Regional Medical Center of San Jose

Spotlight on Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a huge concern for millions of Americans. Each year, this disease accounts for more cancer-related deaths than any other cancerous disease, which clearly shows the need for greater education and prevention measures. By knowing the facts about lung cancer, you can protect yourself and your family from its life-endangering effects.

Causes
Though smoking can be detrimental in many ways, it is particularly damaging to the lungs. Statistics indicate that between 80 to 90% of all lung cancer cases can be linked to smoking. This unfortunate reality highlights the importance of ceasing your smoking habit before it leads to lung cancer. Because the lungs can heal themselves to some degree once you cease smoking, it’s never too late to quit. Other prominent factors that may lead to lung cancer are second-hand smoke and toxic chemical exposure.

Symptoms
Many lung cancer cases are diagnosed in their latter stages, which is why being alert to possible signs of lung cancer is vital for your health. Lung cancer symptoms can vary from person to person, but the presence of a chronic cough is one of the most common. Wheezing or breathing trouble may also point to a lung problem. Some individuals may also suffer chest discomfort or weight loss. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, or if you have coughed up blood, contact a medical professional for help.

Treatment
Several treatment methods are available for lung cancer patients, including the da Vinci robotic surgery system. Robotic surgery offers individuals the most advanced and least invasive surgical option for removing cancerous growths in the lungs. Along with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, this option can afford lung cancer patients the best opportunity for remission and recovery.

Regional Medical Center of San Jose provides comprehensive and compassionate cancer care for patients. To make an appointment, call our San Jose facility at (888) 762-8881. To find out more about how you can protect yourself from lung cancer, use our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral system.

Use The Information at These Sites to Make Better Choices for Your Health

If you pay attention to signs of cancer and lead a healthy lifestyle, you can greatly extend your life. These articles discuss conditions that can develop in older age and ways to prevent them.

• The American Stroke Association explains how stroke can impair brain function.
• Because a stroke can cause brain damage in just minutes, immediate stroke care is vital. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports on the importance of urgent care for stroke victims.
• Could you be at risk for stroke? The American Heart Association offers a risk assessment tool that can help you determine your danger for stroke and heart attack.
• The signs of heart attack in women often differ from those in men. WomensHealth.gov lists common heart attack symptoms for women.
• The Alzheimer’s Association helps readers identify the early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Regional Medical Center of San Jose provides attentive and effective urgent care and other services for residents of the greater San Jose area. To learn more about the healthcare options we offer, call (888) 762-8881 or visit our website.

The Importance of Short ER Wait Times

Having access to urgent care during a health emergency can significantly impact a person’s future wellbeing. When you or a loved one is sick or hurt, you deserve appropriate medical attention. If emergency treatment is needed, waiting minutes or even seconds can affect not only your recovery, but also your survival. The following reasons highlight the differences that short ER wait times at Regional Medical Center of San Jose can make.

Faster Medical Attention
Patients with sudden critical health problems go to the emergency room to get immediate care and comfort. Though minor health issues can be addressed with at-home treatment, problems like a broken arm, severe burn, or asthma attack demand help that only a trained medical professional can provide. Because so many medical emergencies result in considerable discomfort, a short ER wait time also means getting the swift relief you need for your pain.

Increased Survival Rates
Some medical emergencies can become life threatening in a matter of minutes. If you suspect that you may be suffering from a heart attack or stroke, you cannot wait for delayed treatment. Studies have shown that when individuals receive quick medical attention for these conditions, they are more likely to survive them. That’s why a short ER wait time can directly impact a person’s ability to survive a major health crisis.

Swifter Recovery Periods
The importance of a short ER wait time extends beyond a person’s chance to live through a medical emergency. It affects his or her long-term quality of life, too. Consider stroke victims. Every minute they must wait for urgent care is another minute their brains are deprived of oxygen. As a result, stroke victims may suffer irrevocable brain damage that compromises their mobility, senses, and independence. When the wellbeing of a loved one is at risk, make sure your urgent care facility has a short ER wait time.

Regional Medical Center of San Jose offers online updates to our ER wait time every 30 minutes. We also provide a text messaging feature that allows San Jose area patients to access our most current emergency room waiting time. To learn more about our facility’s urgent care and stroke care services, call (888) 762-8881.

Understanding Your Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke

Heart attacks and strokes affect each victim differently. This video explains how to recognize the signs of either life-threatening condition.

Women and men often exhibit different heart attack symptoms. For example, women may not feel chest pain, which is widely considered a common sign of a heart attack. As a result, many female heart attack victims prolong getting urgent care. If you experience sudden sweating, dizziness, nausea, breathing difficulties, chest pressure, or pain in the jaw, neck, back, or arms, you may be having a heart attack.

Regional Medical Center of San Jose offers comprehensive heart attack and stroke care for patients. For more information about these conditions, call (888) 762-8881. You can also take advantage of our iTriage Symptom Checker to alert our urgent care staff to your arrival.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Should You Include It in Your Healthcare Routine?

Women 40 years old and above are advised to get annual mammograms, and men over the age of 40 should get screened for prostate cancer. Though these screenings are widely recommended for these demographics, other cancer prevention techniques are not as commonly practiced. Many people who should undergo colorectal cancer screenings frequently do not. If you are uncertain as to whether you should seek a colorectal cancer screening at Regional Medical Center of San Jose, consider the following questions.

Are you 50 years old or older?
The vast majority of colorectal cancer diagnoses occur among older individuals. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 90% of those found to have colorectal cancer are 50 years old or older. This statistic underscores the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings once you turn 50. If you fall into this age category, consult a cancer care specialist about your colorectal cancer screening options.

Do you have a family history of colorectal cancer?
Genes play a big part in the occurrence of many types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that individuals with a family history of this disease are more at risk. If you have a parent or sibling who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, don’t put off getting screened for it. If you are not yet 50 years old, you should still discuss your family history with a qualified practitioner who can assess your individual colorectal cancer risk.

Have you been experiencing any colorectal cancer symptoms?
A number of individuals with colorectal cancer present no signs of the disease. If you notice signs, which include unanticipated weight loss, bowel movement problems, or bloody stool, you should seek help immediately. Each of these symptoms may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer, which necessitates immediate cancer care treatment.

Did you know that March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month? The Regional Medical Center of San Jose wants to help San Jose residents protect themselves from colorectal cancer with regular cancer screenings. To schedule an appointment, call (888) 762-8881.