Test Sheds New Light On Breast Cancer Risk

Learning About Music

(NAPSA)A new generation of home-computer peripherals may strike just the right note with parents, providing children with fun, safe, experiences in music composition, radio production and musical instrument technology. (NAPSA)One of Pat Dotys biggest fears is to join the estimated 190,000 women in the United States annually who will learn they have breast cancer. Already at high risk for the disease, because of family history, Pats anxiety had been compounded by the discovery of two benign cysts. Recognizing Pats concerns, her doctor suggested that she undergo ductal lavage, an innovative method of collecting fluid from inside the breast milk ducts. The fluid is then analyzed to search for abnormal cells. Doctors have known for years that the presence of atypical (abnormal) cells in the breast milk ducts increase a womans breast cancer risk. In fact, studies have shown that for women who have atypical cells, their breast cancer risk increases 4-5 times, and even higher for women who also have a family history of breast cancer. Most women are terrified of being told they have breast cancer. Women at higher risk naturally want to know as much as they can about their chances of developing the disease, said Dr. Katherine Lee, an associate professor and breast specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Ductal lavage provides women with unique and personal information about their breast health, which can help them make important decisions about pursuing closer follow-up and risk reduction options. Performed in the doctors office, ductal lavage involves slipping a tiny, flexible tube called a catheter into the milk duct, and washing (lavaging) it with saline to collect the cells. The cells are then analyzed under a microscope to determine whether they are normal or atypical. Doctors nationwide are using this method
Simple Steps To Improve Reproductive Health
(NAPSA)If youre looking forward to the patter of little feet, one of your first steps may be to learn more about issues like childbirth, parenting and prenatal health care. Many couples are aware of the importance of prenatal health care to a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. But, even before pregnancy, there are healthy lifestyle changes both prospective parents can make to improve their overall health, as well as their likelihood of conceiving. These include eating a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing stress, among others. The lifestyle changes a man makes can be as important as those made by the woman. Though many men are reluctant to discuss the issues surrounding conception, they can still take action, discreetly, to improve their reproductive health and support their partners efforts. In half of infertile couples, a male factor is identified. Therefore, its imperative that you and your doctor include the mans systems in the reproductive equation, said Pamela Madsen, executive director of the American Infertility Association. While the advances in diagnosing and treating male factors have been and continue to be breathtaking for many, male issues are still an afterthought and arent addressed as promptly as they should be. Unfortunately, the most commonly advocated measures, such as avoiding hot baths and hot
Thinking about having a baby? Baby talk may start with talking about important issues. tubs, wearing boxer shorts, and taking antioxidants (vitamins C and E) are not always helpful. A promising alternative is a nutritional supplement, such as Proxeed. This supplement has been clinically proven to support male reproductive health. The citrus-flavored, powder supplement, which can be mixed in a cold beverage, applesauce or yogurt, supports male reproductive health by providing the nutrients needed for developing sperm. Manufactured by Sigma-Tau, an internationally recognized pharmaceutical company, Proxeeds ingredients have been the subject of over 30 years of research and have been safely used by millions worldwide. For additional information on Proxeed, visit www.proxeed.com or call toll-free 1-888-PROXEED (776-9333).

A new audio mixing console gives children the chance to make their own brand of music. This family of interactive learning toys includes WavDJ, a colorful, audio-visual plaything with a dedicated link to the Internet. It takes its cue from real-life disc jockeys and music producers by encouraging home-audio production on a sophisticated but affordable multi-media learning console. WavDJ enables children to experiment with their musical creativity by becoming a radio DJ, composer, singer and producer, said Steve Jackson, executive vice president of Oregon Scientific. The product takes its name from.wav files, the existing designation for PC sound files. Productions created by children on WavDJ can be e-mailed to family and friends in this file format. The console links to a home PC and can connect with external CD and MP3 players to import music samples and sound effects. Theres even a dedicated Web site www.wavDJ. comwhere budding music producers can post their compositions for others to hear. To learn more, call 1-800-8538883 or visit the Web site at www.oregonscientific.com.
Note to Editors: October 17th through the 23rd is National Infertility Week. This article is especially relevant during that time, but is evergreen and can be used throughout the year.
to provide women like Pat and their doctors with more information about their risk for breast cancer. The results of Pats procedure indicated that she had atypical cells. After consulting with her doctor, Pat decided to discontinue hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and began taking a drug called tamoxifen to help reduce her risk for developing breast cancer. Pat says she felt a pinching sensation during ductal lavage, which, like other women, she characteriz es as momentary, minor discomfort. Shes a firm believer that the information she gained was invaluable. Ductal lavage gave me very useful information about my risk level, and helped me make decisions about what I should do to reduce my risk, said Pat who plans a recheck in six months. High-risk women of any age may be good candidates for ductal lavage, which must be used in conjunction with standard surveillance techniques such as mammography, clinical exams and breast self-exams. Additional information can be found at www.ductallavage.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-4-INDUCT.
Frightfully Fun Decorated Desserts
Is Your Roof Ready For Winter?

(NAPSA)When looking to protect your home against outside elements, its a good idea to start at the top. Thats because your roof is your homes first line of defense against the high winds, heavy rains, sleet and snow that occur in winter. Roofing contractors offer these suggestions: To avoid serious damage, and unnecessary expenses, its a good idea to inspect your roof before and after winter. Roof inspections can catch potential problems before they can lead to extensive damage. Once water starts moving beyond your roof you will most likely need more than roof repairs to recover from the damage. To help prevent leaks, moisture seepage, and decay problems, check the weak points of your roof. Look for holes, tears or buckling in the flashings (pieces of metal used to seal any penetration) around roof stacks, vents, skylights, chimneys, and any other roof penetrations. Contractors estimate that more than 90 percent of roofing leaks occur in these areas. Next, visually inspect your roof for any damaged, loose or missing shingles, or any blistering or buckling of the shingles. Finally, check the roof edge where it is more susceptible to wind, driving rain and ice dams (when water freezes and backs up under the roofing system), and make sure shingles are firmly
Check Out These Web Sites:
(NAPSA)The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm. 3Ms patented Gel Wrist rests at www.3m.com/ergonomics. Prince William and Manassas tourism at www.visitpwc.com. Duck brand Super V Weatherstripping at www.duckprod ucts.com. Computer Associates at www. my-eTrust.com. The National Partnership for Immunization at www.partners forimmunization.org. DealTime at www.dealtime. com. Discovering the Rivers of Lewis and Clark at www.american rivers.org/feature/exhibit.htm.
ROOFING REPAIRS can be lowered when an effective maintenance program is in place. secured and sealed to the roof. Inspect and clean gutters, leaders, window wells, and drains of all leaves and debris, and make sure gutters are firmly secured to the house. Direct downspouts away from the house foundation and clean them of any debris. A home is a major investment, and so is the roof. At approximately 10 percent to 30 percent of the cost of a new roof, an effective maintenance program done by a professional roofing contractor will save you costly repairs and prolong the useful life of the roof system. A free service that helps homeowners find a qualified roofing contractor is available through GAF Materials Corporation, North Americas largest roofing manufacturer. Simply call 1-888LEAK-SOS or visit www.gaf.com.
*** Little privations are easily endured when the heart is better treated than the body. Rousseau ***
(NAPSA)A tasteful way to make Halloween more fun than ever for the whole family is with candies and desserts in festive colors and creepy designs. Kids of all ages enjoy decorating the treats. With a little imagination, plus an assortment of Halloween candies in a variety of sizes, licorice whips, rectangular vanilla sandwich cookies, whipped topping, food coloring and black decorating icing, almost any design can be created. Consider these frightfully fun suggestions: Start by preparing a Jell-O No Bake Dessert according to package instructions. Fruit-topped desserts are not recommended for decorating. Spider Web Design: Using black decorating icing, create spider web. Spider: Use black licorice or black gumdrops as the body and attach 3 segments of black licorice whips as the legs. Eyes can be made from small colored candies and affixed with a dot of the black icing. Or, the body of the spider can be made by cutting a marshmallow in half and placing half (flat side down) on the dessert and icing it with black icing. Use licorice whips as legs and small candies as eyes. Color: A cheesecake can be made more festive by adding a few drops of yellow and red food coloring to the mixture in the bowl for the desired shade of orange. Ghost Design: Drop whipped topping by spoonfuls on top of prepared dessert to create ghosts. Decorate with small candies or any color of decorating icing to create eyes. For orange ghosts,

For Halloween fun, eat a spidermade of candy and weaving its web on a no-bake cake. mix a few drops of yellow and red food coloring to the whipped topping for the desired shade of orange. To create marshmallow ghosts, stack two marshmallows and use icing to create eyes. Graveyard Design: Write on assorted rectangular cookies with black decorating icing (Boo and RIP are favorites) to make tombstones. Press tombstones (standing up) into top of dessert to create graveyard. Place candy corn and candy pumpkins to make a pumpkin patch in the graveyard. Individual Boo Cups: Prepare dessert in individual cups. Drop whipped topping by spoonfuls onto each individual dessert to create ghosts. Use small candies or any color of decorating icing to create eyes. Additional Suggestions: Press gummy worms or assorted gummy candies into the top of the dessert. Once you know these tricks for decorating Halloween treats, you and your youngsters can enjoy a holiday party thats spook-tacular.