Op-Ed: Take Steps to Detect Colorectal Cancer Early
It’s no myth: Colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adults Colorectal cancer, a broad term ascribed to cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third most common form of cancer diagnosed in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that 150,000 Americans — one in every 23 men and one in every 25 women — will […]
Screenings Save Lives
Intervening early can halt colorectal cancer In 2003, Bronzeville resident Candace Henley, then 35, was experiencing on-and-off symptoms of diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and a low blood count throughout the year. Her first two trips to the emergency room (ER) didn’t result in any answers. It wasn’t until after her third trip to the ER — following six […]
Some Obesity-Related Cancers on the Rise in Americans Under 50
We’ve been told for decades that carrying around extra pounds can make us more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes later in life. But there’s a growing understanding that being overweight can also increase our risk of another chronic disease: cancer. And obesity-related cancers are not necessarily a “later in life” thing. Studies have […]
Colorectal screening can save lives
Source: Parkland Hospital, Dallas Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death of the cancers that strike both men and women, but only 40 percent of the U.S. population is screened for the disease, even though early detection has proven to be an effective life-saver. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 93,000 new […]
Simple steps to help prevent colon cancer
The Medicine Cabinet: Ask the Harvard Experts Q: An older cousin was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Does that put me at higher risk? What’s the best ways for me to prevent it? A: If your cousin is the only family member that has had colon cancer, your risk is probably the same as someone […]
What you need to know about health screening tests
By Michael Rabovsky, M.D. Recently, during her annual “well woman” exam, Mary, a healthy 50-year-old schoolteacher, asked me about screening her for ovarian cancer. Tragically, one of Mary’s friends recently died from ovarian cancer. Mary has no risk factors for ovarian cancer and no family history of ovarian cancer or other cancers. I explained to […]
Do you know your personal colorectal cancer risk?
By Michael Kattan, Ph.D. What is your risk of having colorectal cancer? If you are approaching or have passed your 50th birthday, your doctor probably has advised you to have colorectal cancer screening to determine that. And that’s the problem. Since the late 20th century, this one-size-fits-all advice has been standard because there has been […]
