Women's Health Pavillion

Slice of Life

New Center Helps Women Stay Healthy For Women, by Women • The Center for Women’s Imaging • Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center • Penrose Vein Center • Mother Daughter Sister Friend boutique

Just for Women

New Penrose Pavilion offers women bounty of health services and amenities Need a mammogram or an ultrasound? How about a treatment for those pesky spider veins, a consultation on your risk for breast cancer, or maybe just a unique gift for a dear friend?

What if you could get all of those things in a brand-new building that feels a bit like going to the spa but is backed by the expertise of one of America’s top hospitals?

Welcome to the new Women’s Center at Penrose Pavilion. This new center, located at 2312 N. Nevada Avenue on the east side of Penrose Hospital, offers women a variety of health services in a beautiful setting with plentiful parking just outside the front door and convenient hours. Services include:

Digital mammography Stereotactic breast biopsy Ultrasound for women, including OB/GYN ultrasound Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy Bone densitometry

Laser ablation (varicose vein treatment) Phlebectomy (removal of varicose veins) Sclerotherapy (injections to treat spider and varicose veins)

Location: Suites 235 and 245 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Information: 719-776-8200

Location: Suite 220 Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Information: 719-776-5118 Scheduling: 719-776-8010

Location: Suite 215 Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday Information: 719-776-VEIN (8346)

Mother Daughter Sister Friend boutique Postoperative breast surgery bras and clothing Lymphedema garments Specialty skin care products Unique jewelry Inspirational gifts Wellness gifts Location: Suite 225 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday Information: 719-776-8333

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THE HEAD OF THE CLASS

DON’T MISS OUT! Get notified of upcoming women’s health events by signing up online at penrosestfrancis.org/signmeup.

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Penrose Pavilion

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COVER PHOTO: ELLEN JASKOL

Ready to get your health on? Then take advantage of the ongoing educational and community events hosted at the Penrose Pavilion Conference Center.

Here you’ll find an array of women’s health events, including Conversations With Women, a free quarterly program, as well as health screenings, support groups, and seminars.

These events are opportunities to meet with and learn from other women and to gain healthy insights to empower you to live better!

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Penrose Pavilion 2312 N. Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80907 *Plentiful free parking immediately outside of entrance on north side.

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services

PHOTOS TOP TO BOTTOM: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ HIDESY, LAFLOR, GRADYREESE

Southern Colorado Breast Care Specialists Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic Nurse Navigation Program Genetic Counseling

A New Image

The new Center for Women’s Imaging offers hospital excellence in spa surroundings

Embraced in the warmth of a plush robe, you settle into a comfortable chair. Quiet, soothing, instrumental music drifts softly above your head while you sample moisturizing hand products from the nearby boutique. A sip of lemon ice water refreshes your body and calms your nerves.

No, this isn’t Saturday at the spa.

This is the experience as you await your mammogram, ultrasound, or bone density test at The Center for Women’s Imaging at the Penrose Pavilion.

For women, by women

When they envisioned a new imaging center, the women at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services saw an opportunity to change the way women experience imaging tests.

“This center is built to be a relaxing, soothing environment,” says Renee Ward, director of imaging at Penrose Hospital. “It’s designed by women for women.”

The private environment, enhanced by calming earth tones, was created to provide women who need imaging tests with a more relaxing and enjoyable experience — an experience unmatched

in the community. The vision was to provide an environment that did not feel sterile or create stress.

Plus, Ward says, the center offers convenient hours. The first mammogram appointments begin weekdays at 7 a.m., and the last appointment is at 4:40 p.m. And if you need multiple tests, you can schedule them all for the same day.

“Our flexible scheduling can usually accommodate multiple exams,” Ward notes. “That way, women don’t have to return multiple times. We want to make this an easy, convenient, comfortable experience.”

Imaging services The center is accredited by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence and was the first center in southern Colorado to achieve this distinction. It features state-of-the-art equipment for the following imaging tests: • Digital mammography • Stereotactic breast biopsy • Ultrasound for women, including OB/GYN ultrasound • Ultrasound-guided breast biopsy • Bone densitometry Results typically are returned within two to three business days, and they are sent to the woman’s physician.

“We think women will feel respected and well cared for here — and maybe even a little pampered,” Ward adds. “We’re very proud of what we have built.”

PHOTO: ELLEN JASKOL

SCHEDULE A TEST by calling 719-776-8010.

Women may schedule screening mammograms directly. Other tests require a physician referral. penrosestfrancis.org

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Keeping

Simplifying today’s With today’s conflicting health headlines, it’s challenging for even the health-savviest women to keep up. That’s why we turned to Toni Green Cheatwood, DO, medical director of the breast oncology program at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, to answer six common questions about breast care.

The recommendation from the American Cancer Society, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, and every other major reputable national organization is that women should have their first mammogram at age 40 and continue yearly while they are in good health.

Women who are at high risk should begin screenings earlier, so talk to your doctor about your own individual concerns and risks.

Is it true that breast self-exams aren’t necessary?

Self-exams can be a great tool in detecting changes in the breast, so we still recommend them. But the most important thing is that women learn how to do them correctly. If you’ve been forgoing self-exams or aren’t confident you know how, ask your doctor.

About Dr. Toni Green Cheatwood (pictured above) In addition to leading the Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center, breast surgeon Toni Green Cheatwood, DO, serves on committees for the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, the American Society of Breast Diseases, and the Southeastern Colorado Affiliate for Susan G. Komen.

Cheatwood completed her general surgery training in New Jersey, followed by a breast surgery fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

THE HIGH-RISK BREAST CANCER CLINIC

To schedule an appointment with Cheatwood, call Southern Colorado Breast Care Specialists at 719-571-8840.

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PHOTOS: ELLEN JASKOL, RIBBON: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/SKODONNELL

When should I start getting my mammograms — and how often?

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services

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breast care headlines How do my lifestyle choices affect my risk of breast cancer?

Increased alcohol consumption and being significantly overweight can contribute to breast cancer risk. And regular moderate exercise can lower your risk.

Is it true that cellphone use, underwire bras, and deodorant cause cancer?

No, deodorant doesn’t cause cancer. Neither do underwire bras or breast implants.

The issue with cellphones is the radiation, and all radiation exposure can increase your risk of cancer over time. But studies have not been able to link cellphone use with cancer. If you are concerned, use a landline when possible and opt for a headset when you use your cellphone.

If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, how do I know the best treatment option?

Research and advancements in breast cancer treatment have found that there are many types of breast cancer, each requiring a specialized approach for optimal outcomes. Yet too often, a woman’s choices are determined by which physician she sees first.

At the Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center, that is not the case. Our center, which is accredWomen with a family history and a genetic predisposition for breast cancer have special needs — such as personalized screening schedules and in some cases, genetic counseling.

At the Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center, the HighRisk Breast Cancer Clinic is

penrosestfrancis.org

ited through the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, has developed an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to ensure our patients get individualized treatment plans.

When a woman is first diagnosed with breast cancer at our center, she will be connected with a specially trained breast care navigator to provide support, answer questions, and assist with care coordination. Each patient then meets with a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, and a radiation oncologist to understand all of her options — and the risks and benefits associated with each.

For example, we want a woman who chooses a lumpectomy followed by radiation to understand the risks and side effects of radiation before she goes in for surgery. We want her to feel comfortable she’s making the right decision for her.

Is cancer in my genes?

Five to 10 percent of cancers are inherited. There are now six known breast cancer genes that increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer by as much as 80 percent.

Learning if you carry one of the breast cancer genes can help you take steps to prevent cancer from occurring, such as taking tamoxifen or having your ovaries removed. You also may need to obtain more frequent breast screenings or a different type of screening.

designed to help women learn if they are at a high risk for breast and/or ovarian cancer and what they should do if they are at risk.

“Women who come in will have a clinical breast exam appointment with Dr. Cheatwood as well as a genetic

The first step in understanding your risk for an inherited cancer gene is a genetic counseling session to help determine your risk and whether you are a candidate for genetic testing.

You should consider genetic counseling if you have three or more relatives with the same cancer; if breast, uterine, or colon cancer was diagnosed in a family member before age 50; if a single family member has developed more than one kind of cancer; or if a family member had breast cancer in both breasts.

The Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center offers genetic counseling.

For more information, call the Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center at 719-776-8200.

SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM

If you are 40 or older, you should get an annual screening mammogram.

Schedule your mammogram at the NEW Center for Women’s Imaging at the Penrose Pavilion, featuring the latest technology, including digital mammography.

719-776-8010

counseling session,” explains Sharon Halla, RN, breast care nurse navigator. “Then I close out the session with a discussion about self-breast care and healthy living. We give each woman a customized care plan, which we also share with her primary care physician or

gynecologist. The goal is to make sure women at high risk get the screenings they need when they need them.”

To schedule an appointment, call 719-571-8900.

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Bone Up on Bone Health 5 TIPS FOR PREVENTING OSTEOPOROSIS

CONSUME CALCIUM “The body doesn’t produce calcium on its own,” says Sandra Weatherly, a registered dietitian and women’s program coordinator at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. “That’s why it’s important that you get enough in your diet.” Great sources include low-fat and nonfat milk, cheese and yogurt, as well as broccoli and kale, among other vegetables. You can also seek out calcium-fortified juices and cereals. If you’re still not getting enough calcium, talk to your doctor about supplements.

Women under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily; women 50 and older need 1,200 mg.

DON’T FORGET VITAMIN D Your body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. “But you don’t necessarily have to take it with calcium for it to work,” notes Weatherly.

“What matters is that you get enough vitamin D throughout the day.”

Women under age 50 need around 400-800 international units (IUs) daily, while women 50 and older need 800-1,000 IUs daily.

You can get vitamin D from sunlight, food (such as fatty fish or fortified milk or juice), and supplements.

EXERCISE “When you exercise, it’s not just your muscles that get stronger,” says Andi McDonough, a physical therapist at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services.

“Your bones do, too.”

Weight-bearing exercise is important for bone health.

High-impact examples include hiking, jogging, or dancing. For a lower-impact workout, opt for elliptical machines, walking, and lowimpact aerobics.

“It’s also essential that women engage in some kind of strength-training program,” McDonough adds.

“That can be lifting free weights, using resistance bands, or yoga.”

Women who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis should work with a physician or physical therapist to identify an appropriate exercise regimen.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

If you are over 50, talk to your doctor about bone health and the need for a bone density screening.

To schedule a screening at The Center for Women’s Imaging, call 719-776-8010.

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DRINK ONLY IN MODERATION If you enjoy alcoholic beverages, be sure not to overdo it.

In addition to affecting your overall health, heavy drinking can cause bone loss.

TEACH YOUR DAUGHTERS An estimated 80 percent of adult bone mass in girls is acquired by age 18. “That’s why it’s important to set your daughters up for success early in life,” Weatherly says.

“Make sure they get enough calcium and vitamin D in their diet, and encourage regular exercise.”

WHO NEEDS A BONE DENSITY SCREENING? There was a time when osteoporosis could only be discovered after you broke a bone.

Fortunately, we can catch the disease earlier today. Using X-rays, a bone density test measures your bone strength and assesses your risk of breaking a bone.

Bone density screenings are commonly recommended for: • Women who are 65 or older.

• Postmenopausal women who are younger than 65 but have risk factors, such as a history of bone fractures, smoking, or a low body weight.

• Women who have had a drop in estrogen levels for reasons such as a hysterectomy. Estrogen, which is lost naturally during menopause, protects bones.

• Women who have lost height. This can be a sign of compression fractures caused by osteoporosis.

• Women who have taken steroid medications for long periods of time.

Typically, bone density exams are conducted every two years, but a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that women who have normal or nearnormal test results can go five to 15 years before having another exam. National screening guidelines, however, still recommend biennial screenings, so talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

Penrose-St. Francis Health Services

PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ UGURHAN, GRANDRIVER, ASISEEIT, DONALD_GRUENER, NICOLESY WINDOW: ELLEN JASKOL

Osteoporosis. It sounds like a disease for old ladies, right? The ones hunched over canes.

But the truth is that throughout your entire life, the choices you make impact your risk of developing this bonedegenerating disease. Prevention is key because osteoporosis leads to brittle bones that can break easily and wreak havoc on your quality of life.

TEST YOUR VARICOSE VEIN RISK Answer the questions below to see if you are at risk for varicose veins. Then, read on to learn more about the risk factors — and why they matter.

Scoring: For each A answer, give yourself 0 points; B = 1, C = 2, and D = 3.

1. How old are you?

3. What is your body mass index?

(If you don’t know your BMI, go to nhlbisupport.com/bmi.)

A. Younger than 25 B. 25 to 35 C. 36 to 49 D. 50 and older

A. 24.9 or lower B. 25 to 29.9 (overweight) C. 30 or higher (obese)

2. Do other members of your family have varicose veins?

A. No B. I can think of one or two C. Several of the women in my family have had varicose veins

4. Do you spend long periods of time sitting or standing?

A. No B. Yes

Place your total here: ___ (maximum = 9)

PHOTOS LEFT TO RIGHT: STEVE BIGLEY, ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ NADYAPHOTO

ASSESS YOUR RISK

ABOUT DR. KISSELL Laura Kissell, MD, is boardcertified in general and vascular surgery. She has practiced vascular surgery in Colorado Springs for more than five years after completing her general surgery residency and fellowships in vascular surgery and interventional radiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

If you scored a 6 or higher, you may be at risk for varicose veins. And it’s not just vanity to want to avoid those blue and red enlarged veins in our legs.

“There are serious health issues that go along with having varicose veins,” says Laura Kissell, MD, a vascular surgeon at Penrose Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery. Veins take blood from the body back to the heart. If the valves in the veins of the legs are damaged or weak, blood can leak backward, pool in the veins, and cause varicose veins. Not only can they be painful, but they can lead to skin ulcers and blood clots, which can be fatal.

As women, we’re already at a higher risk than men, and that risk continues to increase as we get older. Being overweight puts increased pressure on veins, and if you don’t change positions frequently enough, it can hinder blood flow.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT The Penrose Vein Center is located in Suite 215 at the Penrose Pavilion. Please call

719-776-VEIN (8346)

to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

penrosestfrancis.org

Treatments at the Penrose Vein Center

The good news is, if you already have varicose veins, there are treatment options. At the Penrose Vein Center, vascular surgeons Thomas Crepps, MD, and Laura Kissell, MD, treat spider veins, varicose veins, and venous ulcers. Services, which are performed with local, oral, or IV sedation, include: • Laser ablation — uses laser energy to heat and seal off veins, preventing blood from flowing backward and diverting it to nearby healthy veins • Phlebectomy — removal of varicose veins • Sclerotherapy — injections that treat spider and varicose veins

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Great gift ideas for every woman

Retail Therapy

Whether you’re looking for a fun gift idea or need specialty-care items during treatment, the Mother Daughter Sister Friend boutique at the Penrose Pavilion is the place to look. Check out this gift guide for a sampling of our products.

Women’s Health Services at the NEW Penrose Pavilion F EATU R IN G:

• The Center for Women’s Imaging • Penrose-St. Francis Breast Care Center • Penrose Vein Center • Mother Daughter Sister Friend boutique

GIRLY GIRL TokyoMilk is a fun, feminine, feel-good line of beauty products. Their highquality bath items are perfect for relaxation and are just the beginning of our beauty offerings.

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SPORTY GAL These popular caps are for any woman who likes a little sparkle. For the active woman, we also carry a line of yoga wear.

HOME DECORATOR This decorative throw is soft and lightweight. It’s perfect for a woman going through treatment who can’t tolerate heavy, rough fabrics on her skin.

NO. 1 SUPPORTER Show your support for a loved one — and women everywhere — fighting cancer, with this rhinestoned tee.

JEWELRY LOVER Be fashionable and

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developed for women undergoing cancer treatment. Feel beautiful and pampered as you manage the dermatological effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The boutique also carries mastectomy bras and more.

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IN TREATMENT Lindi Skin products are

Penrose Pavilion 2312 N. Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80907 *Plentiful free parking immediately outside of entrance on north side.

10%

OFF YOUR PURCHASE

The Mother Daughter Sister Friend boutique at the Penrose Pavilion offers products, support and specialty gifts for all the women in your life who are going through the journey of treatment and recovery from breast cancer, heart disease, or other health conditions.

Bring in this coupon to SAVE 10% off your purchase.

inspirational when you sport our unique variety of jewelry items.

PHOTOS: ELLEN JASKOL

FASHION FORWARD Bald is beautiful.

But for women losing their hair who want to add some color to their ensemble, soft and fashionable Chemo Beanies are the perfect solution. The boutique is the first shop in Colorado to sell Chemo Beanies, whose various styles are named after women who’ve had breast cancer and inspired someone at the company.

Centura Health complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination in the provision of any care or service on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual preference, ancestry, age, familial status, disability or handicap.

Penrose Pavilion 2312 N. Nevada Avenue, Suite 225 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday 719-776-8333 Discount cannot be used on food, beverages, greeting cards, or discounted items. One card per customer, please.