The Doctors: Jen Berman & Kristi Funk
The Doctors’ Dr Jen Berman shared her personal family struggle with breast cancer, and she went for an exam with Dr Kristi Funk. Then she got the results of her breast biopsy and examination during an episode of The Drs. What do you need to know if you are at risk for breast cancer?
The Drs TV: Dr Jen Berman Breast Biopsy Results
At the Pink Lotus Breast Center, Funk showed Berman a solid mass that was seen during her examination. This cystic mass needed a biopsy, and the hope was that it was benign.
Dr Jen Berman received her breast biopsy results on the show from Dr Kristi Funk, who shared some health and lifestyle advice to lower your cancer risk.
By phone, Funk had the biopsy results to share. The mass was benign, which generated cheers from the audience. The mass was probably a fibroadenoma. That tends to occur in a woman between age 15-40.
What’s next for Jen? Dr Funk said that the average woman needs a mammogram and clinical breast exam annually, with a self-exam each month at home. But for someone with a higher risk, like Dr Berman, she would recommend imaging every six months, and mammogram/ultrasound every six months. That just means two visits per year instead of one.
The Doctors: Lower Cancer Risk Diet
What should you be eating if you are at risk for breast cancer? Funk recommended a high fiber, low fat diet, focusing on lean meats, fruits, and vegetables. Exercise is important, 30 minutes a day, four to five times per week.
Fat is bad, because overweight people are twice as likely to have breast cancer incidence and recurrence. Limit alcohol to about one drink per day, which lowers the risk of heart attacks.
Dr Berman also asked Funk about the importance of hope and faith with patients. “I have seen an undeniable connection between someone with a positive, life-affirming attitude…and living a long, healthy life,” she said.
Dr Jen Berman said that women have to be proactive and responsible for their health. She also encouraged people to maintain relationships with the people who are close to you that you care about. “Make the time now,” she said.
The Drs TV: Robert Redford Hearing & HIV Cure?
Here are the headlines from this episode’s News in 90 segment.
Robert Redford stars in All Is Lost, but the 77-year-old got a severe ear infection and lost part of his hearing while filming a manmade storm sequence. Water shot forcefully from a hose was the likely culprit. Dr Andrew Ordon said if you have a hearing change, you should get it checked as soon as possible.
Over 3,000 pets have been made sick or died after eating jerky treats produced in China. The FDA has not issued a recall, but it is investigating. Symptoms in pets can include decreased appetite, kidney failure, and death after eating jerky treats.
There are new details about a potential drug therapy HIV cure. The New England Journal of Medicine reported about a three-year-old girl born with HIV who has not taken antiretroviral drugs for the past 18 months, and has no detectable HIV-1 RNA in her blood. About 1,000 babies worldwide are born with HIV daily.
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