Six Tips To Help Women Shape Up For Summer

Dr. Enrique Jacome

Summer is fast approaching, and with less clothing and more skin showing, most women are looking for get fit tips. To achieve this, I suggest a results-oriented system that focuses on weight training, nutrition, cardio and accountability. No matter what your fitness goals are this summer, you can lose weight, gain strength and confidence, and get ready to hit the beach. Here are some tips to help you get “bikini ready” and stay in shape long after the sunscreen gets packed away:

1. Add interval cardio to your day

Interval cardio can burn excess fat and boost metabolism. Interval cardio exercises like walking, jogging, or the elliptical can burn upwards of 10 calories every minute, so by finding 30 minutes a day to dedicate to cardio, it is possible to lose inches and feel more comfortable in a bathing suit.

2. Fight osteoporosis and fat with weight training

Weight training is a key component in transforming bodies, preventing injuries and overall health and wellbeing. Each day of weight training burns about 200 calories, and weight training gives a metabolic boost for bodies to use later: for every 5 pounds of muscle built, the body will burn an additional 200 calories each day just to sustain the muscle—that’s 1,400 calories per week.

3. Practice mindful eating

That can of soda is 200 calories and that apple with peanut butter is 200 calories. Which one is a better use of calories? When making meal and snack choices, choose the one that will most benefit your body’s needs. If you’re not sure what foods you should be eating, ask a trainer at your gym.

4. Keep track of portion size

Eat six small meals throughout the day (about fist-sized) and only eat when you’re actually hungry. Stave off boredom-inspired hunger with a glass of water or a trip to burn the calories that you would have consumed.

5. Rest between workouts 

When you’re in a time crunch to get into a bathing suit, it can be tempting to work out every day thinking you will reach your goal faster, but doing so will put your body at a much higher risk of injury. A trainer can help you set healthy, realistic exercise goals for your bikini deadline.

6. Drink lots of water

Drinking water during and after exercising helps keep bodies hydrated as toxin-carrying water leaves as sweat. Drinking water can also help cut pounds for the summer: to drop pounds, replace soda and alcoholic beverages with water to cut calories throughout the day; drink a glass of water before eating to suppress appetite; and get better skin, less headaches and better digestion with more water consumption.

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Targeted Drug Could Prolong Survival For Cervical Cancer Patients

Dr. Enrique Jacome

The American Cancer Society estimate that there will be 12,360 new cases of invasive cervical cancer diagnosed this year, with 4,020 deaths from the disease. Now, a phase II trial has found that a targeted antitumor drug could prolong the survival of women with cervical cancer.

The research team, led by Dr. Angélica Nogueira-Rodrigues of the Brazilian National Cancer Institute, recently published their findings in the journal Cancer.

For patients with locally advanced cervical cancer - cancer that has spread only to nearby tissues or lymph nodes - cisplatin-based chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is deemed the standard treatment.

However, the researchers note there has been a lack of research into the benefits of this treatment since the late 1990s, and the therapy can be unpredictable and disappointing for patients.

With this in mind, the research team investigated a new treatment strategy. This involves targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) - a receptor that is commonly overexpressed in patients with cervical cancer.

Past research has shown that blocking EGFR can stop the development of tumors in a number of cancers, and erlotinib is a drug that is a known EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Targeted therapy 'halts cervical cancer progression and prolongs survival'

For their phase II trial, the team tested the effectiveness of erlotinib in combination with cisplatin-based CRT in 36 women aged 18-70 years who had cervical cancer stages IIB to IIIB.

The therapy was carried out for a median of 77 days, and the median follow-up duration was 59.3 months.

Results of the trial revealed that overall, all cancerous tumors disappeared in 34 (94.4%) patients.

At 2 years after treatment had ceased, 91.7% of the patients were still alive and 80.6% had no disease progression. A year later, 80% of the women were still alive and 73.8% had no disease progression.

In comparison, the researchers note that cisplatin-based CRT currently decreases mortality risk by 30-50% for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer who are undergoing radiotherapy.

Commenting on the findings, the study authors say:

"To the best of our knowledge, the current study is the first to reveal that a target agent is safe and has promising activity against locally advanced cervical cancer when combined with CRT."

Based on their findings, the researchers say the combination of erlotinib and CRT warrants further investigation and this should involve the assessment of other potential biomarkers.

"In this context, a recent study has identified EGFR mutations in 36% of cases of squamous cell cervical cancer," they add.

"However, this observation requires further confirmation and needs to be coupled with a thorough molecular characterization of cervical cancer to implement rational and efficacious targeted therapy for this disease."

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine also assesses a new treatment option for patients with cervical cancer. It suggests that chemotherapy combined with a drug called Avastin (bevacizumab) may be able to extend the lives of patients in the advanced stages of the disease.

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9 Simple Things All Women Should Be Doing For Their Health

Dr. Enrique Jacome

Like many people, I dread going to the dentist, not because of the threat of pain, or the oddly intimate experience of someone handling the backsides of my teeth. It's the flossing conversation. Invariably I'm asked, "You floss, right?" And invariably, I stammer some nonsense about trying ... busy mornings ... sensitive gums ... blah, blah, blah. Just looking for the best excuse possible.

How silly that is because I know full well that it is a key part of good health. With that in mind here are some relatively easy and painless things every woman should be doing for their overall health and wellbeing:

1. Prep before you go to the doctor
Alice Cooper, a nurse practitioner in the department of obstetrics and gynecology with Duke Medicine asks her patients: "Why don't you think about the three top things that are important to you before you come to see me the next time?'" she said. "That way, we are making sure that your needs are being met, in addition to whatever boxes we need to check off to get the routine things covered.

2. Get to know your breasts
Several studies make the case against monthly self breast exams, finding they both needlessly worry healthy women, and give those who miss lumps a false sense of security. But Cooper disagrees: "I do encourage people to do a check once a month, after their period, in the shower," she said. "Often, they do find their own breast lumps."

The American Cancer Society says that from age 20 on, all women should be told about the potential benefits and limitations of self breast exams so they can do what seems right to them. Those who choose not to do regular exams "should still know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any changes to their doctor right away," the group recommends.

3. Monitor your moles
"[Checking moles] is very, very important," said Dr. Nasreen Ghazi with the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Pennsylvania. "Women who are fair skinned and have a lot of moles are [often] actually more cognizant of the mole thing, but women who are darker skinned should also be looking out." Pay attention to the ABCDEs -- asymmetry, border, color, diameter and whether and how any given mole is evolving -- and try to do it around once a month. (Use a mirror and ask a friend to help check your back.)

Oh, and wear sunscreen daily, too. "Even if you don't burn, you're still at risk for skin cancer," Ghazi said.

4. Track your period and your sex drive

A recent survey found that many women don't understand basic reproductive concepts (like when ovulation typically occurs), but paying attention to your cycle makes it easier to alert your provider to any abnormalities. Potential red flags: "If you're bleeding more days out of the month than not, or experiencing a lot of pain or heaviness of flow," Cooper said.

In the same vein, don't pooh-pooh sexual health concerns, like painful intercourse. Issues with lubrication, sex drive, or just being overly tired ... these are things that women put on the back burner sometimes. But they can be a sign that something serious is going on.

5. Consider folate
Though the jury's out on the benefits of taking a daily multivitamin, the evidence is clear that sufficient folic acid is important for woman who might become pregnant, because it helps prevent serious birth defects. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all women between 15 and 45 take it daily, because half of U.S. pregnancies are unplanned, and it's most important in the first weeks after conception. You can get your folate from foods like spinach and fortified breakfast cereals, or simply take a vitamin with 400 to 800 micrograms a day, Ghazi said.

6. Move for 10 minutes

When you're over-worked, over-scheduled, over-tired -- or perhaps all of the above? -- the last thing you want to hear is that you should get to the gym. But the good news is that moving a little is far better than not moving at all. "I tell patients, even if it's just 10 minutes, do something," Ghazi said. "Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a walk." Studies back that idea, finding that 10 minutes of walking a day can help boost women's heart strength and overall fitness.

7. Do something you love for 5 min
If you love physical activities like yoga or soccer, well done, you! If not, do whatever (not unhealthy) thing makes you happy. "Identify that thing that gives you great joy and think about how you could integrate it into your daily life for at least 5 minutes a day," Cooper said. Doctors and researchers have found more and more evidence that health and happiness are intertwined. Chronic stress, on the other hand, can lead to all kind of mental and physical health problems.

8. Rest
Getting enough sleep is essential for good health in many, many ways, and there is no replacement for it. But even after nights when you're up with a deadline or a screaming infant, giving yourself just a quick break the next day can make a real difference in your overall wellbeing -- and you don't even have to close your eyes. "My advice, as a provider, is to give yourself time to rest. Give yourself time to be reflective," said Cooper.

Think you can't fit it in? While not necessarily the sexiest of tips, Cooper has a suggestion: "I say, 'When you go to the bathroom, don't let that be the only thing you do. Sit for a few seconds longer, and be alone ... use that as an opportunity to sit in solitude and think about what's going on in your life.'"

9. Floss
"Oral health has implications far beyond just your mouth," said Beard. "It's associated with other illnesses, so [flossing] is extremely important." Not only has periodontal disease been linked to heart disease (the number one killer of women in the U.S.), there are particular risks for women during pregnancy: Gingivitis may be a risk factor for preterm birth, as the bacteria present can trigger an immune response causing contractions and dilation. "Find a dental pick or floss that actually works for you and just carry it in your purse," said Beard. "It's just a matter of incorporating it into your routine." Roger that.

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Even Hours After Sex, New Vaginal Gel Could Protect Women Against HIV

Dr. Enrique Jacome

A research team, led by investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has developed a new vaginal gel that they say could protect women from HIV, even if it is applied hours after sex. This is according to a study recently published in the journalScience Translational Medicine.

In the past, scientists have developed microbicides - gels that can kill or neutralize viruses and bacteria - containing antiretroviral drugs to protect against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) transmission. But the researchers of this most recent study note that these microbicides contain entry or reverse transcriptase inhibitors - antiretroviral drugs that block the early processes involved in HIV infection.

This means such gels need to be given as a pre-exposure dose, which the team says can reduce compliance because gel application interferes with sexual practices. Therefore, the researchers decided to create a microbicide gel containing integrase inhibitors - antiretroviral drugs that block processes after HIV infection, meaning the gel could be applied after sexual intercourse.

Study author Walid Heneine, of the Department of HIV Control and Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told Medical News Today:

"If we can develop a microbicide gel that can be used after sex, that would improve desirability and acceptability by a woman and encourage them to use it more effectively."

The gel contains a 1% solution of an antiretroviral drug called raltegravir (Isentress).

The researchers explain that approximately 6 hours after initial infection, the DNA of the virus moves into the DNA of animal cells. Raltegravir blocks this process, and in turn, stops HIV in its tracks.

To test the efficacy of the gel against HIV infection, the research team applied it to three female macaque monkeys 30 minutes before exposure to HIV, while a group of 10 monkeys received a placebo gel. The gels were applied twice a week for a total of 7 weeks.

Of the monkeys that received the antiretroviral gel, two out of three remained HIV-free, compared with only one of the 10 monkeys that were given the placebo gel. The researchers then applied the antiretroviral gel to six monkeys 3 hours after HIV exposure, while four monkeys were given a placebo gel. The gels were applied twice a week for 2.5 months. The antiretroviral gel protected five of the six monkeys from HIV, while all four monkeys who received the placebo gel contracted the virus.

Commenting on the findings, the researchers say:

"We provide a proof of concept that topically applied integrase inhibitors protect against vaginal SHIV (simian/human immunodeficiency virus) infection when administered shortly before or 3 hours after virus exposure."

However, the researchers say they need to improve the gel's effectiveness before it can be entered into human clinical trials.

"We have to evaluate acceptability, safety and efficacy, so the timeframe can be somewhere around 5 years or more," explained Heneine.

Furthermore, they point out that although the gel protected the majority of monkeys against HIV, it may not necessarily have the same effect in humans. But the researchers hope their study will prompt other researchers in the field to look to the use of integrase inhibitors in HIV prevention. "There is already increased interest in this new class of drugs for HIV prevention, and I think our data will offer support for further research into using these drugs," Heneine told us.

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Intravaginal Ring Providing Dual Protection Against HIV And Pregnancy Is First Of It's Kind To Enter A Clinical Trial

Dr. Enrique Jacome

Women's reproductive health may never be the same, thanks to Northwestern University biomedical engineer Patrick Kiser and his first-of-its-kind intravaginal ring that reliably delivers an antiretroviral drug and a contraceptive for months.

Kiser's one ring delivers two drugs that do three important things: the device is designed to protect against HIV and herpes as well as unwanted pregnancy. It will be the first device with the potential to offer this protection to be tested in women.

The easy-to-use ring delivers controlled doses of tenofovir (a common antiretroviral drug) and levonorgestrel (a contraceptive) for 90 days. The rings are being manufactured now, and the device soon will undergo its first test in women.

Details of the development of the ring, a device that represents a lot of 'firsts,' were published March 5 by PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed, open-access online journal.

According to the World Health Organization, 35 million people around the world live with HIV, and 222 million women would like to delay or stop childbearing but are not using any method of contraception.

"I suspect women will use the ring primarily for contraception, but they also will benefit from protection against sexually transmitted diseases," said Kiser, an expert in intravaginal drug delivery. "And for women in the developing world in particular, unwanted pregnancy can have significant health, economic and cultural consequences. We want to motivate women to use this ring."

The ring, 5.5 centimeters in diameter, is simple yet complex. Kiser and his colleagues worked painstakingly for five years, engineering the three materials that make up the ring and optimizing the device to reliably deliver fixed and efficacious doses of two medicines over a long period of time.

"A lot of engineering has gone into developing the ring," said Kiser, senior author of the paper. "It represents two Ph.D. theses - one Ph.D. for the larger section containing the antiretroviral drug and another Ph.D. for the smaller section containing the contraceptive."

Kiser is a faculty member in the department of biomedical engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science and in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

The ring is easily inserted in the vagina and stays in place for three months. And because the tenofovir is delivered at the site of transmission, the ring - known as the tenofovir levonorgestrel IVR - utilizes a smaller dose than pills. The levonorgestrel released by the ring is the same drug as that used in certain contraceptive pills and in an intrauterine device.

"This system represents a significant advance in vaginal drug delivery technology and is the first in a new class of long-acting multipurpose prevention drug delivery systems," say the authors in the study. They also report details of the ring's engineering, safety, stability and drug release.

"The differences between the two drugs are huge, which presented us with a design challenge," Kiser said. "Tenofovir is highly water soluble while levonorgestrel is highly water insoluble. And the daily dose is different: the ring delivers about 10 milligrams of tenofovir and only 10 micrograms of levonorgestrel. Our scientific hurdle was finding a way to manufacture a dual-purpose ring that got the device into the clinic."

Tenofovir is taken orally by 3.5 million HIV-infected people worldwide, and it also has been studied as a gel. The drug inhibits HIV and HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus-2) replication in susceptible cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that antiretroviral drugs can prevent HIV infection, but existing methods for delivering the drug fall short. Pills must be taken daily and require high doses; some women may prefer a longer-lasting method, such as the ring, versus methods used at the time of sex, such as a gel.

Kiser's combination ring promises much more. The strength of the device stems from its unique polymer construction: its elastomer swells in the presence of fluid (such as that found in the human body), delivering up to 100 times more of the tenofovir than current intravaginal ring technology, which have release rates that decline over time.

"Products only work when they are used," said co-author David Friend, product development director at CONRAD, which develops reproductive health technologies for low-income countries and is affiliated with Eastern Virginia Medical School.

"By having a ring that can remain in the body for up to 90 days, our hope is that this ring will offer a solution to increase adherence, and therefore provide greater protection against HIV while also preventing pregnancy," he said.

The antiretroviral drug section of the ring is made of one kind of polyurethane, and the contraceptive section of the ring is made of another polyurethane. Each material needed to be engineered with the correct diffusion rates, so the encapsulated drug is released into the body at the desired rate, providing the correct dose.

A third polyurethane material between the two sections keeps the drugs separate. All the parts are welded together to complete the ring.

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