Month: January 2019

2019-01-31T07:25:00

(BPT) – While the American Cancer Society recently reported a 27 percent decline in the rate of cancer deaths between 1991 and 2016, over 1.7 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. last year alone, according to the National Cancer Institute. Although cancer will not be eradicated any time soon, new treatment options are helping patients today and will continue to do so. Here are seven predictions on the future of cancer care from leading experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA):

1. Technology will improve patient/physician interaction

“The patient/physician relationship in oncology will be strengthened by technological advances in data sharing, artificial intelligence and wearable devices,” says Pamela Crilley, DO, Chair, Department of Medical Oncology. Improvements in monitoring devices will be a game-changer for caregivers, for example, allowing them to share information more easily from their homes.

2. A better understanding of the immune system will lead to new cancer treatments

“While aging certainly increases the risk of developing cancer, some people’s immune systems are helping them remain cancer free for years. What is it about their systems that wards off cancer for decades?” asks Maurie Markman, MD, President of Medicine & Science. This question and observation are paving the way for future discoveries.

3. Precision medicine will continue to evolve

“We are at the tip of the iceberg of precision medicine,” says Ankur Parikh, DO, Medical Director, Precision Medicine. “As we collect genomic profile data on our patients, we should be able to identify specific populations that will respond better to various therapies, some of which may utilize the immune system.”

4. As cancer becomes more treatable, it will be handled like a chronic condition

“I predict that cancer will be considered a manageable, chronic disease like diabetes,” says Katherine Anderson, ND, FABNO, Chief, Division of Naturopathic Medicine. Along with greater longer-term survival, there will be more options to manage symptoms.

5. Nurses will become primary for patient care

“Nurses will be viewed as experts in cancer care and the main conduit of information between the medical team, the patient and their family,” says Fran Paschall, MBA, DNP, RN, CENP, Chief Nurse Executive. “They will become true partners with the patient and family on their cancer journey.”

6. Lifestyle issues will become even more central to cancer care

“More people will demand programs to help with early detection, prevention and enhancing quality of life when facing a cancer diagnosis. Lifestyle will be addressed as part of standard of cancer care,” predicts Carolyn Lammersfeld, MBA, MS, RD, CSO, LD, Vice President, Integrative Medicine.

7. The future of cancer care will rely on technological wonders

“Microscopic robots (nanobots) and ‘big data’ may be used to detect and analyze cancers in the future,” predicts Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla, MD, Vice Chair, Department of Medical Oncology. From there, Dr. Bonilla foresees a personalized pharmacy database that will instantly assess patients’ genomic information along with possible drug interactions.”

The experts at Cancer Treatment Centers of America are committed to delivering innovative diagnostic and treatment options whenever possible. Learn more at cancercenter.com.

2019-01-31T10:33:00

(BPT) – Whether you’ve been together for years or you’re in the first blush of romance, nothing says you’re thinking about your sweetheart like flowers on Valentine’s Day. With so many options for gift-giving, it’s easy to lose sight of the classics. Don’t forget to show your Valentine how you feel with a special gift.

Here are tips to help you make the most of the sweetest day of the year.

1. Plan ahead. Save big if you act now. You know Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, so why wait? 1-800-Flowers.com offers savings up to 40 percent using exclusive discounts on Valentine’s Day flowers if you order by Feb. 3. Choices range from gorgeous red roses and vibrant mixed-flower bouquets to the latest flower trend — hot pink bouquets. Find exclusive savings by interacting with 1-800-Flowers.com using Facebook Messenger, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple Business Chat. Mobile customers using voice or chat to shop for floral arrangements will enjoy an optimized experience on Google Assistant (“Hey Google, talk to 1-800-Flowers”). Search and shop on Google Assistant-enabled mobile devices, which offer a selection of farm fresh flowers in the 1-800-Flowers.com store on Google Express (“Shop 1-800-Flowers bouquets”). Customers can use Alexa to shop 1-800-Flowers.com (“Alexa, tell 1-800-Flowers to send my wife roses”) and complete the transaction using Amazon Pay. It’s easier than ever to shop and make sure your gift is received right on time.

2. Write your own card. Find a pretty, blank card or select a Valentine’s card with minimal printed writing and add your own personal message to your loved one. Express what you sometimes find difficult to say out loud. Describe a favorite memory from your past together or list some things that made you fall in love with them. Handwritten words mean so much more than even a carefully chosen pre-printed message. If high-tech is more your style, use your iPhone or iPad to send augmented reality (AR) messages with the 1-800-Flowers.com iOS mobile app, leveraging Apple’s AR kit. With a variety of fun and romantic AR filters and messaging to choose from, sweethearts can express their love by sending playful, thoughtfully customized “Will You Be My Valentine?” photo or video messages.

3. Consider alternatives to flowers. If you want to add to your gift of flowers, or your beloved is allergic to fresh blossoms, not to worry — there are plenty of other options. 1-800-Flowers.com offers lots of other gift choices to suit any valentine — from treats like chocolates and chocolate-covered strawberries to teddy bears, jewelry, keepsakes and more. Make a special statement with a personalized gift like a picture frame or candle with your names and anniversary date on it.

4. Give the gift of your time. Nothing says “I love you” better than spending time together. Take your sweetheart somewhere that’s meaningful to you as a couple. Schedule a special dinner or date, whether out on the town or a specially arranged home “date” complete with delicious treats and music, or a movie you both love. Being together to enjoy the day is the best gift you can give.

5. Don’t panic if you’re late. It happens to all of us. Life speeds by and suddenly we realize that we waited too long. 1-800-Flowers.com offers a Celebrations Passport loyalty program, where members enjoy free, standard shipping and no service charge for one full year on purchases made across the company’s entire family of brands, including Simply Chocolate, Harry & David, Cheryl’s Cookies and more. If it’s too late for 1-800-Flowers.com’s same-day delivery option to deliver your gift on time for Valentine’s Day, don’t panic. With SmartGift at 1-800-Flowers.com, they’ll never know you fumbled. Through this unique digital gifting experience, you simply choose the floral arrangement you want and instantly notify them via text, email or another messaging platform that something special is headed their way. You’ll score big points for the save, and for showing you were thinking of your sweetheart.

Remember, Valentine’s Day is all about showing your love for your special person and doesn’t have to be stressful. There are many creative, fun — and convenient — ways to wow the one who wows you this Valentine’s Day.

2019-01-31T08:01:00

(BPT) – Looking for a window into the past? For families, history buffs, students — and anyone aspiring to understand the legacy of African-Americans who helped shape our country’s history — there’s no better place than Virginia. Explore the significance and impact of African-American history by visiting these sites from the 17th through the 19th centuries, which bring to life the amazing stories of the people who shaped the American Evolution.

Jamestown Settlement:

Explore America’s first permanent English settlement, vividly revealed through more than 500 fascinating artifacts in museum galleries and outdoor living history. Exterior exhibits include re-creations of a 17th-century Powhatan Indian village, colonial fort and three 1607 English ships that arrived in Jamestown. Learn about the cultures of the Powhatan Indians, west central Africans and English who converged in 1600s Virginia. Discover the riveting story of Angolan Queen Njinga, a warrior who negotiated peace with the Portuguese and resettled former slaves in Angola.

Historic Jamestowne:

Exciting new archaeological digs are underway at Historic Jamestowne. In collaboration with the National Park Service, Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists are exploring the home site of merchant William Peirce, whose slave, a woman known only as Angela, was one of the first Africans to arrive in England’s North American colonies in 1619. Witness this important investigation firsthand and see how items dug up from the past reveal fascinating details about the lives of the earliest English settlers and the first Africans brought to our shores.

Fort Monroe:

President Barack Obama designated Fort Monroe a national monument in 2011. Known as Freedom’s Fortress, Fort Monroe was finished in the 1830s. During the Civil War, Fort Monroe served as a shelter for runaway slaves, who were declared contraband of war. This is the site of the 1619 African Arrival, when the first Africans were forcibly brought to North America on an English privateer ship. Fort Monroe houses trails, the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse and the Casemate Museum, where you can learn about the ships that brought the first Africans to Virginia, as well as the fort’s role throughout U.S. military history.

Gum Springs:

This 200-year-old African-American community was founded by former slave West Ford, who was born on the plantation of John Augustine Washington, George Washington’s brother. Ford received his freedom at 21. He later managed Mount Vernon for Supreme Court Justice Bushrod Washington (John Washington’s son). Family tradition holds that George Washington was West Ford’s father, but historic consensus suggests that Bushrod Washington actually was. West inherited 119 acres in 1829, which became Gum Springs, a community dedicated to sheltering runaways and freed slaves.

Freedom Park:

An early settlement for free blacks, Freedom Park showcases historically accurate recreations of their homes. Merchant William Ludwell Lee managed a large plantation in James City County. When Lee died in 1802, he directed in his will that his several dozen slaves should be freed. The freed slaves were protected by the timing of Lee’s death from the state of Virginia’s order that newly emancipated slaves leave the state. As a community, they made incredible economic progress from 1803-1850. Visit Freedom Park to discover their stories.

First African Baptist Church:

Although founded in 1802, it became Richmond’s first black Baptist church in 1841, when white members sold the building to its black members. While African-Americans were not allowed to marry, the church held weddings for its members. By 1861, church membership reached over 3,000. Congregants included Henry Box Brown, who escaped slavery by mailing himself in a crate to abolitionists in Philadelphia, and Lucy Goode Brooks, who established the Friends’ Asylum for Colored Orphans. In 1955 the congregation moved, selling the building to the Medical College of Virginia.

History comes alive through the actual places, homes, building and artifacts left behind. The rich legacy and lasting impact of the contributions and stories of adversity and triumph of African-Americans in our country can be found by visiting Virginia, home of the earliest settlements of not only the British, but the first slaves who fought for and achieved their freedom. Discover the individuals who shaped our early history in Virginia.

2019-01-30T12:01:00

2019-01-30T16:30:14

(BPT) – Crime used to mean things like break-ins and thieves swiping packages from your doorstep. But now there’s an increasing number of cybersecurity threats that are also crimes of opportunity. With more and more people using unfamiliar networks and doing lots of online shopping, bad actors have plenty of targets to choose from. By following these simple steps for data protection, you can keep your digital information secure.

1. Be careful when using insecure Wi-Fi networks

If you’re traveling or out shopping, you may find yourself on an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network. Many stores, airports and rest stops offer free Wi-Fi as a convenience, but often those networks aren’t secured. That makes it especially risky to make online purchases because the traffic from your device can be easily monitored and stolen. If you are using public Wi-Fi networks, then browsing to any website, make sure your connection is encrypted and secure by looking for the lock icon in the top left of the address bar. Also, always double check that the address you are navigating to is what you expected. Many modern devices, like the ASUS NovaGo, now feature built-in LTE, which offers a more secure experience for your online shopping.

2. Don’t rely on passwords alone

Passwords and user IDs are a staple of cybersecurity, but they can only get you so far. To further ensure your data stays protected, consider using password management and verification apps. They let you use your face, fingerprint, eyes or other methods to access your data across devices. For example, the Microsoft Authenticator app adds an extra level of security with two-step verification that allows you to access your Microsoft account and apps quickly and securely without having to remember a password.

3. Avoid phishing scams

With so many companies emailing promotions, it can feel like your inbox is under assault. In fact, it very well could be. Some of those emails may be phishing scams designed to steal your private information. To protect your data, don’t click on any unfamiliar links and carefully review all notifications from your bank to catch any potentially fraudulent activity.

Remember, scammers can be sophisticated. They may use personalized emails to gain your confidence or replicate the style of a well-known financial services company. If an email or link looks the slightest bit suspicious, don’t click it. Go directly to your bank or other online account to confirm the information independently.

4. Back up your data

If all your data is stored in one place, it’s vulnerable. Bad actors can lock up your device and demand payment to release your files. That’s why backing your data up to the cloud is critical for protecting your files against ransomware attacks. The cloud allows you to safeguard your data and access it from multiple devices. Cloud storage services are secure and can also let you easily transfer your data if you’re upgrading to a new device.

5. Utilize privacy screens

Preventing people from looking over your shoulder and stealing your information is the simplest and easiest way to protect your personal data. When online shopping in public, use privacy screens to hide your information. Some devices, like the HP EliteBook x360 and HP Spectre x360, have integrated privacy screens that instantly shield your screen with the push of a button. If your device doesn’t come with one built in, you can purchase a privacy screen.

6. Keep software current

Using a modern operating system with the latest security updates and built-in anti-virus protection is the best way to ward off unwanted intrusions. Major tech companies continually upgrade software to account for the latest cybersecurity threats so you can be confident your data is protected. By keeping your software current, you can avoid many cyberattacks before they cause problems.

2019-01-30T14:48:17

(BPT) – Is planning the perfect family vacation on your to-do list?

If you’re looking to leave your same-old, same-old behind to travel and explore someplace new and exciting, Myrtle Beach can be that area for you and your family. With a variety of attractions, it’s great for groups or quiet romantic getaways. Here are four reasons Myrtle Beach delivers immediate fun and long-lasting memories.

* Something for everyone. No matter where you go, you should pick a destination that works for your entire group and allows everyone to enjoy the best vacation possible. Myrtle Beach, for example, has numerous activities and attractions that deliver something for everyone. If you are coming with your family, plan a fun-filled vacation with visits to Ripley’s Aquarium, the Carolina Opry or Broadway at the Beach. And if your trip is more about celebrating a specific milestone, be it a birthday or anniversary, there’s no better place to do it than atop the SkyWheel. Soaring to the top of one of the nation’s tallest Ferris wheels will give you a whole new outlook on, well, everything.

* Beyond the beach. The Myrtle Beach area is well known for its 60 miles of pristine beaches but there’s also plenty more to do beyond the beach. The area offers numerous outdoor activities and quiet spaces waiting to be explored, including Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington and Myrtle Beach State Parks — and the famous Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.

* Chance to get off the beaten path. The Myrtle Beach area is more than just a single city center. It is actually composed of 14 distinct communities, each with their own unique offerings. Visiting these communities allows you to explore historic Conway, enjoy live music along Murrells Inlet, or swing on a hammock along the Pawleys Island seashore. Take the time to step away from the crowds and immerse yourself in local activities for a true, one-of-a-kind experience.

* Tremendous value. It is always good to find value in your travels whenever possible. Myrtle Beach offers lodging and attractions for every budget level, allowing you to plan the trip that matches your goals and your bottom line. Look for lodging and package deals throughout the year.

Start planning today

There’s no time like the present to start planning your vacation. Explore somewhere new and exciting this year. To learn more about what you can see and do in Myrtle Beach, visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

2019-01-30T08:05:00

(BPT) –

2019-01-30T09:01:01

(BPT) – Parents and caregivers want to keep their children safe in the car — but many move their child to the next restraint type too soon. This year, make sure your child always uses the car seat, booster seat or seat belt that is appropriate for their age, height and weight. And remember, children under 13 should always be in the back seat. For more information about choosing the right seat and finding a nearby car seat check location, visit NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat.