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INTEGRIS Health On Your Health Blog

Check back to the INTEGRIS Health On Your Health blog for the latest health and wellness news for all Oklahomans.

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Can You Live with One Lung?

Living with one lung may seem like an impossible challenge – the lungs are a key organ that work 24 hours a day to keep us alive – but the human body has an uncanny ability to adapt. Much like living without a pancreas, gallbladder, appendix or spleen, missing out on the functionality of these organs isn’t ideal but it can be done. Learn more about what causes people to have a single lung and how you can still live a healthy life.

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Does Vaping Cause Lung Cancer?

Traditional tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals that increase smokers' chances of developing cancer. In fact, smoking is tied to 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As an alternative to smoking, many people have turned to e-cigarettes to vape, including teens and young adults (read our blog on how e-cigarette use is on the rise among teens in Oklahoma). But is inhaling liquid nicotine any safer and is there any risk of cancer associated with vaping?

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November Is Movember: Raising Awareness About Men's Health

November is a time when mustaches take center stage, but it's not just about style – it's about striking up conversations and raising awareness for men's health. Movember, a global movement, is dedicated to bringing attention to pressing men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health challenges.

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Stomach Cancer Awareness: Facts, Causes and Outlook on Prognosis

Stomach cancer, though less talked about than other common cancers, poses a significant health risk that deserves more attention. By raising awareness about stomach cancer, the goal is to empower patients and the community with vital knowledge on the facts, causes and prognosis of this disease.

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Lung Cancer Awareness: Facts, Advances in Treatment and How to Lower Your Risk

Lung cancer remains a significant health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. In this blog, we speak to Nathaniel Moulton, M.D., a board-certified interventional pulmonologist at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Baptist Pulmonary Medicine, to learn more.

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Breast Cancer in Men: Signs, Symptoms and Treatment Options

Male breast cancer is a rare condition, accounting for less than one percent of all breast cancer cases, but it's still important to be aware of its signs, symptoms, causes and treatment options should you or a loved one be impacted. As part of breast cancer awareness in October, we talk to Samer Hassan, M.D., a board-certified physician in internal medicine, oncology and hematology, with INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute at Southwest Medical Center.

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What Happens to Your Body When You Have Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is one of the most common and effective forms of cancer treatment. Despite doing its job of destroying cancer cells, chemotherapy drugs also impact healthy cells and cause a wide range of side effects. In this blog, Brian Geister, M.D., and Agnel Raparthi, M.D., both with the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute, weigh in on how chemotherapy affects the body.

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What Is a Diagnostic Mammogram?

When it comes to breast cancer screenings, the word “mammogram” is what most people associate with the testing that plays a key role in diagnosing cancer. But some people may not know there are two types of mammograms – screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms.

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Is There Any Safe Amount of Alcohol?

It’s a widely held belief that drinking a glass of wine a day is beneficial to health, but experts say alcohol is a known carcinogen and that any amount of alcohol can increase your risk of negative health effects. In this blog, we talk with Bilal Ahmad, M.D., a board-certified hematologist and oncologist with the INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute at INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center, to learn more.

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Understanding Breast Cancer Risk

Despite being one of the most common types of cancers, the scientific explanation for why breast cancer occurs more often than other types of cancers is unknown in the medical community. What researchers do know is which factors heighten – or lower – the risk of developing breast cancer. As breast cancer prevalence grows (women have a 13 percent lifetime risk, meaning 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed), having a basic understanding of what puts you at risk can help you prepare for the future.

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What Medical Screenings Do You Need After Age 40?

Reaching the age of 40 is a significant milestone that often comes with a greater focus on health maintenance and prevention. As part of Healthy Aging Month in September, in this blog we talk to Jeffrey Cruzan, M.D., a board-certified family medicine physician with INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Memorial West, about the medical screenings to keep in mind as we get older.

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Foods to Avoid While on Chemo

We talk to Juli Johnson, APRN at INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute to learn what foods are best and what foods to avoid while on chemotherapy.

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What is Stomach Cancer?

On Feb. 5, Oklahoma lost a favorite son and icon, Toby Keith, to stomach cancer and Oklahomans are in mourning. We spoke to oncologist, Laila Babar, M.D., about stomach cancer facts, symptoms and treatment.

Lainey Townsend

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Can Skin Cancer Kill You?

In terms of skin cancer, where does it rank among fatal cases? This is a common question people ask. We examine how serious skin cancer is and how likely you are to survive if you or a family member recently received a diagnosis.

Lainey Townsend

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8 Easy Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

By making a few easy lifestyle changes, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing cancer or improve your chances of beating the disease if you are diagnosed. The recommendations outlined here also lower your risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and other serious ailments, boosting your odds of living a long, healthy life.

Lainey Townsend

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Catching Cancer Early

One of the first and most pressing questions cancer patients want to know after their initial diagnosis is which stage the cancer is at. The answer to this question can often be the difference between a positive prognosis and an uphill battle full of hurdles. We’re here to walk you through why cancer staging matters, how cancers are classified by stage and how the staging process works.

Lainey Townsend

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Timeline After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

This article is designed to give you a comprehensive understanding of which factors play a role in your prognosis and what you should expect in the coming days, weeks and months following your diagnosis.

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What Happens When You Neglect Your Health?

What’s the worst that could happen if you avoid the doctor’s office? Better yet, why do you even need a doctor if you’re not sick? The answer: many benign health problems can easily become an issue without proper oversight. We’re here to explore exactly what happens when you neglect your health and why you should prioritize regular checkups.

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Preventive Health Care Appointments You Should Have Each Year

Preventive health care appointments are critical in helping detect and diagnose certain diseases, disorders and cancers.

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The Latest Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

As a way to promote awareness for colorectal cancer in March, we’ve covered some of the recent changes in preventive screening, outlined what you need to know if you fall in an at-risk category for colorectal cancer and touched on the importance of scheduling a colonoscopy.

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Pancreatic Cancer: The Latest Advancements to Treat a Deadly Disease

To help highlight Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, we checked in with Dr. Silverstein, who is now retired, and Brian Geister, M.D. a board-certified oncologist and internal medicine doctor, to learn more about pancreatic cancer, why it’s so deadly and what the future holds.

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What You Should Know About Dense Breast Tissue

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is what you need to know about dense breast tissue. While having dense breasts is normal, it does pose challenges in detecting breast cancer.

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What You Should Know About Common Lung Diseases Including COVID-19

With the novel coronavirus constantly in the news, you probably think about your lungs quite often these days.

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Who Are DES Daughters? What’s Their Risk of Developing a Rare Vaginal Cancer?

An estimated five to 10 million were exposed to DES in the womb from 1938-1971. Today, many women might not even know they are at risk, but scientists are calling them the “DES Daughters.”

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What is Radon? How Is It Linked to Lung Cancer?

Radon exposure is the top cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. The EPA estimates radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year, the number two contributor behind smoking.

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How to Give Yourself a Breast Exam in Five Easy Steps

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, here is a quick and easy way to perform a monthly self-exam.

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INTEGRIS Joins the CDC in Recommending Oklahomans Cease Use of E-cigarettes and Vapes

The first four cases of serious lung injury related to e-cigarettes have been confirmed in Oklahoma. Nationwide, 26 people have died so far. While the investigation is ongoing, the CDC recommends that people refrain from using e-cigarette products.

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What Is Brown Fat? Can It Help Your Body Lose Weight?

If ongoing studies on brown fat show the same results in humans as they did in mice, fat tissue and hormones may hold a very important key to effective weight loss.

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Should You Buy Organic Fruits and Vegetables?

Explore our annual list of the cleanest and most pesticide-laden fruits and veggies for informed organic shopping.

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Monthly Self Checks All Men Should Do

While scheduling a yearly check-up with a doctor is vital, men can also take charge of their health by doing quick self-exams at home, so they can learn what’s “normal” for their bodies and what isn’t.

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Guided Imagery to Combat Anxiety and Promote Healing

Studies have shown guided imagery can help the mind and body relax. It has also been shown to help manage anxiety, stress and depression, to reduce pain, lower blood pressure, lessen nausea and give patients a better sense of control and well-being. If you are healing from cancer or feel anxiety or stress, this complementary therapy might be good for you.

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What Are Mesonutrients and Why Are They Important?

You might already know about macronutrients and micronutrients, but did you know that hidden within foods such as turmeric, tomatoes and blackberries are active compounds called mesonutrients that might play a big role in making these foods so good for you? Many health publications and websites are proclaiming mesonutrients as the newest health trend of 2019. So, why are mesonutrients so important?

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The Benefits of Therapeutic Massage Go Beyond Relaxation

Rubbing areas that hurt is a natural human response. But beyond easing tension and sore muscles, did you know therapeutic massage lowers blood pressure, improves weight gain in preterm infants, can relieve migraine headache pain and even reduce scar tissue and stretch marks? Plus so much more!

Susan Hawkins

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10 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Many cultures throughout Asia have harnessed the healing powers of green tea for thousands of years, but the Western world has gone crazy for green tea only in the last few decades. Lately it seems you can't pick up a newspaper or visit a health website that doesn't proclaim the supposed health benefits of green tea, from weight loss to preventing colds to fighting cancer. But should you believe the hype?

Juli Johnson

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How to Recognize Benign Skin Conditions

As the largest organ of your body, your skin acts as a defense mechanism protecting you against outside pollutants and harsh UV rays. While your skin works hard for you, you need to do the same in return. You can start by knowing some of the basic benign skin conditions and when to seek treatment.

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Teenage E-Cigarette Use On the Rise in Oklahoma

Are your kids smoking and you might not even know?

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Can Nutrition Influence Breast Cancer Risk?

Juli Johnson, an APRN at the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, often gets asked if there are foods that lower the risk of breast cancer. Here is her answer.

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A Radiation Oncologist Answers Treatment Questions About Prostate Cancer

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. To help bring prostate cancer to the forefront as a serious health issue for Oklahomans, common treatment questions are answered by an INTEGRIS radiation oncologist.

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Ovarian Cancer: The Silent Killer

If caught early, ovarian cancer has a high rate of survival. However, the insidious nature of this cancer means that it often remains undetected until it has progressed rapidly. Fortunately, there are ways to educate yourself on ovarian cancer and learn how to recognize the signs of this disease.

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Oklahoma Liver Transplant Survivor Wins Gold

INTEGRIS liver transplant recipient Karen Hoyt spent 300 days on the transplant waiting list. Since her transplant, she went on to compete in the 30th World Transplant Games and won gold!

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Sensory Sensitive Activities in Oklahoma City

For children with sensory sensitivity, every aspect of life can be a challenge. Noisy crowds, bursts of light and uncomfortable clothes are often overwhelming, and parents are left wondering what to do with their children outside of the house. Luckily, some businesses in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas are working to create sensitive environments and accommodations so all families and children can participate.

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A First-Person Account of a Colonoscopy

Since we've come to the end of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, let's talk about something potentially unpleasant and embarrassing: colonoscopies. An INTEGRIS employee demystifies her recent colonoscopy to encourage others to undergo this important, life-saving screening.

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Oklahoma's Latest Health Rankings

It's early in 2018, which means it’s time for America’s Health Rankings® Annual Report. The report, recently released by the United Health Foundation, ranked Oklahoma number 43 in the U.S. in terms of health. We’re breaking down the data and highlighting some interesting facts about Oklahoma.

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The Great American Smokeout Is Thursday, November 16

It’s time for Oklahomans to toss those cigarettes -- at least for one day. This Thursday, Nov. 16, smokers in Oklahoma and across the country are challenged to quit smoking for one day during the annual Great American Smokeout. Hopefully, this one-day success will show smokers they can kick the habit for good.

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Dealing with a Loved One’s Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A breast cancer diagnosis is never easy, but many people underestimate how challenging it is to deal with a loved one’s diagnosis.

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Basics of Sunscreen

We trust our sunscreens to protect us from sunburn, but new research suggests what we thought we knew about sunscreen may not be true.

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Making Self-Checks for Skin Cancer Part of Your Routine

Most forms of skin cancer are curable if found and removed early; however, skin cancer can also lead to disfigurement and death. A simple way to help catch skin cancer in its early stages is to perform regular self-checks of your skin.

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Melanoma Monday: More Important than Ever for Men

Skin cancer incidents, including deadly melanoma cases, are on the rise among men.

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Colon Cancer Diagnoses on the Rise in Younger Generations

If you’ve been reading or watching health news lately, chances are, you’ve seen a wave of news stories about cancer diagnoses on the rise in younger generations. More people in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed with colon cancer than ever before.

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