Albert Dabbah, MD PA
Albert Dabbah, MD PA Newsletter
              Celebrating 15 years of Ageless Attitude
September 2010
In This Issue
End-Stage Melanoma
Coffee and Prostate Cancer
Girls and Puberty
Liposuction
Penile Implant Fraud
A Kernel of Information
NEW HOPE FOR MELANOMA PATIENTS
Patients who have a particular gene (serine-threonine protein kinase B-RAF) and have been diagnosed with end-stage melanoma now have hope!!There is a pill(still experimental) that causes complete or partial regression of the tumors in at least 80% of the patients. The estimated median  progression-free survival is estimated to be 7 months.New England Journal of Medicine, 8/26/10.
Join Our Mailing List Forward to a Friend
To Our Patients and Friends,
We hope your summer was relaxing because, with school, the Holidays and the snowbirds moving south, the pace is quickly picking up!! As always, I have my finger on the pulse and will continue to provide you with health information you may not have known, can discuss and even use to get a good giggle. 
For those who observe, we all wish you a
                        Happy and Healthy New Year!!
Robin
No Link Between Coffee and Prostate Cancer
The most recent studies are showing that there is no direct relationship, as previously thought, between coffee intake and prostate cancer. A study published in BJU International, looked at men free of prostate cancer and followed them over time.  Previous studies asked men with prostate cancer what their caffeine intake was.  The thought regarding that study was that healthy men had a positive view of their habits versus those men diagnosed with prostate cancer, seeing themselves as less than healthy.  Reuters Health, Sunsentinel 8/9/10.
U.S. Girls Entering Puberty Earlier 
A study by the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and published in the Medical Journal of Pediatrics has shown that at age 7, 10% of white girls and 23% of black girls have started developing breasts, as compared to 5% and 15%, respectively, back in 1997. At age 8, 18% of white girls and 43% of black girls had entered puberty, compared to 11% of white girls (the percentage in black girls has not changed). The concern is that the incidence of breast and uterine cancer may rise because it is known that women who spend more of their lives menstruating have higher risk of developing cancer  In another study, also published in the Medical Journal of Pediatrics from Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, overweight girls are more likely to enter into puberty early. CBSNews.com, 8/9/10
Liposuction Is Now No.1 
Liposuction is now the most common plastic surgery procedure done in the US, surpassing breast augmentation, says the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. CBSNews.com, 8/9/10
Serious Taxpayer Issue.....But really funny
Two Hialeah medical equipment providers submitted fraudulent claims for millions of dollars.  The presidents of these companies are accused of stealing Medicare patients' numbers and doctors' identifications to submit these claims for services rendered to the elderly and disabled. Medicare paid out hundreds of thousands of dollars to these companies, including over $26,000 for fraudulent claims for penis pumps. (Two women were also purported to be the patients in need of these pumps!!).  This is the type of fraud that is destroying Medicare and our health system. The doctors and the 65 and older patients are paying for Medicare's stupidity in paying it out without looking into the validity of these claims.  Now that's a real downer!! SunSentinel.com, 8/17/10
CORN
Being weight conscious, we are so prone to stay away from foods we consider starchy, even though we know that all "whole" foods are healthy. Corn is no different and you will be so pleased to know that corn is, in fact, full of nutrients that are great for you. It has thiamine (Vitamin B), folate, dietary fiber, vitamin c, phosphorus, manganese and vitamin B5. Its nutrients are believed to help decrease homocysteine levels for heart health, its beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid, supports lung health, and the thiamin  for memory. Cancer researchers believe that corn also contains numerous powerful phytonutrients that go unrecognized because they have been overlooked. And at 177 calories for just under 2 cups, what could be bad? WHfoods.com
 
Tagliatelle With Fresh Corn Pesto
4 bacon slices, cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/2 in. pieces (I use tofu bacon)
4 cups of fresh corn kernels (from approx. 6 ears)
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 1/4 tsp coarse kosher salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for serving
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 oz tagliatelle or fettuccine (I use whole grain or whole wheat)
3/4 cup coarsely torn fresh basil leaves, divided
 
Cook bacon in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown, stirring often. Using a slotted spoon, remove and place on paper towel to drain. Pour off all but 1 TBL drippings from skillet. Add corn, garlic, salt and pepper to the drippings in skillet. Saute over medium-high heat until corn is just tender but not brown, about 4 minutes.  Transfer 1 1/2 cups corn kernels to small bowl and reserve. Scrape remaining corn mixture into processor.  Add Parmesan, 1/2 cup of basil and pine nuts. With machine running, add olive oil through feed tube and blend until pesto is almost smooth.  Set aside.
Cook pasta in large bowl of salted water until al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add corn pesto, reserved corn kernels, and 1/2 cup basil leaves.  Toss pasta mixture over medium heat until warmed thorugh, adding reserved pasta cooking liquid by 1/4 cupfuls to thin to desired consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer past to large shallow bowl.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup basil leaves and and reserved bacon.  Serve with side of Parmesan to taste.
Makes 6 first course servings.
Bon Appetit, 8/10
SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
BOTOX
: $50.00 MAIL-IN REBATE
DYSPORT: UP TO $150.00 LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT MAIL-IN REBATE
   (BOTH THROUGH 9/30)
 
FILLERS: ($650.00/syringe) 10% off 2 syringes, 15% off 3 syringes (includes Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus)
AND
Receive a Vivite Defining Lip Plumper ($45.00 value) with a Juvederm treatment (while supplies last) (through 9/30)
 
BRILLIANT DISTINCTIONS ONGOING PROGRAM
EVERY TIME YOU USE BOTOX OR JUVEDERM ULTRA/ULTRA PLUS, POINTS ARE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT TOWARD REBATES.
 
LATISSE: $120.00 ea. OR $100.00 FOR 2 KITS (and receive Vivite Vibrance Therapy - a $119.00 value) (through 9/30)
  
TRY THE OBAGI SYSTEM AND RECEIVE 15% OFF!!!