Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines

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In 2012, the way we screen for cervical cancer changed. There were new guidelines for PAP smear testing based on medical evidence, supported by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The new recommendations, which IHA providers agree with and follow, start with a PAP test at age 21, followed by PAP testing every three years between 21 and 30 (if you’re low-risk). Once you reach age 30, you’ll be tested every five years with a PAP test and high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test. As long as you’re low-risk, and the tests are normal, you’ll remain at the five-year interval for testing.

If you are high-risk (you have a history of abnormal PAP tests or have had prior cervical procedures), you may not fit in these recommendations. Your provider will discuss what the best screening frequency is for you based on your history.

In certain situations, a woman may no longer need PAP testing. Generally, if you’re over 65 and have had normal tests previously, you may no longer need PAP tests. You may also be exempt from PAP testing if you have had a certain kind of hysterectomy. You and your provider can discuss and decide if that is best for you based on your risk factors.

A PAP test is a safe way to screen for cervical cancer, with little to minor discomfort. Your provider will use a speculum and a soft brush to take a sample of your cervical cells. If your PAP test is abnormal, your provider will request you come back for additional testing.

If you have additional questions about what to expect, please talk to your provider.

Health Alert: Flour Recall

General Mills is voluntarily recalling Gold Medal flour, Wondra flour, and Signature Kitchens flour (sold in Safeway, Albertsons, Jewel, Shaws, Vons, United, Randalls, and Acme) due to possible E. coli O121 contamination. 

Sate and federal authorities have been researching 38 occurences of illnesses across 20 states related to a specific type of E. coli (E. coli O121), between December 21, 2015 and May 3, 2016. While attempting to track the cause of the illness, CDC found that approximately half of the individuals reported making something homemade with flour at some point prior to becoming ill. Some reported using a General Mills brand of flour (source). 

To date, there have been four confirmed cases in Michigan. Due to the long shelf life of flour, this outbreak could continue for an extended period of time. We urge you to take a look at the products in your cupboard and check UPCs and Better if Used By Dates. Information can be found here: General Mills Flour.

Please visit the CDC website for more information about E. coli O121. 

St. Joseph Mercy Academic OB/GYN Center Received March of Dimes Grant for CenteringPregnancy Model

St. Joseph Mercy Academic OB/GYN Center Receives March of Dimes Grant for CenteringPregnancy Model

6/1/2016 – IHA is pleased to announce the St. Joseph Mercy Academic OB/GYN Center is the recipient of a $15,600 March of Dimes grant to enable the practice to continue offering their CenteringPregnancy model, which increases positive health outcomes for mothers and babies.

The CenteringPregnancy model consists of prenatal care that integrates health assessment, education and support into a unified program within a group setting. Group sessions allow for more time to explore important health and wellness topics and women learn self-care skills and gain confidence to improve their health for themselves and their babies.

“CenteringPregnancy has been proven to reduce the risk of premature birth,” said Kara Hamilton-McGraw, Michigan March of Dimes Maternal Child Health Program Impact
Leader. “Premature birth is the #1 cause of neonatal death. March of Dimes is committed to working with agencies, like the St. Joseph Mercy Academic OB/GYN Center, that are using evidence-based interventions that will decrease the number of babies that are born too soon.”

IHA Obstetrician Gynecologist and Site Medical Director of the St. Joseph Mercy Academic OB/GYN Center Bryan Popp, MD, is thrilled to receive the March of Dimes grant. “CenteringPregnancy is an exciting opportunity for us to provide group prenatal care for our patients. Centering allows expecting mothers to have increased face-to-face time with the obstetrician, more hours of prenatal education, and the ability to form a support system with other moms,” states Dr. Popp. “National studies have shown a decrease in preterm birth rates, increased breastfeeding rates and increased rates of post-partum follow-up. Both our patients and doctors believe our first year of Centering has been a great success. We look forward to starting our second year of CenteringPregnancy.”

ABOUT IHA
IHA is one of the best and largest multi-specialty groups in Michigan. IHA employs more than 1,600 staff members, which includes more than 520 providers consisting of: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives in approximately 60 practice locations across Southeast Michigan. IHA provides high-quality medical care and excellent service to nearly 410,000 active patients. Recognized as Metro Detroit’s Top Physician Group by Consumer Reports magazine, IHA also ranks in the top quartile for patient satisfaction nationally. Offering extended office hours, Urgent Care, and access to clinical research studies, IHA demonstrates that it cares by bringing safe, high-quality, comprehensive and affordable care to its patients. For more information about IHA, visit www.ihacares.com.

ABOUT MARCH OF DIMES
In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes Foundation, formerly The National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to address the rise of polio. In 1958, the foundation changed its mission to birth defect prevention to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, infant mortality, and premature birth. The March of Dimes Foundation’s national office is located in White Plains, NY, with local chapters in 51 states. The March of Dimes Michigan
Chapter funds programs that help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. For more information, visit www.marchofdimes.org/Michigan.

ABOUT SAINT JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM
Saint Joseph Mercy Health System (SJMHS) is a health care organization serving seven counties in southeast Michigan including Livingston, Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Jackson, and Lenawee. It includes 537-bed St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor, 443-bed St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, 304-bed St. Mary Mercy Livonia, 136-bed St. Joseph Mercy Livingston in Howell, and 133-bed St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. Combined, the five hospitals are licensed for 1,553 beds, have five outpatient health centers, six urgent care facilities, more than 25 specialty centers; employ more than 13,400 individuals and have a medical staff of nearly 2,700 physicians. SJMHS has annual operating revenues of about $1.9 billion and returns about $120 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs.
For more information on health services offered at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, please visit www.stjoeshealth.org.

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Teaching the Immune System to Target Cancer

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Thanks to continuous advances and breakthrough in cancer research, the medical community has been witnessing an unprecedented flow of success

stories through innovative immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Cancer specialists are now able to work successfully with their patients toward less toxic and more effective cancer treatments. Immunotherapy and targeted therapies are ushering in a new era in the fight against cancer.

 

It all starts at the cell level. Under certain series of unfortunate circumstances, some cells in our bodies become corrupted and start to grow to form cancerous cells. Normally, the immune system is supposed to patrol and detect those abnormal cells and destroy them. However, cancerous cells often find a way of evading the immune system through certain mechanisms including receptors.

What are cell receptors and what do they do? Well, certain receptors on the cell surface resemble the function of passcode or Identification Cards (ID cards). Normal cells have “good” passcodes on their surface and when those normal cells are scanned by the cells of the immune system, they are allowed to survive. However, cancer cells are often able to fool the immune system by acquiring (stealing or forging) those same “good” receptors (ID cards). As such, “impostor” cancer cells pass the scanning test of the immune system and they survive and keep growing in number.

Immunotherapy and targeted therapies specifically address this flawed issue of “fake IDs” by training and waking up the immune system to appropriately fight cancerous cells. For example, medications called “check-point inhibitors” block the interaction between particular cancer cell receptors (or fake IDs) and the immune cells “scanners” in order to uncover the true identity of cancer cells and allow the immune system to destroy them.

There are also several other mechanisms by which immunotherapy can help the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells. The bottom line is that many patients who suffer from cancer can now be offered less toxic and more effective treatments through FDA approved immunotherapy and targeted therapy. In addition to standard therapies, patients have now more opportunities to enroll on clinical trials that are looking to uncover newer ways to teach the immune system to target effectively cancer cells without affecting the normal bystanders.

IHA Welcomes Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists

ANN ARBOR, MI – (May 2, 2016) – IHA is pleased to announce its planned integration with Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists (AAOS) effective immediately. With offices in the Michigan Orthopedic Center on the St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor campus and in Hamburg and Canton, the practice, comprised of Thomas J. O’Keefe, MD; J. David Denzin, MD; Dean R. Schueller, MD; Karl F. Schultz, MD; Michael A. Masini, MD, Michael G. Chrissos, MD and James E. Moravek, MD; has provided compassionate, patient focused care to patients across Southeast Michigan since 1976.

Dr. Andrew Pruitt, MD, IHA Surgery Department Chair notes, “These are not only nationally-recognized surgeons, but also outstanding individuals with more than a century and a half of combined experience whom we are thrilled to welcome to the IHA family.”

“Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists has a long tradition of providing high quality orthopedic care to the communities we serve. We are committed to improving our patient’s function and quality of life through the least invasive and most conservative approach that will provide the best outcome.” says Michael A. Masini, MD, Site Medical Director for Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists and also the Orthopedic Section Head for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital – Ann Arbor. “By partnering with a high performing, multi-specialty physician group, such as IHA, we feel we can offer our patients even more comprehensive, coordinated and accessible care.”

Dr. Pruitt also adds, “These seven outstanding surgeons provide a broad range of orthopedic capabilities along with sub-specialty expertise which all of us at IHA are now thrilled to have on the same team.” In addition, the physicians are actively involved as faculty for the St. Joseph Mercy – UofM Orthopedic Residency program.

According to Bill Fileti, IHA’s President & CEO, this new relationship with Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists brings added general orthopedic, sports medicine and adult reconstructive capabilities to IHA. With a growing and aging population, the need for orthopedic services is rapidly expanding. This new linkage will enable IHA to better meet community needs in multiple markets.

“IHA continues to evolve into one of the best multi-specialty group practices in Michigan,” notes Fileti. “With integrations, such as this relationship with Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists and others planned for later in 2016, IHA continues its commitment to grow its primary care and specialty capabilities in order to give our patients outstanding quality, easy access and cost effective care.”

About IHA
IHA is one of the best and largest multi-specialty groups in Michigan. IHA employs more than 1,600 staff members, which includes more than 520 providers consisting of: physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and midwives in approximately 60 practice locations across Southeast Michigan. IHA provides high-quality medical care and excellent service to nearly 410,000 active patients. Recognized as Metro Detroit’s Top Physician Group by Consumer Reports magazine, IHA also ranks in the top quartile for patient satisfaction nationally. Offering extended office hours and urgent care services, along with online patient diagnosis, treatment and appointment access tools. IHA demonstrates that it cares by bringing safe, high-quality, comprehensive and affordable care to its patients. For more information about IHA, visit www.ihacares.com.

About IHA Ann Arbor Orthpaedic Specialists
Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists has been providing high quality, nationally-recognized orthopedic care to patients in Southeast Michigan for nearly 40 years. We have seven exceptional surgeons – specializing in everything from sports medicine and orthopedic trauma to total joint replacement of the hip, knee, and shoulder and complex revision surgery. Ann Arbor Orthopaedic Specialists has consistently delivered efficient, compassionate, patient focused care with an emphasis on teamwork. The practice has three convenient office locations: in the Michigan Orthopedic Center on the St. Joseph Mercy campus in Ann Arbor, in the St. Joseph Mercy Canton building and in the IHA Internal Medicine – Livingston office in Hamburg.

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Dr. Yarows featured in The Journal of Family Practice

Steven Yarows, MD, FACP,FASH, from IHA Chelsea Family & Internal Medicine, recently wrote an article that was featured in The Journal of Family Practice, called Tips and algorithms to get your patient’s BP to goal.” Dr. Yarows has clinical interests in hypertension and has studied, treated and diagnosed the condition for more than 30 years. Click here to read the article.