Catherine H. Fincher, Editor

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLON CANCER SCREENING CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH

Talking about our colons is embarrassing, and we are very good at avoiding conversations that make us uncomfortable. Organizations everywhere are working hard to raise awareness of the importance of getting annual screenings. This is very necessary, because colon cancer is preventable if polyps are found before they become cancerous. Stage I colon cancer is curable, but advanced stages are harder to treat. If you are reading this, you or someone you love has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer related deaths. You can help fight the war on cancer. You can schedule a screening. You can tell your family and friends to get screenings.

View a Colonoscopy

COLONOSCOPY: THE BEST TEST TO DIAGNOSE AND PREVENT COLON CANCER

It takes a couple of days to prepare for a colonoscopy, which is inconvenient. But it is important enough to outweigh the bother. We must stick to a diet of clear liquids for 2 or 3 days. Then we must drink a solution that empties out the colon. None of this sounds like fun, but avoiding the procedure can lead to something even worse. The colonoscopy only takes 20-60 minutes, followed by a short stay in the recovery room, and your doctor will tell you the results of the test while you are there. The doctor will also tell you when you can start eating solid foods again. Deborah Theres also notes that you will need someone to drive you home, because it takes a while for the sedative to wear off.

Read Full Article Here: Preparing for a colonoscopy
Also See Cancer and Nutrition
Also see Colonoscopy Diet Management

NEW TEST FOR COLORECTAL CANCER AVAILABLE

Even though colon cancer is the third leading cause of death in American, only about 39% of people of 50 get tested for it. If it is caught early it is easy to cure. A new test, the Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood Test, makes it a lot easier for people to get screened for colon cancer. It is able to identify occult blood, (hidden blood), in a feces sample. Occult blood is an early indicator of colon cancer. You don’t even need a doctor’s order to get this test done, and you can do it yourself at home, drop it off at a testing location, and they will send you and your doctor the results.

Read Full Article Here:New, More Accurate, Less Invasive...
Also See Genetic Testing for Colon Cancer

JANE MOSHER CELEBRATES 25 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF COLON CANCER SURGERY

Mosher was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1984. She was terrified by the thought of dying from cancer, and almost left the hospital before her surgery, but her doctor helped her find the courage to fight the disease. She stayed and her doctor did a colon resection surgery. That was 25 years ago and she is still cancer free today.

Mosher praises her doctors, family and friends for helping her keep her determination to fight the cancer. According to Casandra Leff, Mosher believes her experience helped her discover that family, friends and being active in cancer-related events are the most important things in her life.

Read Full Article Here:Mosher cancer-free for almost 25 years
Also See Colon Resection Surgery
Also See History of Surgery

REDUCE THE RISK OF COLON CANCER – TAKE VITAMIN B6

Three independent studies done in three different countries arrived at the some conclusion: increasing the amount of B6 in our diets will decrease our chances of getting colon cancers by more than 50%.

The Physician’s Health Study, done in America, a study done in Sweden and another study done in Scotland all showed a link between higher amounts of B6 in our diets and lower risks of getting colon cancer.

Dr. Reginald B. Cherry reports that fortified cereal, legumes, bananas and other foods are a good source of B6. He also says that we can take a good nutritional supplement to make sure we are getting enough of the vitamin.

Read Full Article Here:Local Cancer Survivors Tell Their Stories
Also See Facts on Colon Cancer

FACTORS THAT INCREASE OUR RISK FOR COLON CANCER

Some of us are at greater risk of developing colon cancer than others, so it’s important to know what those risk factors are. If someone in our family had or has colon cancer, we have a 10-20% greater risk of developing it ourselves. Medical conditions (like ulcerative colitis) put us at greater risk because they cause chronic inflammation in the bowel. A diet high in red meat and low in cereals, fruit and vegetables puts us at greater risk. Once we pass tour 50th birthday, we are at greater risk. Women are at greater risk than men, and women who’ve had breast, ovarian or uterine cancer are at even greater risk. Smoking, drink a lot of alcohol and not getting enough exercise also put us at greater risk.

Dr. Muhammad Radhzi Abu Hassan says that all of this is important for us to know, because colon cancer can be prevented if we learn how to eat better diets, exercise and get regular solon cancer screenings.

Read Full Article Here:Risky Guts
Also See Gardner Syndrome
Also See Cancer Therapy and Research Center

CLOSE SURVEILLANCE MEANS IMPROVED SURVIVAL

Both early stage and late stage cancer patients can improve their survival rates if their cancer returns by as much as 37%. A trial done at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, showed that if a patient receives either: 1) a carcinoembryonic antigen test every 3 months during the first year after surgery, and every 6 months during the next 5 years, 2) or a chest x-ray every 6 months for the first 2 years and then once a year, 3) or a colonoscopy a year after surgery and then every 3 years, The patient survived longer than patients who didn’t get the follow-up tests. Nancy Walsh goes on to report that improved survival rate is probably the result of early detection of recurring cancer and therefore earlier treatment.