Charlotte Edition

By Michelle Haessler, M.D., Board Certified Radiation Oncologist As an oncologist, I have treated breast cancer patients from as young as 15 years of age to patients in their nineties. Breast cancer can affect anyone but is more common in women in their 50’s and older. Yes, I have treated men with breast cancer but it only accounts for about …

As technology advances, understanding medical exams and procedures becomes more complex. The quality of services provided is an important consideration. The American Cancer Society endorses mammography, along with yearly physical examinations and monthly self-examinations, as the most effective means of detecting breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. Generally, mammography can reveal benign and cancerous growths before you …

By Alyssa Parker – Many people may experience complications after an operation due to the significant amount of trauma your body endures. Whether it’s cancer related, non-cancer related, or a minor surgery, patients may develop post-operative symptoms such as swelling in a limb or a particular area of the body. Swelling in the limb which may appear to be temporary …

By Dr. Efrem Castillo, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement As a family practitioner for nearly 20 years, I know firsthand every senior’s medical needs are as unique as they are as individuals. The Medicare coverage plan that works best for you may not be the one that is right for your neighbor. So why do 60 percent of seniors …

Aging is not the most welcomed word, but for the most part, it’s unavoidable.  Living in Florida provides a much more active lifestyle for many individuals.  With the growing “aging” population here, exercising and doing activities in the heat can produce some unwanted injuries. One great way to stay active and age healthfully is to incorporate aquatic therapy sessions into your …

Ovarian Cancer is one of the most deadly of women’s cancers. Each year, approximately 21,980 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2014, approximately 14,270 women will die in the United States from this disease. It is estimated by the World Health Organization IARC department that there are over 238,000 new cases diagnosed annually and nearly 152,000 deaths worldwide. …

Attention anyone who has had a previous vein stripping, vein ablation or varicose vein removal, and has not received the desired results.  This article is also addressed to those of you who have been suffering with swollen legs for months to years without a definitive diagnosis.  There may have been trauma to the extremity or perhaps a joint replacement and you …

Located at the front of the neck, on both sides of the windpipe and just below the Adam’s apple, the thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that affects your body a lot more than most people think. The thyroid produces hormones that regulate the body’s metabolic rate, as well as some heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development …

By Anne-Marie Chalmers, MD If you stare at a computer screen all day, have reached the plus-55-years-old stage of life and have had a cataract operation, it’s likely you have all the makings of a serious dry eye problem. And you are not alone. Americans spend an astounding $3.8 billion on dry eye symptom relief every year. Unfortunately, the majority of …

Young athletes today are bigger and stronger, and they push themselves harder than ever before. With sports camps and more structured activities, kids today are increasingly likely to play their chosen sport year-round. But more time on the field brings a greater risk of experiencing sports-related injuries, including ACL and meniscus injuries in the knee, or injuries to the labrum …