Sunrise Children's Hospital

Breastfeeding: Best for Mom and Baby

When you are pregnant, it is important to decide how you will choose to feed your newborn. Your doctor will probably recommend breastfeeding over the use of formula. This is because there are many health benefits that breastfeeding offers, and these simply cannot be replaced using prepared formula. Breastfeeding not only provides your baby with complete nutrition, but it has health benefits for you too.

Why your baby prefers breast milk

One of the most amazing qualities of breast milk is its changing nutritional content. Hormones in your body will change the contents of your breast milk, so it evolves to meet the changing nutritional needs of your growing child. Babies who are breastfed for at least the first year of life have greater immune health during and beyond infancy, they are less likely to become obese later in life, and they have a lower risk for common childhood illnesses and infections. Plus, the act of breastfeeding requires closeness and bonding for you and your baby, and this is important for sound mental development.

How breastfeeding improves your health

According to the National Cancer Institute, women who breastfeed have a lower risk for breast cancer later in life. When you breastfeed for a longer period of time, the risk for hormone receptor positive and negative cancers continues to go down. There are immediate health benefits to breastfeeding as well, and these include reduced post-pregnancy weight, lower risk of postpartum depression, and lower cost for feeding your child. Breastfeeding is completely free financially speaking, it burns calories, and it helps you build a strong sense of closeness with your newborn baby.

At Sunrise Children’s Hospital, we offer breastfeeding classes along with help preparing for childbirth and the early stages of your child’s life through our Labor & Delivery Unit. Explore all of our services and learn how we can be a part of your pregnancy by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (702) 233-5437 or visiting our website.

Breast Cancer Treatment Options

A breast cancer diagnosis can be tough for you and your family to face, especially if you are not familiar with the treatment options that may help in your fight against this disease. After your initial diagnosis, your oncologist will discuss all available treatment options with you to customize a plan that is best fit for your condition. Some of the therapies that may be included in your treatment are discussed in further detail below.

• Surgery: There are several types of surgery that may be utilized in breast cancer treatment. If the cancer has not spread and is isolated to a small section of the breast, a surgery called lumpectomy can be performed to remove only the cancerous tissue and some of the breast tissue around it. Cancer in later stages may require mastectomy, which is the removal of the entire breast and, in some cases, the lymph nodes.

• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams of light to shrink and eventually eliminate cancer cells. When used for breast cancer, radiation therapy can be external or internal, depending on the needs of the patient. If a lumpectomy has been performed, internal radiation therapy may take place through a special tool that is placed in the cavity of the breast. External radiation is typically a better option for women who are not having surgery.
• Medication: Chemotherapy is the most common type of medication used in cancer treatment. It can be taken orally or intravenously, and it is designed to eradicate rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells. Hormonal therapy is another method using medication, and it is specifically designed for breast cancer treatment. Most breast cancers are estrogen sensitive, and hormone therapy can treat these by blocking estrogen in the body.

If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, you can explore all your treatment options with the HCA Hospitals in the Las Vegas area. Sunrise Children’s Hospital can offer support for you and your family as you work through your treatment, so contact us today on our website or at (702) 233-5437.

Why Choose Sunrise Children's Hospital for Your Child's Healthcare

When your child needs emergency care for an illness or injury, choosing a pediatric emergency center can help you provide your child with the best possible care to get better quickly. As you can see in this video, Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Las Vegas has the largest pediatric emergency room in the area, and we are always there for your family. We offer the care you would drive hours to get in a convenient location just minutes from your home.

Get a look at all the services offered by Sunrise Children’s Hospital and other HCA Hospitals in the Las Vegas area by calling (702) 233-5437 or visiting our website. We are committed to offering superior healthcare services and health education to improve our whole community.

What Expectant Mothers Should Know if They Are Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

A common misconception about breast cancer is that it only affects older women over the age of 50. While this age group is the one most affected by breast cancer, it is possible for younger women to be diagnosed with this disease. One of the most troubling times when this diagnosis can arise is during pregnancy; this type of diagnosis is rare, but it does happen in about one in 3,000 pregnancies according to the American Cancer Society. Here are some important facts to help you cope with breast cancer if you have been diagnosed during your pregnancy:

• Treatment will vary depending on the trimester: Breast cancer diagnosed early on in pregnancy will typically be treated with mastectomy, which is the total removal of the breast. This treatment is preferred because it does not require radiation follow-up as lumpectomy does. Later in pregnancy, carefully selected chemotherapy drugs may be used for treatment. These drugs are not safe at the earliest stages of pregnancy, but they have been proven safe for use during the second and third trimesters. Cancer diagnosed later in the third trimester may not be treated until after labor is induced so there is no risk to the baby during treatment.
• Breastfeeding may still be possible: If chemotherapy is not currently being used and the breasts are still able to produce milk, there is no reason that you cannot breastfeed your baby. Of course, it is still important to discuss this with your doctor before you begin breastfeeding.
• The odds are in your favor: In previous cases where mothers have been diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy, babies have been born healthy and happy to mothers overcoming the disease. Treatment will be designed specifically for your needs as an expectant mother, and your baby’s health will remain a priority throughout your cancer care.

For complete, personalized care to help you carry out a full-term pregnancy after a cancer diagnosis, contact Sunrise Children’s Hospital online or by calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (702) 233-5437. As part of the HCA Health System, we are connected to a vast network of the finest physicians and treatment technologies, so we can deliver the comprehensive care you need in this tough situation.

The Breast Center at Sunrise, Southern Hills Hospital and Red Rock Radiology at MountainView Hospital Offer $75 Digital Screening Mammograms

With approximately one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, it is likely that we all know someone affected by this disease. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a month dedicated to educating women about breast cancer and the importance of routine breast health checkups. The best way to reduce the risk is through a combination of regular mammograms, routine breast exams by a healthcare professional and monthly self breast exams.

To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Breast Center at Sunrise, Southern Hills Hospital and Red Rock Radiology at MountainView Hospital are offering $75 digital screening mammograms for women who may be uninsured or underinsured. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your annual mammogram. This special program is available now through October 31, 2012. Program participants must be at least 40 years old. If you have insurance, check with your provider. You may find out that your mammogram is fully covered.

To schedule your annual mammogram or take advantage of the special $75 screening mammogram program, call the location nearest you:

The Breast Center at Sunrise
3006 S. Maryland Pkwy, Suite 250
Las Vegas, NV 89109
1-855-445-2246, option 1

Southern Hills Hospital
9300 W. Sunset Road
Las Vegas, NV  89148
702-880-2900

Red Rock Radiology
7130 Smoke Ranch Road
Las Vegas, NV 89128
702-731-2888