Nancy Monson 203-556-8698 www.nancymonson.com

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November 11, 2002

Protect Your Breasts (Without the Stress!)

By Nancy Monson

An all-too-common health concern: false-positive and false-negative mammogram results. But new research has found a fix. In a first-of-its-kind study, Stephen Taplin, M.D., head of the breast cancer screening program at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, found that poor breast positioning more than doubles the odds of cancer being missed.

Simple actions on your part can improve the mammogram's accuracy�and your comfort. Here's what to do.

For more accurate results...

Choose a high-volume radiologist. A study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported that radiologists who read 300 or more mammograms per month are better able to tell if an image is normal�and more likely to catch cancers� than are those who read less than 100 per month. To retain their certification to read mammograms, U.S. radiologists are only required to review 480 breast X rays a year, so ask the receptionist how many tests the technician reads monthly.
Go to a to a facility that specializes in mammograms and is certified by the American College of Radiology. "They'll have quality radiologists on staff," says Dr. Taplin. For a list of certified facilities, log on to fda.gov/cdrh/faclist.html or call the National Cancer Institute at 800-422-6237. (And if you switch centers, make sure your new center receives copies of your previous mammograms for comparison�this will help prevent inaccurate results).

Schedule your test for the first two weeks of your menstrual cycle. Thanks to fluctuations in reproductive hormones, breast tissue is less dense at the beginning of the cycle, so it's easier to see irregularities in the X ray.

Don�t wear perfume, deodorant, talcum powder or jewelry to the test�they can interfere with the accuracy of the image by masking (or even creating the illusion of ) abnormalities.

Go with the flow when being positioned. Proper placement helps ensure the entire breast gets X rayed and that there's a good outline of the nipple and the muscle behind the breast on the film, which is key to a clear reading, Dr. Taplin says.

For a more comfortable screening...

For $5, you can soften the ouch with a MammoPad (mammopad.com), an FDA-approved, single-use cushion that has been shown to reduce discomfort in nearly 75 percent of cases. To find a center in your area that offers the pads, call the company at 866-460-4141.
If you're lowering your shoulders or standing on tiptoe, ask the technician to adjust the machine�it is possible to be comfortable and get a good image.
Take slow, deep breaths between X rays to reduce stress. And remember, it'll all be over in 10 short minutes!

February 28, 2000

Avoid Computer Eyestrain
It's more than just your vision that's at stake

By Nancy Monson

One in 20 Americans suffer from computer vision syndrome�and the problem is on the rise, reports Teresa Madden, OD. Symptoms include dry, burning eyes, blurred vision, pain, blinking, squinting and headaches. Even back and neck pain can result from eyestrain, which is caused by logging in long hours at a video display terminal under less-than-ideal conditions.

To prevent or treat computer eyestrain, follow this advice:

1. Take frequent breaks. Continuously looking at your computer screen stresses eye muscles. "To periodically relax them," says Dr. Madden, "follow the 'rule of 20.'" Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break, and look 20 feet away from your computer. To remember your break, get a cooking timer and place it on your desk.

2. Make an effort to blink more. A Japanese study showed that we normally blink 18 times per minute. For an unknown reason, however, while working on the computer most people blink only seven times per minute, which can lead to eye dryness.

3. Reduce glare. Reflection from lights and windows reduces the contrast between on-screen type and the background, and makes your eyes work harder. So relocate lamps, dim overhead lights and put blinds on the windows.

4. Look down when working. Set up your computer so it is 10"-20" below eye level. "Your eyes function better during close-up work if you're looking down," explains Dr. Madden.

5. Back away from your computer. If you're too close to your computer screen, your eyes have to work harder to focus, and that tires the muscles. So make sure you sit between 20" and 26" away.

6. Get an eye exam annually�or any time you experience vision problems. Optometrists can prescribe special magnifying glasses, and even contact lenses, that can help you see better while working on the computer.

August 9, 1993

Social Obligations
Not every invitation is greeted with great expectations. When�and how�can you bow out?

By Nancy Monson

"If I go to one more bridal party, I'll go broke," sighs Connie, a bridesmaid four times over in a single year. "When you add up the cost of the dresses, shoes and all the parties and presents, each wedding costs about $500! By my fourth invitation, I couldn't afford to say yes. But I did. I felt obligated."

Maybe your dreaded invite isn't to a wedding, but a baby shower, engagement party, graduation or get-together. You're expected to attend but you don't want to. You're short on cash. You don't know the other guests. Or you just crave a Saturday to yourself. For days you vacillate and put off RSVPing. What's the right thing to do?

"Baby and bridal showers, weddings, engagement and anniversary parties, christenings�these are important rites of passage for women," explains Judith Sills, author of Excess Baggage: Getting Out of Your Own Way (Viking). "We feel obligated to attend them because that's our job! Traditionally, women's roles have been to create and maintain the social support network."

As keepers of the social rites, Sills feels women should attend most social functions. "We've gone too far in the direction of 'me, me, me' and social connections are breaking down," she laments. "Saying yes to an invitation is a demonstration of your support and love." Also, if you do decide to attend, you just may end up having fun.

There are times, however, when it's okay to miss social functions. Just say no if:

You don't care about maintaining a relationship with the person. She may be an acquaintance or a friend you no longer feel close to.
You can't handle it emotionally. Lisa, 31, has been trying for the past three years to become pregnant. She gets a serious case of the blues around babies. "Baby showers are too emotional for me to handle right now," she says.

When you do turn down an invitation, be polite and straightforward. "Say, 'I'd love to go, but I'm not able to,'" advises Sills. If appropriate, send a small gift to the hostess or new mom or bride. Finally, be prepared for the consequences of your actions. If you don't have the time to go to Sue's shower, she may not find the time to come to yours.