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SPRING SAVINGS SAVE UP TO on a complete pair of Prescription Glasses $5000 Expires June 30, 2008 OPTICALQuality& Vision In Sight GEORGETOWN 280 Guelph St., Georgetown Market Place 905-873-3050 www.familyoptical.ca Eye Exams Arranged Serving Halton Hills for the past 18 years Special pullout section Wednesday, May 21, 2008 8 Pages www.independentfreepress.com Health tips for the golf course Page 10 Myth dispelled: Carpet reduces dust particles Page 3 YOUR HEALTH Halton Hills Community Newspaper A new service being offered in Halton Hills could lead to the earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Starting this week, Dr. Cynthia Simmons, a doctor of homeopathic med- icine, will be operating the Thermogra- phy Clinic of Halton Region out her medical practice on Fourth Line in Acton. Breast thermography is a new technol- ogy that uses digital infrared imaging to measure heat given off by the body and to detect areas of increased or unusual blood flow. Abnormal and cancerous cells need a lot of blood to grow and sur- vive, so an increase in blood flow to a certain area of the body could be an indi- cation of cancerous activity. The thermography machine picks up on heat and lets us know if theres some- thing going on in the body, says Simmons, a certified thermography tech- nician. Its early risk assessment: it can pick up on cancerous activity while its still small. Early detection and treatment is extremely important for breast cancer patients and thats where thermography comes in handy. Mammograms and ultrasounds pick up on larger lumps and structural changes, while thermography can catch them while theyre still small or before they have even formed. But breast thermography isnt meant to replace mammograms and ultrasounds, says Simmons. As with any medical procedure, there are pros and cons. Because thermogra- phy doesnt involve any radiation or compression, it can be used on women who are pregnant or who have breast implants. The nature of the test, howev- er, means that it can only detect tumours or cancerous activity near the skins sur- face. It cant pick up on cancers that are deeper in the body, like prostate cancer, says Simmons. Thermography can do more than just detect breast cancer. It is also used to identify and monitor problems like arthritis, sports injuries, whiplash and chronic pain. In fact, Simmons already has people booked for full body ther- mography scans at the Thermography Clinic of Halton Hills. Simmons says thermography, espe- cially breast thermography, is a passion. Breast cancer is a big fear for all of us women, she says. Were all thinking about it, so its good to start working preventatively. Over 80 per cent of Canadians are spending time raking, prun- ing, and planting to make their curbs and backyards look beauti- ful. But, the pursuit of that per- fect outdoor oasis often comes with a price back pain. Gardening is considered a leisure activity, but al l that bending, stretching and lifting is more like a full-body workout. So, it comes as no surprise that Canadas favourite horticultural pastime often leads to muscle strain and sore joints. To help avoid back pain this summer, here are some WEEDS that might actually be welcome in the garden: Warm up before you start. This will reduce the stress on your joints and muscles, decreasing the chance of injury. Elevate sit on a low stool or bucket while gardening, alle- viating stress from your back and knees. When raking, dig- ging, hoeing or pruning change positions frequently and kneel to plant. Enlist help when l i f t ing heavy objects and always bend your knees. If you are feeling any back pain, consider taking an over-the-counter medication. The Tylenol line of pain reliev- ers, for example, deliver a com- bination of both pain and muscle relief. Drink plenty of fluids and take a break every 20 minutes. Taking a break and keeping hydrated gives your back a rest and replenishes your energy sup- ply. Stretch once youve f in- ished. Stretching improves circu- lation which in turn shortens recovery time of muscle injuries. Stretching also has the added benefit of increased flexibility, better posture and enhanced co- ordination. News Canada Thermography can help in early cancer detection ANDREA LEFEBVRE Advertising Special Features Writer Avoid back pain when gardening