So many of you have asked to be kept informed on all of the new developments in our practice
and in the field of obstetrics and gynecology that we decided to develop an electronic newsletter
we call “Life Cycles” to keep everyone updated. I am pleased to present this inaugural issue
and I hope you find the information valuable.

Our premier issue focuses on "What's New in OB/GYN Care" and includes the following articles:

• Evista, the Breast Cancer Prevention Pill
• Prevent Cervical Cancer With the Gardasil Vaccine
• Monitor Your Bone Health With Advanced Bone Density Screening
• How You Can Save Time With our Virtual Office

We welcome your feedback and feel free to forward this newsletter to any friends or relatives who might benefit from this information.

Sincerely,
Robert J. Rubino, MD, and staff

A medication known as Evista, originally developed to prevent osteoporosis, received approval for breast cancer prevention by the FDA in late 2007. That’s because scientists noted that women who took Evista were not only building stronger bones but experiencing fewer cases of breast cancer.   

Right now, Evista may be prescribed for breast cancer prevention for women with:

• Osteopenia, or age-related bone thinning
  
• Osteoporosis (pathologic thinning)

But scientists anticipate that Evista will soon be approved as a stand-alone breast cancer preventative in women with normal bone density.

Studies indicate a 60 percent reduction in estrogen-dependent breast cancer in women taking Evista. So why not forward this newsletter to a friend or relative to see if they are potential candidates for this exciting new therapy? 

Cervical cancer begins when the HPV (human papilloma virus) virus causes an infection of the cervix. The virus is so common that about 70 percent of American women have it by  age 30.

Fortunately, most women never experience negative effects from the virus, but a small percentage will show early precancerous changes on their pap smears. An even smaller percentage will develop cervical cancer if these changes are left untreated.  

But a new vaccine known as Gardasil can prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine:

• Is recommended for females age 9-26
  
• Is administered in a series of three shots over a six-month period
  
• Protects against the four most common forms of HPV: two types that cause warts and two types that promote precancerous growths

For more information, visit www.gardisil.com.

Many post-menopausal  women have osteoporosis and don’t not know it until they fracture their hips, spines or other bones or become stooped and shorter.  

That’s why it’s so important to monitor your bone density and take action if needed. And the Rubino OB/GYN Group can help. We perform full body (hip and spine) bone density scans with the state-of-the art GE Lunar Dexa scanner. This advanced technology:

• Performs rapid, accurate bone density scans that are much easier than the old “bed scanners,” in which you had to lie for 30 minutes or longer
  
• Limits radiation exposure to one tenth of a standard chest X-ray
  
• Can accurately measure your body fat composition to create clear start and end points if you’re on a weight-loss program  

Most insurance plans cover bone density tests for post-menopausal women and for some pre-menopausal women with risk factors such as:

• Steroid use
  
• Thyroid disorders
  
• Gastrointestinal disorders that limit calcium absorption

If you’re like most women, you lead a busy life filled with family, a career and special interests, with little time to waste. That’s why we have recently redesigned our website – www.rubinoobgyn.com – to accommodate the needs of modern women like you. You can now use the site to:

• Schedule an online appointment. Just select a physician, location  and time, and our staff will e-mail you a confirmation within 24 hours.

• Schedule an online consultation. Submit your question, and one of our physicians will respond within 24 hours. These visits are often covered by insurance. If not, the fee is generally equal to your co-pay.

• Obtain your personal health records. Our free “I Health Record” service lets you keep track of your visits to us or other physicians and compile your medical history. The information is accessible from any internet connection, and you may limit access to others. This is a great tool to let you discover when you had your last screenings, access test results and play an active role in your health and wellness.

• Need a recommendation for a different specialty? You’ll find a list of  physicians we would recommend to our own family members. And the list is constantly updated with new information and feedback from patients like you.

Robert J. Rubino, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. • Audrey A. Romero, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Elizabeth Lucarelli, M.D., F.A.C.O.G. • Lisa Abeshaus, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.

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