Information provided by Dr. Gregory Holt – Lung Cancer Kilts
A pulmonary nodule is that dreaded “spot” seen on a Chest CT scan and could mean anything from an old scar to lung cancer. They are typically less than 3 cm in diameter (about 1 1/4th inches). Spots greater than 3cm (1 1/4th inch) are considered masses and are included in the category of findings that require urgent evaluation.
Nodules are characterized based on how they look. Ground Glass Opacities, nicknamed GGOs, are hazy structures with borders that are difficult to define. Solid nodules are firm structures with clear borders. Semi-solid nodules have characteristics of both solid and GGOs. Completely calcified nodules are not worrisome. Calcified nodules are extremely dense and mean the nodule has been there so long, they’ve basically turned to stone. It is difficult to make a final diagnosis on the basis of the Chest CT alone and consultation with a pulmonologist (doctor who specializes in lungs) can help.
On March 8th Mayor Christi Fraga and the City Council honored Vet Info Inc. and Bass Pro Shops Miami in the Doral Government Center. Vet Info received the Key to the City for their instrumental role in supporting those who have bravely served in the United States Military and their families through Events and Programs. Bass Pro Shops was also honored with a special Proclamation for their many efforts that provide resources to the Veterans to improve quality of life, and for giving back to the community. Both organizations have collaborated regularly with the City of Doral to address the needs of the Veterans and Active Duty Service Members at Southern Command.
When the Founders of Vet Info Created the organization they thought long and hard about who to represent. Numerous larger Veteran Non-Profits focus on 9/11 forward, but Vet Info is proud to focus on all Living Veterans that served from World War II to present day. VET INFO BASS PRO SHOPS CITY OF DORAL
If you would like to Donate to help us bring a better quality of life to the Veterans please click HERE
Vet Info sat down to have dinner with a Veterans group of 31 members out of Tampa, Florida in honor and appreciation for their sacrifice to our country.
At the event, we were able to fellowship and break bread. We heard stories of some of their experiences while we played games like chess, checkers, and cards.
We are grateful for the time we spent together and in hope of having many more activities together.
Precious Leaks-Gutierrez, Vet Info Community Outreach Director, hosted a Women’s History Month breakfast at Bob Evans restaurant in Temple Terrace, FL, on Saturday, March 25, to honor Veteran women who are part of history by serving in the military. Veterans were treated to breakfast, gift bags, and a fun time.
Thank you to the veterans that attended and all our sponsors.
On March 25th Vet Info teamed with Shake a Leg Miami to take Veterans out fishing in Biscayne Bay. The veterans all enjoyed fishing and the great weather.
Six different species of fish were caught including Grunt, Yellow Tailes, Silver Runners, and Needle Fish. Over 100 fish were caught.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 2.1 million new cases and 1.8 million deaths in a single year.* However, if found early, lung cancer can be treated.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.
VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)
*American Lung Association.
Did you know?
Early detection, by low-dose CT screening, can decrease lung cancer mortality by up to 20 percent among high-risk populations
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.
VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)
*American Lung Association.
Did you know?
There are new guidelines regarding screening and about 8 million Americans qualify as high risk for lung cancer and are recommended to receive annual screening with low-dose CT scans
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.
VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)
*American Lung Association.
Did you know?
An estimated 900,000 veterans are at risk for lung cancer due to age, smoking, and environmental exposures during and after military service.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.
VA Lung Precision Oncology Program (LPOP)
Did you know?
In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. The VA has programs that can help with smoking cessation.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. A low-dose CT scan only takes a few minutes. Speak to your doctor to find out if lung cancer screening is right for you.
En español | The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced on Oct. 13 that its annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be 1.3 percent, an average boost to retirement benefits of about $20 per month for individuals starting in January.
The modest gain for monthly benefits is the latest in a decade of meager COLA increases. Social Security COLAs have averaged a 1.65 percent increase annually the past decade, with no increase at all to benefits in 2016. The increase that went into effect in January 2020 was 1.6 percent.
“Today’s announcement of a 1.3 percent COLA increase — while modest — is needed to help Social Security beneficiaries and their families try to keep up with rising costs,” says AARP Chief Executive Officer Jo Ann Jenkins. “The guaranteed benefits provided by Social Security and the COLA increase are more crucial than ever as millions of Americans continue to face the one-two punch of the coronavirus’s health and economic consequences. In fact, thanks to recently enacted changes supported by AARP to lower the Medicare premium for next year, more seniors will at least see a small monthly COLA.”
Why so low?
COLAs have been low because inflation has been tame. The annual COLA is based on the change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from the third quarter of the previous year to the third quarter of the current year. The CPI-W represents the prices paid by workers for a basket of goods and services. It is not based on a market basket that reflects what retirees purchase — the CPI-E — which represents a market basket that better reflects retiree spending, such as higher costs for health care.
This year’s COLA calculation looks at the average CPI-W index numbers for July, August and September of 2019 and compares them with the numbers for the same three-month span in 2020. The percentage change between the two quarterly averages is the COLA for the following year starting in January. If there’s no change, or if there’s a decline in the CPI-W, there’s no increase in Social Security benefits.
Since Congress initiated automatic annual COLAs in 1975, there have been three years in which benefits didn’t increase at all: 2010, 2011 and 2016. The single biggest increase, 14.3 percent, went into effect in January 1981.
Social Security is funded by a payroll tax of 12.4 percent on eligible wages — employees pay 6.2 percent and employers pay the other 6.2 percent (with self-employed workers paying the entire 12.4 percent). Next year, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax will increase to $142,800 from $137,700. The money paid in by today’s workers goes to cover current benefits, with any excess going into the Social Security trust fund.
Because of the growing number of Social Security beneficiaries — and, in part, a decrease in payroll taxes collected because of pandemic-driven job losses — the Social Security system is facing increased stress. In their annual report, Social Security’s trustees estimated that the trust fund for retired workers and their survivors will run short of money in 2034. A more pessimistic forecast from the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the reserves in the trust fund for retired workers and their survivors will be depleted in 2031. Even at that point, over three-quarters of benefits could still be paid out from incoming payroll taxes.
