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In the News
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Attack on Cancer
The mission of Inova Cancer Services is to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. Our comprehensive and award-winning programs provide unique and innovative services for patients and their families through every step of their journey. In this issue of InHealth, I invite you to read about two such cutting-edge therapies offered at Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center: stereotactic radiosurgery and interventional oncology. Each is personalized to precisely destroy the tumor while preserving healthy tissue.
Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center and its physicians provide one of the largest and most comprehensive cancer programs in metropolitan Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
Translational research remains an integral part of our cancer program. Physicians affiliated with Inova Cancer Services enroll patients in over 110 different adult and pediatric clinical and translational research trials.
Most importantly, Inova Cancer Services is dedicated to providing a caring environment and a kind touch to our patients and the community. Read in these pages about Candace Choquette, who provides support to patients, families and caregivers. The Dewberry Life with Cancer Family Center provides a warm, welcoming home environment for those affected by cancer. To learn more about Inova's cancer services and programs, visit us here.
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 Targeted Technologies
Radiation Oncology Pinpoints Tumors
Inova Fairfax Hospital is offering cutting-edge treatments in the area of radiation oncology. It offers stereotactic radiosurgery for the spine, lungs and liver — as well as the brain.
Stereotactic radiosurgery "is the delivery of focused, high-dose, pinpoint-precise radiation treatment that allows us to treat tumors with higher doses than standard, conventional radiation," explains Ashish Chawla, MD, a radiation oncologist at the hospital. The treatment is for small, targeted areas, "which is why it's effective for tumors in the brain," he says. "We have done that for years, but now we're applying this exciting technology to the spine, lungs and liver."
Stereotactic radiosurgery offers an alternative to conventional surgery in some patients. "Now, if a patient is not an optimal candidate for surgery, we can offer more focused radiation that can often replace surgery," he says.
Another exciting technology at Inova Fairfax is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). "It allows us to see in real time where our targets are," he offers, "and to ensure we are always treating with the highest accuracy."
Learn more about radiation oncology.
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A Beat Ahead
Inova Heart & Vascular Institute Website a New Resource
Inova Heart & Vascular Institute's new website will provide information and tools for people in the community who want to improve their heart health. "As a leader in providing cardiovascular services to the Washington, D.C., area, we've always strived to offer the latest in medical technology and expertise to those in need of heart care," says Harvey Sherber, MD, Medical Director, Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, and a participant on the website development committee. "One of the keys to preventing heart problems is understanding your risk factors and taking appropriate actions, such as improving your diet or increasing exercise levels."
Among the helpful content on the site, which launched in September, is an online heart health profiler. This provides users with a report gauging their "heart age" based on information they provide. Information includes their age, blood pressure, activity level, family history and more.
"This online assessment, along with other content provided on the site, will help people have a clearer picture of their heart health and know whether or not they should seek further medical consultation to improve it," Dr. Sherber says. "And it uses the idea of 'heart age,' making it easy for users to quickly interpret the results." The site also features four navigation "pathways" — three based on consumer audiences and one for referring physicians.
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Heart Health
Check out the new website. |
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Stopping the Flu Starts with You
Take Precautions to Protect Yourself
 Medical experts agree that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from the flu is with a flu shot. The more people who get the vaccine, the less the flu will spread and the better the chances of preventing as many as 40,000 deaths every year
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More than just a severe cold, the flu travels the world, affecting some 30 million people each year. An average of 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu annually in the U.S. alone. The virus is easily spread through contact, such as shaking hands, sharing drinks or kissing, as well as through coughing and sneezing.
The best proven method for stopping the flu is vaccination. That's why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated. The vaccine can't give you the flu, but, by not getting the flu shot, you might pass the flu on to someone else.
Our highly trained nurses can help protect you from the flu with either a shot or the nasal spray vaccine FluMist®. And, unlike some other providers, we can vaccinate children as young as 6 months. FluMist and vaccinations for children ages 6 months to 4 years are offered at our hospital clinics only.
Matchmaker
Speed Dating-Style Event Helps Women Pick Their Doc
Hey, ladies, it's time to go speed interviewing! StorkExpress, a FREE event, will offer women thinking about getting pregnant, newly pregnant or looking for a doctor the chance to meet and privately interview several OB/GYN physicians and certified
nurse-midwives. StorkExpress offers a woman the following:
•The chance to find the provider with whom she feels most comfortable
•One-on-one face time to help her determine whether the provider shares her beliefs about birth control, delivery methods and other concerns (after all, it will be a lifelong healthcare partnership)
 •A way to find a provider who suits her. While a certain OB may be great for her sister or friend, that OB may not be a good match for her
•An opportunity to "interview" outside of making an office appointment to make sure it is a good match
When: Thursday, Oct. 6
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Westin Arlington Gateway
Seating is limited. Registration is required. Call 571-423-5578 or register here.
You could win a FREE, two-night stay at the Westin Arlington Gateway to get the family planning started!
 Special Recognition for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Inova Fairfax Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's first-ever Gold Seal of Approval™ for Prematurity. This certification recognizes the hospital's dedication to exceeding the national standards in premature care for babies born throughout the region. More than 20,000 babies are born each year at four Inova hospitals and each hospital is seamlessly connected to the 75-bed NICU at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, staffed by board-certified neonatologists and equipped for high-risk infants requiring specialized care. "This certification is a tribute to the care and commitment of our doctors, nurses and staff who, over many years, have developed a neonatal program offering a full spectrum of services available from the time of delivery until discharge," according to John M. North, MD, Medical Director, NICU, Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. "We are proud to provide excellence in patient care, which ranks among the best in the nation."
Ask the Experts
Attend a Lecture to Learn About Treatment Options
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When the Purple Pill Isn't Enough — Advanced Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease
Behzad Kalaghchi, MD, FACG, and Byungki Kim, MD, gastroenterologists at the Center for Advanced Endoscopy at Inova Fairfax Hospital, will hold a lecture, "When the Purple Pill Isn't Enough — Advanced Treatments for Acid Reflux," on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m.
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New Trends in Total Hip Replacement Surgery
Robert Stinger, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Inova Fairfax Hospital, will hold a lecture,"New Trends in Total Hip Replacement Surgery," at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25.
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These lectures will be held at the
Richard Byrd Library, 7250 Commerce St., Springfield, Va., 22150.
Parking is free in the library parking lot.
Call 1-855-My-Inova (694-6682) or go here
to register for these FREE lectures. |
Get 'Fit' this Winter
Free Online Wellness Campaign Features Football Great Darrell Green
Join Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Washington Redskin Darrell Green and Inova Health System experts online for tips on healthy eating, exercise and wellness.
Inova Health System's "Fit for Fall" and "Fit for Winter" online wellness programs are free, and with more than 7,000 online members participating so far, we welcome you to join us!
Log on today to learn more and get started!
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system.
Fight to the Finish
Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center is sponsoring the National Race to End Women's Cancer on Sunday, Nov. 6, in Washington, D.C. Join an Inova team as we help raise awareness and crucial research funding to prevent, detect, treat and defeat cancers unique to women. Gynecologic awareness programs and other activities will be held throughout the weekend, hosted by The Foundation for Women's Cancer.
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