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2B Daily News – Friday, December 13, 2013 FEATURES Breast biopsies vary depending on patient removes more tisDEAR DOCsue, and that TOR K: My docmakes for a more tor saw something accurate diagnosuspicious on my sis. A larger neemammogram and dle than the one wants to do a used for FNA is breast biopsy. I used. The needle understand there is inserted into the are several biopsy breast through a techniques. Can Dr. K tiny incision. you tell me what by Anthony L. Using X-rays or they involve? Komaroff, M.D. ultrasound images DEAR READER: The invention of as a guide, or by feeling mammograms (X-rays of the lump, the doctor the breast) has saved moves the needle into the many lives. Mammo- area of concern. He or she grams can spot a small, extracts one or more tissue early breast cancer, and samples through the needle using suction from a help doctors cure it. What your doctor saw syringe. Stereotactic needle was a spot that looked like it might be cancer. The biopsy is a type of large mammogram, and other core needle biopsy. It uses breast-imaging techniques special imaging equipsuch as magnetic reso- ment to pinpoint the tissue nance imaging (MRI), to be removed. — In a surgical biopsy, cannot tell with certainty. If the mammogram looks the surgeon makes an incisuspicious, a biopsy is the sion and removes all or only way to know for sure part of the abnormal tissue for examination. It is done if there is a cancer. In a biopsy, a part of in an operating room the suspicious-looking under local or general area is removed by a anesthesia. A biopsy that minor surgical procedure. removes only part of the This tissue is analyzed in suspicious tissue is called a lab to determine whether an incisional biopsy. One it is cancerous and, if so, that removes the entire how quickly it is likely to lump is called an excisiongrow and spread. This al biopsy. Sometimes a surgical information helps to guide biopsy is preceded by treatment decisions. A breast biopsy can be wire localization. During done in different ways, a mammogram, a radiolodepending on the location gist inserts a small wire and size of the abnormali- through a needle into your breast, with the end of the ty and other factors. — A doctor can per- wire inside the suspicious form fine needle aspira- area. This helps the surtion (FNA) in an office by geon more easily identify inserting a slender needle the suspicious area during into the breast and draw- the surgical biopsy. Most biopsies reveal ing out (aspirating) a small amount of tissue that the suspicious area of from a suspicious lump. the breast is not cancer. The doctor may aspirate Until the biopsy is done, a woman and her family and several samples. In some cases, the doc- friends are understandably tor may use ultrasound concerned. But most of images to guide the nee- the time, the news turns dle. Ultrasound shows out to be good. when the tip of the needle Dr. Komaroff is a has reached the suspicious area. Ultrasound has no physician and professor Harvard Medical damaging effects on the at To send breast: Unlike a mammo- School. go to gram, ultrasound does not questions, AskDoctorK.com, or involve any radiation. — Most doctors prefer write: Ask Doctor K, 10 the large core needle biop- Shattuck St., Second sy method because it Floor, Boston, MA 02115. Utility hires consultant for county tree inspections Parents' warning engenders ill will suggest we proceed? — Dear Annie: Both my Unhappy Parents husband and I are on our Dear Unhappy: Your second marriages. We have heart was in the right place, tried very hard to get along but disparaging a child's with our exes, to no avail. intended is asking for trouWhen we invite them to go ble. They rarely listen and to parent-teacher conferoften become defensive and ences with us or attend angry. The best you can do is dance and piano recitals, it seems to only make matters Annie's swallow your pride. Phone or send a letter or email sayworse. The children saw ing you were wrong to have this, and it hurt them greatly. My husband and I by Kathy Mitchell interfered, that you can see promised each other that and Marcy Sugar that their marriage was the right choice for them, that when our children were engaged, we would talk to them to you are sorry for engendering ill ensure they were not making a mis- will and that you hope they will fortake. I wish my parents had done give you. Add that you miss them, this, even though I realize I might and ask whether there is anything you can do to improve the relationnot have listened. My husband's son got engaged ship. We hope they respond posisuddenly at the age of 21 to his first tively. Dear Annie: I am excited for the girlfriend. My husband and I thought he was far too immature to upcoming holiday party season, get married. His fiancee at the time except for one thing: Please ask was extremely loud and boorish and your readers to have respect for the also inexperienced in the dating non-drinking guests at their parties. I am in my 30s, married and a world. We spoke to our son and explained that he was young and mom, and I don't like to drink, but I there are many fish in the sea, and feel pressured every year at these that even if he were madly in love, parties. I never preach about it. I there is no need to rush to get mar- simply say ''no, thanks'' when offered. But, my response is never ried. Well, he told his fiancee, and we respected. Instead they say, ''Oh, were not invited to the wedding. come on, it's a party!'' Or, ''Just Now, neither of them speaks to us. have one if you're worried about We tried to get his sister to pass driving home.'' Some become quite along birthday greetings on our aggressive in trying to get me to behalf, but she said, ''I don't want indulge. What if I were a recovering alcoto get involved.'' It's been nearly six years. We holic, deathly allergic or drinking miss our son greatly. How do you were against my religion? It's none Mailbox of their business. But people act as if I am crazy for not accepting a glass of wine. I think they are poor hosts for pressuring me. I can have a great time without drinking. — Dry in California Dear Dry: People mistakenly think they are being friendly by cajoling you past the point of politeness. You can keep saying ''no, thank you'' until they give up. Or, pour yourself some water in a cocktail glass. A third option is to accept a glass of wine and hold it in your hand until the party is over. You don't have to drink it. Dear Annie: I could have written the letter from ''Hurt in Florida,'' whose children and grandchildren don't include her in their gettogethers. My daughter told me they are ''just too busy'' for me. But they somehow have time for her dad and stepmother, as well as her in-laws and several friends. I haven't seen them in more than a year. We don't talk because I don't call. I don't understand any of it. I just wanted to let ''Florida'' know that she's not alone. I'm hurting with her. — Midwest Grandma Annie's Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie's Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. 5 ways to minimize car insurance costs they need to squirrel away those sav- author of The Consumer Bible, estimates Americans are paying ings. If the worst $300 million more in auto happens, they don't insurance premiums than want to feel comnecessary per year, simply pelled to use a because they are not getting credit card to cover credits for which they qualithe deductible. fy. For example, if you Drive a safer car. insure all your cars and your Larger and heavier cars home with the same compatend to be safer and thereny, you will likely qualify fore less expensive to for a significant discount. insure. And don't drive a Safety equipment like antithief's favorite model. lock brakes, advanced air (The Ford F-250 pickup is Mary bags, daytime running the new favorite vehicle lights, rearview cameras and target of thieves, by the security systems will reduce way). You can discover your exposure and your prewhich cars are more likemium. Non-smokers, good ly to be totaled or stolen students and safe drivers by calling the Highway also qualify for discounts. Loss Data Institute, 703 Cindy M. walked away 247-1600, or searching from a phone call to her company online at iihs.org. Drop unnecessary coverage. with a nice reduction of $204 all Examine your policy carefully for because she asked them to run down coverage you can reasonably reduce the list of discounts to see if she qualor eliminate. The most promising ified. area may be your collision and comMary invites questions at prehensive coverage. The general rule is to drop collision coverage mary@everydaycheapskate.com, when its annual premium exceeds 10 or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. percent of the car's market value. Box 2099, Cypress, CA 90630. Most public libraries have the This column will answer questions National Automobile Dealers Asso- of general interest, but letters ciation price book of market values. cannot be answered individually. Or visit Edmund's Automotive Mary Hunt is the founder of a Buyer's Guide, edmunds.com, or www.DebtProofLiving.com, Kelley Blue Books, kbb.com, to dis- personal finance member website and the author of "7 Money Rules cover values online. Rack up discounts. Mark Green, for Life," released in 2012. Automobile insurance. We spend thousands of dollars on it and then hope we'll never need it. By law and common sense, we know that we must have it. But that doesn't mean we should pay one dollar more for auto insurance than necessary. Shop around. Rates between insurance companies can vary greatly. Call three different companies today and you're bound to get three different quotes. There is nothing righteous about staying with the same company forever. An hour of your time once a year could net a handsome premium reduction. You can get quotes online from companies that sell directly, such as Geico, State Farm and 21st Century. Compare with what you have and don't be afraid to make a switch. Increase deductibles. Remember this: The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. You're not likely to file a claim for a minor incident because that could make your premiums skyrocket. So if you're not going to file small claims, think about increasing your deductibles to say $500 or even $1,000. Then put the premium savings in a special account to pay for the fender-benders. One Florida couple that raised the deductible for their 2005 Volvo and 2003 Acura Legend from $500 to $1,000 cut their annual premium from $3,200 to $2,800 -- a decrease of 12 percent. That is significant. But Hunt Everyday Cheapskate Prevent holiday home fires Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has hired a new contractor to inspect power lines for potential tree hazards in Shasta, Tehama and Lassen counties, PG&E announced today. CN Utility Consulting is performing surveys of trees and other vegetation near power lines for PG&E. CNUC employees Free Gift Wrapping for Seniors openly display both CNUC and PG&E contractor identification as they drive and walk along PG&E power line easements. The consulting utility foresters are assessing the trees for any necessary pruning or removal to eliminate public safety hazards and ensure reliable power delivery. In Lassen County, PG&E serves electricity to customers in Westwood, Nubieber and Bieber. Red Bluff Garden Club's Scholarship Christmas Boutique 616 Cedar St,. Red Bluff (Old Holiday Market) The American Red Cross urges residents to take extra precautions with cooking and decorating around the holidays. "Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, and as people are cooking, entertaining, and stringing lights this holiday season, we're urging that they take safety measures to ensure that their homes and loved ones are safe from the threat of fire," said Kathleen Weis, Chief Executive Officer for the Red Cross Capital Region. Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Thanksgiving are the top three days for cooking fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Nationally, the Red Cross responds to a disaster on average every eight minutes, and the vast majority of them are home fires. The Red Cross has some simple steps everyone can follow to prevent home fires around the holidays: Holiday Entertaining • Test your smoke alarms. • Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on. • Enforce a "kid-free zone" in the cooking area and make children stay at least three feet away from the stove. • Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove, oven or any appliance in the kitchen that generates heat. • Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup. • Purchase a fire extin- FRESH WEATHS, ARRANGEMENTS RUNNINGS ROOFING and more Monday thru Friday 8am to 4pm Until 12/20/13 (2 gift limit) Tehama Estates 750 David Ave., Red Bluff 527-9193 Dec. 12, 13 & 14 9:00am-6:00pm For Custom Orders Call 527-4578 or 526-4578 guisher to keep in the kitchen. Contact the local fire department to receive training on the proper use of extinguishers. Holiday Decorating • Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. • Keep children, pets and decorations away from lit candles. • Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet. • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer's instructions for the number of LED strands to connect. Some strings of lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened Members Welcome 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check $ starting at 95 $ 25 + 8 certificate 25 (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. 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