First we thought that soy was good and that it prevented cancer, then we were told that soy is bad and increases the risk of cancer, especially breast cancer. What to believe?

In a recent article published in the journal of the American Medical Association, it appears that among women with breast cancer, soy food consumption is significantly associated with decreased risk of death and recurrence.

This study is a well organized look at 5042 female breast cancer survivors in China. The outcome of the study is as follows; women who had a low intake of soy protein or soy isoflavone had a 10.3% risk of death and a 11.2% risk of recurrence over the 4 year study period, while women who had a high intake of soy had a 7.4% chance of death and an 8% chance of recurrence.

Soy isoflavones compete with estrogens in the binding if estrogen receptors, increase the synthesis of sex hormone-binding globulin, reduce estrogen synthesis, and increase the clearance of estrogen from the circulation. These antiestrogenic effects may be one of the underlying mechanisms through which soy food consumption is associated with better breast cancer outcomes.

This study is the largest population-based study of breast cancer survival to date. The conclusion is that soy food intake is safe and was associated with lower mortality and recurrence among breast cancer patients.

Your Birth Control Pill Can Be Harming Your Sex Life

Oral contraceptives are wonderful for convenient, effective birth control. They are also great for improving your complexion and shortening your menstrual cycle. However, they can be hazardous to your sexual response. Studies have shown that taking oral estrogen, as well as Nuvaring, can cause increased production of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) by the liver. This protein actually binds with circulating free testosterone, and results in a significant lowering of your testosterone level. The testosterone hormone is then not able to bind to receptors in the cells, and create the good effects of normal libido and sexual response. This effect is not permanent, and SHBG levels will drop to normal after stopping the medication. One great alternative is the Mirena IUD. It is progestin only, so it does not affect SHBG levels. It provides consistent, effective contraception as well as reducing menstrual flow. It is especially helpful during the perimenopause years, when irregular periods can become troublesome. It provides excellent balance for estrogen supplementation, without having to take a nightly pill. If you have been taking oral contraceptives, and are experiencing low libido, we can measure your SHBG, estradiol and testosterone levels with a simple blood test. Come in for an appointment and we can help figure out a better plan for you.

Dr. Deborah Wilson Featured in AzMedicine

Dr. Wilson is featured in the Winter 2009 issue of Arizona Medical Association's AzMedicine. The Winter 2009 issue focuses on doctors who think outside the box. Download a PDF file of the article here.

Congratulations Dr. Wilson!

Visit us on-line at www.skintiquemd.com or call 480.860.9383 for a free consultation!

Hi everyone! This is Lori, from Skintique MD-Dr. Wilson and Associates very own skin care department!

Due to popular demand, we will continue to run our IPL/Photofacial for the special price of $150 through January! The New Year is the perfect time to start getting ready for summer and the warmer weather. We are offering our Brazilian laser hair removal for only $140 per treatment for the month of January — that is a savings of $45 each session!

We are settling into our new office at 9180 East Desert Cove, Suite 105 in Scottsdale, right down the street from Dr. Wilson’s main office. We welcome you all to come by and say “Hi”! In January, we are planning on hosting an open house with lots of specials. We hope to see you there!

We really value all of our clients and want to say “thank you” for all of your support and for referring your friends and family members — that is the biggest compliment and we appreciate it!

If you need to have your gallbladder removed, would you consider going to a surgeon who makes a large incision across your upper abdomen? If your father needs to have his prostate removed, you would certainly seek out a Urologist who offers minimally invasive robotic techniques, wouldn't you? So why are only 15% of the hysterectomies in the United States performed using laparoscopic techniques?

The answer is complex.

To begin with, most Ob-Gyn doctors start out in practice delivering babies and don't do much surgery. As their practices mature, they need to advance their surgical skills by purposely searching out opportunities to learn techniques they may not have learned in residency. Some Ob-Gyn's seek advanced training and some do not. Those who do not revert back to what they know best, and that is usually the performance of surgery through large abdominal incisions.

The second reason for the low rate of minimally invasive hysterectomy is the lack of training available in some residency programs. Residency programs differ widely in their ability to offer residents adequate experience in minimally invasive surgery. Consequently, some residents emerge from residency with extensive laparoscopic skills and some with limited skills. All residents learn to deliver babies, but not all learn to operate laparoscopically.

The third and perhaps the most influential reason is that women often develop a close relationship with the doctor who cares for them through their reproductive years. If the doctor who has delivered their babies, done their pap smears and taken care of their occasional gynecologic problems for years suggests a surgical procedure, they are inclined to accept the suggestion without questioning. Consequently, a woman who needs a hysterectomy may not explore all of her options.

Conversely, when a patient is facing a general surgical procedure, she is likely to search out a surgeon who offers the best option for her, and that is obviously a minimally invasive option.

How do we change this trend?

Patients need to apply market pressure and demand that their doctors avail themselves of training opportunities and become proficient at minimally invasive surgery. When physicians realize that their patients expect this, they will comply.

Dr. Wilson and Dr. Spieldoch perform over 95% of their surgery using laparoscopic techniques. Dr. Spieldoch's residency program specialized in minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Spieldoch is consequently very proficient in both laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Dr. Wilson sought out advanced training in laparoscopic surgery when she stopped delivering babies and has developed a practice that emphasizes minimally invasive surgery. Patients come to this practice from all over Arizona and further for surgery. Some of these patients are sent by their Gynecologists or Primary Care Providers. More often, though, the patients do their own research and self-refer.

Dr. Wilson trains approximately 30 physicians per month in minimally invasive hysterectomy techniques. These physicians fly to Phoenix from all over the country to learn laparoscopic hysterectomy. Courses such as this will serve to reverse the trend and move us towards a time when most gynecologic surgery is performed minimally invasively.

New "Lucky Paws" animal shelter at 5130 East Thomas Road houses dogs and cats saved from euthanasia and ready for adoption.

"Lucky Paws" is located in the old Ingleside Veterinary Hospital on the corner of 52nd Street and Thomas near Arcadia. All kinds of dogs are available — young and old, big and small. Cats and kittens too!

Please come by on Saturdays from 11-3 for adoptions! We are open during the week as well. E-mail Kelly at feathersfoundation@gmail.com for appointments.

ADOPTION OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, January 2 from 11 am to 2 pm

We need:

• Dog walkers
• Kennel volunteers- come and clean kennels, do laundry, help feed and medicate
• Sheets, towels, blankets
• Dog food and treats
• Dog toys leashes, collars, coats
• Cat food and cat treats
• Cat toys
• Cat litter
• Scratching posts
• Crates and carriers
• Detergent

E-mail Kelly at feathersfoundation@gmail.com if you can help. Dog walking is great exercise and a good way to lose those holiday pounds! Come join Dr. Wilson and friends.

Office-Based Minor Surgical Procedures

We have had excellent feedback on our minor surgical suite.

Patients undergo endometrial ablations, Essure sterilization procedures, labial reductions, hysteroscopies and D&C's with ease and comfort. There is no waiting, no red tape, and the setting is much more private than the hospital. Anesthesia is provided by Valley Anesthesia, the same group of Anesthesiologists we utilize in the hospital.

So if you are considering a minor gynecologic procedure, please make an appointment for a consultation.

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