Friday, March 27, 2026

TRAVEL / ENTERTAINMENT: Colony, Oklahoma: A New Art Colony

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Featured Artists: Patrick Riley and Jim Van Deman.

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn [email protected]

On November 17, 2019, Colony Community in Action, L.L.C., will host preview II, an exhibition of works to be displayed at The Sovereignty Symposium 2020 by Oklahoma Artists, Patrick Riley and Jim Van Deman. The exhibition will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm in the Kauger Building in downtown Colony, Oklahoma. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is invited to attend. This event is an example how Colony, Oklahoma is turning into at Art Colony.
The repainted Kauger Building and the old Payne’s Store building host murals by Comanche artist, Eric Tippeconnic. “The Hunt” and “The Horse Capture” are featured on the store building and “The Grand Entry” has been started on the Kauger Building. It also boasts “Colony 1886” completed in 1994, and refreshed by Patrick Riley and the people of the community in 2017. The names of some of the helpers are included in the mural, giving it a real home town feel.
Patrick Riley is a nationally recognized artist and art educator. He has maintained a strong and expressive visual arts career and artist/teacher career and has taught students of all grade levels. He has completed residencies focused on many disciplines including pottery, drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture, leather masks, and totems. In 2012, he completed a 28-foot-tall stainless steel mask sculpture of an eagle for the Oklahoma Judicial Center in Oklahoma City. In 2010, he designed a special leather mask that was gifted by the Ford Center of Oklahoma City to celebrity performer Lady GaGa. During his art career, he has exhibited masks in many galleries throughout the United States including New York City and Washington D. C.
Jim Van Deman, great grandson of Black Beaver, depicts his Delaware heritage and other American Indian subjects in a broad range of creations from impressionist to mainstream abstract paintings. He is also known for his handcrafted flutes, unique banjos, and American Indian hand drums. He was recently honored as the “2016 Red Earth Honored One.” In addition to creating art and instruments, Van Deman is also an aspiring writer, with many short stories and poems to his credit, with several novels in the works as well. Both Van Deman and Riley are schedule to be in attendance.
Additional art can be seen next door in the old historic renovated Colony Post Office which has been the Gallery of the Plains Indian for several years. The Old Post Office built in 1927, was used to store feed by Payne’s store for many years. It was given by John Kauger to his daughter, Yvonne. She converted it into the Gallery of the Plains Indian in 1982 and refurbished it in 2017. It is considered to be the genesis of The Red Earth festival held annually in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Before the Colony Gallery was establish, Yvonne Kauger held many Native American mini gallery exhibitions in her Edmond home.
Currently, the Gallery features a permanent exhibit of the Colony Pow Wow, by Terry Zinn, which was first exhibited in 1986, at the Omniplex in Oklahoma City, and dedicated to John and Alice Kauger by the photographer. His photographs of the Red Earth festival are also on display, by the difficult in the camera double exposure technique to illicit a spiritual nature. As a consequence of serendipity, Ann Shadlo, the mother of Harvey Pratt, appears in full regalia in one of the Pow wow photos.
Terry Zinn currently holds the distinct pleasure of being the only artist to have a permanent collection installed in the Gallery of the Plains Indian Art Gallery in Colony. Zinn is currently looking for a permanent home for his the other extensive Photographic portfolios of: the late Oklahoma International Artist, Harold Stevenson; Oklahoma Performer and Voice Professor, Florence Birdwell; and 4 seasons of 1980s Lyric Theater. His work has been exhibited in many Oklahoma venues including the State Capitol and has also appeared in many publications. His travel writing and photography were awarded recognition at both the 2004 and 2007 Travel Media Showcases.
In 1886, John Homer Seger brought the first Arapaho to Colony. The Cheyenne followed shortly thereafter. Ultimately, the federal government built a beautiful campus with over eighty structures for the first vocational agricultural school in the United States at Seger Colony which was completed in 1892. When the school closed in 1932, the Colony School District took over the site. It was one of the first entities to be placed on the National Historical Register. Today, only the water tower remains.
In the 1920s, Fred Kauger, a German from Russia immigrant who came to Colony in the 1890s, constructed several buildings on Seger Street. Today, only three of them remain. The reception is held in two of them with the Gallery of the Plains Indian next door in the old Post office.
Lonnie Yearwood, Colony Mayor and Great Grandson of John Homer Seger says, “Our goal is to renew a sense of community by attracting artists to use our town as a canvas, and as an inspiration for creativity.”

As you can see Colony, Oklahoma is turning into quite the destination for art and historical creations as an Art Colony. Colony, Oklahoma is only a short drive south of Weatherford, Oklahoma off Interstate 40.

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
www.okveterannews.comwww.martinitravels.com

SENIOR TALK: What are you looking forward to this Fall? Tealridge Retirement Community

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A change of weather and watching the grounds how they change. Jan Welch

It’s in March – but, we’ll be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. I think we’re going to make it. Nancy Markum

Ballgames with OU – football and then basketball season. Todd Markum

The only project I have going is feeding the ducks. Frank Kalies

How to Choose a Walk-in Bathtub

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Dear Savvy Senior, Because of my mobility problems, I’m thinking about getting a walk-in bathtub that’s easy to get into and out of but could use some help selecting one. What can you tell me about walk-in tubs, and can you recommend some good companies that make and install them?  Bubble Bath Betty

Dear Betty,
Walk-in tubs are a good option for mobility challenged seniors because they’re much easier to get into and out of than a standard tub, and will help prevent slips, trips and falls too. Here’s what you should know. The Basics
Walk-in bathtubs are uniquely designed tubs that have a watertight, hinged door built into the side of the tub that provides a much lower threshold to step over (usually 2.5 to 7 inches) versus a standard tub that’s around 15 inches.
In addition to the low threshold, most walk-in tubs also have a built-in seat, grab bars, anti-slip floors, anti-scald valves and a handheld showerhead. And many higher-end models offer therapeutic spa-like features that are great for seniors with arthritis and other ailments.
The kind of tub you choose will depend on your needs, preferences and budget, and the size and layout of your bathroom. The cost of a walk-in tub today with professional installation ranges anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000. Here are some other things you’ll need to consider, to help you make a good choice.
Tub size: Walk-in bathtubs vary in size. Most models have high walls between three and four feet high, and are between 28 and 32 inches wide, but will fit into the same 60-inch long space as your standard tub without having to reconfigure the room. There are also bariatric walk-in tubs that have wider door openings and larger seats to accommodate people over 300 pounds.
Wheelchair-accessible: Most walk-in tubs have an inward opening door, but if you use a wheelchair, an outward opening door may be a better option because they’re easier to access.
Tub options: The most basic and least expensive type of walk-in tub you can get is a simple soaker tub. But depending on your preferences, you have many other options like an aerotherapy (air jets) tub, hydrotherapy (whirlpool water jets) tub, aromatherapy tub that mixes fragrant essential oils with the water, or a combination tub that has multiple features. Also, look for tubs that have an in-line heating system to keep your bathwater warm while you soak.
Fast fill and drain: One drawback to using a walk-in bathtub is that the bather must sit in the tub as it fills and drains, which can make for a chilly experience. To help with this, consider a tub that has fast-filling faucets and pump-assisted drainage systems, which significantly speed up the process. But these options may require some plumbing modifications to your bathroom.
Easy cleaning: Keeping the tub clean should be a priority, especially if you get a therapy tub because of the bacteria that can grow in it. So, look for tubs with self-cleaning systems.
Warranty: The best walk-in bathtubs on the market today are made in the USA. Also make sure the company you choose has a lifetime “leak-proof” door seal warranty and lengthy warranties on both the tub and the operating system.
Where to shop: While there are many companies that make, sell and install walk-in bathtubs, some of the best in the industry are American Standard (AmericanStandard-us.com), Safe Step (SafeStepTub.com) and Kohler (KohlerWalkinBath.com). Most companies offer financing with monthly payment plans.
Unfortunately, original Medicare does not cover walk-in bathtubs nor do Medicare supplemental (Medigap) policies, but some Medicare Advantage plans may help pay. There are also many states that offer Medicaid waivers that will help pay for the purchase and installation of a walk-in tub to those that qualify, and the VA offers some programs that provide financial aid too.
To get started, contact a few companies who will send a local dealer to your home to assess your bathroom and give you product options and estimates for free.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Never Forget: Santa Market keeps growing

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Joan Clarke and family have turned the Santa Market Craft Show into a highly-anticipated event that benefits Alzheimer’s research.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

Ten years now and closing in on $100,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research and Joan Clarke knows her mission is nowhere near complete.
It’s been 12 years since Alzheimer’s claimed Clarke’s husband.
And for the past decade she’s used the Santa Market Craft Show to honor his memory and push the needle forward on Alzheimer’s research.
“Our family has taken to do this as a positive response to a horrific disease,” Clarke said recently on the anniversary of her husband’s death. “The kids work. The spouses work. Even the grandkids work handing out bags.”
“For us it helps. I like to hope we’re helping other people and making a difference.”
It’s estimated that every 65 seconds another person learns they have the terminal condition which robs them of their identities.
While the disease keeps growing – now registering as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States – the support for the Santa Market Craft Show benefiting Alzheimer’s research is booming.
LONG TIME COMING
For the past nine years the Santa Market has been housed in the Downtown Edmond Community Center.
The show proudly boasted 18 vendor tables that first year.
“We were just a little show trying to get started,” said Clarke, who organizes the event with daughter Megan Nye and Megan’s mother-in-law Molly.
Last year the event took up the entire upstairs, downstairs and – with 101 vendors – poured onto the lawn of the community center in Edmond.
According to the family’s best estimates some 4,000 people attended last year’s market, which focuses on hand-made items perfect for holiday giving.
A new venue was a must so Clarke decided to “go big or go home” and booked space at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
The Pavilion Building will host this year’s Santa Market Craft Show on November 23 beginning at 9 a.m.
Sponsors have already responded, footing the bill for both admission and parking for attendees.
“We’ve never jumped the gun. We’ve steadily progressed,” Clarke says. “We’ve steadily gotten more sponsors, steadily gotten more people involved and raised more money each year.”
“I feel like we’re paced ourselves really well.”
The steady growth has resulted in some $93,000 raised for Alzheimer’s research. Clarke said the event has already raised $4,000 in sponsorship including Diamond Level Sponsorship by Oklahoma’s Senior News and Living.
By the end of October Clarke already had commitments from 190 vendors scheduled to fill 270 10×10 booths.
From three people running a craft show raising $3,000 in its first year to a year-round, 501(c)3 organization that earned $23,000 for Alzheimer’s last year the Santa Market continues to grow.
A silent auction featuring items like Kendra Scott jewelry to a weekend package at Lake Texhoma serve as top earners.
“We are extremely blessed,” Clarke said. “We get help from so many people. It just never ceases to amaze me. People want to help. They want to donate. They want to be involved.”
“Literally, it’s not just a craft show it’s so many people getting on board with us.”
STAGGERING NUMBERS
The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s is growing — and growing fast. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, an estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s.
This number includes an estimated 5.6 million people age 65 and older and approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
* One in 10 people age 65 and older (10 percent) has Alzheimer’s dementia.
* Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women.
* Older African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
* Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.
As the number of older Americans grows rapidly, so too will the number of new and existing cases of Alzheimer’s. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer’s dementia may grow to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow or cure Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s been 12 years since Clarke’s husband has passed and his memory this time of year is even stronger.
“You would think you would get good at these things but you don’t,” Clarke said, wiping back tears. “This never ever stops for us.”

NOV/DEC AARP Drivers Safety

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Date/ Day/ Location/ Time/ Registration #/ Instructor

Nov 2/ Saturday/ Newcastle/ 8:30 am – 3 pm/ 392-4466/ Palinsky
1st Baptist Church Newcastle – 1650 N. Main
Nov 7/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Varacchi
Integris 3rd Age Center – 5100 N. Brookline Ave., Suite 100
Nov 8/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas Ave., Suite B-10
Nov 9/ Saturday/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3 pm/ 473-8239/ Williams
First Christian Church – 11950 E. Reno Ave.
Nov 14/ Thursday/ Norman/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 307-3177/ Palinsky
Norman Regional Hospital – 901 N. Porter Ave.
Dec 5/ Thursday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Varacchi
Integris 3rd Age Center – 5100 N. Brookline Ave., Suite 100
Dec 12/ Thurs/ Midwest City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 473-8239/ Williams
Midwest City Senior Center – 8251 E. Reno
Dec 13/ Friday/ Okla. City/ 9 am – 3:30 pm/ 951-2277/ Palinsky
S.W. Medical Center – 4200 S. Douglas Ave., Suite B-10

The prices for the classes are: $15 for AARP members and $20 for Non-AARP. Call John Palinsky, zone coordinator for the Oklahoma City area at 405-691-4091 or send mail to: [email protected]

“THE SOCIAL MEDIA BRAIN” FEATURED TOPIC OF NEURO NIGHT FORUM

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“The Social Media Brain” is the topic for November’s Neuro Night forum, scheduled at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19.
This months’ forum will include a panel of three invited speakers, including:
· Bill Lovallo, Ph.D., professor, VA Medical Center
· Dave Sherry, Ph.D., associate professor, OU College of Medicine
· Alex Yeganeh., graduate student, Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience
The panelists will discuss how social media in its various evolving forms can affect the brain and nervous system and how applications based in social media may enhance brain function. Spectators will have the opportunity to ask questions.
The forum is part of the Neuro Night series sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, a consortium of neuroscientists from across the state that serves as a research center and information resource at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. The series is aimed at improving neurological health through education and the sharing of information about research and access to care.
A light dinner will be served at no cost to participants beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will be held at 1404 N.W. 122nd St., Oklahoma City. It is held in collaboration with The Fountains at Canterbury.
For more information or to arrange accommodations, call (405) 271-6267 or visit the center’s website at www.oumedicine.com/ocns.

Get Ready for Electric Scooters: Who is Responsible?

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By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Fall is finally here in Oklahoma. Between the golden leaves and cool crisp air, you will begin to see electric scooters flooding the city streets. These rental scooters can be found along the curb in hundreds of U.S. cities including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, and Stillwater. Before you download the app and hop on, there are a few things you should know to protect yourself.
According to Consumer Reporters, eight people in the U.S. have died while using a rent-by-the-minute dockless electric scooter since the fall of 2017. One of those deaths was a 5-year-old boy who was riding with his mother in Tulsa in April. Along with numerous injuries, these deaths highlight the potential dangers of the scooters. Understanding the insurance implications related to electric scooters will help you make responsible decisions. Your health insurance could help defray the cost of medical bills in case of an accident. But what if you are riding a scooter and you hit a pedestrian, damage someone’s property or cause a car accident? You might think your auto insurance would kick in; however, most car insurance doesn’t generally cover vehicles with less than four wheels. Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance may cover an accident that occurs on a traditional bicycle, but it does not cover motorized bike or scooter trips.
The two largest scooter companies in the United States generally place the responsibility for accidents on riders by listing in their rental agreements that riders relieve the companies of liability. You must agree to those terms before you can ride. And despite the scooter companies’ liability insurance, responsibility for damages is likely to fall on your shoulders because of the terms and conditions agreed upon when you downloaded the app.
What can you do to protect yourself? Call your insurance agent. You may be able to add an umbrella policy to your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. An umbrella policy can cover more scenarios and include higher limits for coverage than a typical policy.
There are a few other ways to protect yourself on an e-scooter.
Wear a helmet: While it is not required by law in Oklahoma to wear a helmet while riding a scooter or a bicycle, it is highly recommended.
* Operate the scooter in right-hand lanes and bike lanes where possible: Your agreement with your scooter rental company will tell you to use streets and bike lanes. Riding motorized scooters on sidewalks is illegal in most cities, and you can be cited for doing so. Know where you can ride before you hop on. * Keep your eyes on the road: You may be tempted to share photos or videos of your new adventure on social media while operating. Always pay attention to the road. * Inspect the scooter before you ride: Check to make sure the brakes are working properly before taking off.
I’m encouraging everyone who plans to ride an electric scooter, to get ready. Know your coverage. Anticipate what could happen, and know what your insurance will and won’t cover. And most importantly, be careful.

You can also watch my recent ride on an e-scooter on the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s YouTube channel.

If you have questions about other insurance issues, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

ZOO SALUTES: NOVEMBER IS MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH AT THE OKC ZOO

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Free Zoo admission offered to active duty, veteran members of the military all month

November is Military Appreciation Month at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, and as a thank you for their service, the Zoo is honoring active duty, retired and veteran members of the military, National Guard and Reserves with free general admission for the entire month. Plus, up to four immediate family members of qualifying individuals will receive 50% off of general Zoo admission on date of visit. Military members must show valid military ID to receive complimentary admission.
“Our servicemen and women put their lives on the line for us and it’s an honor to recognize their sacrifice and welcome them to the Zoo,” said Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo CEO/executive director. “We want to offer those who have been away from their families for months at a time a great experience and a chance to rediscover their connection to nature and their connections to one another.”
Military members will also enjoy 40% off concessions and merchandise at the Zoo’s Safari Gift Shop and get $10 off all available Wild Encounter behind-the-scenes experiences. Plus, they can save on the Zoo’s premiere ticket options:
· Zoo-It-All (access to rides, experiences, feedings and shows): $16/adult, child and senior (Mon.-Sun.)
· Ride-It-All (access to train, carousel and tram): $10/adult, child and senior (Fri.-Sun.)
Also during November, Zoo guests can show their wildlife pride with an exclusive red, white and blue bison conservation wristband. The bison is America’s National Mammal and a guest favorite at the Zoo’s Oklahoma Trails habitat. The limited-edition design is exclusively available during Military Appreciation Month. The conservation wristband is $2 with 100% of proceeds supporting the Zoo’s Round Up for Conservation program.
The Zoo is proud to support military members the rest of the year with a 50% discount on general admission to all veterans, active duty, active reserves and retirees of the military (with valid military ID). This discount does not apply to children or dependents of veterans, active duty, active reserves or retirees of the military.
The Zoo salutes service with Military Appreciation Month this November! Located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35, the Oklahoma City Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Stay up-to-date with the Zoo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube by visiting Our Stories. Zoo fans can support the OKC Zoo by becoming Oklahoma Zoological Society members at ZOOfriends.org or in-person at the Zoo! To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.org.

When it comes to selfies, I’m no Elizabeth Warren

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Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author.

by Greg Schwem

Elizabeth Warren, exactly what do you eat for breakfast?
There must be something in your cereal, your eggs, your breakfast smoothie, or whatever it is you start your day with, that allows you to take selfies with strangers for four hours AFTER you’ve completed the stump speech that you hope propels you to the nation’s highest office in 2020.
If I posed for that many photos, my first act as president would be to lock myself in the White House, alone, and not come out for four years. Want my signature on a bill? Just slip it under the Oval Office door and wait patiently. Eventually, I’ll push it back out. Along with an executive order banning selfies.
In your case, calling the photos “selfies” is misleading, for it implies that every one of your fans held their own phones, extended their arms, took the pictures themselves, viewed them with disappointing looks and said, “Wait, can we do one more? In landscape mode?”
Your loyal subjects hand their phones to a staff member who takes the photos. Other celebrities use similar methods. Two years ago, I was one of 1,500 fans who waited in a Chicago bookstore for over three hours simply to meet and take a photo with Bruce Springsteen. A member of The Boss’ security team took my iPhone and held the photo button down continuously for about five seconds. I was left with 10 pics, including one of Springsteen welcoming his next fan while my rear end exited the stage. I deleted that one.
Truthfully, I’ve never understood the desire to take, and post, photos of oneself, regardless of the background or situation. Several times a year I open my social media feeds to find someone has snapped a “hospital bed selfie,” taken just before the subject sees an emergency room physician or undergoes an operation. Invariably, the photos are accompanied with text such as, “Guess where I am?” as if the hospital gown wasn’t a clue. Seriously, what kind of medication makes a person think, “Hmmm, I have a tube in my nose, a needle in my arm and all my body hair has been shaved. DAMN, I LOOK GOOD!”
But the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities and come away with proof is a different story. My Bruce pic is on my office wall and elicits cries of, “Whoa, you met Springsteen?” from most who see it. Mere seconds after taking the photo, I posted it to all my social media feeds and happily read the comments expressing awe and jealousy. I’m sure 1,499 others were doing the same thing that day.
So, Sen. Warren, I understand your strategy. The more pics of you floating around cyberspace with everyday Americans, the greater your likability. I doubt President Trump even knows what a selfie is. Then again, it’s impossible to snap a photo while simultaneously tweeting and golfing.
But senator, are you sure this is the right strategy? With all those people waiting in line, chances are excellent at least one of them is a pedophile, a Ponzi scheme creator or a future school shooter. In 1978, after serial murder John Wayne Gacy was arrested, a photo emerged of him posing with First Lady Rosalynn Carter, taken just seven months prior. Oops.
Of course, you can’t possibly know the backgrounds of everyone waiting to smile with you, but would that stop vicious memes from circulating? Would it stop the hosts at Fox News from plastering that photo onscreen every time they mention your name? Doubtful.
I have yet to decide who among the Democratic candidates will receive my vote. But Sen. Warren, I do admire your grass-roots approach, not to mention your stamina. If you win, thousands upon thousands of Americans will be able to say they met the president of the United States.
Let’s hope they all know how to back up their iPhones.
(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at Amazon.com. Visit Greg on the web at www.gregschwem.com.) (c) 2019 GREG SCHWEM. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC

Breast Cancer: Know the Facts

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by Dr. C.V Ramana

Cancer is an abnormal or uncontrolled growth of cells that can occur in almost any part of our bodies. Sometimes the abnormal growth is a result of a mutation in our genes that we inherit from our parents. In some cases, it is due to a mutation or alteration in our DNA in our lifetimes. This mutation can occur after we are conceived, due to exposure to radiation, harmful ultraviolet light from our sun, harmful chemicals in our atmosphere, in our water, in our food or from smoking or chewing tobacco. Sometimes it develops as a result of chronic overstimulation of cells due to longstanding inflammation or infection.
Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of cells in breast tissue. It can occur in both men and women but is much more common in women. There are many different types of breast cancer due to the multiple types of cells in the breast tissue. The type of cancer depends on the cells that are growing abnormally. This can happen in the lobules which make breast milk, the ducts which transport the milk, or in the surrounding supportive tissue of the breast.
Who is at risk for developing breast cancer?
There is a very strong component of inheritance or family history of breast cancer. The most well-known inherited examples are the BRCA1 gene and BRCA2 genes (which we inherit). These genes code for a protein that helps repair DNA. The presence of this mutation markedly increases the risk of developing breast cancer. An individual with the mutation in either of these genes has a 70% risk of developing breast cancer.
What is the likelihood of developing breast cancer in our lifetime?
In the United States, about 1 in 8 (or 12%) of women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. For men, the lifetime risk is 1 in 1000. Early diagnosis is very important so that it can be treated when it is small and contained in a small area in the breast. Breast cancer is not easy to detect early. Screening is essential.
Screening methods include breast self-exam, healthcare professional exam, mammography, ultrasound, MRI, genetic screening for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, and known family history of breast cancer.
How is it treated?
Treatment depends on the type of breast cancer, its aggressiveness (how fast it grows, how fast it spreads, and how it spreads), its size at time of diagnosis, and staging (identifying whether, and where it has metastasized in our bodies). Staging involves diagnostic testing such as mammography, ultrasound, MRI, CT scan, PET scan, Bone scans. Biopsy is an essential part of the diagnosis. A biopsy is done to confirm its presence, the type of cancer, and its aggressiveness. This may also help identify what type of treatment is likely to be most effective.
Treatment methods include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Lumpectomy is the surgical removal of the area around the tumor. Mastectomy is the surgical removal of one or both breasts and axillary dissection is the removal of the lymph nodes or glands and lymphatic tissue in the arm pit. Chemotherapy treatment most commonly involves a combination of pills and intravenous infusions of medicines that have been shown to be effective at killing the abnormal cells. Experimental techniques include targeting the abnormal cells through antibodies and “killer cells” that are engineered to recognize and attack the abnormal cells. Radiation therapy is the treatment by exposure to high doses of x-rays (far higher than the amount used in diagnostic imaging) to the area of the cancer.
Breast cancer is usually treated through a team approach and can include radiologists, surgeons, and oncologists (cancer specialist). Through prevention, early detection, and treatment there are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Dr. C.V Ramana is a vascular and interventional radiologist with more than 20 years of practice experience. He has expertise in all areas of vascular and interventional radiology. Dr. Ramana has a Ph.D from Yale University and MD from CWRU in Cleveland, Ohio where he subsequently completed his fellowship in Vascular and Interventional Radiology at the Cleveland Clinic.
NAADI HEALTH is located at 1 NW 64th Street in Oklahoma City. Call (405)-608-8884 or visit https://naadihealthcare.com

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