2025-10-15 Facebook Live - Kidney Q&A

FB Live – October 15th: Dr. Velma Scantlebury is back and answering important patient questions for another episode of Ask the Doctor! This month, she’s talking about cancer screenings, how skipping dialysis treatment impacts your body, the role of binders versus blocker in phosphorous management, and many other kidney-related topics.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Dr. Scantlebury emphasizes the importance of using this time as a reminder to schedule all your annual screenings. Staying up to date on cancer screenings, stress tests, sleep apnea studies, and dental exams is especially important for transplant patients—being ready and cleared ensures you can move forward quickly when that long-awaited call for a kidney comes.

Unless specifically directed by your doctor, skipping dialysis is never a good idea. Dr. Scantlebury explains how missing treatments leads to fluid buildup, toxin accumulation, and increased strain on your heart—making it harder for your body to stay balanced and healthy. Regular dialysis is key to maintaining stability and staying strong for potential transplant opportunities.

Phosphorus control is vital for kidney patients, and Dr. Scantlebury breaks down how dietary changes, binders, and blockers each play a role. Binders work in your digestive tract to prevent phosphorus from being absorbed—making it important to take them with meals—while blockers, a newer class of medication, act in the bloodstream to further reduce phosphorus levels. For some patients, using both may be necessary to keep levels within a healthy range.

With warmth, expertise, and practical advice, Dr. Scantlebury helps kidney patients and caregivers stay informed and empowered in their care. Whether you’re on dialysis, awaiting a transplant, or supporting someone with kidney disease, this episode is full of essential insights for living well.

We invite you to join us for our live events and ask your kidney-related questions! Find us on both Instagram and Facebook:

• IG Live @patientcitizens 
• Facebook Live www.facebook.com/patientcitizens