General Information: (434) 654-7000 OR 1-800-633-6353
June 12, 2013
Did you know that reducing your risk for developing cancer could be as easy as making a few lifetsyle changes? In this week’s CBS19 Healthwise segment, find out how altering your diet, and adding in an exercise routine, can help to cut down your risk of developing cancer.
June 3, 2013
Martha Jefferson is pleased to now be offering genetic counseling and genetic testing services for patients who are concerned about their risk for developing cancer. But what exactly happens during a genetic counseling appointment, and how do you know if it’s right for you? We ask Martha Thomas, the certified genetic counselor at Martha Jefferson, to explain.
To read the complete story, click here.
If you have a health question you’d like for us to answer, email healthquestions@nbc29.com.
May 15, 2013
Martha Jefferson Hospital is pleased to welcome Martha Thomas, a certified genetic counselor, to our team. Martha joined the organization in early May and will be providing both genetic counseling and genetic testing services to our community. In this week’s CBS19 Healthwise segment, Stephanie Satchell sat down with Thomas to find out why knowledge is so important if there is a history of cancer in your family.
April 3, 2013
Martha Jefferson is participating in a national clinical study to see if a specific treatment that’s currently available for specific breast cancer patients, could possibly be expanded to a greater population. CBS19′s Stephanie Satchell interviewed Dr. Erika Struble about Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy.
To read the complete story, click here.
February 4, 2013
If you have skin cancer on your face or neck, often times dermatologists use a procedure called Mohs Surgery to remain the cancer. After surgery, however, patients are left with damage to the affected area. In this week’s NBC29 Martha Jefferson Monday segment, we asked Dr. Elizabeth Chance, a plastic surgeon at Martha Jefferson Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery about options for repair after Mohs Surgery, and heard from one patients about her own successful experience.
To read the complete story, click here.
If you have a question you’d like for us to answer, email healthquestions@nbc29.com.
November 21, 2012
Caring Embrace is knitting circle comprised of Martha Jefferson Hospital staff and community members. For several years they have been getting together once a week to knit shawls for patients in need of extra comfort while in the hospital.
Jo Bettinger, a volunteer knitter from the community, recently completed her 100th shawl! In this week’s CBS19 Healthwise segment, find out why Jo got involved, and how she feels her talent can help others in they need it most.
GPS for the Body’ system provides real-time tracking of tumors during prostate cancer treatments
November 27, 2012
Charlottesville, VA. Martha Jefferson Hospital today became the first hospital in Central Virginia to use a new technology that more accurately delivers doses of radiation to prostate cancer patients. The Calypso® system allows doctors to precisely track and target tumors while avoiding damage to healthy tissue. Patients lie still for 30 minutes while the treatment machine rotates around them and aims radiation beams at the cancerous tumors.
Martha Jefferson radiation oncologist Dr. Sylvia Hendrix says previous treatments couldn’t track natural internal changes in the body.
“Physicians used to assume the prostate didn’t move during treatment. We now know that isn’t true. The Calypso system is very precise. If the prostate or the target area moves just a millimeter we can stop the treatment, reposition the patient, and precisely target the patient’s cancer.”
The Calypso system uses three tiny Beacon® electromagnetic transponders, each smaller than a grain of rice, which are implanted into the prostate during a simple outpatient procedure. The beacons work in a way similar to GPS markers enabling doctors to monitor the movement of the patient’s prostate and his cancer in real-time during radiation treatments.
The first patient to receive the treatment, Mr. Craig LaMountain of Greene County, noted that the procedure really is painless.
“You feel nothing. If I wasn’t worried about moving, I’d fall asleep.”
Hendrix says studies show patients who undergo Calypso experience few side effects from radiation, and they’re just temporary.
“Not only will patients receive better treatment, they will also have fewer long-term side effects including bladder issues, lower digestive issues, as well as sexual function,” said Hendrix.
Calypso is currently only treating prostate cancer patients, but it could be used for women with left-side breast cancer in the future.
For more information on Calypso, or to find a urologist who is Calypso-certified, call Health Connection at (434) 654-7009.
November 14, 2012
The Women’s Committee of Martha Jefferson has reached a milestone in their fundraising efforts. Since their inception, they have raised more than $4 million through their successful events (In The Pink Tennis Tournament and Martha’s Market) for women’s health initiatives at Martha Jefferson Hospital.
In this report, hear from one patient who has benefited first hand from the services provided thanks to the funding. She says the money helped save her life.
October 17, 2012
Martha Jefferson is excited to be able to be hosting a FREE Breast Health Screening day for women in our community who otherwise might not be able to afford a mammogram. The event is meant to be a day to raise awareness in the community, and help provide assistance to women in needs. In this week’s CBS19 Healthwise segment, Stephanie Satchell shares how the involvement of The Women’s Committee of Martha Jefferson makes it all possible.
October 10, 2012
October is breast cancer awareness month, and as part of spreading the word, doctors at Martha Jefferson want to shed light on options for reconstruction for breast cancer patients. On October 17, as part of a national Breast Reconstruction Awareness Day, a talk will be held in Charlottesville to explain what options are available. In this week’s CBS19 Healthwise segment, Dr. Victoria Vastine talks about why being aware of reconstruction options is so important.
