VCU Health will continue its series of educational seminars on current health care topics in October and November. The following seminars are from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Kelly Education Center, 1800 Lakeside Ave. All seminars are free and open to the public, but registration is recommended. Register online at vcuhealth.org/events or call (804) 628-0041 for more information.

Wednesday, Oct. 4
Caring for Heart Disease in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer patients over 50 are four times more likely to die of noncancer causes, with heart disease accounting for nearly half of those deaths. Join Tiziano Scarabelli, M.D., director of cardio-oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center and VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, to learn about screening, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Tuesday, Oct. 17
Advance Directives Made Easy

Patients and patient families may avoid advance directives and advance care planning if they are hesitant to discuss difficult health issues. Join Danielle Noreika, M.D., from VCU Massey Cancer Center; and Paul Neimeyer, general counsel at VCU Health System, as they discuss the Virginia Advance Directive and the importance of advance care planning at every life stage. They will provide medical and legal advice on how to plan for the future.

Thursday, Oct. 26
Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Looking in All the Right Places

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths for men and women. While early detection is an effective way to improve survival, most lung cancers are still identified in the late stages. Patrick Nana-Sinkam, M.D., from VCU Massey Cancer Center, will discuss the challenges of early detection and provide an evidence-based roadmap for a lung cancer screening program.

Tuesday, Nov. 7
The What and Why of Diabetes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, and 25 percent aren’t aware they have the disease. Join Pooja Rao, M.D., a VCU Health endocrinology fellow; and Amber Spain, a VCU Health diabetes educator, as they discuss what causes diabetes, as well as how and why diabetes management includes multiple treatment approaches.