educational

September 30, 2021

Taking a Statistical Look at Breast Cancer

As many of our readers know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month across the United States. With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women. The healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine urge our patients to be aware of their breast cancer risk and take a proactive approach to maintain their health as the years go on. This means keeping up with annual breast cancer screenings and performing regular breast self-exams. To help put the prevalence of this illness into perspective, we have compiled recent breast cancer statistics from experts in the field. All statistics are provided by the American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Roughly 13% of all women in the US (or about 1 in every 8) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Over 281,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year.
An additional 2,650 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in men, although the risk for men is considerably lower.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, behind only lung cancer.
As of January of this year, there were more than 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer living in the US, including those currently being treated and those who have completed their treatment.
Breast cancer rates are highest for women between the ages of 60-84.
A woman’s risk of developing breast cancer nearly doubles in cases where she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has previously been diagnosed.

Understanding your potential risk is a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer. Women can potentially lower their breast cancer risk by living a healthy lifestyle including a nutritious diet, regular daily exercise, and avoiding alcohol.

While it may not be possible to prevent breast cancer, making sure that it is detected in a timely manner is incredibly important. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

August 31, 2021

What To Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings

What To Know About Prostate Cancer Screenings September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to take some time to discuss a few things men should know about prostate cancer screenings. It’s a fact that making and keeping annual screening appointments is a critical step for men trying to maintain their health and wellness as they age. However, it’s critical for men to fully understand the importance of screening appointments and their personal prostate cancer risk.

While it may not be possible to prevent illnesses like prostate cancer, regular screening appointments can ensure that the cancer is detected while it is in its earliest and most treatable stage. Thankfully prostate cancer is slow to metastasize relative to many other cancers. Still, if left untreated prostate cancer can spread throughout the body and become life-threatening for men.

There are two commonly used prostate cancer screening methods. Traditionally, healthcare providers have used what is known as a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) to manually detect abnormalities within or around the prostate area. However, many doctors today prefer the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test. PSAs are substances naturally produced by the prostate. Elevated PSA levels can be a sign of breast cancer or other conditions that affect the prostate like inflammation.

One thing men can do to better understand their risk of developing prostate cancer and how proactive they should be about starting annual prostate exams is identifying the risk factors commonly associated with the disease. Prostate cancer risk factors include:

Being 50 years of age or older
Having a close relative (a father, brother, or uncle) who developed prostate cancer before the age of 65
Being of African American descent
Eating a diet high in animal fats and low in fresh vegetables

We hope our readers found this helpful and informative. It’s not hyperbole to say that regular screening for prostate cancer can be legitimately life-saving for men as the years go on. We strongly recommend speaking with your healthcare provider about prostate health during your next annual physical appointment. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Lithonia, Loganville and Stone Mountain.

May 21, 2021

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month No one enjoys a headache. Those feelings of pain and pressure can come on suddenly and out of nowhere, turning a nice day into a discomforting nightmare. And while headaches are just a minor inconvenience for some people, they can be seriously debilitating for those that experience chronic headaches or migraines. In honor of National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month this June, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to help prevent headaches and migraines.

While it may not be possible to completely solve the headache problem for some people, we have found that avoiding migraine triggers and practicing certain healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. And in our experience of treating patients who experience chronic headaches, any help is more than welcome.

Take note of your headache triggers. Certain foods, medications, physical activities, and lifestyle habits like when you go to bed can all play a part in causing a headache or migraine. The first step in avoiding these triggers is recognizing them.

Try to take medicine before the headache gets too bad. Like any other medical condition or illness, the headaches are more easily treated in their earliest stages. If you feel a headache or migraine coming on, we recommend using over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve) to most patients (if appropriate) to try to stop their headache before it worsens. However, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before starting any medicine regimen to make sure they can safely start a new medication.

Keep a consistent sleep schedule. Sleep is a critical tool in the fight against headaches and migraines. This may mean avoiding mid-day naps if you think they will affect your body’s ability to get to sleep come bedtime. Sticking to a consistent meal schedule is also highly recommended.

Try to minimize your stress. We know this is easier said than done, but stress is a major headache trigger. Practicing relaxation techniques meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help reduce levels of stress and fight off potential migraines.

Make sure to stay hydrated. In many cases, headaches are caused by dehydration. Many people reach the end of the day and realize that they haven’t drunk nearly enough water, but by then they have a raging headache and it is too late. Staying thoroughly hydrated throughout the day can help prevent this.

Give yourself a break from screen time. Too many hours a day looking at a phone, computer, or TV can also lead to potential headaches. Giving your eyes and head a break can be highly beneficial for many people.

While it’s true that there are more treatment options for headaches and migraines available than ever before, in our experience it is always easier to prevent a headache than it is to get rid of one. We hope our readers found these tips beneficial. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, Lilburn and Loganville.

December 29, 2020

Holiday Season Health Tips from Abraham Family Medicine

female-sneezing Everyone here at Abraham Family Medicine is excited that the holiday season is here once again. There is a lot to love about the holidays, however this is also the time of year when sickness is most common. Cold temperatures, festive gatherings, cold and flu germs in the air during the COVID-19 pandemic, and additional holiday stress can all do a number on a person’s immune system. This year more than ever, it’s important to make your health a priority. That’s why the healthcare providers at Abraham Family Medicine wanted to provide some simple tips to reduce your risk of seasonal illness this holiday season.

Bundle Up

As temperatures continue to drop, it’s important to keep yourself warm. Wearing appropriate outdoor clothing is critical for staying healthy throughout the holidays. This includes layering and making sure to wear gloves, hats, scarves, and proper boots when necessary.

Wash Your Hands Regularly

In the wake of COVID-19, we know everyone has been sanitizing their hands like never before. But it’s important to keep that up throughout the holidays. Doing so can help prevent the spread of germs associated with the flu, the common cold, and other seasonal health issues. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm/hot water for 20 seconds.

Consider Year-End Health Screenings

There’s no such thing as a bad time for a check-up with your healthcare provider, but doing so around the holidays can be a great way to put a bow of health and wellness on your year. The annual check-up can provide a perfect opportunity to make sure your immunizations and health screenings are up to date heading into the new year.

Try to Eat Healthy

We know this is easier said than done with all the delicious holiday meals and tasty treats around. However, moderation can be very helpful. If you know there is an indulgent Christmas dinner coming up, try to make sure that your meals surrounding it are a bit healthier and richer in important nutrients. You can make healthy eating choices without depriving yourself.

The holidays should be a time of joy, festivity, and relaxation. Following these tips can help promote a healthy holiday season for you and the special people in your life. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

November 30, 2020

Hear How We Improve the Health & Well-Being of Our Patients!

BAPC-logo Feedback is important in any field. But especially so for healthcare providers like our entire medical team here at Abraham Family Medicine. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide professional, first-class medical care that our patients and their loved ones deserve. So hearing back from our patients helps us know what we are doing all the right things and also what we can improve on to perfect our approach to patient care moving forward. With this in mind, we wanted to present some firsthand medical testimonials from our patients to illustrate the impact our care has had on their lives.

“The first time I went to see Dr. Abraham, he told me that I was on too much insulin because he didn’t believe that senior patients should be on a sliding scale when it came to taking insulin. He adjusted my medication and I started feeling better. I am not on any insulin at all now. I do take two pills hopefully if I keep sticking to my diet I will be off of those soon. Dr. Abraham has a great bedside manner and he takes his time with you. He listens to what you have to say. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Everyone made me feel that I mattered and that my care was important. I would recommend Abraham Family Medicine to any senior citizen who is looking for a great doctor.”

• JM

“Dr. Abraham is very thorough and always takes the time that he needs when I am there for an appointment. He communicates clearly and educates me on what I do not understand. I have been in the medical field for over 30 years. I know a good doctor when I see one. Every provider I have seen at this office has been professional, caring and above reproach.”

• TR

“Dr. Abraham has been my doctor for several years and has been instrumental in making sure my peripheral artery disease is kept under control. He always makes sure I completely understand any changes that are made in my medication and watches for any changes in my symptoms. He makes you feel like you are in a health partnership with him and makes you feel like you are his only patient.”

• JL

We wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to leave us such kind, thoughtful words. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our work is helping to positively impact on the lives of our patients. If you have had a similar experience with Abraham Family Medicine that you would like to share, you can leave us a review on Google, Healthgrades, or Vitals. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact Abraham Family Medicine. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.

March 3, 2020

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Happy March, everyone. Here at Abraham Family Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing our patients and their families with knowledge to help them achieve and maintain long term health and wellness. That’s why whenever we reach an important health awareness event on the calendar, we like to take a little time to discuss what patients should know about the respective health topic or concern in question.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the US. Colorectal cancer refers to any cancer that starts in the rectum or colon. Although there are different forms of this disease, adenocarcinomas make up 96% of all colon cancer cases according to the American Cancer Society. Although the causes of colorectal cancer are still being studied, many cases result from abnormal growths in the colon or hereditary gene mutations.

To help reinforce the importance of awareness, our healthcare providers wanted to provide some statistics about the prevalence of colorectal cancer for adults in the US:

Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among adults in the US, behind only lung cancer.
Experts estimate that 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year.
On average, 1 in every 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at some point in their lives.
The incidence rate of colorectal cancer is slightly higher in men than in women.
Up to 60% of all colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented with annual screening appointments.
1 in every 4 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a family history of the disease.
Based on current research, the median age of younger colorectal cancer patients (under 50) is 44, and over 75% of these cases are diagnosed in their forties.

Annual screening appointments are a necessity, but there is more a person can do to reduce their risk. People can lower their risk of colorectal cancer by living a healthy lifestyle that includes regular daily exercise, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.

The good news is that with proper diligence, understanding, and an annual colonoscopy appointment, colorectal cancer is preventable and manageable. We highly recommend making a point of discussing your colon health with your healthcare provider during any annual appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. Our office is located in Snellville, not far from Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.