Join Our Team!

Are you a troubleshooter? Do you like helping people achieve better quality of life? We have an opening for a full-time compression garment fitter! You will have the opportunity to train under the BEST garment fitter in the Houston-area (some say in the whole United States!), Kristen Knowles. If you are looking to improve lives, please message us here, send an email at kristen@hairandwellness.com or call us at 713-623-4247. We're looking forward to expanding the Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness Team!

A Recent Review About Our Hair Loss, Lymphedema & Mastectomy Team!

"Do not miss the opportunity to visit Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness. Ricky, Kristen and their team have been instrumental in making my journey a little less difficult. Ricky literally searched the world over to find the perfect human hair wig for me, then custom fit, cut and colored it to perfection so not even my family could tell it wasn't my own hair!

I volunteer at MD Anderson and the staff actually thought I was one of the few who did not lose hair in treatment. When I started going without the wig they wondered why I cut my hair so short - ha ha.

I developed mild lymphedema post radiation and it was challenging fitting me with a sleeve because I have such skinny arms and the edema only presented mid forearm. Kristen came to my rescue and we have tried different manufacturers to come up with just the right fit. I go to pick up my new "psychedelic" sleeve today:)

Last, but certainly not least, is Alex - the insurance miracle worker guru. Ricky was not in my network, but Alex contacted my insurance company and found out what I needed to do. After I did my part he went to work and filed all the necessary paper work. After review Aetna not only approved them but paid for my custom wig!!

Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness has helped countless people with hair loss and lymphedema. I hear such positive stories many times over from patients I meet in the Breast Center at MDA. They truly make a difference in our lives that benefit us everyday."

-Rosemary

New Hair And Wellness Website!

We just launched out new website today! We're so proud of how it turned out and hope that you will find it full of good information about post-mastectomy products and services, hair loss and lymphedema solutions. The photos are of our real clients! We're so blessed that they agreed to pose as our models!
www.hairandwellness.com

Best Weight Loss Apps of 2014!

Year after year, weight loss reigns as one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Yet obesity remains an epidemic in the United States. Whether you want to lose 5 pounds or 50, stick with it in 2014, so that next year your goal is just to keep the weight off. With countless apps and wearable tech designed to help you meet your fitness goals, there are no excuses this year. Eat well, work out, and stay motivated with the help of this technology.

Lose It!
www.loseit.com

Lose It! has been one of the most popular health apps on iTunes for several years now. The easy-to-use app makes it easy to keep track of weight loss goals. Enter your current weight and your desired weight and the app will tell you the maximum daily calories you can consume to meet your goal. Log fitness activities and scan barcodes on food items, to easily keep track of your progress. Weigh yourself every day and see a line graph of your progress. This free app is available on iOS and Android, with additional charges for upgrades.


Daily Workouts
www.dailyworkoutapps.com

Save money on a gym membership this year. Work out at home! The Daily Workout app is essentially a workout video for your smartphone or tablet, broken up into five or ten minute routines. This app will get your butt, arms, abs and legs in shape, while saving you a time. The workouts are as effective as your local fitness class. This free app is available on iOS and Android, with additional charges for upgrades.

Jawbone UP
www.jawbone.com

"Wearable tech," was definitely a catchphrase of 2013 and that's expected to continue into the new year. With fitness-tracking wristbands gaining popularity, there's no sign that the momentum is slowing down. The Jawbone UP band is one of the more popular devices and recently came out with a new version, called the UP24. In addition to tracking steps taken and calories burned, the water-resistant band keeps tab on sleep patterns via its smartphone app. Set an alarm to wake you up in your lightest sleep phase, and the band promises you'll be refreshed. Add friends to your "team," and tell them to step it up! The Jawbone UP24 retails for $149.99


Fitbit
www.fitbit.com/iphone

The Fitbit is another contender for the hottest in wearable tech. The recently released Fitbit Force, is an upgrade to the Flex. Like the Jawbone UP, the Fitbit bands track steps taken and hours slept. Yet unlike the previous Fitbit, the Force displays real-time data on the band's screen, doubling as a watch. Sync with the app to track progress and compete with your friends. The Fitbit Force retails for $129.95


ShopWell
www.shopwell.com/home/mobile

In an era where people track everything from carbs to gluten, ShopWell helps you keep track of all your dietary needs. Next time you're at the grocery store, scan barcodes of food items and ShopWell will tell you if the product meets your requirements. If not, it will suggest another similar product that does. Whether you're looking to lose weight, avoid allergies, or help with diabetes, ShopWell will do you well. This free app is available on iOS and Android.

What you need to know about BRCA gene testing

What is BRCA gene testing?
Everyone has BRCA genes that produce tumor-suppressing proteins. But risky BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations leave a person more susceptible to cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. BRCA testing is used to determine whether a person has such a mutation, which can be inherited from either parent. Each child of a parent who has a mutation in one of these genes has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutation.

What does the test entail?
BRCA gene mutations are detectable through DNA from a blood or saliva sample. It usually takes about a month to get results once your sample is sent to a lab for analysis.

What does a positive result mean?
A woman's lifetime risk of developing cancer is “greatly increased,” if she has a harmful BRCA mutation, according to the National Institutes of Health. About 12 percent of women will develop breast cancer at some point compared with up to 65 percent of women who inherit a harmful BRCA1 mutation. Other cancers are linked to mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, including fallopian tube, abdominal and pancreatic cancers. Men with harmful BRCA gene mutations face higher risk of prostate cancer.

How common are high-risk BRCA gene mutations?
The likelihood of carrying a BRCA gene mutation is extremely low for people with no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Only about 10 percent of all breast cancers and 15 percent of all ovarian cancers can be traced back to inherited genetic mutations.

Who should take the test?
Because BRCA gene mutations are relatively rare, many doctors agree only those who have specific family patterns of cancer should consider the test. Such patterns include having multiple family members who have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, especially at a young age; cases of male breast cancer; and two or more cancers in one family member.

For anyone thinking about such testing, experts strongly recommend genetic counseling by someone who is experienced in cancer genetics. Counseling can help assess the need for testing in the first place, as well as facilitate discussion about what kinds of decisions a person faces once she gets her results.

What kinds of decisions should you be prepared to make?
A person who finds out she has a BRCA gene mutation faces some difficult decisions. Some women choose enhanced cancer screening, beginning with regular mammograms in their 20s, for example. Others choose risk-reducing surgeries like mastectomies or the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes. People also consider chemo-prevention regimens of drugs and vitamins to delay or reduce cancer risk. Finding out you have a harmful BRCA mutation indicates a higher risk for your siblings, too, so what you learn can affect multiple family members.

How much does it cost?
Some insurance companies cover BRCA testing, which can range in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The National Cancer Institute urges people to contact their insurance companies to discuss cost before getting the test. For those without insurance, some genetic testing companies offer free or discounted pricing for individuals who meet certain medical or financial eligibility standards.

Who can help?
There are myriad resources for people considering BRCA gene testing, including the Cancer Information Service at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and many nonprofit organizations. Live and anonymous online chatting is available from the NIH weekdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET (5 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT at http://livehelp.cancer.gov. You can also call 1-800-4-CANCER.

Tamoxifen Halves Breast Cancer Risk in High-Risk Women

Tamoxifen halves breast cancer risk in high-risk women A global study of women with inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 found that tamoxifen could halve the risk for breast cancer in the contralateral (opposite-side) breast in these high-risk women.

Tamoxifen has been used for decades to treat breast cancer and has recently been shown to prevent breast cancers in many women. Until now, there has been limited information about whether it reduces breast cancer risk for women who are at the very highest level of risk with BRCA1 or BRCA2.

This study, led by the University of Melbourne and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Australia, involved about 2,500 women from Europe, North America, and Australia who have inherited mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 and who have been diagnosed with breast cancer since 1970. About one-third of these women were placed on tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen was taken by 24% of the 1,583 BRCA1 and by 52% of the BRCA2 mutation carriers after their first breast cancer diagnosis. Over 20,104 person-years of observation, 520 contralateral breast cancers occurred. The statistical analysis of 657 BRCA1 and 426 BRCA2 mutation carriers with 100 contralateral breast cancers found an adjusted hazard ratio estimate of 0.58 for BRCA1 carriers and 0.48 for BRCA2 carriers. This study was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"In the past, the only way of reducing breast cancer risk for these high-risk women was to do invasive surgery to remove their breasts and/or ovaries. For women who choose not to undergo such surgery, or who would prefer to delay surgery until they are older, tamoxifen could now be a viable alternative," said the lead author, Kelly-Anne Phillips, MD, of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Her previous research had found that only one in five Australian women with a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 chose to undergo bilateral mastectomy to prevent cancer.

Co-author John Hopper, PhD, of the University of Melbourne, said, "In light of our findings, it is clear that women who have a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 should review their management plan with their specialist and re-discuss the options available to them to lower that risk."

I suffer from Trichotillomania, or Trich. My hair pulling has caused bald patches on my head. Is there some sort of hair loss solution that you can recommend for my condition?

Trichotillomania is a disorder where there is an irresistible desire to pull out one’s hair. At Ricky Knowles Hair & Wellness, we get calls every week from a person who has trich. 

Our team has created a safe and private environment for our clients.  We strive to be a part of your recovery, working in tandem with you to boost your confidence and help you reach your goal to stop hair pulling.

As problem-solvers, we use a specialized medical adhesive to bond hair to the head to cover bald spots.  By using this unique bond, the new hair stays on for a full month, ensuring that you can return to a normal lifestyle and enjoy various activities such as swimming without the worry of the new hair detaching.  

Clients can wash their new hair, blow it dry, and even use a curling or flat iron.  By covering the “hot spots” with hair that looks and feels natural, it helps our clients feel as if the new hair is a part of them, and gives them time to gain the confidence and strength to face their triggers.

Our trich hair replacement process allows our clients to take the steps necessary to return to a normal life.  We are so proud of our Trich clients.  They are smart, successful, beautiful and strong! 

Contact us at 713-623-4247 to find out how we can help you or a loved one find a solution to stop hair pulling.

Breast Friends Support Group Meet Up

The University of Texas MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area is sponsoring the Breast Friends Support Group and Educational Program for surrounding communities. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m at the CHRISTUS St. John West Building.

This month’s meeting will feature two guest speakers—Vicky Moore, OTR, CLT-LANA, lymphedema therapist at UTMB Victoria Lakes and Kristen Anderson-Knowles of Ricky Knowles Hair and Wellness. Vicky will lead a discussion on managing lymphedema, and Kristen will talk about lymphedema sleeves and other related garments for cancer patients.

The purpose of these meetings is to support, uplift and empower patients as they go through this challenging time. Meetings are open to all breast cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, regardless of where treatment is received, and snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Meetings take place in the West Building of St. John Hospital, located at 2035 Space Park Drive. No pre-registration is required. For more information contact meeting facilitator Diana Vasquez at (713) 745-2396.

The MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area is located on the campus of CHRISTUS St. John Hospital at 18100 St. John Drive. As MD Anderson’s first comprehensive clinical cancer center to open outside of the Texas Medical Center, the Regional Care Center in the Bay Area provides medical and radiation oncology, APBI, chemotherapy infusion, laboratory and pharmacy services and nutritional counseling

For directions or to learn more about the MD Anderson Regional Care Center in the Bay Area visit www.MDAnderson.org/BayArea. For up to date news and information about the Center join the conversation on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MDAndersonBayArea.

From the Bay Area Citizen