. How about some playful ways to rekindle laughter: • Create inside jokes or nicknames. I call my husband “Hound” because I want him to be loyal, obedient and protective. It makes us laugh every day, especially the “obedient” part. • Use humor to defuse tension. When things go wrong, we say, “Some days you’re the bug, some days you’re the windshield.” Ask yourself, “Will this be funny later?” and try to laugh now. • Tell jokes or share funny stories. Notice when laughter has been missing and bring it back intentionally. • Reminisce about funny moments. A 2015 study in Personal Relationships found that couples who recalled shared laughter felt more satisfied than those who remembered neutral or even positive, but humorless, memories.3 • Watch comedies together. Turn off the news and watch something that generates laughter: a funny movie, old sitcoms like Seinfeld, or even America’s Funniest Videos. Some doctors’ offices even play “I Love Lucy” to lighten the mood. • Find humor in everyday activities. My husband and I count dogs while biking, turning our daily ride into a playful game. Use humor wisely Not all humor is helpful. Sarcasm, passive-aggressive jokes or humor that mocks can damage trust. Men often bond through teasing and bantering, while many women may not respond the same way. The best humor is inclusive, affectionate and kindhearted. Laughing matters Laughter isn’t just a byproduct of a good relationship—it’s a building block. If you’re missing laughter in your relationship, don’t wait. Invite it back in. Laughing together might be the most underrated way to grow closer, to weather challenges and to enjoy the journey. Dr. Susan Murphy is a best-selling author, business consultant and speaker on relationships, conflict, leadership and goal-achievement. Her newest book, Leading Successful Teams: How To Create a Winning Culture, is out now. She can be reached at Susan@DrSusanMurphy.com or visit www.DrSusanMurphy.com. Reference: 1) https://www.wilsonmedical.com/news/2022/02/12/a-happy-heart-is-a-healthy-heart-1#; 2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6609137/; 3) Kurtz, L. E., & Algoe, S. B. (2015). Putting laughter in context: Shared laughter as behavioral indicator of relationship well-being. Personal Relationships, 22(4), 573–590. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12095 In the past, radiation treatment for breast cancer typically required a long course of daily therapy. Many women developed painful burns and unsightly skin changes toward the end of treatment. Advances in technology over the past 10 years now allow radiation therapy to be given in as little as five treatments to only a small portion of the breast, instead of 16 to 30 treatments to the entire region of the body. This greatly reduces the collateral damage done to the adjacent healthy breast tissue, heart and lungs.1,2,3 This new technique is called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and is now offered when accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is warranted over standard whole-breast radiation. The advancement reduces the chances of a serious skin burn and blistering from 18% to only 1%. In other words, 99% of women complete treatment with very few side effects.1 This new option for radiation therapy is now possible because modern equipment can image the breast prior to each treatment and detect the surgical bed with great accuracy. During surgeries preceding radiation, surgeons may also place fiducials or small clips to help oncologists treat the precise location. Where standard radiation therapy commonly leaves marks on the skin, some centers also offer “tatooless” treatment options. SBRT may not be appropriate for everyone but is a great option for women deemed “suitable” by National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. These women are 50+ years old, have stage I malignancies less than 2cm in size, and cancers that are estrogen receptor positive cancer (ER+), grade 1 or 2, and with no lymph node involvement. Those who have had surgery to remove malignancies are also considered candidates. APBI shares the same low recurrence rates as standard whole breast radiation therapy for patients that meet these criteria. Studies show that after 10 years, over 90% of women remained breast cancer free with either whole breast or accelerated partial breast radiation.4,5 If these criteria are met, this shortened radiation treatment course is also ideal for women over 70 years old who do not tolerate the five years of anti-estrogen therapy but still require post-surgery treatment to prevent recurrences. Cure rates for breast cancer have greatly improved, so the next step in treatment care is to limit side effects and optimize a patient’s quality of life. For more information on this new treatment option, please consult with a radiation oncologist. Carolyn Barnes, MD, is a board certified radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of various malignancies including breast cancer. She is with Radiant Cancer Care in Rancho Mirage and can be reached at (760) 202.3946. For more information, visit www.radiantcancercare.com. References: 1) Clin Breast Cancer 2021;21:231-238; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33121891; 2) Clin Breast Cancer 2024;24:253-260; https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526820923003282; 3) https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/ doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf260/8116780; 4) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25605582; 5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32840419 Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 5 www.DesertHealthNews.com July/August 2025 www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com www.jordanptcenter.com www.palmspringsendodontics.com www.ranchomirageendodontics.com Laser Endodontic Treatment Laser energy enhances the effect of disinfectants used in the canals, further eliminating bacterial infection. Ozone Therapy for Endodontics An advanced preventative therapy that fights off bacteria and pathogens which typically cause most oral health problems. Cone Beam CT Scan Cutting-edge 3D imaging of teeth, nerve pathways, soft tissue and bone that allows for a more accurate diagnosis and treatment of dental infections. Surgical Microscope Endodontics require significant attention to detail and precision. This advanced dental microscope is instrumental in providing the best outcomes for our clients. RanchoMirageEndodontics.com PalmSpringsEndodontics.com Offering Biological Root Canal Therapy for Optimal Oral and Whole Body Health We use advanced technology and biological techniques to greatly reduce ambient bacteria and protect the overall health of our patients. Eddie Al Halasa, DDS, MSD Board Certified Endodontist Rita J. Hung, DMD, MPD, MSD Board Eligible Endodontist Advanced Technology Root canal therapy • Endodontic retreatment Apicoectomy • IV and oral sedation dentistry RANCHO MIRAGE (760) 779-0350 71780 San Jacinto Dr., Ste. B3 Rancho Mirage PALM SPRINGS (760) 318-0101 558 S. Paseo Doroteo, Ste. 9 Palm Springs PERSONALIZED CARE FOR THE ENTIRE COACHELLA VALLEY Top: area affected with whole breast treatment. Bottom: a much smaller volume of tissue is radiated with partial breast treatment. Humor can help defuse tension and leave a positive memory of the situation. Breast Cancer Breakthroughs New radiation technology reduces side effects By Carolyn Barnes, MD Humor Continued from page 1
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