The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 53 COVID patients today, up from 51 yesterday. Other significant numbers:
- 34 with the active virus today, 31 yesterday
- 4 in ICU, 3 yesterday
- 2 on ventilators, 2 yesterday
- 19 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 20 yesterday
Key points from today’s guests:
Joan Lewis-Wambe, PhD, Program Director & Graduate Program Director Cancer Biology, KU Medical Center
- Research shows a person’s zip code is a factor in their chances of developing breast cancer
- African American women are twice as likely to develop breast cancer as White women and have a 40% higher mortality rate
- Access and community environment are factors, especially in the development of triple negative breast cancer. Stress and diet are also important factors
- There are currently no targeted therapies for triple negative breast cancer. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are the standard treatments, which all have side effects.
- Explained the role DNA damage has in developing cancer and the many things that lead to this damage
- Early detection is the key to fighting cancer
- Says the future of cancer treatment is personalized medicine in which treatment customized for each patient is used to destroy the cancer cells
Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer, The University of Kansas Health System
- He, along with Dr. Hawkinson, received bivalent COVID booster during the program.
- Dr. Stites also received a flu vaccine, reminding viewers that it’s OK to get both at the same time
- Cold weather is on the way, which will be the next big challenge in keeping COVID under control
- When it comes to cancer screening, says “Don’t let delay decide your fate.”
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System
- Elected to receive his flu vaccine a little later in the month in order to extend its effectiveness through the end of flu season next spring
- Hospital COVID cases are holding steady in the low 30’s.
- Keeping an eye on new variants but so far none have become dominant strain
- Vast majority of hospitalizations continue to be those who are not vaccinated
Thursday, October 6 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Hair today, gone tomorrow! You’ll meet a breast cancer survivor who is putting into words the impact cancer, and losing her hair, had on her life. Plus, the role her faith and The University of Cancer Kansas Center had in her healing process.
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