I consume in symptom gets out of our control and is no longer half. It’s scary to say possible to ignore. That tipping point just past being out loud that you’re able to cover it up with a smile or a pill is terrifying. not as healthy as Devon Jersild is a clinical psychologist in you know you Weybridge and says that it’s a very human tendency could be; it’s even to avoid pain and suffering. “In our culture there is a scarier to think lot of pressure to ‘think positively,’ but it’s often in a about what you shallow and unrealistic manner. Denial is not a form don’t know. of positive thinking,” she says.

So what happens Jersild recognizes this exaggerated and unrealistic is that we invent our idealized self-reliance as part of the problem in own definitions and mainstream Western society. “Many people have a (See Challenge, Page 4) rules for being healthy,

Holistic Wellness

Victoria Hovde, RN, Lic.Ac

Betsy Spannbauer Healing Touch Practitioner

Traditional Acupuncture Cranio-Sacral Therapy Classes Available 802-233-3456 14 High Street Middlebury, Vermont vhovde@gmavt.net

Relief of:

• Migraines • Back & Joint Pain • Depression & Anxiety Consider healing touch for most conditions bshealingtouch@aol.com • 802-377-0865 www.crystalrosehealing.com

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 4

Amy Gregory, MD

Michael Celo i, OD

• Complete Family Eye Care • No-Stitch, No-Shot Cataract Surgery • Contact Lenses • Glaucoma Management • Eyelid Surgery • Local Surgery at Porter Medical Center

Accepting New Patients • Most Insurances Accepted

DRY EYES Winter can be an especially difficult time for patients who suffer from dry eyes.

Exposure to wind, dry air, artificial heat, and smoke from woodstoves or fireplaces can speed tear evaporation and irritate the ocular surface. Dry eye symptoms may include stinging, burning, scratchiness, excessive reflex tearing, and discomfort when wearing contact lenses.

The mainstay of dry eye treatment is tear replacement with artificial tears. These are over-the-counter lubricant drops that can be used as needed up to several times a day. Preservative-free artificial tears are available for those who need to use artificial tears more than every two hours. Thicker tears, gels and ointments are also available for more severe forms of dry eye.

Medicated eye drops containing cyclosporine may sometimes be prescribed to help the tear glands increase production. Steroid eye drops are also prescribed occasionally for discomfort and inflammation but are only for short-term use.

Another treatment for dry eyes is the placement of punctal plugs in the tear duct openings to block the tear drainage system and keep more tears on the eye surface.

Tears evaporate like any other liquid. You can take steps to prevent evaporation. In winter, when indoor heating is in use, a humidifier or a pan of water on the radiator adds moisture to dry air. Wraparound glasses may reduce the drying effect of the wind.

Some people may find dry eye relief by supplementing their diet with omega-3 fatty acids, which are found naturally in foods like oily fish (salmon, sardines, anchovies) and flax seeds.

See your eye care provider for evaluation and treatment if you feel you suffer from dry eyes.

1330 Exchange Street, Middlebury 802-388-6565 www.eye-careassociates.com

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Challenge (Continued from Page 3) pretty distorted view about what self-reliance can and should be,” she says. It suggests an underlying “all-or-nothing mentality,” whereby people assume that if they concede to needing help in one area it must mean that they’re insufficient and can’t do anything.

“In fact,” Jersild says, “we all need other people and it helps to develop a healthy reliance on others rather than hold ourselves to unrealistic standards.”

The challenge, of course, is that it’s really hard to convince yourself to seek help.

I’m a crier. Anytime I’m “over the breaker” ill or injured, I’ll likely cry about it. Others get mad. They can’t understand what the injustice was that led to them being the one targeted for whatever ails them and they’re going to wrinkle their brow and clench their teeth and tell you about it.

Whatever the means of breakdown, it’s a miserable experience.

We feel like we have to drag ourselves (or be dragged) to a practitioner’s office and place our very survival in their hands, rendering us vulnerable in a way that doubles the pain of whatever brought us into the clinic. Will they tell you it’s even worse than you suspected or discover something you’ve never heard of as the root cause of the problem, spiraling the issue into the abyss of the medical system and signing you up for tests and paperwork and insurance claims and all that other stuff that

exaggerates the problem? Likely not, but it’s always a possibility that doesn’t exist if you avoid going.

As Jersild says to her clients, it takes courage and strength to seek help. Recognizing one’s own limitations is a skill that requires (See Limitations, Page 6)

PAGE 5 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

Reactive body

(Continued from Page 1) cal influences around him. Over that time, he has developed a philosophy and a term for this condition, which he calls the Reactive Body.

With our full range of home health care supplies, equipment, and “Reactive Bodies feel and perceive the world more intensely than most,” the handservices, The Medicine Chest’s experienced staff can help you find book reads. “This hyped up sensitivity insolutions for all your home healthcare needs. By working closely with creases the risk of becoming over stimulated your physician, hospital and home health personnel, we can meet all and exhausted.” your in-home medical care needs and are committed to delivering Perfumes and colognes, air fresheners, cleaners and solvents, artificial flavorings and quality products and superior service. skin products can each have profoundly unWe understand…and we can help! comfortable effects on a person with a Reactive Body, and can lead to what Plesent calls a flare-up.

Flare-ups can manifest as a physical rash, Marble Works • Middlebury achiness, swelling or excessive sweating.

Much like a panic attack, one might experience nausea, dizziness, anxiety and forgetfulness. Flare-ups are brought on by a series of triggers and are usually magnified by an external stressor that triggers the immune system.

For example, one might be traveling in a new place with interruptions of their diet and typical routine. With these environmental changes having brought down their immune system buffer, even average exposure to pesVERMONT SOAP’S FACTORY outlet store ticides or construction zones might be enough is located on Exchange Street in Middlebury. Bulk soap in baskets and wooden barto tip them over the edge.

“Learning to live with a Reactive Body and rels is scented with organic oils and herbs, rendering the space an olfactory heaven the Reactive Mind that goes with it is all about even for many people who are highly sensiachieving balance,” Plesent writes. “And tive to smells and chemicals.

Serving Addison County Since 1988 Independent photo/Trent Campbell balance requires awareness. You have to be strong and centered every day so you can pay attention. You need to hear and interpret the built a non-toxic home and is careful about knowing his triggers and his tonics and antisignals your body is giving you.”

• Free, same-day delivery (call for details)/Compounding Pharmacy Self-awareness and trust in your own in- dotes for relief.

“The Reactive Body Handbook” was pubstincts and feelings will help each person be • 24/7 prescription refills (phone, Smartphone, on-line) their own Sherlock Holmes, Plesent says. lished this past September, and Plesent supEach person must follow the chain of reac- plies a downloadable version on a website he • Frequent In-Store specials on a wide selection of products tions to figure out what particular sensitivities maintains, reactivebody.org. He published it to try to help provide information about a conthey have and how to best address them.

• No hassle prescription transfers. PLUS! A $25 giftcard for new patients For Plesent, life took a drastic turn once he dition that he knows by experience is “real,” despite the difficulty to prove it in lab studies became aware of his Reactive Body.

Comfortable with chemistry and molecular as more than a psychiatric or psychosomatic • Affordable generic extended day supply program science, but uncomfortable with most disorder.

Slowly, Plesent says, people are coming out mainstream products, • Free Children’s Vitamin Program – Start them off right! of the woodwork to learn more Plesent decided to start about his philosophy and his own company — ® • Take Charge Lifestyle Counseling & Weight Loss Program seek advice about living Vermont Soap. with a Reactive Body.

Vermont Soap ® • Solutions Rx Restore Learn how to relieve the most common side “Sure, I believe everywas inspired by Pleone has a Reactive Body to sent’s desire to creeffects of medication-induced nutrient depletion and feel better a degree,” Plesent says, “but ate a product that some people have this sighe could comfortnificantly exaggerated expeably use without rience. Rather than dismiss it the itchy rash that We are your independent, hometown community pharmacy and our friendly as crazy or psychosomatic (as he was used to. staff looks forward to being of service to you and your family. Our pharmacists some do) I try to give it credit To make his soap and validation.” he used natuare always ready to answer your questions, and we offer competitive prices, In the handbook, Plesent reral, organic supfree delivery and want to be a partner in your healthcare. Stop in today and fers to the old practice of bringplies and a handsee why our customers are so loyal! ing canaries down into coal made process mines to help illustrate why it that didn’t remight be wise to pay closer attenquire chemition to these molecularly sensitive cal agents. Inpeople. stantly, his “Mining (coal mining espeirritated skin cially) can release a large amount stopped bothOP E N YS of the natural gas methane,” he ering him.

7 DA ury Middleb nes explains. “Methane displaces the Motivated by both his en g er V & air we breathe. Without necessary own relieved symptoms as well as his capacity to introduce his product to others with Re- amounts of oxygen from that air, humans are In Bristol Works! active Bodies, Plesent pushed Vermont Soap toast in a matter of minutes. The canaries, brought down to sing as the miners worked, developing other productsMarble and increased Marble Works, Works, 61 Pine Street 187 Main Street macy Addison County’s No. into 1 Pharmacy Bristol • 453-2999 Middlebury • 388-3784 Middlebury • 388-3784 are more sensitive to the drop in oxygen level the scale of production.

Vergennes • 877-1190 Founded in 1992, Vermont Soap now can be than humans. They would be the first to suffound internationally and is one of the larg- fer from the lack of oxygen, and stop singing.

Hours: M-F 8-6 Hours: M-F 9-6 Hours: M-F 9-6 est producers of organic, non-toxic products in This gave the miners a couple of minutes’ noSat 8-5 • Sun 9-2 Sat - Sun 9-1 Sat 8-12 • Closed Sun tice to get the heck out of Dodge and possibly the country. pendent, hometown community We are your independent, community “I like to say ‘Solvehometown a problem, gain a cus- save their coal mining lives.”

“Reactive Body people are like those sleeptomer,’” said about his looks successforward in the ur friendly staff looks forward pharmacy, and Plesent our friendly staff canaries,” Plesent continued. “They notice e to you and your family. Our to beingindustry. of service to you and your family. Our ing With respect to his Reactive Body, Plesent molecules before other people do.”

388-9801

ur family!

We welcome you and your family!

www.marbleworkspharmacy.com

always ready to answer your e offer competitive prices, free o be a partner in your healthcare.

pharmacists are always ready to answer your questions, and we offer competitive prices, free delivery and want to be a partner in your healthcare.

Limitations (Continued from Page 4) practitioners seem to have adopted an emotional maturity and a flexible mind, Jersild alternative framework for healing that offers a explains. more welcoming way to talk about well-being “Someone with a flexible mind is able to than focusing on what could be wrong. It helps be more present in the moment and respond break down the wall that we build to protect to problems as they arise with a lightness ourselves from being seen as unfit or unwell. that is not impeded by shame or fear of being Instead, we believe we’re even better because weak. Instead, they’re able to recognize when we’re working to support our own health. the best option is to push through a seeming “There’s somehow a sense of shame if limitation and when to stop and we can’t perform at Mach name the issue.” speed,” she says, “Let’s instead Stephanie Powers is a local “We tend to congratulate each other on being massage therapist who practices over-think a able to take a sick day to take as part of the Riverside Natural lot instead care of ourselves instead of Health Center in Middlebury. struggling to work through that of over-feel.

Powers believes massage is terrible choice.” a practice that can encourage Maybe if we Powers and many others overall health through the listened to our encourage people to see health relaxation of the muscles and bodies more we as wellness-based rather than joints of the body as well as centered around being ill or the mind. Before beginning wouldn’t find injured. Regardless of who each session, Powers talks to it so difficult to the practitioner is or what the the client about how they feel, give in to rest or struggle is, if we stay focused on whether any part of their body healing.” being well and talk to our doctors, needs specific attention and what coaches and practitioners about may be occupying the mind and — Stephanie Powers how we can stay strong and causing stress or tension. healthy, then perhaps it will keep Throughout the massage, Powers works us from visiting their offices in a weaker state. to alleviate those sticking points with a goal If they can know us when we’re in top shape, of helping that person walk out of the office they can better advise us when something is feeling more relaxed than when they walked in. compromised.

“I try to foster an environment that promotes The trick then, comes back to the self. Our calm,” Powers says, helping her client attend biggest challenge seems to be accepting that to their body rather than be caught up in the we can always be better and push ourselves to race of the mind. “We tend to over-think a lot live healthier lives even during the moments instead of over-feel,” she continues. “Maybe we want to celebrate and be proud of how if we listened to our bodies more we wouldn’t well we’re doing. Just like our favorite sports find it so difficult to give in to rest or healing.” heroes, we have to learn how to celebrate one Powers and many other holistic health win, then push for the next.

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 6

Wellness Starts With Fitness That’s where we come in.

Inspiration Middlebury

388-6888

Motivation For details: stop in, call, or visit us online.

www.vermontsun.com

Results Vergennes

877-2030

PAGE 7 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

Providing the highest quality care.

Premier Oral Surgery – Dental Implants, Wisdom Teeth, Dental Extractions, Bone Grafting, Gingival Grafting, and Sedation

Scott M. Bowen

Charles R. Bowen

Harvard School of Dental Medicine Harvard School of Public Health University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Harvard School of Dental Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital

DMD, MD, MPH

DMD

58 Court Street • Middlebury, Vermont • 802-388-6344 www.mapleviewoms.com

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 8

Taking aim at cancer with genomic tests BURLINGTON — No two patients with lung cancer are exactly alike — some are former smokers and others have never smoked — and often, different genetic mutations are responsible for their disease. While treatments exist to target many of these mutations, cancer cells can be tricky to treat: they can adapt and sneak around the targeted drugs and continue to grow.

This winter, the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Vermont Medical Center will launch a test

that will help physicians care team to ensure better understand the Targeted cancer treatappropriate access to specific molecular ments can be more effec- the test and use of the pathways of these tive in killing the cancer test results. This effort, types of cancers, and led by pathologist cells, often coupled with — more importantly Nikoletta Sidiropoulos, — determine a more traditional cytotoxic M.D., with support personalized treatment chemotherapy. from leading genomic for each patient. medicine expert and The new test — called the GenePanel Solid UVM Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Tumor — relies on next-generation sequencing Medicine Debra Leonard, M.D., Ph.D., methods and close work with the cancer will provide patients with access to the first

genomic test to enable pathologists and oncologists to identify mutations responsible for an individual patient’s cancer, and therefore also use targeted therapies more effectively.

Targeted cancer treatments can be more effective in killing the cancer cells, often coupled with more traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy, says Leonard, who has 23 years of experience in molecular pathology and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2015 from the College of American (See Genomic, Page 9)

PAGE 9 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

Genomic (Continued from Page 8) Pathologists. She worked with Sidiropoulos, an assistant professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, and other clinicians to develop a plan for the use of genomic testing at UVM Medical Center. The first genomic test and care pathway — which involves examining 29 cancer genes that predict response to targeted treatments in solid tumors — will go live in January 2016.

Over the next several years, other genomic tests will be introduced for blood cancers and for inherited risk of cancer. The “Not many inherited risk test places are will help identify looking at individuals and families with a this type of higher risk of health services cancer, allowing research to closer monitoring for new cancers to assess the identify cancer at value of earlier and more genomics, but an treatable stage, or in Vermont, it is so that preventive so important.” strategies can be — UVM Chair offered.

After focusing on of Pathology cancer testing, the and Laboratory team will develop a Medicine Debra pharmacogenomic Leonard, M.D., Ph.D. test that predicts optimal drug dosing and adverse drug reactions. The final genomic test focuses on inherited diseases, most likely examining the genome of individuals with specific

i n h e r i t e d diseases or disease risks.

“We still have a lot to learn about the use of genomic tests in medical practice,” Leonard says.

Even with a well-designed test, some or even many of the mutations identified in cancers will have uncertain significance for response to targeted treatments. Equally important, she adds, is the need to assess whether the use of genomic information in healthcare really does lead to better outcomes for patients and more cost-effective care. She and colleagues would like to be able to answer the question “Does genomic testing improve

JUMPSTART! your fitness routine this month.

Join this 8 week Jumpstart Program that includes Weekly Personal Training and a full Membership to Bristol Fitness.

It is not easy to start a new habit and Bristol Fitness wants to help you succeed.

8 Personal Training Sessions plus unlimited use of the facility will be the key to your Wellness Success in 2016!

Desiring a different class or membership?

Visit edgevtwellness.com to find the program for you!

Call 453-5205 for more information

14 School Street, Bristol VT • 453-5205

the value of healthcare?”

This genomic value question will be examined with each new genomic test being introduced at the UVM Medical Center, which recently provided support to Leonard, Sidiropoulos, and Greg Robinson, Ph.D., a healthcare economist and vice president of OneCare Vermont, to study the value of the GenePanel Solid Tumor test.

“Not many places are looking at this type of health services research to assess the value of genomics, but in Vermont, it is so important,” Leonard says. “Here, I need to demonstrate that genomics has value, or we should not be doing this type of testing. Our hope is that genomics offers a promising future for our patients.”

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by University of Vermont College of Medicine. For more information, visit http://www.uvm.edu/medicine.

Bristol Park Dental Outstanding Family Dentistry

• Focused Care – One Patient at a Time • Gentle, Precise Numbing with The Wand® – NO MORE BIG NEEDLES! • Crowns & Bridges, Cleaning & Exams Fillings, Dentures & Extractions • In Network for CBA Blue & Delta Dental Jim Cossaart DDS

6 Park Place, Bristol, VT 802.453.7700 • bristolparkdental.com

Our next Health & Well-Being section is coming out in June!

Call 388-4944 or send us an email at ads@addisonindependent.com to place your ad.

Rates of prediabetes rise, few know they are at risk BURLINGTON — One in four Americans (86 million people) have prediabetes, up from 79 million in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), though only 10 percent of those with prediabetes know they have it. But with awareness and simple actions, people with prediabetes may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

The Greater Burlington YMCA is urging Vermonters to learn their risks for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, and to take preventive steps to potentially reduce their chances of developing the disease.

Prediabetes is a condition in which a person’s blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Diabetes is a serious health condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, high blood pressure and blindness. The good news is that prediabetes is a potentially reversible condition, staving off the often devastating impacts of diabetes.

“The number of new people with prediabetes continues to rise and with that the importance of helping people understand what a prediabetes diagnosis means,” said Kristin Magnant, Community Health Initiatives Coordinator for the Greater Burlington YMCA. “Type 2 diabetes affects not just the person but entire families as well, but the good news is that it is possible to reverse course — simple lifestyle changes reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the Y can help people make the necessary changes to

improve health.”

Individuals can assess their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by taking a simple test at YMCA.net/diabetes. Through this assessment, visitors can also learn how lifestyle choices and family history help determine the ultimate risk for developing the disease. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include race, age, weight and activity level. If a person is at risk, a diabetes screening conducted by a physician can confirm a diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis.

The Greater Burlington YMCA is helping address the growing rate of prediabetes through its YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program. This program, which is part of the CDC-led National Diabetes Prevention Program, is designed to help those at high risk adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles and reduce their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

The YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program classes are offered statewide and free of charge to qualified participants, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Vermont Health Access and its Vermont Blueprint for Health initiative. The YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (YDPP) is one of six health self-management programs within the Blueprint for Health. On behalf of the state of Vermont, the Y oversees successful delivery of these programs, including the YDPP classes and a Diabetes Management program for those who are living with the disease.

Because diabetes prevention is something that

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 10

can be addressed through personal actions, the Y is using National Diabetes Awareness Month to help educate the public. Making some basic lifestyle changes that contribute to weight loss and healthy living can decrease the risk for type 2 diabetes. Among these are: Eat fruits and vegetables every day. Choose fish, lean meats and poultry without skin.

Aim for whole grains with every meal.

Be moderately active at least 30 minutes per day five days a week.

Choose water to drink instead of beverages with added sugar.

Speak to your doctor about your diabetes risk factors, especially if you have a family history or are overweight.

To learn more about the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program and the Diabetes Management Program, contact Kristin Magnant at 802-6528196 or kmagnant@gbymca.org, or go to www. myhealthyvt.org to identify where classes are held in your area.

PAGE 11 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

Hockey players ‘face off’ against cancer in tourney

By JULIA JOHN for men’s, kids’, and co-ed teams.

MIDDLEBURY — When Liz Cronin be“Half Million $trong” will consist of an afgan battling breast cancer in 1999, her team- ternoon and evening in a heated tent on Memates on the Middlebury Otters women’s ice morial Sports Center grounds, replacing the hockey club rallied around her and launched regular Saturday night celebration at a local the “Face Off Against Breast tavern. It will feature a bar hostCancer” tournament. Long after ed by Two Brothers Tavern, live Cronin triumphed over the ill- “It’s (CPSF) music by cover band The Horse ness, FOABC, as the tourney has an amazing Traders, and a raffle. Guests can come to be known, continues to foundation donate what they wish instead of support the one in eight women paying a cover charge. diagnosed with breast cancer, we’ve been “‘The Half Million $trong’ annually collecting tens of thou- working with celebration we’re adding to our sands of dollars for the Cancer for quite a few tournament is a chance to thank Patient Support Foundation. Last years now. We women’s hockey players who’ve year FOABC raised $70,000. raised money over the last 16 Ten Vermont women’s ice like them so years,” said Committee Co-chair hockey teams will compete in much because Kris Bowdish, who has particithe 17th FOABC at Middlebury’s of how they pated in the tournament since Memorial Sports Center this 2006. “Hopefully we can get a use the funds. coming Saturday and Sunday, lot of hockey members, family This program is members and friends to come Jan. 30 and 31.

To celebrate the more than helping cancer out and help us celebrate.” $500,000 the tournaments have patients and By gathering donations from raised over the years, organizers the community, women’s ice are also throwing a “Half Million survivors with hockey players raise most of the $trong” tent party for players and financial money FOABC acquires. It acsupporters on the Saturday. cepts onsite donations as well. situations.”

As usual, the Middlebury Otters — Kris Bowdish The organization has also beand Middlebury Mystix women’s gun obtaining donations through teams will host the tournament.

CrowdRise, an online fundraisOthers planning to participate across the com- ing platform. petitive, recreational and novice divisions in- SUPPORTING PATIENTS clude Burlington’s Queen City Brewery, Team All proceeds go toward patient services Evolution, Burlington Switchblades, North- and the emergency fund of the Cancer Patient east Kingdom Women’s Hockey, Manchester Support Foundation (CPSF) in order to assist Rusty Blades, Waterbury Wicked, Barre 32 breast cancer patients in the state with counDegrees, and Team Warrior. The competition seling and nutritional support, and emergency will even have a “Friends and Family” section financial aid. The tournament is the largest

Call for your

FREE

TEN WOMEN’S ICE hockey teams from across Vermont will face off against one another this weekend in Middlebury at an annual tournament that raises funds for breast cancer patients.

fundraiser for CPSF’s emergency fund.

“It’s an amazing foundation we’ve been working with for quite a few years now,” said Bowdish. “We like them so much because of how they use the funds. This program is helping cancer patients and survivors with financial situations.”

In August 2014, Jill French of Bristol was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing abnormal pain in her breast. By then it had already spread to her lymph nodes under her arm.

“It affects you pretty dramatically. The initial impact of communicating to my husband, son and mom was a lot more traumatic for them than for me because I immediately felt, ‘I’ve got this, but I’m confident I’m going to overcome this,’” she said. “For them, it was a lot scarier because there’s so much more unknown; they can’t tell how I’m feeling. Plus, they’re going to be the ones left behind if I don’t get through it.”

Center helped her understand the resources (See Face off, Page 12)

15 minute screening with certified strength and conditioning specialist Jay Croswell. Jay will help

expose areas of weakness and imbalance that could lead to injury or prevent you from reaching your performance goals, leaving you with valuable feedback and exercises that will enable you to feel your best. Appropriate for any age or fitness level.

MiddFit.com • 388-3744 • 175 Wilson Road (Behind G. Stone Motors)

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016 — PAGE 12

Braces ~ Invisalign For Children and Adults

W Let us give you the smile you’ve always wanted Come and see our new office at 170 Middle Road North, Middlebury www.vtbraces.com

For appointments: 388-2222 1-800-750-1000

Addison Wellness, Inc.

MEMBERS OF THE Middlebury Otters, a local women’s ice hockey team that co-hosts the Face Off Against Breast Cancer tournament, look onto the rink from the sidelines during last year’s action.

W

Face off (Continued from Page 11) she had access to beyond medical coverage before she began chemotherapy, pointing her to CPSF funds that alleviate the financial burden of daily treatment.

“I live 30 minutes away from the hospital.

When you’re driving back and forth every day, it took a lot of extra gas,” she said. “They offered to give me compensation for that. It was extremely helpful to know that resource was there; it’s not income-based.”

With self-determination and the support of her loved ones, caregivers and resources such as CPSF, French beat her illness. This March will mark her first year of being cancer free since undergoing surgery.

Although French has never heard of FOABC, and will be out of state for this year’s tournament, she expresses interest in participating next year.

“I would love to have gone to that,” she said.

Planning for this coming weekend’s tournament commenced last August. Meeting twice a month, the committee has been working past

dba wells physical therapy

the challenge of running such a major event with multiple components, such as ensuring enough teams participate and fundraise adequately, managing an informative website (www.faceoffagainstbreastcancer.org) and incorporating social media.

According to Bowdish, FOABC is unique because the sponsorship of many local organizations defrays all tournament expenses. The tournament committee seeks business sponsorships from $50 to $5,000. Players also seek individual sponsorship.

To make a donation, visit www.faceoffagainstbreastcancer.org, or write a check for the Cancer Patient Support Foundation (CPSF) and mail it to Face Off Against Breast Cancer, P.O. Box 421, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Bowdish expects good things from the upcoming FOABC events.

“Hopefully we’ll get people from the community to come see what we’re doing, see the women play and thank them for everything they’ve done,” she said.

ells Physical Therapy Services has been serving Addison County and its neighboring counties for more than 2 decades!

Whether you are recovering from an injury, wishing to enhance your sports performance or seeking to achieve greater mobility, WE CAN HELP! We believe that education is good medicine and we strive to assist our patients in learning from and listening to their own bodies.

175 Wilson Road in Middlebury 802-388-3533 • www.addisonwellnesspt.com

Everyone needs a little lift. multi feature lift recliners

• many styles • fabric options • infinite seat movement options • safe & easy to operate

www.woodwarevt.com HOCKEY TOURNAMENT ORGANIZERS Kris Bowdish, left, Sheri Lewis, Liza Sacheli and Cathy Chase wear pink jerseys promoting their cause.

Rt. 7 South • Middlebury, VT • 388-6297 • Mon - Sat 9-5 Closed Sun

PAGE 13 —

Health & Well-Being • Addison Independent, Monday, January 25, 2016

ADMINISTERING A HEALTHY DOSE OF HEALING

Infusion Center

Now Open at Porter Medical Center Don’t spend precious time on the road, spend it with us close to home in a convenient, comfortable and friendly environment.

Our Infusion Center has a variety of outpatient infusion therapies to treat – Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, immune deficiencies, infectious disease, anemia, asthma and more.

If part of your treatment plan includes infusion therapy, our clinical team will work with you and your provider to deliver convenient access to care as well as support your family in our comfortable and relaxing facility. Fitted with chairs specific for these types of treatments, we also encourage patients to listen to music, watch television and visit with famiy, all while receiving treatment.

Our new Infusion Center is located in the Porter Medical Center Collins Building.

We look forward to caring for you & your family.

To book an appointment please call 802.388.5603 For more information contact Justine at 802.388.5659