Reprinted from the Joliet Herald-News By DENISE M. BARAN–UNLAND Kathleen Wilk is no stranger to cancer. She is an oncology nurse at Christ Outpatient Infusion in Oak Lawn. Wilk’s sister, Melissa Geible of Tinley Park, was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago at the age of 38. Wilk always...
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or at a high risk for developing it in the future, your doctor may have had a conversation with you about breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction is a special type of surgery to rebuild the shape and look of...
If you or someone you know is a cancer patient or survivor, it’s critical you maintain the things in life that are important to you—your energy, your mobility and your activity level. The therapists at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) use...
When it comes to their families’ health, women rule the roost, making nearly 80 percent of all healthcare decisions. Women also tend to be the primary caregiver when a family member becomes ill. In fact, women devote so much time to everyone else, they often...
Cathleen (Cathy) Larsen is a model patient. The Marseilles grandmother of two never misses her annual health screenings and checkups. In fact, she’s so committed to good health, she reminds her family and friends to do the same. As a retired public health nurse from the...
With all the information available about breast cancer, sometimes it’s hard to distinguish fact from fiction. For instance, a common myth is that most breast cancers run in families. The truth is, only five to 10 percent of breast cancers are thought to be hereditary, which means they’re...
Dr. Maria Rapciak is well known for her expertise in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including da Vinci Robotic Surgery. But what many of her patients might not know is that this highly accomplished breast/general surgeon is also a hometown girl at heart! Born in Poland...
When Jennifer Tseng, M.D., was growing up hiking along the coastlines and hills of Orange County, California the thought of becoming an innovative breast cancer surgeon was not on her radar. In fact, it was not until she watched healthcare liaisons in her college residence...
From routine mammograms to breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, Silver Cross Hospital has brought together advanced technology and highly trained specialists so area residents can receive comprehensive breast care close to home. For many, it starts with a digital or 3D screening mammogram in the...
Aside from skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in American women, according to the American Cancer Society. Luckily, there are steps you can take to help prevent the disease from even occurring. While there is never a guarantee, these steps can...