New Relief from Heavy Periods
If heavy periods have been keeping you from enjoying life to the fullest, a new minimally invasive option available at Huron Regional Medical Center may help you. NovaSure^® is a safe, simple procedure that has been proven to help control heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) without the need for hormones or a hysterectomy. The outpatient procedure is performed by Dr. Michael Becker, OB/GYN from The Women's Center for Life. For more information about the NovaSure procedure, contact The Women's Center for Life at 605-352-2229 or visit www.novasure.com.

Sentinel Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Breast cancer patients now have the option of Sentinel Lymph Node (SLN) biopsy for breast cancer diagnosis at Huron Regional Medical Center. SLN biopsy is based on the idea that cancer cells spread (metastasize) in an orderly way from the primary tumor – first to the sentinel lymph node(s) and then to other nearby lymph nodes. During SLN biopsy, the patient is injected with a small amount of radioactive substance, blue dye or both near the tumor. The surgeon then uses a scanner to find the sentinel lymph node(s) containing the radioactive substance or looks for the lymph node(s) stained with dye. Once the SLN is located, the surgeon removes the lymph node(s). A pathologist checks for the presence of cancer cells. Because fewer lymph nodes are removed with SLN, there may be fewer side effects. General surgeons, Dr. Cy Haatvedt and Dr. Linda Miller perform sentinel lymph node biopsy at HRMC. For more information on the procedure, call HRMC at 605-353-6200 or visit www.cancer.org.

New Pediatrician Joins Huron Clinic
Pediatrician Dr. Joan Gibson joined the Huron Clinic and HRMC team in November 2006. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., Dr. Gibson received her medical degree from State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. She completed her residency in the department of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Prior to joining Huron Clinic, Dr. Gibson practiced in New York state and Pierre and Rosebud, S.D. Dr. Gibson, who is board-certified, provides general pediatric and adolescent care and specializes in the treatment of children with special needs. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-801-8691 or 605-352-8691. The Huron Clinic is located at 111 4th St. in Huron.

Nonsurgical Treatment for Painful Hemorrhoids
Three out of four people will develop hemorrhoids at some time in their lives. Hemorrhoids are swelling in the rectum or anal area that may protrude from the anus on straining. Many people associate hemorrhoids with painful surgery, but a fast simple procedure called Infrared Coagulation (IRC) is taking the fear out of hemorrhoid treatment. IRC offers fast, safe, permanent relief without surgery, and it's covered by Medicare and most commercial insurances. HRMC Surgical Clinic, under the medical direction of Dr. Linda Miller, now offers the procedure. For more information on whether IRC is right for you, talk to your healthcare provider or call the HRMC Surgical Clinic at 605-353-7660.