5 Healthy Habits to Reduce Your Risk of Cancer

The idea that eating healthy foods, keeping active and staying hydrated are the first steps to fighting any sort of illness is nothing new. However, there are a ton of additional helpful habits that you can incorporate into your daily lifestyle to significantly reduce your risk of developing cancer.

1. Always use a water filter. Depending on your area, the tap water you’re drinking may be filled with tons of suspected carcinogens and harmful chemicals, so investing in a fully-functioning water filtration system is key. A quality faucet-mounted filter, like Pur Vertical or Brita, should do the trick.

2. Marinate your meat. The old wives’ tale that cooking anything “burns away the germs” is only half true. Though the germs may be gone, there might still be cancer-causing heterocyclic amines and aromatic hydrocarbons that are created during the cooking process. To be safe, marinate your meat with antioxidant-rich rosemary and thyme for at least an hour prior to grill-time.

3. Drink caffeine daily. A British study in 2010 showed that those who drank at least 5 cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop brain, oral and throat cancer than their decaf counterparts. Not a coffee lover? Drinking tea can have a similar protective effect, though it’s not as potent.

4. Choose your outfits wisely. Skin cancer is arguably one of the most common forms of cancer. Of course it’s always important to cover up when going out into the sun, but did you know that the color you wear can help keep you safe as well? Research has shown that blue and red fabrics offer the most protection from U.V. rays, while white and yellow ones offer the least.

5. Pick an experienced doctor. Your best bet at beating the odds when it comes to developing or fighting cancer is choosing a doctor that’s well-known and knowledgeable. Studies have shown that choosing a doctor with at least 25 years of experience is key.

Established in 1909, Great South Bay Surgical Associates has been serving the community with the tradition of caring and quality for over 100 years. Every one of our surgeons has countless years of experience in the industry, performing open and minimally invasive general and oncological surgeries with precision.

For more information about our practice and the procedures that we offer, click here or call 631-321-6801.

The Best Cancer-Fighting Superfoods

Though researchers are still searching high and low for a cure and definitive cause for cancer, studies have been able to nail down a few great preventatives that may already be right in your fridge. That’s right! We’re talking about cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables. Experts agree that a daily dose of five-to-nine servings of fruits and veggies do the body good, especially when you incorporate these six foods into your meals:

Broccoli - In comparison to other cruciferous vegetables, like cauliflower, cabbage and kale, broccoli is the leader in sulforaphane content. That means it has the most cancer-kicking power, boosting protective enzymes and working to eliminate harmful chemicals from the body. When it comes to broccoli more is better, so incorporate this green treat any time you can.

Blackberries - A high concentration of phytochemicals called anthocyanins make blackberries a sweet treat and the perfect cancer preventative. These powerful phytochemicals work to slow the growth of tumors and prevent them from becoming malignant. So, snacking on a half-cup of blackberries can really make a difference.

Tomatoes - Sweet, juicy and full of lycopene! Tomatoes and their high concentration of lycopene can help you put a wall up against endometrial cancer, a disease that kills nearly 8,000 people each year. Cooking tomatoes enhances the effect that lycopene has on your body, so get that pasta sauce up on the stove!

Walnuts - Kick breast cancer’s butt with an ounce of walnuts a day. These simple snacks contain phytosterols that work to block the growth of breast cancer cells.

Garlic - ..Not just for vampires! While you’re cooking up some lycopene (aka: tomato sauce) chop up a clove of garlic and add it to the mix. The phytochemicals in garlic act as a deterrent for the formation of nitrosamines in the stomach that can potentially cause colon cancer.

Beans - Black and navy beans have been proven to prevent the development of colon and breast cancer. Consuming a half-cup of legumes a week can help increase your body's levels of butyrate, a fatty acid that works to prevent cancer growth.

Sticking to a healthy diet can help significantly lower your risk of developing cancer, so get to the supermarket and fill up on your favorite cancer-fighting snacks.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.

How to Shake the Pre-Surgery Jitters

Anytime you have to undergo a surgical procedure it’s completely normal to be nervous. In fact, there are millions of people out there that deal with hospital and surgical anxiety, so know that you’re not alone. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help you deal with pre-surgery anxiety and calm your nerves before operation day:

Have faith in your surgical team. Choosing a surgeon can be nerve wracking in itself, since you need to find someone who you trust completely. Do your research and consult with as many surgeons as you have to until you find the right one. Then, allow yourself to trust them. Trust is the number one weapon when dealing with pre-surgery anxiety. You need to remind yourself that your doctor is an expert and be confident in his or her abilities.

Know the details and voice your concerns. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your procedure. Knowing exactly what is going to happen and why will help you cope while you prepare for surgery. Many times the fear of the unknown can cause more stress, so ask and research away. Should you have any outstanding fears or concerns, speaking with your surgeon can be a big help.

Meditate and listen to music. Deep breathing exercises and other meditative activities can help relax the body and put your mind at ease. A daily dose of yoga is a great way to keep your mind and body centered, and out of “fight-or-flight” mode. Music is also incredibly powerful when it comes to calming nerves. In fact, according to FoxNews.com, “a study in the journal Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica found that people who listened to relaxing music right before surgery were more relaxed than those who opted for medication to calm their nerves.”

Plan for pre-and-post-surgery. Who will drive you and pick you up? What will you need to bring for your hospital stay? Who will handle your obligations while you recover? Making a plan puts you in control of the situation, which can help you keep calm. Enlist the support of your family members to help out and support you before, during and after surgery.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we understand that your nerves can sometimes get the best of your. That’s why we believe in fostering very personal, trusting relationship with all of our patients. Rest assured that when you choose one of our surgeons, you’ll be in the best, most capable and caring hands.

If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Top Vitamins That Help Prevent Cancer

What the experts say is true! What you choose to eat has a direct effect on your health. But can a healthy, nutrient-rich diet prevent cancer? Though there are no sure-fire cures or definitive ways to prevent cancer, adopting a healthy diet can be a very beneficial deterrent. Here are some of the most important cancer-fighting vitamins that you should incorporate into your diet:

Beta carotene: Eating plenty of orange and green vegetables, like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and kale, will ensure a healthy proportion of this nutrient in your daily diet. Research shows that beta carotene is beneficial in protecting the lungs specifically, reducing the risk of lung cancer.

Vitamin B6: Your body needs a hearty immune system to properly defend against disease. Eating a good amount of carrots, apples, bananas and leafy greens will help ensure that you're getting enough of this immuno-health booster.

Vitamin C: We all know how important it is to have a morning dose of fresh squeezed orange juice! That’s because it’s packed with Vitamin C, one of the most promising cancer-fighting vitamins researched thus far.

Folic Acid: This nutrient goes by several names and is especially helpful in protecting against cervical cancer. Also known as folate or vitamin B9, folic acid is found in beets, cabbage, dark leafy greens, eggs, citrus fruits, and many types of fish.

Vitamin E: This handy gastrointestinal defender works wonders to help protect against bowel cancer. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant protecting skin cells from damage caused by pollutants. Eggs, wheat germ, liver, unrefined vegetable oils, and dark green vegetables are high in this trusty vitamin.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates we are committed to helping you and your family live healthy and happy lifestyles through the implementation of both educational and surgical procedures. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.

For more information or to schedule a consultation call 631-321-6801.

Signs & Symptoms of Skin Cancer - The ABCDE Rule!

It’s no secret that too much fun in the sun can sometimes have some pretty serious consequences. With beach weather upon us, and summer camp trips on the horizon, it’s important to not only protect yourself against the sun’s harmful rays, but to be able to keep an eye out for potential signs and symptoms of skin cancer. To help you stay informed, here are a few things you should know in order to accurately identify potentially dangerous abnormalities on the skin:

As a general rule, you’ll want to keep an eye out for odd-looking moles, sores, lumps, or blemishes on the skin’s surface. However, in order to identify anything unusual, you first have to know what a normal, healthy mole looks like. A normal mole is typically about a quarter of an inch in diameter, can be flat or raised and is brown, tan or black in color. Whether present at birth, or developed over one’s lifetime, once a mole has developed it should stay the same size, shape and color, but can potentially fade away as well.

Now that you’ve got a handle on what a healthy mole will look like you will be able to identify any abnormalities more easily. Let's take a look at the ABCDE rule, a guide used by the American Cancer Society to identify signs of melanoma.

• Asymmetry: Is the birthmark or mole symmetrical all the way around, or does one half not match the other?
• Border: Take a look at the edges of your mole or birthmark. Are they smooth or are they irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred?
• Color: A healthy mole will have similar coloring throughout. Do you notice that coloring is not the same all over, including shades of brown or black, or patches of pink, red, white, or blue?
• Diameter: How large is your birthmark? Since a normal birthmark is about ¼ of an inch in diameter, you’ll want to check out any moles that are larger or smaller than the norm.
• Evolving: Has your mole changed in size, shape, or color? This can be an indicator that there may be something malignant present.

If you recognize abnormalities and think that you may be showing symptoms of skin cancer or melanoma, alert your doctor right away!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

How to Protect Your Skin This Summer!

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, each year in the US, nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. With summer in full swing and beach season here at least, it’s very important to make sure that you’re exercising caution when exposing your skin to the sun. Here are a few tips to keep your skin healthy and happy this summer:

1. Exfoliate and Hydrate - Exfoliating your skin daily will remove dead skin cells and debris, which will help keep your skin clear of congestion and blemishes. It will also allow for sunblock and cosmetic applications to last longer. Make sure to apply moisturizer after exfoliating to keep your skin hydrated and drink plenty of water daily, especially on days where you’re exposed to heavy sunlight. Warm weather can dehydrate your body faster than usual, causing dried out skin, headaches and dizziness.

2. Apply and Re-apply - Sunblock and SPF products are your best friend in the summer. Whether you’re a person who has sensitive skin that tends to burn, or can achieve a beach bronze complexion, some degree of SPF is absolutely necessary. As a general rule, you should apply a teaspoon of sunblock to your face, and enough to fill a shot glass to your body every two hours. There are a wide variety of sun protection products to choose from for any skin type and skin sensitivity, so get out there and get some!

3. Soothe and Repair - Sometimes no matter how much protection you apply, a sunburn is still inevitable. The first step to dealing with the after effects of sun damage is soothing your skin. Lathering up with aloe or cooling gel can reduce redness and irritation, and help to prevent peeling. Sun damage leads to brown spots, coarse skin and wrinkles, in addition to increasing your risk for developing skin cancer. Using a ton of moisturizer and age-fighting products can help to repair your damaged skin. Remember to visit your dermatologist regularly to look out for abnormalities and keep an eye out for melanoma.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors are trained to treat melanoma and other skin cancers with sentinel node techniques. If you or someone you know suspects that they may need skin surgery, or have already been diagnosed with melanoma, our surgeons can help. Call 631-321-6801 to schedule your consultation today.

All About Breast Reconstruction Surgery

In honor of National Cancer Survivor Day yesterday, we’d like to tip our hats to cancer survivors everywhere, and shed some light on the breast reconstruction procedures that can benefit breast cancer survivors specifically.

Who is Eligible for Breast Reconstruction?
Many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer are candidates for a lumpectomy or a partial mastectomy surgery. As part of the procedure, the surgeon will remove the tumor and reshape the remaining breast to preserve its aesthetics. However, in some cases women are not eligible for a lumpectomy, and instead require a full mastectomy to be performed, which is the removal of the entire breast tissue. Although it is not necessary, many women opt to receive breast reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy to rebuild breast tissue.

Types of Breast Reconstruction
There are three methods that can be performed to achieve breast reconstruction: Breast implants, natural tissue flaps or a combination of the two. When choosing a method you’ll want to take into account that each procedure produces different results, some feeling more natural than others. Body type and size also have an impact on the recommended method of reconstruction. Your surgeon will recommend the best options for you during your consultation.

Breast Implants vs. Natural Tissue Flaps
According to the Susan G. Komen Organization, there are certain advantages and disadvantages to the two methods of procedure.

• Look and Feel: With breast implants you’ll have less of a natural outcome than you would with natural tissue flaps.
• Surgery and Hospital Stay: Breast implants require a less extensive surgery than natural tissue flaps, but both require a hospital stay for the initial procedure. However, after receiving breast implant surgery you’ll only need to stay 1-2 nights in the hospital, whereas with the natural tissue flap procedure, you’ll need to be hospitalized for 3-4 nights.
• Repeated Surgery: Breast implants will likely need to be redone over time, while tissue flaps will not.
• Recovery Time: Breast implant surgery requires a 3-4 week recovery time, while tissue flap surgery requires 4-6 weeks. The likelihood of scarring is also significantly lower in breast implant procedures.

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our doctors specialize in a variety of oncological and reconstructive procedures. If you need breast cancer surgery, or desire breast reconstruction, our highly skilled surgeons are here to help. To learn more about our practice and procedures or to schedule a consultation call 631-321-6801 today!

Meet Dr. John Simon!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we believe in serving our patients with the highest level of consideration and professionalism. That’s why we hire only the best and most skilled surgeons in the field to perform our procedures. We know that it’s difficult to undergo any sort of medical procedure, big or small, which is why we want our patients to feel calm and comfortable with their doctor before, during and after the surgery.

With that in mind, today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. John Simon!

As a board certified surgeon, Dr. John Simon has been serving the community for over 25 years. He joined us at Great South Bay Surgical Associates in 1988, where he has practiced our tradition of care and precision for the past 27 years and counting. He is extremely skilled and committed to providing top notch surgical services to all of his patients.

In his time as a surgeon, Dr. Simon has performed thousands of procedures. He has successfully executed over 1000 colon surgeries, 1800 hernia repair procedures, and 1000 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. He has also performed a wide range of a open and minimally invasive abdominal procedures.

In addition to his position as a surgical doctor, he has also held many highly esteemed positions within the surgical field. Most notably, Dr. Simon served as a Department Chair in Surgery and a past President of the Suffolk County Medical Society. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is held in high regards as the president and founder of the Long Island Laparoscopy Society. Aside from his prestigious positions and demanding work schedule, Dr. Simon also finds time to serve as an adjunct clinical professor at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) and a clinical assistant professor at the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

To learn more about how Dr. Simon can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Meet Dr. John Francfort!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, our surgeons are leading doctors in their respective fields, hailing from prestigious colleges, universities and surgical training programs country-wide. We want our patients to be calm and comfortable when undergoing any type of procedure, which is why we’ve decided to bring the doctors to you in our “Meet the Doctors” blog series.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. John Francfort!

Dr. John Francfort first received his surgical training in Philadelphia, PA at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. After completing his training and earning his degree at UPenn, he went on to specialize in vascular surgery through a training program at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. As such, he currently holds a dual board certification in both general and vascular surgery.

But that’s not all! Dr. Francfort continued to further his studies while giving back to the education system as an assistant professor of surgery at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA for quite some time. Since then, he has moved on to become a clinical assistant professor of surgery at both Stony Brook University and NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) on Long Island, where he still teaches today.

Like all of the doctors at Great South Bay Surgical Associates, Dr. Francfort has held many prestigious positions in the past, including acting as a former president of the eastern Long Island chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Currently, he is chairman of the Department of Surgery at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center.

As for surgical procedures, Dr. Francfort does it all! He’s highly skilled in performing a high volume of surgical cases including laparoscopic procedures, surgical oncology, breast, GI and colorectal care, gallbladder surgery, venous laser surgery and endovascular arterial surgery.

To learn more about how Dr. Francfort can help you, give us a call at 631-321-6801 today!

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we strive to provide open and minimally invasive surgical solutions for any vascular or general health issues you may face. If you live in Nassau, Suffolk or the surrounding areas and are in need of a surgeon, click here to view our website or call us 631-321-6801 to schedule your free consultation today.

Surgical Oncology Procedures

What is surgical oncology, and how did it begin?

Surgical oncology is a specialized surgical field that focuses on the treatment and removal of a variety of types of tumors. The first known instance of an oncological procedure was reported in 1809, when Ephraim McDowell operated on an ovarian tumor. Although this is the first reported instance of oncology, it is said that ancient Egyptians left evidence describing procedures used to remove breast tumors that were performed during the 7th century.

What is the goal of surgical oncology?

As in all surgeries, oncological surgery is meant to help curative efforts, specifically for a variety of types of cancer.  Prior to recommending a surgical procedure, the surgeon must first facilitate a consultation with the patient where diagnostic and staging studies are performed.  This will help the surgeon determine whether the tumor is operable or not as is, and the results will assist in developing a curative and surgical plan for the patient.  The ultimate goal of a surgical oncologist is to extract the entirety of the cancer and clear margin, hopefully leading the patient down the road to a cancer-free recovery.

What surgical oncology procedures do we specialize in?

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we provide a wide variety of surgical oncology procedures such as:

• Breast Cancer Surgery (lumpectomy) - Including nipple sparing and skin sparing cancer procedures, lymph node preserving procedures to prevent lymphedema, and breast reconstruction
• Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery - Including stomach (gastric), small bowel, colon and rectal surgery (available using both laparoscopic and open techniques)
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer Surgery with sentinel node techniques
• Sarcoma Treatment (tumors of muscle)

At Great South Bay Surgical Associates, we pride ourselves in the multitude of services and procedures that we offer to our patients in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Comprised of eight leading doctors in the surgical field, our team is committed to providing exceptional services by using state of the art technologies while upholding our traditional values of caring and quality.  For more information or to schedule a consultation, click here to view our website or call 631-321-6801 today.