First Responders Health Resource

Thursday, September 7, 2023

NATIONAL ADVOCACY HONORS BREAST CANCER IMAGING LEGEND

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL CANCER ADVOCACY GROUP RECOGNIZES BARD DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH FOR ADVANCEMENTS IN DENSE BREAST IMAGING

8/28/2023- Joseph Cappello, Sr. National Advisor for breast cancer initiatives with the Integrative Cancer Resource Alliance, presented the 2023 ICRA Cancer Research & Innovations award to cancer imaging specialist Dr. Robert Bard.

With over 200 nominations for the award, Dr. Bard was recognized for his lifetime of achievements in support of non-invasive screening of dense breast tissue. Mr.Cappello delivered the award with fellow executives Donna Johnson (Pres. Of Are You Dense Foundation) and Marion Bradley (Pres. Of Are You Dense Advocacy Foundation from Woodbury CT to personally honor Dr. Bard at his midtown NYC practice for his life's work. Since 2019, Mr. Cappello's Are You Dense Advocacy Foundation succeeded in helping to pass National legislation to federally mandate breast screening centers to address the dense breast crisis with the ultrasound complement. Mr Cappello's commitment to enforce this legislation nationally, started with his wife, the late Dr. Nancy M. Cappello who passed away due to complications with her late stage breast cancer treatment.

Since 1979, Dr. Bard's radiology practice clinically promoted and published the critical need for using ultrasound breast imaging as a supplemental scan alongside regularly scheduled mammograms. (It is noted that ultrasound scans are able to detect growths and tumors behind dense tissue, what mammograms tend to miss). At the time, no regulatory standard enforced the need for this 2nd scan, attributing to many undetected breast cancer tumors concealed by dense breast tissue. With the rise of breast cancer cases throughout the country, Dr. Bard's theories about dense breast imaging has taken root with a growing population of OB-GYNs and Imaging specialists.

On a related note, in January of 2023- ARE YOU DENSE ADVOCACY continued to pursue the public importance of patients receiving their own personal medical information about the condition of their breast health. This initiative directs the Food and Drug Administration to ensure that mammography reports and summaries received by patients and their providers include appropriate information about breast density specified by the law. This also includes at a minimum, the effect of breast density in masking the presence of breast cancer on a mammogram. The qualitative assessment of the provider who interpreted the mammogram, and a reminder to patients that individuals with dense breast tissue should talk with their providers if they have any questions or concerns about their summary. From a prior report (3/28/2019) the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA announced changes to the MQSA (Mammography Quality Standards Act) to include reporting of dense breast tissue to the patient- by and large, thanks to the Are You Dense Advocacy Foundation.

"Decades since the advent of breast scanning technology, a growing list of real-time innovations in non-invasive diagnostic imaging provide new options in the field of early detection", states Dr. Bard. "These technologies directly align with breast density screening that can easily and affordably complement a woman's regular mammography appointment. By hybridizing the imaging process, we can safely combine diagnostic modalities and improve the assessment of disease and guide therapeutic procedures."

According to a 12/13/2022 press release, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and award-winning journalist Katie Couric introduced their legislation, the Find It Early Act. This bill would ensure all health insurance plans cover screening and diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds and MRIs with no cost-sharing. “It means a great deal to me to join Katie Couric, Congressman Fitzpatrick, and all of the breast cancer advocates here to talk about what we must do to detect breast cancer early and save women’s lives,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. (See complete feature)

"Dr. Bard will go down in medical history as one of the earliest change-makers in our crusade to improve women's early detection programs. His innovative approach to combine technologies makes him a true visionary for the next generation of cancer professionals... by standing his ground about the crisis and aiding in (what is now) a national legislation to save more lives!", states Mr. Cappello.

Video News Release: Innovations in Early Detection

"Are You Dense?" Foundation Co-founder Joe Cappello joins the medical diagnostic community to promote the "Get Checked Now!" campaign. Dr. Robert Bard from the Bard Cancer Center (NYC) supports supplemental imaging including the 3D Doppler Ultrasound scanner to offer dense breast detection. This video presents some of the latest advancements in ultrasound features to detect tumors through dense breast tissue- reportedly a significant challenge with mammograms.

THE LEGACY OF DR. NANCY CAPPELLO
In 2014, Imaging Technology News (ITN) introduced breast cancer survivor-turned-crusader Dr. Nancy Cappello and her story about having dense breast tissue leading to a late-stage cancer. A false negative mammography scan (diagnosed in 2004) concealed a large 2.5 cm suspicious lesion, which was later confirmed to be stage 3c breast cancer. This same cancer had metastasized to 13 lymph nodes. This sparked Dr. Cappello to create the "Are You Dense?" Foundation- an international awareness crusade to better support dense breast diagnostics and initiatives pass legislation to enact laws requiring mammography centers to inform patients about their breast density and the associated cancer risks. Dr. Cappello passed away on Nov 15, 2018, from secondary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a bone marrow cancer that was a complication of her prior aggressive breast cancer treatments. But she ignited a legacy of fighting for improved policies, imaging technologies and advanced research to better address this health crisis that puts the est. 40% of the female population (women with dense breasts) at risk of a false negative reading.

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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Eight Tips to Suppress a Cough from Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR)

Written by: Marilyn Abrahamson, MA,CCC-SLP, CBHC Speech-Language Pathologist and Amen Clinics Certified Brain Health Coach

Note: It's important to note that all of the techniques below should be used in conjunction with medical advice from a healthcare professional. Despite the fact that medications are available that can often be helpful in treating GERD and LPR, coughing and throat clearing associated with the conditions can be difficult to treat, and may persist. For this reason, the suggestions below can be helpful in addition to treatment by a doctor, not as a replacement for medical care.

INTRODUCTION: You may be surprised to be reading an article about a topic that involves gastroesophageal reflux written by a brain health coach. I also have 36 years of experience as a medical speech-language pathologist treating individuals with GERD and LPR, giving me the expertise to speak on this topic.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is a result of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease(GERD). GERD happens when stomach acid flows back up into your throat, into the area that houses the vocal cords, and even into your upper airway. With GERD, the acid can feel like a liquid, however, with LPR, this acid rises up from your stomach as an acidic gas. As a gas, it’s easy to inhale, irritating your upper airway and vocal cords. That irritation is what triggers the need to clear your throat or cough persistently, which becomes disruptive and uncomfortable over time and can also cause vocal cord damage.

First things first, learn all you can about GERD and LPR. In order to improve any medical condition, it’s important to become thoroughly educated about the condition itself. That’s why you should always begin by talking to your doctor. Education will help you to understand the condition, as well as the rationale behind recommendations offered by your doctor or speech pathologist, or even the techniques offered in this article. Take the time to research LPR and its triggers, especially to understand the connection between reflux and cough.

Eight techniques you can do to help suppress persistent cough and throat-clearing with LPR:

Force yourself to wait it out: Think of a cough as you would an itchy mosquito bite. Everyone knows how scratching the itch feels helpful in the short term, but the itch is back with a vengeance only a few seconds later - and then you’re scratching it again. If you have the discipline to sit on your hands and resist the increasingly desperate urge to scratch the mosquito bite, the desire to scratch it will begin to gradually fade away within a very long minute or two. A cough with LPR can often feel the same way. Resisting the urge is difficult, but doable. Try this technique on its own, or add one or more of the following suggestions as well.

Just breathe: By learning how to breathe through the desire to cough or throat-clear, you can essentially shut down the trigger. As soon as you feel the need to cough or clear your throat building, try inhaling through your nose using a slow and controlled breath, swallowing at the top. Then, exhale just as slowly, again through your nose. Focus on this breathing technique, continuing for as long as it takes for the cough trigger to fade.

Swallow the cough: Another cough suppression technique involves taking a swallow or sip of water whenever you feel the urge to cough, as swallowing can help suppress the cough reflex.

Mind your voice: Coughing and throat-clearing can give your vocal cords a beating, especially when it’s happening throughout the day, every day. This can cause your voice to become hoarse or raspy from the irritation, and put you at a higher risk for developing vocal nodules or polyps. With symptoms of LPR, it’s important to learn to use the "easy onset" technique for speaking. That means keeping your voice soft and even so you don’t irritate your vocal cords while talking. Also, it’s important to avoid forceful throat clearing, as it can exacerbate the irritation.

To further protect the vocal cords from persistent throat-clearing, it’s important to learn about controlled throat-clearing methods. This is important because sometimes, throat clearing is necessary to clear mucous from the upper airway. Mucous is formed as a barrier protection, so the more coughing you do, the more mucous you will ultimately need to clear. For controlled throat clearing, try doing a gentle, voiceless throat clear that lasts about 1 second, and is done repeatedly until the mucous is cleared. A trained, speech-language pathologist can demonstrate this for you.

Stand up straight: Maintaining proper posture and body alignment is essential to reduce pressure on the stomach and minimize reflux. When seated, position yourself in a chair with your shoulders back and your shoulder blades pressed down. When standing, stand with your back straight, shoulders back, and pressed down. Healthy body alignment can help promote good digestion and reduce the likelihood of reflux-related symptoms.

Watch what you’re eating: Collaborate with a dietitian to develop a reflux-friendly diet plan that’s right for you. Certain foods and beverages can trigger reflux, leading to coughing episodes and throat-clearing. These can include citrus fruits, tomato sauce, red wine, and many more. By identifying and avoiding the foods and beverages that act as triggers for you, you may be able to reduce the frequency of the need to cough and clear your throat. In addition, a healthy diet can also foster a more healthy weight, which may reduce symptoms of GERD and LPR as well.

Stay hydrated: Adequate hydration can help alleviate throat irritation caused by LPR, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day, which can help keep the throat moisturized and soothe irritation.

Coat your throat: If it helps, you may also supplement the use of these techniques with throat lozenges, sprays, or warm, non-caffeinated liquids to provide temporary relief and soothe the throat. These products can help create a protective coating over the irritated tissues, reducing the urge to cough.

Final thoughts: It's important for you to work closely with your doctor, which may include a gastroenterologist or otolaryngologist, to ensure a comprehensive and effective treatment plan. Remember, everyone’s situation is unique, so the techniques you use should be tailored to your specific needs. A speech-language pathologist can help you implement the techniques and suggestions that are most appropriate for you.

MARILYN ABRAHAMSON, MA, CCC-SLP-CBHC : As a Brain Health Education Specialist at Ceresti Health, Marilyn offers initiatives that support the education and empowerment of family caregivers. Her latest endeavor is co-owner of BrainThrive Consulting and co-creator of the ©Long Live Your Brain program, a fun and friendly online group brain coaching and training program for people striving for more reliable memory, attention, and clearer thinking. Marilyn's prior work is as a NJ Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1987 and is an Amen Clinics Certified Brain Health Coach.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

COUSIN SAL GOES "WHOLE-BODY" WITH LATEST MRI

8/8/2023- Ret. FDNY Sal Banchitta signs in to experience his Whole Body MRI from Prenuvo, NYC- a state of the art imaging company founded out of Vancouver, Canada.

As one of the founding cancer awareness producers of NYCRA (NY Cancer Resource Alliance) and F.A.C.E.S. (Firefighters Against Cancers & Exposures), Mr. Banchitta gladly accepted the invitation to receive this complete body scan as part of his pursuit for a reliable base line for future scans and a preventive measure against cancer.

"My mission alongside my fellow advocates is to learn about the latest modalities in diagnostics and treatment to bring awareness about cancer resources to the rescue community", says Sal. "There are so many solutions out there now... they range in success, reliability and potential controversy. I just want to see us all have the right tools for the battle against cancer with the best possible support for anyone facing this life challenge!"

On April 27, Prenuvo (the company pioneering proactive whole-body imaging for the early detection of cancer and other diseases) announced the opening of their first New York City clinic. With this expansion, New Yorkers will now have access to the fastest, safest, non-invasive whole-body screening on the market so that they can take control of their health and seek proactive solutions. Dr. Robert Bard was one of the first New Yorkers lined up to experience the Prenuvo MRI firsthand.

As a seasoned cancer imaging specialist, Dr. Bard found great benefit in the concept of a full-body scan. "Unlike the many MRI's without contrast of almost every part of my body over the years, this was actually an interactive and possibly enjoyable experience. In addition to not having to worry about getting a contrast infusion, the fact that it was getting so much of the body minus the hands and feet offers an excellent overview. Because disease in one part of the body may cascade dysfunction in other parts of the body, the developers of this full body scan offers a diagnostic solution to address this. For example, a gallstone can drop into the pelvis, or an ovarian tumor can spread to the axilla or a melanoma of the calf can metastasize to the brain. The idea of full body imaging to rule out any kind of metastatic disease or primary disease like an aneurysm or an unsuspected kidney cancer is very important."

Communications Lead Christine Alabastro coordinated a mini-documentary film project around Sal's experience with Prenuvo- to be aired on NYCRA-TV, Responder Resilience News and other responder channels. "Sal has an inspiring story and a deep commitment to advocate for early detection and proactive care to the fire service."

Prenuvo’s cutting-edge whole-body scans are based on 10+ years of clinical work while curating the biggest data set of whole-body MRI scans in the world. Unlike conventional MRIs, which take hours and often involve contrast injections, Prenuvo scans for 500+ conditions, including most solid tumors which can be detected as early as stage 1, in addition to aneurysms, cysts, and more – all without radiation, in under an hour.

Both Sal Banchitta and Dr. Bard are top ranking speakers and founding promoters of the "Get Checked NOW!" program of NYCRA. Sal is just one of the many tens of thousands of patients of referring physicians who recognized the value of this imaging advancement. His pursuit to test driving this and other cancer detection protocols are partly due to a predisposition of cancer in his family. Added to his list of motivating factors to staying proactive is a longstanding career in fire rescue and his tenure at (9/11) Ground Zero. "Finding answers about what's in our bodies is so critical... especially having been exposed to so many toxins in our lives. No news is good news but if we catch the bad news ahead of time, addressing something like cancer stands a better chance of success!"

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COUSIN SAL BANCHITTA'S REPORT ON THE PRENUVO EXPERIENCE, VISIT: www.COUSINSAL.org

Reprised from: Friday, April 21, 2023

The Whole Body Movement (Part 2)- Meet THE THERALIGHT

In our continued search for the next voice in support of Integrative and Functional wellness, our editors opted to follow the trail of innovative (or "alternative") healing technologies to the doorsteps of those who truly believe in their benefits. In this case, an early report featuring Dr. Jennifer Stagg and her use of the THERALIGHT 360 prompted us to meet other therapists to get more insight in its clinical uses.

HEALTH VISIONARY SPOTLIGHT

Meet Dr. Scott Schaeffer of Westchester Total Health (Mt Kisco, NY). His treatment approach, in addition to spinal manipulation includes a wide array of modalities and physiotherapy. In our discussion about the Theralight 360 device (and other near-infrared technologies), we covered his holistic and integrative approach to bringing full-body wellness to his patients. Dr. Schaeffer identified his commitment to researching for the latest proven innovations to address soft-tissue injuries, musculoskeletal dysfunction and other inflammatory conditions that his patients commonly present with. "There's so much out there", he started. Learning about these new healing concepts, "whatever I can use within my scope of practice to help people safely and

non-invasively... I'm going to find it!"

Transcript from the interview with Dr. Scott Schaffer (4/19/2023)

The Theralight 360 is one of the few full-body red light therapy units on the market. Other common terms for red light therapy are photobiomodulation (PBM), low level laser therapy, cold laser therapy or near infrared red therapy (NIR). In a nutshell, red light therapy is scientifically supported to benefit and treat conditions caused by the pervasive suffix “itis”, more commonly known as INFLAMMATION. I purchased the Theralight 360 approximately 3+ years ago in search of more for my patients. I do a lot of good with conventional chiropractic work, but there's always evolving treatment options out there in the therapeutic and clinical world. You just have to do a little digging and climbing to find it. I first learned about the growing use of red light therapy (light-emitting diodes and laser diodes) from an oral surgeon who used this technology to help expedite healing in post-surgical patients. He seemed to have great success with it, so I went on a red light therapy journey.

Source: theralight.com

Source: theralight.com

In an effort to find the best full-body red light pod on the market I traveled around the country experiencing the various units, their similarities and differences. I landed on what I felt was the best unit on the market and with little leap of faith I committed to buying my first; they're not cheap as you can imagine. Fellow practitioner and my wife Dr. Lisa Cavaliere also agreed that this was the ONE! So, we continued down the red light therapy path and we’ve been pleased ever since. From arthritis to skin conditions, anxiety to depression, poor sleep to immune support, pre-workout boosts to post-workout recovery the 360 degree red light therapy treatment covers just about everything, literally. Additionally, the Theralight 360 is non-invasive and safe, it’s comprised of some of the healthiest and most researched wavelengths of light in phototherapeutics.

See complete feature

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Brain Health Education and Training for First Responders (Part 1)

BRAIN WELLNESS SUPPLEMENTAL:
By Marilyn Abrahamson, MA,CCC-SLP-CBHC

First responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, face high-stress situations every day, putting immense pressure on their mental and physical well-being. The demanding nature of their jobs requires peak cognitive performance and quick decision-making abilities. With this in mind, brain health education and training are critical to ensure their cognitive function remains sharp, and to enable them to cope with their occupational challenges.

It is important to begin by offering instruction on lifestyle options that support a healthy brain. These brain-healthy lifestyle options include:

1) Mediterranean or MIND Diet: A brain-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, or the MIND diet, plays a pivotal role in supporting cognitive health. Rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins, both diets provide essential nutrients that promote brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, for example, have been associated with improved memory and cognitive performance. By adopting such a diet, first responders can properly nourish their brains, and enhance their ability to quickly and accurately process information while under stress.

2) Exercise: Regular physical activity has profound effects on brain health. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, delivering essential nutrients and oxygen crucial for optimal cognitive performance. Additionally, it stimulates the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety while improving mood and overall mental well-being. Incorporating exercise routines into their daily lives can enhance the cognitive resilience of first responders.

3) Sleep: Adequate sleep is vital for memory consolidation and cognitive restoration. The demanding and often irregular schedules of first responders can disrupt their sleep patterns, leading to cognitive fatigue and impaired decision-making. Educating them about the significance of sleep hygiene and stress-reduction techniques can improve their sleep quality, ensuring they remain mentally sharp and attentive during critical situations.

4) Stress Management: High-stress situations are an inherent part of a first responder's profession, leading to increased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Chronic stress can negatively impact the brain's structure and function, leading to cognitive decline over time. Implementing stress management techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and relaxation exercises can help mitigate the damaging effects of stress on the brain.

5) Lifelong Learning: Encouraging first responders to engage in lifelong learning activities fosters cognitive reserve. Cognitive reserve refers to the brain's ability to adapt and function effectively despite age-related changes or brain injuries. Pursuing continuing education, learning new skills, or engaging in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, language learning, or music can enhance cognitive flexibility and creativity, making them better equipped to handle complex and unpredictable situations.

6) Brain Training and Compensatory Strategy Education: In addition to brain-healthy lifestyle choices, targeted brain training programs can significantly improve cognitive function among first responders. Cognitive training focuses on enhancing specific cognitive abilities such as attention and memory through structured exercises and techniques.

7) Attention Training: First responders must maintain vigilant attention to assess situations rapidly and accurately. Cognitive training programs can help them develop sustained attention, allowing them to concentrate on critical details for prolonged periods without succumbing to distractions. These programs often include exercises involving visual and auditory stimuli, forcing responders to remain focused amidst external interruptions.

8) Memory Training: Memory lapses during high-pressure situations can have severe consequences. Memory training interventions can help first responders improve their short-term and working memory capacities. Techniques such as visualization, chunking, and mnemonic strategies can be employed to enhance memory encoding and retrieval, ensuring vital information is readily accessible when needed.

9) Compensatory Strategy Education: Cognitive training also involves instruction in compensatory strategies that empower first responders to work around potential cognitive limitations. These strategies include note-taking, time-management techniques, and organization skills. By incorporating these practices into their daily routines, responders can optimize their cognitive abilities and make more informed decisions under pressure.

MARILYN ABRAHAMSON, MA, CCC-SLP : As a Brain Health Education Specialist at Ceresti Health, Marilyn offers initiatives that supports education and empowerment of family caregivers. She also writes for and edits the Ceresti’s monthly newsletter and produces all brain health education and brain-health coaching programs for caregivers. Marilyn's prior work is as a NJ Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1987 and is an Amen Clinics Certified Brain Health Coach.

Monday, July 24, 2023

Mental Wellness Programs for Fire Departments

When it comes to mental health, first responders face unique challenges. The nature of their work exposes them to traumatic events, high stress levels, and prolonged exposure to intense situations. Yet, there's often a stigma surrounding seeking help, and many first responders hesitate to reach out due to concerns about appearing weak or the fear of career consequences, which may lead to a significant impact on their overall well-being.

Fortunately, dedicated individuals like Jason Corthell (Director of Ironclad Wellness and Division Chief, Fire Training in Harris, TX) are breaking down this stigma. Through his emotional wellness program created with Dr. Liz Fletcher, Jason aims to provide a safe space for first responders, providing in-house resources for mental health. By promoting self-care, education, and support, he's working to ensure that no one in the firefighting community suffers in silence.

Jason and his team have created documentation to facilitate a groundbreaking program for optimal mental wellness through chaplaincy, peer support and therapy. In this article, Jason details how his innovative emotional wellness program is transforming lives for those on the front lines.

Chief Corthell explains further:

First, I'd like to say that it costs a lot more to lose a firefighter than it does to provide these services for a firefighter. Think about the benefits that this can have for a department. I’d say an astronomical percentage of firefighter mental health struggles are at-home issues. If we can get these firefighters the help they need to solve the at-home issues, so they're not bringing work issues to home, and home issues to work in a negative way, then this is one hundred percent worth the investment. I think my fire chief would agree that when this program launched, he was skeptical at best, now he’s turned around 180 degrees, bought into it and is super excited about it.

What I found in my own mental health struggles is that the complication behind seeking help and finding resources was overwhelming, and it kept me from seeking help. Not only did we want to make the process uncomplicated for the firefighter, we also wanted to make it easy to duplicate and then share that with other departments. We don't want to just change the department, we want to change the fire service. So we came up with a common three pillar approach of chaplaincy, peer support and counseling.

Our chaplaincy program has two chaplains, and we have an 11-person peer support group. On the clinical side with professional counseling, we hit a home run right off the bat by going with a counseling group in our district. It seems easier for people to transition (if necessary) to a different counselor within a counseling center if one clinician isn't their type. They don't have to redo their insurance or registration or re-explain their issues. They can just say, “Hey, I'm not feeling this therapist, can I switch over to this other one I've heard good things about?”

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Probably the most unique approach that we've done is embedding counselors in the fire stations, where they conduct onsite appointments. This took away the need to make an appointment and miss work, and the insurance was already established.

The firefighters are already getting paid to be at the fire station. And so our men and women would walk in and say, “Hey, Tiffany, you got a second to talk out in the bay?” And they go out in the bay, and it might be 15 minutes, it might be an hour. My fire chief always jokes with me, “I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing that we have so many damn counseling appointments. Are we doing something right, or are we doing something wrong?” And I respond, “Just let it go, Chief!”.

When we found this counseling organization, we hit a home run. They're a 501c3 nonprofit, and work on a sliding scale. If a member did have to pay for an actual appointment, they decide the amount they can pay. We go through insurance because there is a bit of cost savings, as our insurance coverage pays for a portion of the appointment. Then we cover whatever the insurance doesn't. So if an appointment costs $70 and the insurance pays $40, we'll pay $30 to make up the difference.

Jason and Dr. Fletcher also created program documents, including procedures and guidelines. He explains the reason that they were necessary:

When I started this process, documentation was not out there, so we didn't have Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) to help us guide this process. We now have SOPs and SOGs for every element of behavioral health, peer support, chaplaincy, and our licensed professional counseling, and they outline expectations, and financial needs and wants.

Another document Jason’s team created is the Memorandum of Understanding with the licensed clinicians. This covers counseling appointments for the firefighter, counseling appointments for the firefighter's family, and play therapy for their kids. It also defines a mandatory quarterly training program for all members. Then it covers the financials and the embedment phase of the counselors.

We have an SOP for everything. If anyone out there needs those documents to help get you started, we would be more than happy to share them. I prefer to explain the documents first, so they don't get lost in translation. There are a lot of documents and if I put them on a website, and you print them, they'll probably sit on your desk for a bit. I can be reached via a phone, Zoom or in person and my email address is jason@ironcladwellness.com.

I won’t say that I have a hundred percent buy-in from all my folks on this program, but I've had some of the crustiest, crabby, hard-to-crack captains come to me and say, “We appreciate what you're doing, and this program is good!”

CONTRIBUTOR:

Chief Jason Corthell is a 4th generation firefighter who started his career in 2004. Jason is also a proud Marine Corps Veteran. Chief Corthell serves as the Division Chief of Training and the Wellness/Fitness Director for his department, and has a great passion for progressing mental wellness in first responder organizations based on his personal and professional battles and experiences. Jason is also in the beginning stages of writing his book, Disentanglement Division. For more info on Chief Corthell, visit: https://www.ironcladwellness.com

Public Service Announcement

Step into the world of real-life heroes with RESPONDER RESILIENCE, an insightful podcast that sheds light on the challenges and triumphs of firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, and law enforcement professionals. Hear firsthand accounts from our community's finest as they discuss critical issues on the job and share their experiences. Explore topics of mental and physical wellness with emergency services thought leaders, and get ready to be inspired and gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices and resilience of our responders. Tune in to RESPONDER RESILIENCE now!

RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT:

1st Responder Conferences is committed to the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of public safety professionals and we work with leaders in the public safety professions to make this possible. We recognize that first responders are our greatest asset, and we feel it is our responsibility to create a climate that supports wellness and resiliency.

We are dedicated to promoting awareness surrounding the difficulties of the profession and inspiring conversations that minimize the stigma associated with the stress our first responders' experience. We provide education, mental health tools and resources for agencies, individuals, and family members. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for all who dedicate themselves to protecting and serving others.

Our two-day multifaceted training and networking events are for all 1st Responders, Police, Fire, EMS, Dispatchers, Military/Veterans, Corrections, Coroners, Chaplains, Retired First Responders, Spouses, Professional staff, Clinicians, and all those who work in or around the Public Safety field.

Our training brings top-notch national resources to areas that wouldn't receive them otherwise. We also capitalize on a mix of local speakers / organizations that each area has to offer. By discussing the real 21st Century issues that are consistently faced by our first responders and their families, our conferences will provide awareness, resources, and tools to combat PTS, depression, suicide, addiction, stress, and overall wellness. Please visit our website at www.1stRC.org for more information.

The Major Occupational Hazard of Post Traumatic Recall (PTSD)

By: Dr. Robert L. Bard

High risk professions like law enforcement, military service, healthcare and emergency response are known to have exposure to some of the most extreme levels of trauma - both physically and psychologically. They range in effects from manageable symptoms to crippling disorders. Over time, most people overcome disturbing or traumatic experiences and continue to work and live their lives. But others who get affected by traumatic experiences may trigger a reaction that can last for months or even years. This is called Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Proportionately, studies have shown a lower percentage of retirees from such challenging careers acquire PTSD (from 15-20%) while an estimated 30-40% who suffer from PTSD associated symptoms go undetected or do not register as full cases. A larger percentage ‘on the job’ might be able to maintain the expected work standards throughout their career and even make it to retirement without visible signs. But “POST traumatic recall” leading to fully blown PTSD occurs when repeated exposure to trauma compounds on the tolerance capacity that eventually, one’s coping ability collapses. The individual may feel stages of grief, depression, anxiety, guilt or anger from uncontrollable issues like recurring flashbacks and nightmares. [1]

REVIEW OF POST TRAUMATIC RECALL

Field report by: Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya

PTSD can occur in all different extremes with at-risk professionals (like cops, responders and veterans). The trauma that they experience are above the ordinary that they could cause extreme flashbacks, anxiety and depression—heavily affecting their quality of life. The average civilian is also prone to this disorder starting with MICRO-TRAUMAS that can happen to everybody throughout any point in their lifetime. Usually stemmed from childhood issues, micro-traumas actually shape the way an individual reacts to other people. As an example, child bullying may lead to developing a protective or defensive personality disorder. Anytime they feel disrespected or embarrassed by others, feelings of extreme uncontrollable anger may arise without knowing the source of the hurt or why they're acting in that way. This dilemma often causes problems in relationships.

Similarly, a first responder who experiences extreme traumas like horrendous disasters may stick with them in a much harsher way that could lead to flashbacks that are hallucinatory. If gone unchecked or untreated, these symptoms (including auditory hallucinations) can get increasingly more intense and expand to other symptoms that can affect their daily functions. A common way that anxiety can debilitate a sufferer is from recurrent lack of sleep disrupted by bad dreams triggered by the traumatic event.

Enduring trauma is different and unique for everyone. Some cases are event-specific (having intense auditory impact or visual intensity of a terrifying event) while other cases are contingent upon the tolerance of an individual. There are people who are more emotionally expressive than others- and that might help with if they talk about the trauma that they've been through. A latent emotional disorder like PTSD symptoms can come out over time just like anything that is suppressed or repressed. It could take some time for somebody who came back from combat or a first responder who has been in a traumatic event to show signs of disturbance. They could be holding it in and repeatedly thinking about it privately (or ruminating over it) allowing the disturbing memories to get more intense by the day. This can often be a coping mechanism- protecting themselves from dark or negative feelings for a while, but eventually it builds up and can become symptomatic like flashbacks and anxiety, then leading to an eventual explosion. Meanwhile, some people just have flashbacks right after the experience because of the way that everybody's brain processes differently. Others obsess over thoughts that keep popping up over and over again. It really just depends on the person.

MEDTECH REVIEW: WHAT IS TMS?
The Modern Age of Non-Invasive Mental Health Innovations:
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

By: IPHA Editorial Team

In the continued expansion of the medical society to “go non-invasive” (or non-surgical) and the trending reassessment of interventional medications, the mental health community has acquired major tools in its toolbox to support clinical diagnostic and treatment efforts. In 2008, the FDA approved the first TMS Depression Device for Depression Treatment. In 2018, the FDA approved the marketing of Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) as adjunct therapy for of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Current reports have presented an est. 30% of depression cases have a resistance to antidepressant drugs, where Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and the application of Transcranially applied non-invasive neuro-magnetic intervention has shown positive results in combination with antidepressants in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
(See complete feature on TMS)

BRAIN HEALTH SERIES (Part 2): CONCUSSION EXPLAINED

Written by: Dr. Roberta Kline

Traumatic brain injuries can contribute to both short-term and long-term issues with cognitive function, but they can also impact emotional and physical health beyond the brain itself. While much of the research to date has focused on more severe forms of traumatic brain injury, it is now expanding to evaluate concussions.

Writing this article reminded me that I, too, am part of this story. I had two episodes of concussion in my teens and early twenties, neither related to sports: one from a fall where I hit my head, another from a car accident that resulted in whiplash. In both of those cases, I was just told to rest until my head stopped hurting and then resume normal activity. Fortunately, I recovered without any long-term issues. In the decades since then, our understanding of head injuries has greatly expanded, prompting innovations in both diagnosis and treatment.

Concussions are viewed as a mild form of traumatic brain injuries and most frequently occur following an event that involves an acceleration–deceleration mechanism without actual injury to the head, such as whiplash, or the head striking an object. As we study these, researchers and clinicians are learning that these are fairly common, but often underdiagnosed.

According to the CDC, an estimated 1.6 – 3.8 million people suffer from concussions related to sports or recreational activities every year. A National Health Interview Survey in 2020 found that 6.8% of children aged 17 years and under had ever had symptoms of concussion, while only 3.9% had ever been diagnosed. [1] There is also good evidence to suggest that an athlete who has had one concussion is also more likely to suffer from multiple concussions and suffer long-term consequences. [2] Not all head injuries occur in athletes, but these are the most studied.

While the vast majority of people with concussions recover without obvious disability, people can end up with long-term cognitive, emotional and functional issues affecting quality of life – including memory issues and Alzheimer’s disease. [3] Efforts to better predict outcome from head injuries by focusing on the age, sex, type of injury and acute assessments have led to some improvement, but still fail to predict or explain the variation in healing and outcomes.

Studies in professional athletes have shown that about 80–90% are sufficiently recovered to return to playing within 7–10 days. But that means that 10-20% are not, and their recovery can take up to 3 times longer. Even taking into account variations in initial injury, this variation is difficult to explain or predict. [4]

DNA RESEARCH LINKS TO INJURY & HEALING RESPONSE

Brain injury is broken down into two phases: a primary phase and a secondary phase. The primary phase is the result of the physical or mechanical forces on the brain causing direct injury. The secondary phase involves the brain’s response to the injury – a complex interplay of multiple biological systems including immune, vascular, neuroendocrine, neurotransmitters, neuroplasticity and even mitochondria and epigenetics. [3] In concussions, it is typically this secondary phase that plays a major role in how well an individual responds and recovers – both in time and function.

DNA is the genetic code that is the blueprint for everything that goes on in our bodies. Genomics is the study of how small changes in our DNA affect how our bodies function. [See feat. on Genomics testing] Research, primarily focused on combat veterans and athletes so far, has shown that these small variations in our DNA may account for at least some of why some people respond to and recover from traumatic brain injury better than others.

The APOE gene plays many roles, including immune response and neuroplasticity. Carriers of the APOE4 gene can be predisposed to worse outcomes after traumatic brain injuries, especially if they are moderate or severe, or there are multiple concussions. While the APOE gene is the most widely studied, there are now over a dozen others that have been identified. Variants in other genes involved in the inflammatory response, blood flow, DNA repair, neuroplasticity, learning and memory are also implicated, including TNF alpha, IL1, IL6, NOS3, ACE, COMT, NMDA receptors, BDNF, KIBRA, MAPT, PARP, MME, SLC17A7, GRIN2A. Because there are hundreds of genes impacting all of these biological systems, it is likely that there are many to be still evaluated, and outcomes are the result of the interaction of multiple genes.

As genomics contributes to our understanding of how and why individuals can vary greatly in their ability to recover from traumatic brain injuries, it is paving the way for more personalized prevention and treatment strategies for concussions. Having accessible and noninvasive technologies to provide evaluation of brain injury and ongoing recovery will be a key part of this progress.

References: (1) https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/concussion/index.html (2) McCrory et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. Br J Sports Med 2017;0:1–10. (3) Bennett et al. Chapter 9: Genetic Influences in Traumatic Brain Injury, in Laskowitz D, Grant G editors. Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury. CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group 2016. (4) Jane McDevitt & Evgeny Krynetskiy. Genetic findings in sport-related concussions: potential for individualized medicine? Concussion 2017; 2(1)

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Monday, July 10, 2023

PERSPECTIVES FROM THE CANCER BATTLEFIELD

AN INTERVIEW WITH A RETIRED FIRST RESPONDER ABOUT HIS FIGHT AGAINST CANCER

JOHN PAULSON was a 9/11 responder from the Albuquerque Fire Dept. When the towers fell, John immediately took to the 2000 mile road to NYC with a trailer full of rescue & demolition equipment and fellow firefighters (including the late Chief Bobby Halton) to respond to the historical call.

As with all spirited first responders, John Paulson took the road less traveled. Years of responding to fire calls carried significant risks to his health risks and potential hazards for his overall well being- all in the name of saving lives and protecting our community.

Today, John suffers from what is alleged to be an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He is being treated locally with radiation therapy and other modalities while continues to monitor his state of health. He is also researching on the many strategies that are now available from the scientific and functional medicine communities as well as the conventional treatment community.

Meanwhile, John remains vigilant, not just for his own health but for all responders within reach of our national responder community. He repeatedly asks our directors at F.A.C.E.S. (Firefighters Against Cancers & Exposures) how HE could help fellow first responders, especially those recently diagnosed.

As an advocate, firefighters like John get to share his experiences with the hopes of driving others to conduct better research on what's right for them, ask more questions, build a team of supporters and value the second opinion. He opens with his insight and his journey and his desire and demand for answers.

INTERVIEW: By John Paulson
Let me start with the first place where I screwed up; I didn't listen to a buddy of mine approximately five years ago. His name was Sal Banchitta when he told me then to get checked up (now the F.A.C.E.S. mantra: "Get Checked NOW!"). That's the biggest thing. If you have any concerns or any signs - and can talk about it to someone, it doesn't hurt to get checked. It doesn't hurt to look into it. You got nothing to lose.

There are all kinds of avenues I'm finding out now. I have a great support team around me. I'm really blessed because I got my wife that's involved in it. One advice would be to stay open and take advice from others... seek out if you don't feel good. Definitely get checkups. Annual checkups is the first. Also think PREVENTION. There's also a lot of advocacy groups available including this one (F.A.C.E.S.) and now, my job now is to expand on what you guys are doing and get the word out. So that's where I'm at with it all.

ON RESEARCH
In the beginning (of being diagnosed) it was quite overwhelming. There's a lot of stuff out there! So you start looking through it and you start highlighting some areas, then it starts making some sense-- not completely at first, but now you're starting to put the puzzle together. So then at that point, I found myself to be blessed because my wife understands it more than me.

I started by going to my family practitioner. They have their input and their take on it. So now it's up to me-- I'm getting as much information as I can about cancer. The information is there and if you don't understand any part of it, you could find people that can explain it to you.

(To be continued after this extra)

RESCUE SERVICE FACES RISE IN CANCER RATES
by: William J. Boger / President, Local 1568

Cancer is a very real and pervasive enemy to firefighters. The fires we used to fight were made of natural products like wood, leather and natural cloth fibers. Now, the fires we fight are filled with carcinogenic mixtures of plastics, synthetics and other chemicals. While we do a good job of protecting ourselves with gear, breathing apparatus and decontamination procedures, the toxins are unfortunately still absorbed into our bodies. In fact, cancer is now the leading cause of firefighter deaths and 66% of firefighter deaths between 2002 and 2019 were from cancer. According to research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH), firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general population.

HENRICO PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION

LOCAL 1568 - IAFF RICHMOND, VA

I learned to ask- and for this, I am more educated as far as my alternatives. I'm here to tell you, I'm no brain surgeon. I'm not an oncologist. But I could tell you one thing, (based on what I learned), I am not going to do chemotherapy! There's just no way. From everything I see and read, I find chemotherapy just destroys you.

Ret. FF Cousin Sal Banchitta
promotes "Get Checked Now!"

So what are my options? Here we are... here is a list of things that you can now do (gesturing a list with his hands). 20 years ago, I suffered from cluster headaches. Nobody could figure out how to get rid of them. And I found an alternative. And I have not had a cluster headache in over 20 years. And guess what? None of it was because of taking any prescribed medications. So it was all alternative lifestyle change. And I know I could do the same thing with this. So out of this, I guess my advice would be to take the information and study it carefully. You've got questions? Ask about it.

FRUSTRATION ABOUT THE SYSTEM
To this day I'm still frustrated about doctors and getting the run-around! I have curtailed my, language during this interview, <laugh>. However I'm really fed up with the traditional doctors and their system and I'm far from the first to feel like just another number. Getting treatment is much like a manufacturing plant. When I go into the urology department and when I go into the radiation place, I'm just so taken aback. They don't have a clue as to how I feel as to what's going on with me. They look at numbers-- and half the time I don't even trust them that they're looking at the right file.

Recently, I decided to move forwarded with the hormone treatment and the radiation. And the more and more I think about it, I ask myself "what the hell am I doing this for?" In my last visit,I walked in there and the doctor asked me, "well, how you doing?" That may seem like a simple question but when your cancer care specialist is asking, that's the one question that I was hoping he had an answer to.

"How am I doing? You're asking me? ... asking me how I'm doing? Man, I should be asking you how I'm doing!"

"Oh, well we don't know yet- it's a process". I realized that what someome with cancer needs after a battery of treatments are UPDATES, DATA, PROGRESS REPORTS... anything that defines why we're doing all this. This instead reflects on how I feel about the whole medical system.

I sense cancer treatment is a lot of trial and error. You've heard of the joke about doctors practicing medicine. It really feels like they're practicing on you to see what the hell's going on. And in the meantime, all these pharmaceutical drugs that you're taking, you have no idea what it's actually doing to you. So I really am big into alternatives. Now with that being said, I proved that alternatives work with my cluster headaches. I am gonna prove that alternative treatments also work with this (cancer), but we don't know the future. But at this point in time, I'm sure there's something else I could try or do. (It's time for more reading and learning) I'm not jumping into all the conventional medicine until I see all the alternatives.

DIGITAL IMAGING CAN REVEAL LINKS TO TESTICULAR CANCER & RECURRENCE

4/D DOPPLER ULTRASOUND view of Cancer in the Testis

This image (L) is of a 28 year old man who just got married and was revealed to have a mass in his testis. The sonogram showed a black area indicating a 9mm focal vascular tumor biopsied proven as high grade adenocarcinoma. The digital scan maps the orange and red vessels feeding the testicular cancer.

What makes this a case of concern are the numerous WHITE DOTS (calcification) around the black area which are micro-calcifications, otherwise called testicular microlithiasis (TM) or micro-stones. According to a 2018 study, this uncommon condition of micro-stones is being linked to testicular cancer (as well as male infertility) increasing one's risk as much as 1200%.

While this is not technically a precancerous condition, any man with these micro stones should be checked periodically whereby small tumors can be treated focally if caught early. Since this 9mm tumor cannot be felt by itself, the simplest way to accurately identify the cause of the enlarged testis is with a high resolution sonogram.

Aftermath: Standard treatment for this condition is typically surgery (or cut out the entire testis). The patient refused this treatment solution and was instead treated focally with various nonsurgical options, later resulting in cancer recurrence. Recurrence in the lymph glands is readily diagnosed by sonogram technology. Since the metastases usually spread around the abdominal aorta, the mass is commonly misdiagnosed as an aortic aneurysm. Periodic abdominal sonography screening is recommended.

Courtesy of: www.CancerScan.com

Additional source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6202617/

Public Service Announcement

News Extra:

MEET PRENUVO: ADVANCED FULL BODY MRI FOR CANCER SCREENING & MONITORING

On April 20, NYCRA NEWS conducted a special interview with DR. RAJ ATTARIWALA, Nuclear Medicine Radiologist, PhD Biomedical Engineer and Founding Radiologist of Prenuvo. Known commonly as "Dr. Raj", he shares his commitment to improving on the current state of modalities in cancer diagnostics by offering advancements on the performance, range and design of our current MRI technology. "In simplistic terms, having a full-body access comports to the fact that everything is connected in one way or another. Tumor cells start somewhere, but they can spread almost anywhere they want. If we find a cancer in stage one (which usually means confined to the organ of origin) what happens afterwards is to ask if it is IN FACT confined to that organ, or if it has spread somewhere else. This is called staging." (See full feature)

* Extra: Video interviews with MedTech Reporter Dr. Robert Bard + Prenuvo Founder/CEO Andrew Lacy

A LEGACY OFCANCER THERAPY POTENTIATION
The NY Cancer Resource Alliance is proud to honor the work of Dr. Donato Pérez García - leading global expert in IPT/IPTLD (Insulin Potentiation therapy)- a bioregenerative medical procedure. Dr. Donato has been practicing the IPT protocol since 1983 and is a current and active physician in Tijuana, Mexico. He is Certified in Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Therapy. He is also a Member, Advisor and Professor of the Medical College for Regenerative Medicine. He focused his research on the expansion of cancer treatment, arthritic conditions and an array of chronic illnesses since founded by two prior generations of his forefathers in the 50's. See his exclusive interview available only on NYCRA NEWS.

ONCO-IMMUNOLOGY (Originally posted Jun 27, 2019 @ The First Responders Cancer Awareness TV) WESTBURY — NYCRA (NY Cancer Resource Alliance) and the First Responders Cancer Awareness group presents Part 3 of our program: "A REVIEW OF ALL CANCERS". Host "Cousin" Sal Banchitta, ret. FDNY brings you our "Walking Cancer Encyclopedia" - Dr. Jesse Stoff who presents the world of cancer care in a way that's easy-to follow and helps us understand our body's Immune System. Dr. Stoff is a world-renowned speaker and published author about this topic and is one of NYCRA's top clinical advisors and technical authorities in the field of Cancer Solutions. (See full video interview)

MODERN SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM

2/27/2023- If it is to be human to recognize our weaknesses and to allow ourselves to indulge (for but a short while) in pleasures, releases and escapes, ADDICTION is the neuropsychological disorder that may result in the overuse and abuse of any specific substance. Learn about Dr. Valle-Montoya's custom approach to addressing addiction clinically and her non-invasive modalities of choice. In a recent in-depth interview, IPHA-TV presented Dr. Leslie Valle-Montoya (Sta. Barbara, CA) and the framework behind her Smoking Cessation program at the Biomed Life Center. This unique and specialized protocol addresses the core cravings behind “one of the hardest habits and health hazards to quit”. She is joined by Mr. Howard Binney, (now) former smoker and ex-firefighter/EMT who volunteered to undertake Dr. Valle-Montoya’s rehabilitation and recovery project exactly one year ago today. (See complete feature)

NON-INVASIVE BIOENERGY PAIN THERAPIES -

feat. Dr. Robert Bard -Hosted by: Marvin Scott WPIX-11

6/22/2023- Dr. Robert Bard @ Bard Diagnostics in NYC is featured in this special report about the latest innovations in non-invasive therapies for pain and inflammation. This includes the expansion of Bioenergy Therapies like PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) and Photobiomodulation (Near Infrared) devices to offer cell regenerative solutions to address a wide set of inflammatory disorders. As a seasoned radiologist, Dr. Bard recognizes the demand for non-invasive solutions in the medical field. Dr. Bard is also introducing the latest advancements in ultrasound and elastographic scanning as part of his "Scan and Treat" protocol for real-time efficacy tracking. This special report was brought to us by legendary journalist for CH11 news Mr. Marvin Scott, senior correspondent for WPIX-TV. Mr. Scott has served in multiple capacities: as an anchor, reporter, host and producer. Mr. Scott is a member of the NYS Broadcasters Hall of Fame and recipient of 12 prestigious Emmy awards for journalistic achievement. (See full report)