Web site helps women calculate breast cancer risk

A new Web site, www.breastcancerprevention.com, educates women about their individual risk for developing breast cancer and provides critical information about an ongoing clinical trial to prevent the disease.

The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project sponsors the Web site.

The model uses factors such as age, family history of breast cancer, and other personal factors to determine a woman's risk for breast cancer.

"Information from the Web site allows patients to have a personal conversation with their physician and to map a strategy for good breast care," said Adel S. Al-Jurf, M.D., a surgical oncologist with the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa.

In addition to visiting the Web site, postmenopausal women with an increased risk for developing breast cancer in Iowa and western Illinois can contact Mary Fitzgerald, R.N., coordinator of a national breast cancer prevention trial, at 319-356-2778 or 800-237-1225, or the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 800-422-6237.

Newly hatched feathered friend makes kids smile

Most Iowans are familiar with the University of Iowa's sports mascot, Herky the Hawk. Now make room for Herky's feathered cousin, Perky, the new, official mascot for University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Perky is the brainchild of the Youth Advisory Council, which includes about 15 former Children's Hospital of Iowa patients. Perky has appeared at several public events--and made many pediatric patients smile--since being hatched in November 2002.

Construction begins on radiation oncology's new home

Following groundbreaking ceremonies in December, construction has begun on the new Center of Excellence for Image-Guided Radiation Therapy. Scheduled for completion in 2004, the $39.6 million Center of Excellence will house the latest cancer care technologies and serve as a home for radiation oncologists affiliated with the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at The University of Iowa. "This facility will be among the finest of its kind," said John Buatti, M.D., who will lead the Center along with radiation physicist Sanford Meeks, Ph.D., and free radical biologist Larry Oberly, Ph.D. The Center of Excellence will occupy the lower level of a planned three-story building between the Pomerantz Family Pavilion and Hawkins Drive.

Anesthesia equipment donated to hospitals in Honduras, India

The Department of Anesthesia at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and the Rotary Club of Parkersburg, Iowa, are collaborating to donate outdated anesthesia equipment to rural hospitals in Honduras and India. The first shipment of five anesthesia machines was sent to Honduras in January 2003. The second shipment of anesthesia machines is targeted for shipment to hospitals in India later this year. "There is a real need for this technology in these areas, and we are pleased that these medical devices, while too dated for use in nations with modern health care systems, will continue to help meet the needs of seriously ill patients," said Joseph Lucero, M.D., a UI Health Care anesthesiologist.

Lions Eye Bank opens satellite office in Ames

Spurred by growth and change in recent years, the Iowa Lions Eye Bank in Iowa City has opened a satellite office in Ames to enhance services in central and western Iowa. Space for the satellite office--located in the Iowa Lions State Office building in Ames--was approved by the Lions of Iowa Council of Governors last October. The Iowa Lions, in association with the University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, established the Iowa Lions Eye Bank in 1955. Today, approximately 400 Lions and Lioness Clubs in Iowa help support the Iowa Lions Eye Bank through volunteerism and fundraising.

Kohl's gift finances pediatric programs, Starbright network

Representatives of Kohl's Department Stores presented a gift of $92,346 to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in December 2002 to benefit the "Reach Out and Read" and "Health Steps for Young Children" programs, as well as the "Starbright World" network..

Childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions

Eva Tsalikian, M.D., a University of Iowa Children's Hospital pediatrician, said physicians are seeing more and more very young children who are overweight. Since 1960, the number of obese children in the United States has doubled. "Studies show that obesity in children leads to obesity in adults, with resulting complications," Tsalikian said. Most children don't need a parent to tell them they are overweight, she said. What they do need is parental help to focus on health, not appearance, and more activity and not what and how much they eat.