Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center | Dr. Lori Gore-Green

Intermittent Fasting for Women: What to Know

January 27, 2021 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

For women struggling with weight loss, they may consider utilizing an intermittent fasting regime. This eating schedule is one of the world’s most popular weight-loss trends. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between patterns of eating and fasting. This eating plan does not dictate what foods to eat, instead of when is best to eat. However, intermittent fasting poses some serious risks for women. It is essential to be educated on the topic before considering implementing this eating schedule.

There are a few benefits of intermittent fasting. For example, it can boost fat burns. When people eat, blood sugar rises, and insulin is released to take the glucose to cells. Any leftover glucose is stored as fat. If intermittent someone fasts for 10-16 hours, their body will begin to burn its stored fat for energy. Other studies have found that fasting can repair cells, leading to increased longevity, a lowered risk of cancer, less inflammation, and improved metabolism. However, these studies are primarily conducted with animals rather than adult women. Other research suggests that eating in line with circadian rhythm, meaning eating only when it is light out, protects the body from chronic diseases.

On the other hand, research has identified many negative aspects of intermittent fasting. Women of reproductive age need to be especially mindful of putting stress on their body, as their body is particularly receptive to stressors like prolonged fasting and caloric restriction. Intermittent fasting may do more harm than good, as it can potentially lead to low blood sugar regulation, increased insulin resistance, and lean muscle loss, among other things. Additionally, prolonged underrating can seriously harm a women’s reproductive system. Women can potentially lose their menstrual cycle and interfere with their fertility. Moreover, fasting can increase someone’s hunger and obsession with food, thus leading to overeating or a process of restricting and binging.

Intermittent fasting has many positive features and many potential negative impacts on a woman’s body. Before starting an intermittent fasting regime, be sure to read up on the eating pattern and learn how to do it best. Women need to be knowledgeable and aware of any risks associated with intermittent fasting. Be sure to consult a doctor with any questions or concerns.

Preserving Your Mental Health During the Holidays

January 27, 2021 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

The holidays may seem like the best time to be full of joy. Unfortunately, the holiday season is often the most stressful season for many people. Why? Consider the financial struggle of buying gifts and extra food, as well as the family drama that a lot of people deal with, and you have a recipe for disaster. If you are someone who deals with a lot of emotional stress over the holidays, there are ways for you to relax. Your mental health is essential, so consider the following tips the next time you feel your blood pressure rising!

Keep track of your spending

It’s easy to get carried away during the holidays when it comes to gifts and goodies. However, spending more than you can afford can cause you to feel anxious and stressed out. At the beginning of the season, figure out just how much you can spend when it comes to presents, food, traveling, and other holiday expenses. Stick to your budget to avoid the stress that overspending brings.

Watch your alcohol intake

Holiday parties and special occasions usually revolve around a lot of drinking! It’s easy to get sucked into another glass of alcoholic eggnog or a winter-themed beer, especially at a party or event. You may feel like you are suppressing some anxious feelings with alcohol, but alcohol is a depressant that can make stress and depression worse. Know your limits or abstain completely during this stressful time.

Think about the new year

Not everyone wants to leave the Christmas tree up all year, and that is perfectly okay! If you can’t wait until you can put the holiday behind you, keep in mind that it will soon be over. When you think about yourself in the future, past this particular holiday, it can be grounding. Remember, January isn’t too far off in the future!

Take some time for yourself

The holidays often revolve around parties, work, family, and activities. It can be exhausting at times, so make sure you take the time you need for yourself. Rest and recharge by practicing some self-care regimens, and you will likely feel much better about this stressful time. It’s essential to take a little bit of time every day to relax!

New Clinic Works To Improve Early Detection For Ovarian Cancer

January 7, 2015 by Dr. Lori Gore-Green

Early diagnosis is among the biggest challenges in the fight against ovarian cancer. The lack of any reliable method of screening for the cancer often prevents it from being found its early stages. However, a recent article in the Miami Herald describes some of the efforts to develop early detection techniques.

At the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami has opened a new Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Clinic. The aim of the new clinic is to identify women who are at a high risk for ovarian cancer by tracking family personal cancer histories. The hope is that by tracking the data gathered through patients that come through the clinic, that new preventive strategies can be derived.

One of the patients at the clinic, Ivanna Vidal, has the BRCA2 gene which put her at greater risk for ovarian and breast cancers. She was diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer. The goal of the new clinic is to help at-risk women like Vidal learn of their risk factors earlier so that they might be able to better plan to preempt the disease.

The director of the gynecologic oncology division at Sylvester, Dr. Brian Slomovitz, states that women who have BRCA have a 20-40% chance of developing ovarian cancer. Talia Donenberg, senior cancer genetics counselor at the University of Miami and Jackson Memorial Hospital claims that the discovery of new genetic links to the disease has caused the rate of hereditary ovarian cancer to jump from 10% to between 15 and 20%.

This data and the fact that there are symptoms of ovarian cancer have made doctors and researchers hopeful that new early detection methods are not too far off.

“In the past, we thought it was a silent disease.” Slomovitz said, “We know now that that’s not the case.”