Menorah Medical Center

Most Common Cancers for which Patients Seek Treatment

Cancer is a deadly disease that has over one hundred forms. All of these forms, however, begin the exact same way—when abnormal cells grow and proliferate out of control. Below is a brief guide to the most common cancers for which patients seek expert cancer care.

• Skin cancer
  According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in American men and women. It accounts for over half of all the diagnosed cancer in the United States, with over two million cases diagnosed each year. There are three main forms of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
   
• Prostate cancer
  Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American Men. In 2007, over 220,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and almost 30,000 men died from the disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
   
• Breast cancer
  Breast cancer is the number one leading cause of cancer in women living in the United States after skin cancer, with over 200,000 new diagnoses in 2007. Thanks to recent developments in diagnostic imaging and cancer screening techniques, millions of women are now surviving this deadly disease. 
   
• Lung cancer
  Lung cancer is also extremely common in American men and women. In fact, more cancer sufferers die from this disease than from any other form of cancer, with over 80 percent of these deaths caused directly by tobacco use. Although smoking causes most cases of lung cancer, others can be caused by hereditary gene changes or acquired changes in the genome.

At Menorah Medical Center, our Cancer Care Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer for exceeding seven national standards for comprehensive cancer care. Our program is dedicated to continuously improving our services to the Kansas City community through a multidisciplinary approach and the utilization of state-of-the-art cancer treatments. If you are interested in learning more about the screening options and therapies offered by Menorah’s cancer specialists, call us at (888) 429-8153.

Happy Mother's Day! from Menorah Medical Center

In celebration of Mother’s Day, we’ve put together a list of quotes honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society:

• A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  --Washington Irving (1783-1859)
   
• Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.  --Marion C. Garretty
   
• All I am or can be I owe to my angel Mother.  --Abraham Lincoln, U.S. President
   
• My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.  --George Washington, U.S. President
   
• There never was a woman like her. She was gentle as a dove and brave as a lioness... The memory of my mother and her teachings were, after all, the only capital I had to start life with, and on that capital I have made my way.  --Andrew Jackson, U.S. President

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Although most Americans know the dangers of a heart attack, many do not know that the symptoms of this dangerous event can differ significantly between men and women. Women, for example, may not feel the signature chest pain and pressure that is common in men suffering from a cardiac event.

In this video, you can learn more about heart attack symptoms common in women and how to recognize them. Unlike the more dramatic symptoms of heart attack seen on television and in the movies, women are often struck by a different and subtler set of symptoms.

Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack can help to save your life and prevent permanent disability. At Menorah Medical Center, we are dedicated to providing patients with prompt, expert care when every second counts. You can find out more about our healthcare services by contacting our staff at (888) 429-8153.

Tips for New Mothers: Caring for Your Newborn During His or Her First Week at Home

Pregnancy, labor, and delivery are joyous and exciting occasions for the entire family. After your child has arrived and various good health screens and tests are performed, you will return home and begin your life together. If you are a new mother, read on to learn more about what you can do to care for your newborn during his or her first week at home from the hospital.

• Feeding
  For the first month after your child is born, he or she should be fed every two to three hours, with each feeding lasting up to 10 or 20 minutes. Breast milk provides excellent nutrition for your baby and also transfers important antibodies from mother to child that can help him or her to fight off infection. However, if you and your doctor decide that you should avoid breastfeeding for any reason, bottle-feeding can also be an excellent alternative.
   
• Bathing
  Your new baby only needs to be bathed two or three times per week during the first year of his or her life. During the first week, keep bath time restricted to sponge bathing only.
   
• Sleeping
  Your baby needs to sleep often to stay healthy. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Make sure that your baby’s mattress is firm, covered with a sheet, and is free of blankets or pillows that could cover his or her mouth and obstruct his or her breathing.

Are you expecting a new baby? Count on the specialists and nurses at Menorah Medical Center to support you through the entire process. If you are interested in learning more about infant care, or if you are in need of an experienced obstetrician, please call Menorah’s Consult-A-Nurse referral line at (888) 429-8153. Our nurses are available to speak with you any time, day or night.

Common Questions About the CyberKnife Cancer Treatment, Answered

CyberKnife technology has revolutionized cancer treatment for patients suffering from complex or hard-to-reach tumors. In the past, surgery and other treatments for these tumors could leave the healthy surrounding tissue damaged or nonfunctional; CyberKnife cancer treatment utilizes advanced imaging technology to treat tumors with pinpoint accuracy without the need for a single incision. Tumors can be treated anywhere in the body using precisely aimed and focused beams of high-energy radiation.

What makes CyberKnife unique?
Unlike other types of radiation therapy, CyberKnife does not need any head or body frames to stabilize patients during therapy. The technology continuously tracks any motion that occurs during the length of the treatment, compensating for breathing and other small movements. CyberKnife also has the unique ability to treat tumors that may otherwise be inoperable, providing cancer patients with new hope for recovery.

What types of tumors can be treated with CyberKnife technology?
Both benign and cancerous tumors can be treated with CyberKnife technology. The advanced tracking and precision of this technology allows tumors to be safely treated anywhere in the body, even if they are located to critical structures. Some of the most commonly treated sites include:

• Brain, head, and neck
• Spine and bone
• Lung
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Prostate
• Sites already treated with conventional radiation
• Many tumors previously diagnosed as inoperable

Will the treatment hurt?
Treatment with CyberKnife is completely painless and does not involve any incisions.  Because therapy is non-invasive, patients are able to return to their daily activities immediately—no anesthesia, no pain, no incisions, no recovery time.

Menorah Medical Center is proud to be the first hospital in the Kansas City area to offer our community the many benefits of the CyberKnife radiosurgery system. If you have any remaining questions about this painless, non-surgical approach to cancer care, please contact Menorah’s helpful staff today at (888) 429-8153.