Preventing Cancer: Does This New Report Make a Difference?

I'm sometimes easily swayed by health studies; a few years ago I completely cut out soda after reading a pretty convincing article about how terrible it was for our bodies. Meanwhile, of course we know that exercise and diet is important... and I try to jog when I can... but per the LA Times, it's now even more conclusive that we need to eat/drink less and exercise more to help precent cancer:

Roughly half of cancer deaths in the United States could be prevented or forestalled if all Americans quit smoking, cut back on drinking, maintained a healthful weight and got at least 150 minutes of exercise each week, according to a new report.

These same measures would also reduce the number of new cancer diagnoses by 40% to 70%. For men, universal embrace of this lifestyle could avert or delay 67% of cancer deaths and prevent 63% of new malignancies each year, researchers calculated. If all of the nation’s women did the same, their yearly cancer mortality rates would fall by 59% and new cancers would drop 41%.

Will this be enough to convince me to *really* start watching my diet and cutting back on all those glasses of wine? How about you?

Why KROQ's Bean Is Giving Away A Kidney This Week

TMZ Live pt3 11/02/12

This week, KROQ's Gene "Bean" Baxter -- the co-host of L.A.'s No. 1-rated (in demos) "Kevin & Bean" morning show -- will go under the knife in order to donate a kidney to Scott Mason, CBS Radio's west coast head of engineering. Bean, who works out of a studio in his home near Seattle, will be down here to undergo surgery at Cedars-Sinai on November 13. He first learned of Mason's failing kidneys when the engineer made his annual trip up to Washington state to do maintenance on Bean's studio.

During that visit, Bean noticed how unwell Mason (who's been with KROQ since 1979, and once served as an on-air jock) looked. At KROQ's site, Bean wrote about his big decision to step in and help Mason out; here's an excerpt:

Scott has had medical issues for much of his adult life, including his kidneys failing, and that led him to have a transplant from a cadaver back in 1999. Well, now that one has failed too and Scott is back on dialysis for many hours a week. The kidney processes waste out of the blood and without one your body is being poisoned all the time. The dialysis helps but is a temporary solution. You only get off the machine if you get a new kidney or you die.

He explained his situation and that he was about six years out on the waiting list for a new kidney. That was inconceivable to me, to imagine that all over America there are people like Scott, who are very sick and might die, waiting for organs at the same time that literally of thousands of them are being buried every year.

If nothing else, I hope everyone reading this will double check that their wishes are known and that they will make their liver, lungs, eyes and whatever else can be harvested after their death to help another human. (Here is one resource for more information on that.)

Bean has done several interviews on his decision since then, including TMZ Live (above). If anything, he seems to be having a big impact on spreading donor awareness among KROQ listeners. We'll be wishing him and Scott Mason luck this week, and a speedy recovery. He hopes to be back on the air by after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Ugh, Philippe's, What Happened?

(Flickr pic by mseratt99.)

One of our favorite L.A. landmarks, downtown's Philippe the Original restaurant -- home of the French Dip -- has been temporarily shut down due to a, um, cockroach problem.

Yuck.

As the Los Angeles Times reports that "health inspectors discovered the problem about 11 a.m. Wednesday after conducting an inspection prompted by citizens’ complaints, said Angelo Bellomo, director of environmental health for the Los Angeles County Public Health Department."

More:

He said the restaurant typically receives high scores during routine inspections. County inspectors conducted such an inspection Wednesday, in addition to the probe based on the complaint, and the business scored in the low 90s, Bellomo said.

But inspectors had to close the restaurant for 48 hours to allow the vermin to be removed.

"When you have a violation like a live cockroach infestation, it doesn't matter how good the score is," Bellomo said.

Philippe's could reopen by noon on Friday, inspectors said.

Other recent, notable restaurant shut downs:

Cafe Stella (Silver Lake), Dec. 17-19
California Science Center IMAX (Downtown), Jan. 7-11 (really!)
Cindy's Restaurant (Eagle Rock), Nov. 13-15
Little New York Gourmet (West Hollywood), Dec. 12-14
Main Kitchen - Wilshire Grand (Downtown), Dec. 4-6
Taqueria Jalisco (Mid-City), Nov. 12-17
Three Drunken Goats (Montrose), Feb. 2-4
Ye Coach and Horses (Hollywood), Jan. 22-25

More here.

I Can't See Clearly Now, the Rain Has Come

For months now I've been noticing a cloudiness to my left eye -- but I chalked it up to my contact lenses. I've had contacts since I was 15, and even 20 years later you sometimes have a day or two where your eyes just don't agree with them.

But more recently, I started noticing an after-image on my eye. You know, like those kinds of images that briefly burn in your vision after you look at a bright light (like a flashlight, etc.). Those after-images usually go away after a few seconds. The problem with this after-image was, it wasn't going anywhere. Night after night (when you can see those flashes best, since it's dark), I'd see it.

I finally decided to go to my optometrist on Saturday. He dilated my eyes, did an exam, and came back with the news: I wasn't imagining things. I had a torn retina.

Retina tears can lead to retina detachment, which doesn't sound fun. Here's some info from the NIH:

What is retinal detachment?
The retina is the light-sensitive layer of tissue that lines the inside of the eye and sends visual messages through the optic nerve to the brain. When the retina detaches, it is lifted or pulled from its normal position. If not promptly treated, retinal detachment can cause permanent vision loss.

In some cases there may be small areas of the retina that are torn. These areas, called retinal tears or retinal breaks, can lead to retinal detachment.

What are the symptoms of retinal detachment?
Symptoms include a sudden or gradual increase in either the number of floaters, which are little "cobwebs" or specks that float about in your field of vision, and/or light flashes in the eye. Another symptom is the appearance of a curtain over the field of vision. A retinal detachment is a medical emergency. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a retinal detachment should see an eye care professional immediately.

Yep, they actually bold that part -- "a retinal detachment is a medical emergency." Yikes. The optometrist told me I needed to see a retina specialist pronto on Monday... so hopefully I can get this treated quickly. I'll let ya know how it goes.

9 p.m. UPDATE Well, here's where it gets confusing. I saw a second optometrist today, who said he couldn't find the retina tear. He said there's a chance it's small enough that it was tough to find today (sort of like a flap that opens and closes; when it's closed, you can't tell that it's actually a tear). That means, possibly good news -- perhaps no tear after all. I'm going to see him again in a few days to see what's up. In the meantime, my left eye is still cloudy and I still see that recurring flash -- so something's up. But for now, I'm going to hold off being too worried about it.

Deceptive Clinics

Fishbowl LA's Tina Dupuy goes undercover at one of those misleading "pregnancy centers" -- the ones that aren't actually clinics at all, but religious operations -- and writes about it here for the Pasadena Weekly.

Writing of her experience at Glendale's Avenues Pregnancy Clinic:

I just spent nearly two hours of my time to get an admittedly unreliable pregnancy test, erroneous medical information and find out more than I ever wanted to know about the life of a sexless 35-year-old bass player. This is a licensed medical clinic.

Should New York's Calorie Counts Come to L.A.?

(Pic via Weighty Matters.)

Last year, New York began requiring restaurants to include calorie counts on menu boards.

That means everything. At Starbucks, it even lists the calorie count for regular, drip coffee at "5." Spending the week here in NY (yes, that's why the post count has been low at Franklin Avenue), I actually began to appreciate this. Do I really want that "reduced fat" coffee cake at Starbucks? Now I know, it's 450 calories. So no, no I don't.

Should we bring this trend to L.A.? It reminds me of a comment the Militant Angeleno left in a post below -- we're a town devoted to hamburgers, etc., so why do we still have this "healthy eating" rep?

Los Angeles: Ad Town (One in a series)

Valtrex would like you to know: Just because you're suffering from a raging case of herpes doesn't mean you can't go rollerblading in Santa Monica!

A Fairytale Ending

Last year, we wrote several posts on the plight of filmmaker Christine Pechera, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Christine needed a bone marrow match to survive... but with so few Filipinos (and Asians in general) in the registry, it wasn't looking good.

Christine, her family and friends went grassroots, hitting the media, churches and the Internet with her story and urging people to take the harmless test. Marrow drives were held around the country and even around the world; thousands took the test as a result -- even Maria.

On July 5 last year, she underwent a transplant. I randomly checked in on her blog the other day -- and read the good news. Her cancer is completely gone. She writes:

Who would have guessed that this devastating nightmare would have such a fairytale outcome. I am so thankful for every little thing, every little moment of every day.

The results of the "one-year" Bone Marrow Biopsy came back 100% donor. In the past, "100% donor" meant "promising" or "a good sign". The marrow also came back "clear". This triple-confirms that the cancer has completely vanished. At 13 months out, it is safe to officially say that the donor marrow has taken and that the transplant is successful.

It's easy to sign up for the bone marrow national registry -- all it takes is a cotton swab on the inside of your mouth. Go here for more details.

Saving the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple Food Court

Last year we took you to the Wat Thai Buddhist Temple in the Valley, where a row of food vendors serve up cheap and tasty grinds. Unfortunately, the food court is now threatened, and may have already even served its last dish.



The Militant Angeleno headed to the Wat Thai this weekend to do some research -- and indeed, it looks like the food court is in trouble. He snapped this shot:



and learned, via one of his "reputable operatives in the Thai community," that several factors are working against the food court:

First, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has recently made their annual inspection and will shut down the food court due to its findings. But the Militant's operative said such closures are normally only temporary...

The second issue was general complaints from the neighborhood regarding noise, traffic and loitering, which is interesting since Van Noord Ave., the residential cul-de-sac directly behind the temple, is home to not only temple members, but most of the temple's monks. The Militant's operative said that Wat Thai has worked hard to address the complaints of the neighborhood...

The third issue was not directly related to the food court, but did make P.R. matters much worse for the temple, obviously attributed to bad timing. The Militant's operative also mentioned that the LAPD is currently investigating allegations by children at the temple of sexual abuse directed at a male volunteer (none of the temple's monks were named), who is a married undocumented immigrant (and could thusly face deportation regardless of whether the charges stand or not).

The Militant said it sounded like last weekend's food court may have been the last for a while... here's hoping it makes a return as these issues are sorted out.

Rate-A-Restaurant, Extreme Bathroom Edition

Funny enough, Maria and I thought about doing this a long time ago, but never did. Instead, new blog Restaurant Restroom Rater is doing the dirty work -- and I mean that literally. The RRRater is hitting eatery bathrooms throughout Southern California, and pointing out the good, the bad... and the gross.

The RRRater's reviews are simple, three- or four-word summaries of some of the highlights and lowlights. For example, this is his take on the The Cliff Laguna Beach (above):

.messy
.men's
.funky shaving mirror
.adjacent stall laced with t.p.
.rr cleaning schedule needs tidying
.The Cliff Laguna Beach sunsets are phenom

Any of you have a fave or least favorite public restroom out there? I would have to say LAX's restrooms make it tough to leave on a flight with an empty bladder. I've taken to just waiting until I board the plane...

Year of the Rat: Major Restaurants Hit With Vermin

Vermin: They're not just for hole-in-the-wall restaurants anymore. Several major L.A. restaurants were shut down this spring by the L.A. county health department for "Prevention of entrance and harborage of vermin" and "Vermin infestation."

Some recent closures:

THE CHEESE STORE OF SILVERLAKE, 3926 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 04, 2007
Date Reopened: May 06, 2007

CIRXA, 3719 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 03, 2007
Date Reopened: May 05, 2007

DOUGHBOYS BAKERY, 8134-36 W 3RD ST, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 31, 2007
(Still closed, now remodeling)

EAT WELL COFFEE SHOP, 3916 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: April 13, 2007
Date Reopened: April 15, 2007

THE FABIOLUS CAFE, 6270 W SUNSET BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: April 24, 2007
Date Reopened: May 09, 2007

FRANKIE & JOHNNIE'S N.Y. PIZZA, 11753 SAN VICENTE BLVD, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: May 10, 2007
Date Reopened: May 12, 2007

HUGO'S, 8401 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Twice!
Date Closed: May 15, 2007
(remains closed, now being renovated)

Date Closed: May 07, 2007
Date Reopened: May 10, 2007

ROSCOE CHICKEN N' WAFFLES, 1514 N GOWER ST, LOS ANGELES
Date Closed: March 01, 2007
Date Reopened: March 05, 2007

THE STAND, 17000 VENTURA BLVD #204, ENCINO
Date Closed: March 13, 2007
Date Reopened: March 15, 2007

Hey, rats have gotta eat too! And apparently they're getting a little more picky in their choices. (This follows up on their invasion of Los Feliz last fall.)

The Los Feliz Exercising Mommys

I see them several times a week, as I cruise west down Los Feliz Blvd. on the way to work: Young mothers, decked out in sweat gear, exercising in Griffith Park (or on the pathway down the boulevard) while their kids sit in their strollers.

Who are these moms? Is this a clique of friends who all own racing strollers and have learned to exercise in unison? How do they plan out these workouts, which frequently utilize wooden fences, steps and other features along the pathway?

Typing "Los Feliz," "moms" and "exercise" into Google, I think I may have found the answer: StollerStrides.

Apparently the group (which costs anywhere from $15 to $12.50 to less per class, depending on how much you prepay) meets at the bear statue near one of the Griffith Park entrances at 9;30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

This could very well be them. The time fits with when I pass by that part of Griffith Park... and that hefty price would explain why the women who participate appear very upper class. Have any of you taken this class, or at the very least have seen the Exercising Mommys of Los Feliz?

Habits of Mine That I Fear Will Lead to Health Problems Later On

An ever-growing list.

1. Using a plastic straw to drink coffee. I know, it's kinda weird. But I started doing this when I had braces, since I was told not to get any hot beverage on them (and risk loosening the glue that held them in place). I continued doing this even after the braces came off because of habit and to avoid staining my teeth. A Starbucks employee recently warned me that the straw might melt. Mmm, have I been drinking plastic-y coffee all these years?

2. Drinking 4-5 cups of coffee a day. Or maybe even more. This can't be good, right? Although I've never seen any definitive study telling me not to... sometimes I wonder if that occasional pain in my chest is from all that java.

3. Using the cell phone without a hands-free device. Most of the time I do -- but sometimes I won't have it with me, and will still conduct long (I'm talking as long as 30 minutes) conversations with the Blackberry or phone pressed against my ear. That can't be good. Nor can...

4. Sitting in front of the computer all day long. This is one we all do... but how will it affect us long term? Sitting just inches away from a buzzing monitor for 9 hours a day, five days a week -- not to mention all that time in front of the home computer -- must be doing something, right?

5. My temporary lack of exercise. Haven't been to the gym since Evan was born... 29 months ago. I try to make up for it by walking with Evan... but it's no substitute for a real workout. But who has the time?

I'm sure there are more, but this is a start. Now it's your turn: What are some of your bad habits -- the ones you suspect are bad, but since you have no proof, you go right ahead and keep doing them?