Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is equally common in men and women.  An estimated 146,970 people were diagnosed in 2009, and an estimated 49,920 people will die from the disease. With recommended screening, this cancer  can be prevented (by removing polyps before they become cancerous) or detected early, when it can be more easily and successfully treated.

At Risk

* Men and women age 50 and older

* People who use tobacco, are obese or are sedentary

* People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps

*  People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long-standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

*  People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer

Risk Reduction

* Be physically active and exercise regularly.

* Maintain a healthy weight.

* Eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains.

* Consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat or skim milk.

* Limit red meat consumption and avoid processed meats.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t drink alcohol excessively.

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Stop colon cancer now: screening equals prevention

(ARA) – Colon cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., yet it doesn’t have to be. More than 90 percent of colon cancer cases are curable if caught in their early stages.

In an effort to showcase the important message that screening equals prevention when dealing with colon cancer, an awareness campaign called Stop Colon Cancer Now, and powered by AmSurg, aims to educate the public about early detection and prevention of the disease, to eliminate the stigma associated with colonoscopies and to increase regular screenings for people over 50 and for other groups at added risk for the disease.

The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in his/her lifetime is about 1 in 19. Almost 75 percent of colon cancer cases have no prior family history and most have no symptoms. Scientists are still unsure of exactly what causes colon and colorectal cancer, but some risk factors have been identified, including a high-fat diet, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Americans continue to battle this disease at alarming rates with 49,920 reported deaths in the U.S. in 2009. It is important to understand who is at risk, and what the available prevention methods are, to eliminate the onset of colon cancer.

Colon cancer indiscriminately affects people regardless of race, sex, economic status or geography. There often are no symptoms. It is important to get screened if you are:

* 45 and older and African-American

* 50 or older

* 40 or older and have a family history of polyps or colon or rectal cancer

* Have a history of cancer or polyps found earlier

The easiest way to prevent colon cancer is to schedule a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a painless screening test that provides important information about your digestive health. For most patients, a colon cancer screening does not have to be performed at a hospital. Today, many outpatient centers provide screenings by highly skilled physicians in a more relaxed, personal environment and usually with much lower out-of pocket costs for the patient.

No matter where you live or work, stopcoloncancernow.com provides valuable education, colon cancer screening options, screening locations, insightful patient stories and more.

Additional information on colon cancer and prevention methods can be found online at www.stopcoloncancernow.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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(ARA) – The temperatures drop, the skies cloud over and your knees are aching. As the winter months settle in, so can osteoarthritis (OA) pain in your knees.

While researchers aren’t exactly sure why temperature and barometric changes trigger achy joints, a 2007 Tufts University study supports evidence that the two are linked.

More than 10 million Americans suffer from OA in one or both knees. The cartilage that protects the ends of the bones slowly weakens, and the synovial fluid, or joint fluid, may lose its ability to absorb shock. Stiffness, loss of movement and joint pain are the result.

If you suffer from OA, what do you do to ease your pain as the cold weather descends across the country? Here are some helpful hints to help you overcome the aches of winter:

* Regular exercise. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, exercising an aching knee is one of the best things you can do for it. By keeping your knees moving you can increase flexibility, strengthen the muscles that support the knee and help maintain a healthy weight. You can find detailed instructions on knee exercises at OAKneeRelief.com including: supine straight leg raises, short arc quad extensions, modified partial lunges and step ups. Talk with your doctor about which exercises are best for you.

* Viscosupplement injection. This treatment is specifically designed for osteoarthritis of the knee. It involves the injection of a gel-like substance into the knee to supplement the joint fluid and restore the shock-absorbing properties. A single injection can provide up to six months of pain relief and the treatment can be repeated if the pain returns. Typically a specialist such as an orthopaedic surgeon provides this type of treatment.

* Anti-inflammatory medications. Arthritis causes inflammation of the joint, and using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce this swelling and relieve pain. There are options for both over-the-counter and prescription products to help ease the pain.

* Surgery. Usually a last resort, surgery involves cutting away damaged cartilage, removing particles from the joint, or a complete joint replacement, depending on the extent of the arthritis.

If you are suffering from knee pain this winter, make sure you ask your doctor if osteoarthritis may be the reason and what possible treatments might be appropriate for you.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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