Angelina Jolie’s revelation that she had both breasts removed to prevent breast cancer is focusing attention on genetic testing and the choices patients face when they get the result. What does the news mean for you?

HERSHEY, PA–A compound that stimulates the production of a tumor-fighting protein may improve the usefulness of the protein in cancer therapy, according to a team of researchers.

(Lancaster) -- Many times, the first thing a person does when experiencing some unusual medical symptoms is head to the Internet.

“As we move to a Digital Age for healthcare technology, specifically for medical records and health information exchange, it requires a different workforce,” explains Martin Ciccocioppo, Vice President of Research with the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.

(Philadelphia) -- New breast cancer research finds no increased risk of heart problems after certain types of breast cancer therapy. Smaller studies have previously raised concerns about heart damage when women with cancer opt for radiation treatments.

(Hershey) -- The upcoming opening of the new Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital building has one former patient and her family reflecting on the role of the facility in the community.

“An e-Patient is someone that is empowered, engaged, equipped, and enabled,” says Christine Amy from Aligning Forces for Quality --- South Central Pennsylvania.

Telemedicine is a new option to improve efficiency and outcomes for services when time or availability to reach a patient is important. It is a system that works between two computers to allow a physician and patient to see and talk to each other without being in the same location, much like video chat.

“When I think about the ways that doctors are accessing medical applications and patient data now, I think of keywords like value and convenience,” says Dr. Michael Ripchinski, Chief Medical Information Officer and Family Physician at Lancaster General Health. “It is valuable for them to have access to record electronically so they can can continue to deliver care for patient even in the off hours. And, it is convenient that they don’t have to travel back to office to initiate or continue care for their patients.”

Since April 2011, witf has worked with three health systems in presenting a broad-based, multimedia exploration of cancer called Facing Cancer Together. With the support and counsel of nonprofits, PinnacleHealth, WellSpan Health and Lancaster General Health, Facing Cancer Together produced 419 media pieces, plus live events and social media posts.
Now witf and its Facing Cancer Together partners have agreed to continue the project with a new focus. Now called Transforming Health, the new effort will launch on Nov. 12 and be followed with a Transforming Health Community Forum on “Smart Talk TV” at 8 p.m. Nov. 15.