We are pleased to introduce Grey Leonard, MD, the newest surgical oncologist to join Premier Surgical Associates at our Fort Sanders Regional location in Knoxville.!

Tell us about yourself and what you do at Premier Surgical.

My name is Dr. Grey Leonard. I’m a surgical oncologist, and I work for Premier Surgical Associates at the Fort Sanders location. As a surgical oncologist, I focus on mainly cancers of the abdomen. I treat hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer in addition to esophageal, gastric and small bowel tumors. In addition, I treat adrenal masses and retroperitoneal sarcomas. My special focus is hepatobiliary, pancreatic cancer, and HPV. Those are cancers of the liver, bile ducts and the pancreas.

Tell us about your philosophy of care.

I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and I graduated back in 2004. The cadets had values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I’ve taken those values with me through the years and my time in the Air Force and apply it to what I do. I apply those values to my patient care now. I treat all my patients with integrity. I make sure that they are taken care of and that the care I provide for them is done at the highest level.

Why did you choose to become a doctor?

The military heritage runs deep in my family. Both my grandfathers served in World War II, Marines and Navy. My father was in the Army, and he flew attack helicopters in Vietnam. And my brother just retired as a two star. You may ask why I’m not flying planes right now, and that’s because shortly after I graduated from the academy, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

I was given a medical discharge. I had to make a change in my life’s path, and I chose medicine. I did that because I was able to shadow a general surgeon in the small town where I was stationed. I was amazed at what he was able to do for his patients and how he was able to take care of their surgical problem, take care of them afterwards, and counsel them through the whole disease process. I was blown away by what he was able to do, and I wanted to do that too

Tell us about your educational background.

I met my wife and we got married one week before starting medical school at Mosani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. From there, we moved out to Texas to complete general surgery residency at UT Southwestern. Upon graduation, I completed a complex surgical oncology fellowship at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I found myself over the mountains a little bit further west.

Why did you choose surgical oncology as your specialty?

It’s complicated, involves many different types of therapies, and involves surgical expertise. And it’s something that I just enjoy doing. I love surgery! I feel like that is what I’ve been called to do, and I feel like it’s the best way that I can help patients. I’m sort of the quarterback on the team of care, working with the different specialists, calling the plays. Looking at the big picture, I want to be able to treat patients well in the operating room, get them through the procedure well, and then see them along for the full, comprehensive care that they require.

Why did you choose Premier Surgical?

We have always been somewhat in the southeast, and we very much enjoy the culture, the weather, and this was a great job! I had the opportunity to come here and work with Doctor Midis, who’s my senior partner, and learn from him and work with the rest of my partners, who are all wonderful people. I think it’s rare to find a group of surgeons working in private practice that treat each other so well and work together as a team.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have four children and one on the way. So, that’s going to be very exciting! We love children, obviously! One of the things that I like to do when I’m able to get home is to get all the kids out in the garage, and work out with my son. I have been building up a nice home gym, trying to raise strong kids and give mommy some time to decompress a little bit before we all have dinner.

Is there anything else you would like your patients to know about you?

I like to be able to help patients through the whole process because it’s a difficult and oftentimes a very long one. I feel like the surgeries can be technically demanding, and I feel like I can provide them with that expert care.

Grey Leonard, MD, is a Surgical Oncologist at Premier Surgical Fort Sanders in Knoxville, TN. He is accepting new patients. To request an appointment with Dr. Leonard, please call (865) 524-3695 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/fort-sanders-appointment-request/

The post Meet Dr. Grey Leonard of Premier Surgical Fort Sanders first appeared on Premier Surgical.

“I’ve been involved in team sports my whole life and always enjoyed being part of a team,” explains Dr. Boxberger.

The team aspect is one of the things that drew Dr. Boxberger to become a General Surgeon. “Performing surgery is very much a team effort,” he says. “Being in the Operating Room and working together with the Scrub Tech, Anesthesia, and the nurses. It all appealed to me.”

Dr. Boxberger admits he took a “different path” to his eventual career in medicine. Originally planning to pursue a career in environmental economics, Dr. Boxberger spent time after graduating college reconnecting with family and working for a non-profit cancer research company in California. He moved to Kansas and worked in hospital administration. Dr. Boxberger respected the care and empathy he witnessed in the physicians.

“It was very inspiring to watch how the physicians connected with their patients when they were fragile and going through a difficult time. I appreciated their dedication and  how much they wanted to help people,” recalls Dr. Boxberger. “It inspired me to go to medical school.”

Dr. Boxberger earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Long School of Medicine in San Antonio. He was drawn surgical care and completed his Residency in General Surgery at Brookwood Baptist Health in Birmingham, Alabama.

“With surgery, I like the instant impact you can have on someone’s life and the disease process,” he explains. “Especially with minimally invasive and robotic surgeries, patients have less pain and an earlier recovery, and that’s important.”

Dr. Boxberger recently joined Premier Surgical Associates in Cleveland, TN. He says he and his fiancé Neurologist Laura “Lizzy” Snider, MD, chose East Tennessee. “We wanted a place where we could set down roots and start a family,” smiles Dr. Boxberger. “We love that there are four seasons and the area is growing so fast!”

Dr. Boxberger is eager to start meeting patients and get involved in the community. “There are really good people here. Our surgeons, Drs. Dunn, Wenger, and Worthington are great guys! I’m excited to be part of the Premier Surgical team!”

He looks forward to meeting and caring for surgery patients in East Tennessee.

“I want them to know that my whole reason for being here is for them. I want to take as much time as needed to make sure they’re comfortable with their procedure. When someone is literally putting their life in your hands, it’s important to connect with them and help them understand the process completely.”

Dr. Boxberger is accepting new general surgery patients. To request an appointment with him, call Premier Surgical Cleveland at (423) 472-5423 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/premier-cleveland-appointment-request/.

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Mike and Amy visited Kenneth Reese, MD, an internal medicine specialist in Knoxville. Dr. Reese ordered ultrasounds and made Mike an appointment with a vascular surgeon for consultation. The couple went to Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in downtown Knoxville for the ultrasounds and were told to head straight to the emergency room to wait for the results.

The Danger of Blood Clots

It was more serious than they originally thought – the ultrasounds revealed multiple blood clots in Mike’s right leg. The blockages were preventing blood flow to the leg and foot. At Fort Sanders Regional Premier Surgical Vascular Surgeon Maksim Gusev, MD, immediately performed emergency surgery to prevent the blood clots from moving to his brain or heart and to establish blood flow to the right foot.

Dr. Gusev says, “Mr. Campbell presented with excruciating pain and motor weakness in his right foot, which had mild sensory weakness and no pulse. His left foot and the rest of his vasculature was normal.”

Because Mike is a smoker, he is predisposed to forming blood clots, which in his case occurred behind the knee. Dr. Gusev explains that the clots were blocking blood flow to the lower extremity and his right foot, causing numbness, pain and a gray color.

“The patient had profound neuro motor deficits, meaning the nerves and muscles were affected by the lack of oxygen. I performed an emergent revascularization to reestablish blood flow to his foot.” Dr. Gusev used an endovascular approach, which means he accessed the clots from within the blood vessels. The surgery allowed Dr. Gusev to remove the clots and clear out Mike’s arteries, opening up the narrowed areas to reestablish blood flow.

Minimally Invasive Surgery Helps Patient Avoid Amputation

“The nurse called me every hour with an update,” says Amy. “Finally, after the surgery was done, Dr. Gusev called me himself to give me the report that everything went well, but my husband needed to stay overnight for observation and healing.”

Mike spent one night in the intensive care unit at Fort Sanders Regional for observation. Dr. Gusev confirms immediate surgical intervention saved Mike’s foot from being amputated.

“My husband is a mechanic and works 10 to 12-hour days,” Amy says. “An amputation would have taken him out of work.”

“At Fort Sanders Regional, we have cutting-edge technology that is always changing and allowing us to treat the patient with minimally invasive intervention. This reduces complications and shortens recovery time and reduces pain during recovery,” says Dr. Gusev.

Dr. Gusev made an incision for one needle access point in the groin and then two incisions in the calf muscle to “let it breathe.” The two skin fascia incisions along Mike’s calf allowed for temporary swelling after injury. Dr. Gusev says, “The muscles in his foot were starved of oxygen for several days. When fresh blood and oxygen flood back in, the area swells up. We had to make room for this temporary swelling or else the nerves can suffocate and die afterward.”

The Campbells are from Florida and are fans of the University of Florida and its mascot, the Gator. Mike has a gator tattoo on his leg, right in the place where the incisions were made. Dr. Gusev ended up having to make an incision between the gator’s eyes and teeth, and later told his patient, “I did my best to keep the head intact, but your alligator now has crooked teeth!”

Mike was discharged to go home and instructed to rest for several days before returning to work. He had two follow-up appointments and is feeling great.

An Important First Step for Preventing Blood Clots

Dr. Gusev’s advice for preventing blood clots in adults? Quit smoking. He says, “People who smoke are predisposed to forming these clots, so my first recommendation is smoking cessation. If you cannot quit, then reducing tobacco use is advised. It’s also important to have frequent checkups and to know what to do if symptoms of blood vessel abnormality arise, like not being able to find your pulse in your foot.”

The Campbells are so thankful for the expert care they received at the hospital and would recommend it to any of their friends. “Dr. Gusev was amazing,” Amy says. “He was on top of things He has a great bedside manner and was very knowledgeable about everything that was happening. He saved Mike’s foot.”

Dr. Maksim Gusev is a Vascular Surgeon with Premier Vascular and Vein Center in Knoxville, TN. To request an appointment with Dr. Gusev call (865) 588-8229 or visit https://www.premiervascularveincenter.com/book-online/

The post Quick Vascular Intervention Saves Knox Man’s Foot first appeared on Premier Surgical.

She went to Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center and was eventually admitted to the hospital with an infection in her abdomen tissue caused by an abscess that perforated and leaked. The infection was life-threatening, as it could have led to sepsis. Parlon needed emergency surgery and additional testing. After surgery, she qualified for a new program called Advanced Care at Home that allows patients with certain conditions to receive hospital-level care at home instead of at a facility.

Surgery at Fort Sanders Regional

Parlon’s surgery was performed by Premier Surgical colorectal surgeon Sung Lee, MD, at Fort Sanders Regional. He says his patient suffered from several comorbidities and needed a drain for her abscess. After further testing, Parlon was also diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Dr. Lee performed dual procedures called a colectomy and a colostomy. A colectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a diseased or damaged part of the colon. A colostomy is a surgical procedure that brings the side of the colon up to an opening in the abdomen so that a patient can use an ostomy bag.

Parlon stayed in the hospital for several days after surgery. Dr. Lee says, “Soon after the operation, Parlon was eating, drinking and walking. She was eligible to receive the rest of her care in her home.”

Parlon qualified for a program called Advanced Care at Home which allows patients with certain conditions to receive hospital-level care at home instead of at a facility. Thanks to this innovative program, she continued her IV medications, received 24/7 virtual monitoring and had visits several times a day from in-home practitioners.

Advanced Care at Home

With Advanced Care at Home, Covenant Health physicians and nurses can monitor patients in their homes from a virtual care command center that operates 24 hours a day. Before a patient enters the program, the virtual care team determines whether there are adequate home resources such as a stable residence, water and electricity, and an overall support system.

A team of healthcare professionals then sets up an at-home technology kit along with any medical supplies needed. This is arranged with the patient’s caregiver and completed before the patient arrives home from the hospital. While the patient is receiving care and monitoring by nurses and doctors, couriers will deliver medications and pick up bloodwork.

Dr. Lee says, “After a major surgery, we wanted to make sure she felt good. She was a good candidate for this program since she needed a few more days on IV antibiotics. By healing at home, her loved ones could come visit her where it was more comfortable and convenient.”

Healing at Home

“I just so appreciate what a good team they are,” Parlon says about Advanced Care at home. “They have some really good people who are extremely qualified, and the nurse was on-call 24/7.”

She says, “Anyone who visited me, they explained everything and how it would work. When they first told me about the program, I didn’t quite understand, but once they got me home, I saw the set-up. You really are getting the same type of care, but have the privilege of wearing your own clothes and getting in your own bed.

“All the paramedics are well-educated and trained. I did a video conference daily with my doctor and the nurses. Morning or night, I could call anytime,” she says,, noting that the paramedics were on time for their appointments and treated her with compassion. “I did have to go back and forth to the hospital for tests and scans; they picked me up and brought me home each time and got me situated.”

Compassionate Care

Parlon would have spent many more days in the hospital if not for Advanced Care at Home. “I have a beautiful home that looks out over the lake. It was nice to be home and move around, and visit with family,” she says. Parlon calls the program “a godsend” and hopes to use it again if she ever needs additional care.

 For more information about Advanced Care at Home, visit CovenantHealth.com/ACH.

The post Care at Home Program Helps Knox Woman After Surgery first appeared on Premier Surgical.

“When I decided to become a general surgeon, my dream was to move back home and work with my father,” smiles Cutshall. “I’m excited to finally be here.”

His father, Kenneth Cutshall, MD, FACS, has been a general surgeon in Johnson City for nearly 3 decades. He also teaches young surgical residents and medical students as a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Quillen College of Medicine.

Cutshall says growing up with a surgeon dad influenced him to pursue a career in medicine.  “It was definitely a driving factor. I would visit my dad’s office as a kid and remember him genuinely enjoying his work. In college I studied biology on a pre-med track and really found an interest in it.”

During medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, Cutshall was drawn to surgery. “I enjoy being hands on and love anatomy. During my surgical rotations, no matter how tired I was, I always looked forward to getting in the operating room and learning how to care for surgical patients.”

Throughout residency, Cutshall broached the subject of joining his father’s practice and decided to join the Premier Surgical Lawson Group office with his father after graduating.

“He was ecstatic!” says Cutshall. “He never pressured me to make any career choices I didn’t want, and he was very excited I decided to come back to join his practice.”

As young Dr. Cutshall settles into his new practice in Johnson City, he wants patients to know that his goal is always to be honest with his patients.

“My philosophy is to be completely honest and transparent with patient care, so my patients can understand their illness and the available treatment options well enough to guide their own care. Although there are no guarantees in medicine, I want to provide the best care possible for my patients, and I want them to feel good about their care.

Cutshall, who is fluent in Spanish, hopes to eventually share his medical knowledge and skills with underserved patients in other parts of the world. “My goal is to get involved with global outreach and partner with surgeons in underdeveloped countries to provide equipment and transfer knowledge about the newest techniques and treatments.”

In his rare spare time, Cutshall enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and two young children visiting parks, lakes, and hiking.

General Surgeon Dr. Michael Cutshall is now accepting new patients at the Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City. To request an appointment with Dr. Cutshall, please call (423) 975-5650.

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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Tennova Healthcare is using the occasion to call attention to the role of genetic testing in the fight against the disease.

Genetic testing has quickly become a more mainstream practice—both for human interest about one’s ancestry, and for the purpose of understanding how that ancestry might increase your risk for certain diseases, such as breast cancer.

Dr. Jessica Vinsant

“Genetic testing may be recommended for a person already diagnosed with cancer, especially if there are other factors to suggest the cancer might have been caused by an inherited mutation,” says Jessica Vinsant, M.D., a general surgeon and medical director of the Tennova Breast Center at North Knoxville Medical Center and Physician’s Regional Medical Center. “Genetic testing might also be advised for people with a family history of certain types of cancer, to see if they carry a gene mutation that increases their risk.”

An example is testing for changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (which are known to increase the risk of breast cancer and some other cancers) in a woman whose mother and sister had breast cancer, especially if it was diagnosed before age 50. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), women with a BRCA gene mutation are seven times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and 30 times more likely to get ovarian cancer, when compared with women without the gene mutations.

Should all women be tested for the BRCA gene mutation? The experts say, absolutely not.

“It’s important to keep in mind that gene mutations are only a small part of the breast cancer story,” Dr. Vinsant says. “While it is true that having an immediate family member with breast cancer can increase your risk of being diagnosed, it is also true that about 80 percent of women who get breast cancer have no family history of the disease. There are many other factors—some inside and some outside of your control.”

Because BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are relatively rare in the general population, most experts agree that genetic testing of individuals should be performed only when the person’s individual or family history suggests the possible presence of a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women with the following risk factors should seek genetic counseling to determine if genetic testing is indicated:

• A family history of someone having a positive BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
• Breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 years
• Cancer in both breasts in the same woman
• Ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer at any age in a family member
• Two or more family members with breast cancer
• Both breast and ovarian cancers in a single family member
• Cases of male breast cancer in a family member
• People of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry

“Beyond BRCA genes, there are more than 30 gene mutations associated with various types of hereditary cancer,” Dr. Vinsant explains. “Tremendous information can be gained through genetic testing, but it is important to work with your physician to ensure you pursue the right options for you.

“Genetic testing has a role in breast cancer prevention, but in no way does it reduce the need for vigilance,” she adds. “Recommended screenings like mammograms, a healthy diet, regular exercise and a no-smoking policy are still the most critical tools for cancer prevention. Genetic testing is another tool for early intervention and managing increased risk, and should be used judiciously.”

If you meet the criteria set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, talk with your doctor about the best prevention and testing for you. For more information call 1-855-TENNOVA (836-6682) or visit Tennova.com.

The post Is Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Right for You? first appeared on Premier Surgical.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Thurman to our expert team of surgeons,” says Kevin Burris, CEO of Premier Surgical Associates. “His surgical skill and enthusiasm is a wonderful addition to our practice.”

Dr. Thurman earned his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in Oklahoma City. He completed his General Surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, where he received extensive experience in emergency general surgery and advanced laparoscopy.

Dr. Thurman is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), and the Southeastern Surgical Congress.

About Premier Surgical Associates

Premier Surgical Associates is the largest general and vascular surgery practice in the Knoxville, TN area. Premier’s 28 board-certified surgeons perform general, vascular, endovascular, vein, bariatric, breast, laparoscopic and oncologic procedures. Premier has offices in Knoxville, Alcoa, Harriman, Dandridge, Lenoir City, Morristown and Sevierville.

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Sun Exposure and Skin Cancer 

Studies have shown that repeated and unprotected sun exposure can lead to development of skin cancer. One study showed that sun exposure can have a role to play in the initiation stage of cancer. It causes mutation of the tumor suppressor gene which results to initiation of cells resistant to apoptosis (cell death). Constant UV exposure results to proliferation of these apoptotic-resistant cells. Some of these cells can reach the precancerous and then the cancerous state.

Reducing Skin Cancer Risk by Using Sunscreen 

Totally avoiding the sun is almost impossible, especially if you live in a place where it’s sunny year-round. Summer is another time to be extra cautious about sun exposure. The physicians of Premier Surgical in Knoxville urge you to take initiative to apply sunscreen regularly when you’re spending prolonged periods of time outside.

A good way to protect yourself and your family from the skin-damaging effects of UV exposure is getting good quality sunscreen. Studies have shown that regular sunscreen protection can reduce the risk of getting basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma. These are non-melanoma forms of skin cancer.

For better sun protection, experts suggest getting a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB rays) and choosing a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Check the product’s expiration date too, as some of the sunscreen ingredients degrade over time. If you participate in summer activities outdoors that cause you to sweat, or if you’re planning to do any water activities, then it’s best to have a waterproof sunscreen.

Skin experts also advise reading the label before buying a sunscreen. Getting more expensive sunscreen doesn’t always mean you’re getting better quality. They may smell nice or feel good on the skin, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they offer better protection.

It’s never too late to start integrating sun protection practices into your life. In addition to wearing sunscreen, you can help protect yourself by wearing sunglasses, hats, or sun protective clothing that limits your sun exposure. Spotting skin abnormalities early-on is also crucial to fighting skin cancer. The physicians of Premier Surgical are experienced in the surgical treatment of skin cancers. They maintain that prevention is key and

recommend performing a self-skin examination once a month. If you do spot an abnormality, consult your physician or dermatologist for a professional examination.  For more information about melanoma and other skin cancers, visit our webpage.

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Most medical conditions have a better chance of successful treatment if they are found and diagnosed early on. This is why medical screenings are very important. Medical screenings are tests, or physical exams, that aim to detect diseases often before any symptoms appear.

For adults, the following health screenings are recommended:

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer remains one of the most common forms of cancer in women. It is estimated that about 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer.

A lump in the breast or a change in size or shape are some of the early symptoms of the disease. Like most types of cancer, breast cancer is highly treatable in its early stages. The following can help determine early the presence of breast cancer:

• Mammography
  This is recommended annually for women age 40 and above.
• Physician breast exam
  Like mammography, this should be done every year for women age 40 and above.
• Breast self-exam
  Unlike the physician breast exam, it is important that women age 20 and above perform the breast self-exam monthly.

Cholesterol Screening

High blood cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart diseases. This is why it is suggested that men and women  have a lipid panel test every 5 years starting at the age of 20. This can be done frequently if there is higher risk of high blood cholesterol.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Caused by the human papillomavirus, cervical cancer can be a result of unprotected sexual contact (the virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse). Women with cervical cancer may experience unusual bleeding from the vagina, pain in the lower abdominal area, pain during sex, and unusual vaginal discharges.

Doing the Pap smear (also known as the Pap test) every year starting at the age of 20 or 3 years after the onset of sexual activity can help in early detection of cervical cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. It’s the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States. Over the years, the number of deaths resulting from colorectal cancer has decreased as a result of screenings like:

• Screening colonoscopy
  This is recommended to do every 10 years for men and women age 50 to 75.
• Fecal occult blood test
  The fecal occult blood test is another screening test for colorectal cancer. This is recommended to do annually for men and women of the aforementioned age group.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  Doing the flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years with the fecal occult blood test every 3 years is highly recommended to detect colorectal cancer early.

Prostate Cancer Screening

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting men. This type of cancer begins in the prostate gland, the part of the men’s reproductive system responsible for producing the fluid that’s part of the semen.

Affected men can have better treatment options if prostate cancer is detected early. The annual digital rectal exam and prostate specific antigen test for men age 50 and above can help in diagnosing prostate cancer in its early stages.

Osteoporosis Screening

Women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that weakens the bones. It’s the most common cause of hip fractures in women. Hence, women age 65 and above are recommended to do regular bone density testing (DXA). The frequency depends on the result of the baseline test.

If you would like to know more about regular health screenings, we can help you. Download Premier Surgical’s Screenings by Age E-book today.

The post Health Screenings Guide first appeared on Premier Surgical.

Eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly are important for maintaining a healthy life. However, it is also important to do regular health checks that can help you detect diseases early-on.

A health check is an assessment of your current health status. While regular health checks are typically done by your primary health care provider, you can do a self-health check on your own.

Self-Checks for Women

For women, the following areas should be looked into regularly:

• Skin
  Woman should regularly check their moles, freckles, and other skin blemishes, especially for any change in their color, size, or if they’re accompanied with unusual symptoms like pain. If any of these are noticed, don’t hesitate to consult a dermatologist, as women are at high risk for skin cancer.
• Breasts
  Breast cancer is still one of the most common types of cancer, affecting many women worldwide. This is why it’s very important for women to know how to properly conduct a breast self-exam. A breast self-exam helps women to detect the presence of lumps or abnormalities with their breasts like changes in color, texture, or in the instance of unusual discharges.
• Mental and Emotional Health
  Although it is normal to feel sad from time to time, feelings of intense irritability, sadness, and anxiety are no longer normal. This is especially true if they’re affecting your sleeping habits and day-to-day life. These symptoms should not be neglected as they may be a sign of a mental health condition.

Self-Checks for Men

There are certain areas that men should check into, to ensure optimal health. These include:

• Skin
  The presence of unusual mole or freckles should be reported immediately to a dermatologist. While not all types of unusual skin blemishes are life-threatening, if you have any concern, it is best to have them checked by a specialist.
• Testicles
  From puberty and beyond, men should check their testicles regularly for the presence of lumps or unusual thickening. Any irregularities should be reported immediately to your primary care doctor.
• Prostate
  Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. While early stage of prostate cancer may not have symptoms at all, it is best to consult a general practitioner if any of the following symptoms are noticed: difficulty in urinating, frequent urination, straining to urinate, and pain when urinating or during sex.

It can be scary to notice any of these abnormalities on your body, however early diagnosis can help if you find something that requires medical treatment. The team at Premier Surgical of Knoxville are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of many cancers and disorders. We are dedicated to helping you every step of the way.

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