Frequent exercise will help you to have a healthy body and to maintain the appropriate weight, but physical activity can detrimentally affect your skin. Fortunately, there are great ways to care for your skin to avoid having any problems that can lead to cancer, wrinkles or acne. Here are four ways for you to maintain healthy skin while you are exercising.
Protection from the Sun’s Ultraviolet Rays
If you are exercising outside, then you must protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Look for sunscreen lotions or creams that are water-resistant so that they will remain on your skin even after a day of hard exercise and sweat. Make sure to reapply the sunscreen products according to the package’s label to avoid having sunburned skin. Protecting your skin from sunlight can prevent skin cancer.
Proper Cleansing After Exercising
When you are exercising, you will perspire more, and your skin will also produce additional oils. This means that you must clean your skin frequently to avoid having blemishes that include pimples or blackheads. Look for facial and body skin cleansers that are appropriate for your skin’s type so that you won’t have greasy or dry skin. After physical activity, make sure to shower or bathe right away to avoid having a foul odor.
Professional Facial Services
At a medical spa, you can request professional facial services to have beautiful skin despite exercising intensely. There are several types of facials available, including exfoliating dry skin tissue or removing sebum from the skin’s pores. You can also undergo laser treatments to lighten skin discolorations. An aesthetician can also inject fillers to improve your facial appearance, or you might prefer an injection of a neurotoxin to reduce skin wrinkles.
Drinking Enough Water
Your skin needs hydrationto remain healthy and attractive. When you aren’t drinking enough water, you will feel terrible, and it will often affect your skin. The average adult requires a minimum of eight glasses of water each day, but if you are engaging in physical activity, then you will need much more than this. Begin your day by drinking a glass of water and make sure to carry bottles of water with you while you are exercising. If you can, find water bottles that you can clip onto a bicycle’s frame or that will attach to a belt around your waist.
Inspect Your Skin
After exercising, make sure to inspect your skin for any problems that can include having blisterson your feet or chafing around your waist. These are common skin problems that are caused by excessive skin rubbing when you are perspiring.Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChapl
Addition of KISQALI® to drug plan in Quebec expands access to treatment for metastatic breast cancer
Provincial reimbursement provides public access to treatment that may delay the progression of advanced breast cancer
DORVAL, QUEBEC, September 19, 2019 /CNW/ - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) is pleased to announce that Quebec will now reimburse KISQALI® (ribociclib) for eligible patients in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (letrozole) under the province's public drug program for first-line treatment of postmenopausal women living with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.1
For women living with metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, bones or brain.2 It may happen before or after treatment, or it may develop from reoccurring breast cancer.3 Although there have been advancements in early detection and treatment, there is still no cure for metastatic breast cancer.4 While overall 5-year survival rates for female breast cancer are relatively high, at 87%, women with advanced breast cancer face a 22% survival rate over 5 years.5
"The public reimbursement of KISQALI® for metastatic breast cancer in Quebec represents a promising milestone for women living with metastatic breast cancer," said Dr. Nathaniel Bouganim, Medical Oncologist, McGill University Health Centre. "Now, patients will have access to more options to potentially help slow disease progression."
"We are thrilled to see the province of Quebec grant access to therapeutic options that help improve the quality of life of women living with metastatic breast cancer," said Nathalie Tremblay, Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation.
KISQALI® belongs to a family of medications called protein kinase inhibitors. These medications work by stopping cancer cells from dividing and growing. KISQALI® received Health Canada approval for use with letrozole on March 2, 2018, for the treatment of postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer as first-line endocrine-based therapy based on findings from the pivotal MONALEESA-2 trial. When given together with letrozole, KISQALI® may help slow down the growth and spread of breast cancer cells.6
"Novartis is committed to bringing innovative therapies that can improve the quality of life for those impacted by breast cancer," said Daniel Hébert, Country Medical Head Oncology, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. "The reimbursement of KISQALI® is a testament to the ongoing need for public access to this treatment, and we continue to work collaboratively with the remaining provinces and territories to ensure patients from across Canada with metastatic breast cancer and their healthcare providers have public access to KISQALI®."
About KISQALI®(ribociclib) KISQALI® is a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, a class of drugs that help slow the progression of cancer by inhibiting two proteins called cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). These proteins, when over-activated, can enable cancer cells to grow and divide too quickly. Targeting CDK4/6 may play a role in ensuring that cancer cells do not continue to replicate uncontrollably. KISQALI® was developed by the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) under a research collaboration with Astex Pharmaceuticals.
About Novartis in Advanced Breast Cancer Novartis tackles breast cancer with advanced science, collaboration and a passion for transforming patient care. We've taken a bold approach to our research by including patient populations often neglected in clinical trials, identifying new pathways or mutations that may play a role in disease progression and developing therapies that not only maintain, but also improve, quality of life for patients. Our priority over the past 30 years and today is to deliver treatments proven to improve and extend lives for those diagnosed with advanced breast cancer.
About Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., a leader in the healthcare field, is committed to the discovery, development and marketing of innovative products to improve the well-being of all Canadians. In 2018, the company invested $52 million in research and development in Canada. Located in Dorval, Quebec, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,000 people in Canada and is an affiliate of Novartis AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving needs of patients and societies. For further information, please consult www.novartis.ca.
5 Canadian Cancer Society. Canadian Cancer Statistics, a 2018 special report on cancer incidence by stage. Available at: www.cancer.ca/Canadian-Cancer-Statistics-2018-EN. Accessed on July 15, 2019.
108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You’re Stressed Out,
Anxious, or Overwhelmed
By Liza Kindred
THE HANDS-ON MANUAL OF HEALING AND SELF CARE FOR BUSY PEOPLE AND SKEPTICS LIVING IN A STRESSFUL WORLD
You already know that you should meditate, and that meditation will make you happier and healthier. But you’re tired and irritated, and every time you try to meditate, your mind races and you can't stop thinking about your to-do list. You’re constantly told that if you stop, try to get balanced and refocus, everything will be OK. But that sounds even more stressful. Can you relate?
Turn to EFF This! Meditation: 108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You’re Stressed Out, Anxious, or Overwhelmed [Rock Point Press, October 22, 2019] by meditation teacher and sought-after global keynote speaker, Liza Kindred. This hands-on manual for living in a stressful world can be integrated into your daily life and features easy, quick – and often free – things we can do to alleviate our own stress. Half of the exercises can be done in five minutes or less. Learn to celebrate the small victories in life with a “to done” list. Release yourself from phone addiction with a digital detox plan. Get your body out of stress mode by practicing diaphragmatic breathing. Be transported, and open your heart with a pick-me-up playlist. These are just a few of the simple, practical strategies that will help you find your center.
“Something has happened out there in the world where even when we are trying to find wellness, we are being told we need to constantly fix or heal or improve ourselves—as if something inside of us is inherently broken; as if the problems live inside of us, and not out there in a world that has nearly lost its collective mind,” says Kindred. “If you feel crazy, or anxious, or sad, or depressed, or overwhelmed, that makes sense. It is not because you are broken or can’t cope—it’s because the world is in a state right now. But that state is not us. And just because we are stressed to the max and freaked out doesn’t mean that we have to live like that. You can find the place of beauty, calm, and equanimity that already exists inside of you.”
The book draws upon a Shamatha (mindfulness-awareness) practice rooted in radical compassion for self. The 108 tips, tricks, and ideas presented in Eff This! are all centered on the idea that, as humans, we might not be “finished,” but we are complete. Everything you need to attain enlightenment is already contained within you, and you can use meditation—and these practices—to connect with it.
“This, right here, is your permission to be gentle with yourself, no matter what,” adds Kindred. “This is your permission to make taking care of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health a top priority.”
About the Author:
Liza Kindred is the creator of EFF THIS! Meditation, where she offers mindfulness practices to cynics, skeptics, and busy people. She is also the founder of Mindful Technology™ where she teaches companies how to build tech that values humans more than machines. Kindred is a licensed minister, a level two reiki practitioner, and a terrible but passionate surfer.
As a meditation teacher and sought-after global keynote speaker, Kindred has taught and spoken on five continents, from huge events like SxSW and Web Summit to intimate gatherings on living room floors. Her clients include companies like Vogue Magazine, Microsoft, Hearst, and FedEx. She has appeared in The New York Times, Wired Magazine, Well+Good, The Telegraph, and Entrepreneur Magazine.
EFF This! Meditation:108 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for When You’re Stressed Out, Anxious, or Overwhelmed releases on October 22, 2019 and is available on Amazon and other retail outlets.
We are all subject to marketing and advertising on a daily basis. Nowadays it seems like even thinking about skin care will get you bombarded with countless ads and sponsored post on social media. But how trustworthy are some of the marketing buzzwords used to describe the effects of skincare merchandise? We reached out to an anti-aging expert and board-certified Denver Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Manish Shah. Shah advocates helping consumers understand what this frequently used language means. Dr. Shah is also an ethical patient safety advocate.
“There are many ways marketers attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the consumer with empty phrases and jargon,” comments Dr. Shah. “A phrase such as ‘clinically tested’ and ‘doctor recommended’ is used to mislead consumers into thinking a certain product has more credibility than it actually does.” However, Dr. Shah explains, when these phrases are used it says nothing for the results of the clinical tests or what the products were tested for. In terms of products being “Doctor recommended,” Shah warns that “consumers don’t know what doctor recommended the product in most cases and if those doctors are getting some sort of incentive for endorsement.”
Dr. Shah shares common marketing jargon phrases used to mislead consumers.
A Product that claims “Patented Technology”
“Patents are not necessarily a foolproof sign that something is groundbreaking or effective,” explains Dr. Shah. “Marketers use this language to convey innovation and superiority that their product might not necessarily have over its competitors,” he says. Patents are sometimes authorized through technicality instead of breakthrough meaning any new combination of ingredients, methods or production process can be patented as long as it is new.
“Maximum strength”
This is a term used often by skin cleansers and moisturizers. “It’s a relative term and the consumer doesn’t really know what it is relevant to. It’s language that entices the shopper to make the purchase without really telling them how it accomplishes ‘maximum strength’ results,” says the Denver Plastic Surgeon.
“Clinical strength”
From painkillers to hydrating serums, companies love to bill their products as having “clinical strength.” Dr. Shah says consumers should practice healthy skepticism with such claims. “A product that claims it has clinical strength, in many cases, could have been tested by the doctors developing it. If you think about it you can’t really pinpoint what that phrase means because it is relative and we have no context as to what the company considers clinical strength,” says Shah. The perception, explains Dr. Shah, is that the product is better because the world clinical makes it sound more credible.
“For All Skin Types”
“This is a difficult promise to deliver on,” says Shah who has practiced his specialty for 14 years. “Not all skin is the same. If someone has an allergy to an ingredient or some form of dermatitis they really should speak to their doctor about what products are best to include in their regiment instead of blindly trusting a label,” he says.
“FDA Approved”
The FDA has different protocols for skincare products that make cosmetic claims as opposed to those that make more medical claims such as promising to increase production of collagen in the skin. Since that is a body function the FDA treats those differently than normal skincare products. However, the FDA just stipulates that the product being sold is safe to use in the manner in which it is directed to be used “FDA approval is not credential that shows the superiority of results,” says Dr. Shah. The plastic surgeon recommends that you not be sold on the sole factor of an FDA approval.
“Anti-Aging, Revitalizing, or Age Defying”
We’ve all seen these on the labels of some cream or serum or advertised in a commercial where beautiful models and actresses are displayed in all of their airbrushed and well-lit perfection. “These terms are somewhat misleading in that they give the perception of an unrealistic turning back of the clock,” says Dr. Shah. To many consumers viewing an advertisement, it might seem like buy and using that product will help them look like an ageless actress and that is not accurate.” Aging gracefully and maintaining a more youthful look has a lot to do with nutrition, exercise, genes, consistent skin care, stress levels, and cosmetic procedures when necessary. But according to Shah, people cannot cling onto just one aspect in order to look their best and no one product will reverse the clock.
Medical-Looking Packaging
Be wary of bottles that look like test tubes, labels or packages that include a medical or first aid cross, or feature type that looks like Rx suggesting that it’s a prescription-strength formula even though it’s sold over the counter.
Botanical
Dr. Shah explains that “An actual botanic is technically an ingredient that is derived from a plant. But, again, “botanical” may be used in advertising to refer to something that is synthetic but acts similar to a plant-based ingredient.”
Instant Results
Keep in mind that “instant results” aren’t the same as “long-term results.” Meaning, you may use a product that gives you instant moisture or has a quick-acting firming effect, but those results may fade after a few hours and require reapplication. Dr. Shah’s final advice: “Check a product to make sure it specifies whether its “instant” effects are long lasting or short term.”
Firming
What you think it means: Proven to make skin look tauter.
What it really means: Essentially nothing. “There is no objective way to measure firming,” says Dr. Shah “When a brand says their product has been shown to firm your skin, that claim can only be based on very subjective consumer perception.”
Natural
What you think it means- Make from the earth’s own ingredients with no chemicals
What is really means-
“Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean anything about the purity of a product. It’s a term that hasn’t been defined by the FDA. To determine what’s actually in a product, read the ingredients list. How many can you pronounce? If they sound like a list of chemicals, they are. There may be a benefit for some people to avoid parabens, usually absent from “natural” products, if their skin is sensitive.
Gluten-Free
What you think it means- That the product is not made with any gluten.
What it really means- Unlike foods, cosmetics labeled “gluten-free” aren’t regulated by the FDA. Do you need gluten-free beauty products? Maybe, if you’re gluten-sensitive and it’s a lipstick, gloss, or balm, which you could ingest in tiny amounts. Otherwise, it’s not necessary.
Dr. Manish Shah M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you.
Five Simple Isometric Exercises for a Full Body Workout
There are five basic exercises that have been around since humans have been walking on two legs – the squat, lunge, push-up, pull-up and sit-up. But pull-ups and push-ups can be too difficult for many people and all five can cause muscle strains or other injuries if done improperly. We recommend doing these simple isometric exercises with the Activ5 fitness tracker and app so you can exercise safely and effectively, and also monitor your activity and progress.
Isometric Squat
The Activ5 version of the isometric squat is the Chair Pose. Often referred to as the “mother” exercise, a properly done squat works almost your entire body with one exercise.
Stand up straight and place Activ5 between both knees (if you don't have the Activ5, simply press your knees together)
Extend both arms in front of you.
Bend your knees and slowly squat down as if you’re about to sit in a chair, keeping your hips above your ankles. Stop when you’re a few inches above your “chair.”
Press Activ5 with your knees as you squeeze your thigh muscles. Your app will tell you how long to hold the pose. Trust us. You’ll feel the burn. (If performing without the Activ5, you can simply keep pressing your knees together for about a minute).
Isometric Lunge
The Activ5 version of the lunge is the Single Leg Deadlift, which is done on both the left and right leg individually. Let’s start with your left foot.
Step forward with your left foot.
Lower your hips until both knees are bent at about 90 degrees.
Place Activ5 on your left leg just above the knee and press Activ5 as you squeeze your leg muscles (If performing without the Activ5, simply place your hands in the same area and position as shown in the picture and press for 60 seconds or longer until you feel the work on your muscles).
Keep your left heel firmly on the ground. Again, use your app for guidance.
Repeat with your right leg.
Pull-Up
A pull-up requires a great deal of arm and shoulder strength. Activ5 has over a dozen exercises that work the same muscle groups. We’re using the Hook, which works your biceps, shoulders, and core. Do this one sitting down. As with the lunge, you do this for both your left and right arms individually.
Make a fist with your left hand.
Bend your left elbow and bring it up until your left arm is parallel to the ground.
Hold Activ5 in your right hand in front of your left fist.
Press Activ5 between your left fist and right palm.
Repeat with your right fist and left palm.
Push-Up
As with the pull-up, the push-up requires a variety of muscle groups, including your chest, and Activ5 has several exercises to develop these muscle groups. Let’s start with the Standing Chest Press.
Hold Activ5 between both hands in “prayer” position, with your elbows out.
Press both palms into Activ5 to squeeze your chest muscles.
Keep both feet firmly on the ground.
Sit-Up
Old fashioned sit-ups often result in back injuries. Activ5 gives you a safer sit-up with the Crunch.
Lay on your back with your knees bent, feet flat on the ground and knees about hip-width apart.
Place your hands on your chest, with Activ5 beneath your palms.
Contract your core to lift your head and shoulders off the ground.
Press Activ5 as you squeeze your core muscles.
That’s the Activ5 Full Body Simply Daily Workout. If you don’t have the Activ5, you should know just worked your arms, abs, shoulders, legs and butt. The Activ5 app can show you other exercises that replicate these 5 core exercises.
Stetson University Receives $266,000 NSF Grant for New Microscope
Faculty, students to use the inverted fluorescent microscope in
biology, health sciences, physics research
DELAND, Florida, Sept. 18, 2019 -- Stetson University has received a $266,000 Major Resource Instrumentation Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to purchase an inverted fluorescent microscope system capable of imaging over a wide range of living biological samples from subcellular structures to small organisms.
The microscope system will be used at Stetson to engage undergraduate students across biology, health sciences and physics in superior training through faculty-mentored research projects, and promote the implementation of inquiry-based lab experiences for students in upper-level biology and physics courses.
“This really opens up new avenues of research at the cell and, especially, the sub-cell level at Stetson,” said Holley Lynch, PhD, assistant professor of physics and Stetson’s principal investigator. “We have a growing number of researchers who work with that scale in three departments. And it will allow students to use a research-grade microscope.”
Lynch noted that while some of Stetson’s science faculty/researchers need to see “very small things, such as look inside cells,” others need to see how cells behave over time. The new system, which is expected to arrive on campus later this fall, is “flexible,” she said.
“I see this as a really good stepping-stone. Having this equipment here enables us to apply for other kinds of grants that will fund our research and take our students to the next level,” said Heather Evans-Anderson, PhD, assistant professor health science and a co-principal investigator along with Lynn Kee, PhD, assistant professor of biology; and Roslyn Crowder, PhD, associate professor of biology.
Highlights of the anticipated research: 1) tracking migrating cells in living tissues to link cellular and subcellular mechanisms to tissue-scale movements; 2) examining improperly located cell death proteins in malignant cells; 3) dissecting communication pathways that regulate cardiac myocyte cell proliferation and regeneration in Ciona intestinalis; 4) examining spatial organization and dynamics of iridescent marine bacteria; and 5) promoting education through use of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology by undergraduates in a Genetics course to manipulate and label genes in order to visualize effects in living organisms.
Also, the system will provide a substantial foundation to support and enable fundamental pioneering research by junior faculty members, and foster sophisticated capstone research for seniors under the mentorship of faculty members committed to student training and advancing the participation of underrepresented and minority undergraduates in the sciences.
Collectively, these invaluable experiences will promote scientific competency in students as they achieve a comprehensive range of career goals and contribute to the development of the next generation of scientists.
In 2018, Kresge Foundation funds led to Stetson’s acquisition of an advanced stereo microscope, which effectively aids in the visualization of tissue layers and development of organisms. The new microscope system will deliver even greater power of magnification and capability to see inside cells, Evans-Anderson said, adding that extensive interdepartmental collaboration will result.
The NSF, created by the United States Congress in 1950 to “promote the progress of science,” among other initiatives, deemed the Stetson grant’s intellectual merit and broader impacts a reflection of its statutory mission and worthy of funding. The Major Research Instrumentation Grant program accepted 805 funding proposals, requesting more than $557 million, and only 130 to 145 awards were given.
With an annual budget of $8.1 billion, NSF is the funding source for approximately 27 percent of the total federal budget for basic research conducted at U.S. colleges and universities.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida. Stetson focuses on intense learning experiences in a supportive community that allows students to develop their voice in a connected, inclusive environment. Stetson University ranks No. 5 on U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 list of Best Regional Universities (South), and has been recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s 385 Best Colleges, 2020 edition. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.
Biosimilars Working Group Responds to Phase II of the BC PharmaCare Biosimilars Initiative
VANCOUVER, Sept. 18, 2019 /CNW/ - On September 5, 2019, the BC government announced phase two of its Biosimilars Initiative, informing patients prescribed the originator biologic drug, Remicade® (infliximab), to treat inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) that this medication will no longer be covered by the province, and that they must switch to a biosimilar infliximab, either Inflectra® or Renflexis®.1 This means that patients have only six months to meet with their gastroenterologist to discuss switching their medication and to start a replacement product. The sweeping change in coverage is driven by the government's decision to generate significant healthcare savings from switching patients' medication rather than negotiating with the makers of the originator biologic to lower their prices.
Biologics are medicines created from living cells and are used to treat a variety of conditions, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and growth deficiencies, to name a few. Biosimilars are highly similar to an originator biologic, but different enough to be sold under their own brand name. Because these drugs are made from living cells, it is impossible to create an identical copy regardless of the use of the exact same manufacturing conditions, ingredients, and process.2 This is a stark comparison to generic drugs, which are made up of chemicals that can be reproduced with the same active ingredient as the original brand name product.3
Health Canada considers a biosimilar to be safe, effective, and of good quality, and highly similar to the originator biologic it references. For a number of reasons, including that the biosimilar companies do not have to invest in discovery and clinical trials, these medicines provide lower-cost options for public payers. However, as the originator biologics are now off-patent, the companies that own these products are willing to negotiate lower prices. Unfortunately, public drug plans prefer to support a biosimilar market.
It is important to note that biosimilars, unlike generic medications, are not interchangeable with the innovator biologic medication. Health Canada set the bar, saying, "Biosimilars are not generic biologics and many characteristics associated with the authorization process and marketed use for generic pharmaceutical drugs do not apply. Authorization of a biosimilar is not a declaration of pharmaceutical equivalence, bioequivalence or clinical equivalence to the reference biologic drug." Be wary of anyone who calls biosimilars "biogeneric", as this is an unacceptable, made-up word for these products.
Health Canada further states that the treating physician, in consultation with the patient, should make the decision to switch a patient after taking into account available clinical evidence.
Canada is the only country in the world to have comprehensive patient support programs paid for by the pharmaceutical companies. This means patients receiving intravenous infusions will need to switch to another group and location to receive their treatment, which could add further stress as they adjust to a new location of care and a new support staff.
The change in coverage is estimated to affect 1,700 patients. This is in addition to about 20,400 British Columbians diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, diabetes, plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis affected from phase one of the Biosimilars Initiative. This population includes pediatric patients, while pregnant patients may be provided exceptional coverage following approval of request from PharmaCare's Special Authority branch.4
The Biosimilars Working Group, a diverse cohort of health patient groups dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for patients, welcomes the BC government's expansion for access to healthcare services, such as full coverage for the fecal calprotectin test and increased funding for nursing support. However, the cost-driven objective of the forced-switch policy is worrisome as it fails to put physician wisdom, patient choice, appropriateness of care, accessibility, and affordability at the forefront of health policy. Patients should only switch if they decide that this is the best course of action for their conditions, with consultation from their treating physician.
Gail Attara, President & CEO of the Gastrointestinal Society, and member of the Biosimilars Working Group, shared that, "Every disease area is unique and each needs to be treated differently. Patients with limited therapeutic options should not be lumped together with those who have a broader range of options available to them. Many people depend on public coverage and only a select few have private health plans that do better."5
Surveys conducted on various healthcare stakeholders, including patients, physicians, family caregivers, and the public, in Canada and abroad, reveal synonymous conclusions that treatment decisions should remain between a patient and their physician. Health Canada also encourages patients to speak with their treating physician about switching.6
In 2017, five patient organizations collaborated on a project that surveyed Canadian patients with inflammatory diseases about their perspectives on biologics and biosimilars. Of the 657 individuals surveyed, a vast majority reported being opposed to a forced switch for non-medical reasons.
"We are deeply concerned about the risks associated with a switch. Already, patients with loss of vision depend on accessibility and informed consent when being administered treatments. Furthermore, patients who are stable on a biologic treatment should not be made to potentially jeopardize their safety and quality of life with a mandated switch," said Louise Gillis, National President of the Canadian Council of the Blind.
Biosimilars in oncology are expected to increase in the Canadian market and the implementations made by the BC government concern many cancer patients. "While we are aware of the value of biosimilars, the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network believes that patients who are being successfully treated by biologics should not be forced to switch. Any such decisions should be made by patients in consultation with their clinicians," shared Jackie Manthorne, President & CEO of the Canadian Cancer Survivor Network.
The BC Ministry of Health precipitates the need to increase biosimilar uptake due to best practices in the European market, having had over a decade of experience with these products. The Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines (ASBM), an international and multi-stakeholder organization comprised of healthcare groups, patients, physicians, and biotechnology companies, responded to the BC announcement by releasing a fact sheet analyzing the claims purported by the provincial government.7 "European countries, for example, enjoy robust biosimilar markets and higher uptake rates, yet the vast majority leave the decision on what biologic medicine to use with the treating physician, in consultation with their patient. No country in Europe has ceased the reimbursement of originator biologics by a government decree such as that issued in BC and only very few countries use a procurement process that will reimburse a single product that wins the bid," said Michael Reilly, Executive Director of ASBM.8
The Biosimilars Working Group will continue to raise the importance of patient choice and evidence-based decision making with policymakers. To lean more about this group and to stay up-to-date with biosimilars research and policies, please visit www.biosimilaroptions.ca and follow @BiosimilarsWG on Twitter.
Working Group Members Participating in This Media Release: Alliance for Safe Biologic Medicines Canadian Cancer Survivor Network Canadian Council of the Blind Canadian Society of Intestinal Research Gastrointestinal Society
5 Gail Attara, "Balancing Act: Cost Containment vs. Patient Health Outcomes," GI Society Canadian Society of Intestinal Research, available at https://badgut.org/balancing-act/, Accessed 2019-09-11.
By now, virtually everyone knows the importance of living an active lifestyle. Working out helps boost your fitness levels and decreases the risk of certain diseases. Incorporating the principles of martial arts into your exercise routine can have a very positive impact. Here are five principles to remember.
Display Discipline
Maintaining a disciplined mindset is one of the biggest principles of Shaolin martial arts. As you may have experienced, motivation often comes and goes. There will be times when you simply don’t want to work out. However, disciplined people fight the temptation to take days off. They recognize the value of sticking to their regimen.
Don’t Give Up
The process of becoming fit isn’t always easy. When results don’t happen fast enough, it’s not uncommon for a person to give up. The principles of martial arts teach you to keep pushing past obstacles. Warriors never allow setbacks to stand in their way. Always keep your goals in sight. If you need a little extra inspiration, wear a Jiu-jitsu t-shirt.
Take Care of Your Body
Martial artists must stay prepared for battle. Nurturing their body is especially critical. Try to implement this same principle in your life. By taking care of your basic health, you will have greater stamina. The extra energy will help you to exercise more efficiently. Strive to eat nutritious meals on an everyday basis. If you are dealing with an injury, give your body enough time to heal. Getting a good night’s sleep is just as essential.
Put Forth Great Effort
To be a great martial artist, one must put forth a valiant effort. During your exercise routine, remember the importance of putting your best foot forward. Working hard is bound to pay off in the long run. Even if you’re in a bad mood, never make the mistake of developing a lazy attitude.
Mind Over Matter
Martial arts involves more than just kicking and punching. In fact, a person’s mind is actually their most powerful weapon. While exercising, try to maintain a clear and focused mind. Don’t allow any personal issues to ruin your workout. Concentrate solely on your fitness regime. Small things, like keeping a good posture and breathing effectively, can make a big difference.
The principles of martial arts can take your exercise routine to the next level. Develop the psyche of a true champion. A few changes will help you to achieve great success.
Scotiabank supports young Canadians with a $500,000 donation to the Terry Fox PROFYLE program
TORONTO, Sept. 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Scotiabank has donated $500,000 to the Terry Fox Foundation PROFYLE program, to help give young Canadians with hard-to-treat cancers access to potentially life-saving treatment.
The Terry Fox PROFYLE – short for PRecision Oncology For Young peopLE – is a unique program that uses precision medicine to treat qualifying babies, children and young adults across Canada. Through this project, patients who are out of treatment options have their tumours and genomes profiled and analyzed, and are connected to a network of top cancer researchers. This helps to identify drugs that might work for these patients based on the molecular profile of their tumours.
"Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary resources they need to support their success," says Karen Soos, Director of Philanthropy at Scotiabank. "We are investing in Terry Fox PROFYLE to help young people thrive and reach their infinite potential through improved access to the best healthcare. This program gives another chance to young people who have been told there are no more treatment options."
Scotiabank and its employees are focused on enriching the lives of young people in the community. Through this donation, Scotiabank hopes to give more young people resources to help them grow into healthy, contributing adults. The Terry Fox PROFYLE program began in 2017 and today more than 300 children enrolled.
"We are so grateful for the support and commitment of Scotiabank in helping us to find new treatments and more answers for the 20% of children, adolescents, and young adults with hard-to-treat cancers," says Heather Scott, Director of Development at The Terry Fox Foundation. "Terry Fox PROFYLE is an unprecedented Pan-Canadian precision medicine project that is showing promising results towards this goal. This initiative is possible thanks to the generosity of our donors like Scotiabank."
Scotiabank has had a long relationship with the Terry Fox Foundation, dating back to Terry's Marathon of Hope in 1980. Donations for the Terry Fox Run can be made at Scotiabank branches across Canada.
About Scotiabank
At Scotiabank, we aim to support organizations that are committed to helping young people reach their infinite potential. Young people are our future leaders and Scotiabank's goal is to help ensure that they have the necessary skills and resources they need to support their success. Together with our employees, the Bank supports causes at a grassroots level. Recognized as a leader for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2018, Scotiabank contributed more than $80 million to help our communities around the world.
Scotiabank is Canada's international bank and a leading financial services provider in the Americas. We are dedicated to helping our more than 25 million customers become better off through a broad range of advice, products and services, including personal and commercial banking, wealth management and private banking, corporate and investment banking, and capital markets. With a team of more than 100,000 employees and assets of over $1 trillion (as at July 31, 2019), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BNS) and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BNS). For more information, please visit www.scotiabank.com and follow us on Twitter @ScotiabankViews.
SOURCE Scotiabank
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