Christine Mancuso, RN, Public Health Nurse for the Nassau Health Care Corporation, was successful in writing and obtaining a grant from the Avon Foundation for Breast Care for the Nassau Health Care Corporation. Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) received a check in the amount of $352,500 to provide for new equipment for its Breast Imaging Center. Through the Avon Foundation's generosity, NUMC will purchase a new Computer-Aided Diagnostic Unit which applies a second reading of the mammogram, and a Motorized Mammography Alternator Viewing System. This will enhance the quality of screening offered to women.
Prostate cancer study yields positive results
The largest and most comprehensive study ever undertaken of permanent prostate brachytherapy, or "seed therapy," found overall survival rates for patients were equal to or better than surgery. The study was conducted by Louis Potters, MD, Medical Director of the New York Prostate Institute at South Nassau Communities Hospital.The study tracked the outcome of 1,449 Long Island patients treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy between 1992 and 2000. The long-term research study identified a biochemical recurrence-free survival rate of 81 percent, which is equal to or better than comparable rates found in studies of other forms of treatment for men with clinically localized prostate cancer. In addition, cancer specific survival over 12 years rose to 93 percent.Brachytherapy is a proven treatment option for men with localized prostate cancer. Commonly called "seeding," it is a form of radiation therapy that fights prostate cancer with rice-sized radioactive seeds implanted inside the body. While previous independent clinical studies have demonstrated that the minimally invasive outpatient procedure has cure rates comparable to or better than surgery, it is only now, with the results of long term studies, that physicians are more comfortable offering this procedure as a true alternative to radical prostatectomy.
Parents pay tribute to care at Mercy
The miracle of birth at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre is still celebrated more than a year after twins were born to a couple who know only too well how precious life is. They returned to the hospital to thank their physicians, nurses and staff, and to celebrate the children's birthday.Alice and Frank Naudus say their twins spent the first 49 days of their young lives in the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) where they received round the clock care, and the type of specialization that ensured their survival. The professionalism of the staff and the sophistication of the technology so moved the couple that they presented a donation to the unit following the one-year birthday of twins Frank and Marie."We couldn't have done it without the NICU," said Alice Naudus. "My babies would not have survived without this unit. Being here is our birthday present to our children."The twins were born at 32 weeks, and both of baby Frank's lungs were collapsed. His parents were told his chances of survival were slim. Marie was born with a hole in her heart. With the care of the NICU, however, both children were eventually discharged with clean bills of health."We loved the idea that the family came back to celebrate Frank and Marie's first birthday at the unit," Dr. Swarna Devarajan, M.D., Chairperson of Pediatrics said. "We actually look forward to seeing them for many more birthdays to come because nothing puts our work into perspective faster than seeing 'our' babies become active, noisy, full-of-life kids. It is one of the most important benefits those of us in medicine could possibly enjoy."
