Tip Sheets

Edition 5 5/9/2006

Florida Hospital Cancer Institute leads the way in cancer research.  The impressive advances in cancer treatment over the last 30 years can be traced directly to the clinical trials that evaluated new cancer therapies, and Florida Hospital Cancer Institute currently has 120 ongoing cancer trials.  That’s one of the reasons Florida Hospital Cancer Institute is one of only three cancer centers in the eastern United States and the only cancer center in Florida to receive an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) award in 2006 for its efforts to improve cancer research through participation in clinical trials.  Talk to a Florida Hospital oncologist and a patient on a clinical trial to learn more about what this award means for Central Florida cancer patients and how clinical trials are leading to better cancer treatments.

Can lack of sleep hurt your heart?  Millions of Americans suffer from a sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short periods of time while you are sleeping.  A study by the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that the lack of sleep caused by this disorder may actually cause heart problems.  Learn more about the connection from a Florida Hospital cardiologist or sleep doctor, and see what treatments are available at Florida Hospital’s comprehensive Sleep Disorders Centers.

New beds at Florida Hospital Celebration Health.  Osceola County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, and Florida Hospital Celebration Health is expanding to meet the increasing health needs of the community.  On Monday, March 15, The Baby Place at Florida Hospital Celebration Health will unveil a new OB unit which adds 12 beds to the hospital.  The hospital also recently added a new Medical Office Building.  Get a look at the new digs and find out what the expanded healthcare services mean for Central Florida. 

STAR trial provides new treatment option for breast cancer patients.  The new breast cancer trial, Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene or STAR, has made national headlines with the announcement of a new drug that is effective in fighting breast cancer.  An investigator on this study is actually right here in Central Florida at Florida Hospital.  Talk to the Florida Hospital oncologist who is working on this trial that is giving new hope to breast cancer patients and to a local patient who is enrolled in STAR.

Have allergies?  You might have trouble in Orlando.  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recently named Orlando as the fifth worst place for spring allergies, meaning that residents and tourists might have more trouble this allergy season than people in other cities around the country.  Talk to a Florida Hospital allergy specialist to learn why Orlando made this list and what people can do to minimize their allergy symptoms.

Celebrating the heroes of healthcare.  Every year, the 4,000 nurses at Florida Hospital bring comfort and healing to patients when they need it most.  Whether it is preparing a patient for surgery or listening to the fears of a concerned family member, nurses at Florida Hospital meet the needs of patients with skill and compassion.  This week – National Nurse Appreciation Week - Florida Hospital will thank these heroes of healthcare with ice cream breaks, massages, and other special treats.  Find out why nurses are so important and what a day in their life is really like.