COMMUNITY
NEWS
ASK-A-PRO
Perks
Ask a Pro with
DR. RUSSO at
500 N 8th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 • 701-222-6100
Q: HOW DO YOU SCREEN FOR PROSTATE CANCER? A: The most widely used screening test
for prostate cancer is a PSA, generally performed for the first time at age 50. In men with an elevated PSA, your physician will sometimes recommend a biopsy, or sampling, of the prostate gland. The prostate is a walnut sized gland that sits just below the bladder and can sampled by a Urologist using a special device and numbing medicine. If the results of the biopsy confirm a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the patient will then have a discussion with physicians specializing in prostate cancer including a Urologist and a Radiation Oncologist. Many treatment options are available for prostate cancer and as with PSA screening, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment.
38 | Chamber Connection
with
STEVE
SCHAEFBAUER at
1112 Missouri Avenue Bismarck, ND 58504 701-223-1170
Q: WHAT CAN I DO TO GET MY VEHICLE READY FOR WINTER? A: With winter right around the corner,
it’s important that you make sure your vehicle is prepared to handle the season. Certain precautions can be taken to ensure your vehicle remains in proper working order during the harsh North Dakota winters. It’s important to check the tread on your tires as well as their pressure. For North Dakota winters, you may even want to consider investing in snow tires, which are made of coldresistant rubber and have deeper treads for better traction. When road salt and moisture combine, it can cause extensive damage to the exterior of your vehicle and begin to eat away at the paint. Wax your vehicle before the winter months and it can help protect it from corrosive materials. Cold temperatures often cause oil to thicken, which is bad news for your engine. Using an oil of a lower viscosity will prevent damage to the engine. Your owner’s manual will inform you of the correct oil to use.
When it comes to maintaining visibility through your windshield, changing your wiper blades to special winter blades will help prevent snow and ice from clogging up your wipers. Switching to a winter wiper fluid can also prevent ice build-up on your windshield. Many brands carry specific washer fluids that won’t freeze in low temperatures and actually help melt the ice on your windshield.
with
PAT BRUNELLE at
3101 North 11th Street Bismarck, ND 58503 701-224-9521
Q: WHAT ADVANCES HAVE BEEN MADE WITH THE FLU VACCINES? A: The following information is taken from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
A high dose vaccine was designed specifically for people 65 and older to create a stronger response. An intradermal vaccine was created that requires less ingredient for an equal immune response which will extend the vaccine supply. Quadrivalent (four component) vaccine that protects against 2 strains of Influenza A and 2 strains of Influenza B, thereby expanding protection against circulating viruses, has also been developed.
There are also vaccines produced that do not require eggs to manufacture and a cell-based vaccine that can be made more quickly than traditional vaccine. All of these are additions to the traditional trivalent vaccine that most companies produce and providers offer. Trivalent means that the vaccine protects against 2 strains of Influenza A and 1 strain of B. These new products may offer advantages, but most medical providers are still only offering the traditional vaccine. More studies and statistics need to be compiled to show increased efficacy before these new preparations will become common place. Ask your practitioner or pharmacist about specific questions on the advanced flu vaccines. But most important of all…get immunized!!