Here Comes the Sun!!

It's not too early to talk about sun safety, especially since we've seen a few pink arms and faces around the office today after a sunny weekend. Additionally, there was this news today about a higher rate of melanoma being diagnosed in "wealthy white women". Obviously, the people who need to hear our message of sunscreen, hats and shade most are not hearing it - or they're ignoring it. We still have work to do in that area.

But this week we're more interested in being aware of signs of past sun transgressions. Most of us already know that too much sun can damage our skin. In fact, any amount of sun causes damage, with the level and severity increasing over time. Tanning (whether by the pool or in a bed) is, technically, an intentional cooking of one's outer layers of skin. Now that you know that, we are confident you will remember to use more sunscreen in the future. But what about all those unprotected days you've already spent acquiring a "healthy glow"?

Many skin cancers start out as a weird-looking mole or patch of skin that itches or bleeds and doesn't heal properly. But there are a myriad of other skin anomalies that a dermatologist checks for during a screening for skin damage. Most people don't go see a dermatologist on their own unless they have a diagnosis that requires it - eczema for example, or rosacea. Several reasons might be offered for not getting regular check ups: lack of time, the high cost of a specialist that's not covered under your health insurance plan, or just no clue how to choose one out of the long list of clinics in Northwest Arkansas.

Have we got a deal for you!!!  Mark your calendar for our upcoming skin cancer screening clinic that will be held April 2nd at our office. All that is required of you is that you call to set an appointment. Easy! We will bring seven local dermatologists to you to check moles, freckles, and that funny little patch on your forehead that flakes and itches. And all that special attention is absolutely free of charge!!

Take a minute and schedule an appointment - call 479-361-5847 and we'll get you set up. After you've made your own appointment, call or email all your friends and family in NWA and challenge them to do the same. It's a quick visit, doesn't cost a thing, and could be the key to preventing a loved one from having to deal with Melanoma, the most lethal type of skin cancer that killed almost 9,000 people in the U.S. last year. Help us help reduce that number this year by scheduling your screening today.

It's March - Do you know if your colon is healthy?

 Probably one of the last things anyone wants to talk about is bowel habits. It's not a subject that comes up in conversation often unless we're talking about new babies or ill-mannered pets. But March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month so that means we're going to drag it out of the (water) closet and give you a few things to think about.

Typically, when a person passes their fiftieth birthday their doctor will begin recommending a yearly colonoscopy to evaluate their colon health. This stems from the fact that most colon cancer diagnoses occur in people over the age of fifty. Since most cases of colo-rectal cancer begin as small, noncancerous (benign) clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps, and since early stages of colon cancer can be symptom-free, it's just a good idea to have someone actually take a look. As with most types of cancer, the earlier this disease is found, the more likely it is that the patient will make a full recovery. Waiting until you actually have symptoms can reduce your odds of beating it.

SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED AT ANY AGE:

• A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple of weeks
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
• A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

Colo-rectal cancer in younger people is often misdiagnosed because of its tendency to be thought of as an older-person's disease. Since the symptoms listed above can also be signs of other disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac's disease, iron deficiency, or peritonitis, it's not uncommon for doctors to attempt to treat one of those in younger people before ordering invasive tests. If your doctor is treating you for one of these or another disorder and your symptoms are not improving, don't be afraid to get a 2nd (or 3rd) opinion.

Get the facts about colo-rectal cancer, know your risks and the symptoms to watch for, and find out if your colon is as healthy as you think it is!

Cancer Screening is Key!

This month we're talking about cancer prevention and things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. One of the most important components to any prevention regimen is knowing your risk level based on your own habits and family history and if you have an increased level of risk, getting screened regularly.

It's widely known that catching any kind of cancer in earlier stages usually provides a patient with a better prognosis, but for some types of cancer research shows that conducting certain screening tests regularly can  actually reduce deaths from that cancer. These types are breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. This is why regular gynecological exams for women, mammograms for women over 40 and colonoscopies for anyone over the age of 50 are recommended by physicians. But know the symptoms of breast and colorectal cancers and talk to your doctor if you are experiencing any of them, regardless of your age.

For other types of cancer, screenings are being used, but the effect on the number of deaths is still being studied. However, even without a definitive study result, screenings for these kinds of cancers are recommended. These types include lung and prostate cancer, and many skin cancers. More information on screening methods for these cancers and others can be found at the National Cancer Institute website.

At Hope Cancer Resources we strive to make cancer education a priority in our community. We have professionals on our staff who manage prevention and screening programs and work to get the information that can save lives into the hands of people who need it. Our Save-A-Life program provides financial assistance for screening and diagnostic tests for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers, providing access to early detection and offering a better chance for a cure. We also conduct free screenings several times a year. To find out more about the screenings we provide and the schedule for 2011, contact our Healthcare Navigator, Chuck Parker.

Your risk for contracting some types of cancer can depend heavily on your hereditary risk. If a close family member was diagnosed with one of these types, your risk could be increased. Fortunately, thanks to decades of research being conducted around the world, there are now tests available to measure this risk linked to heredity. Consultation is available with our Cancer Education Specialist, Sandy Prince, to discuss hereditary risk factors for pertinent cancers.

The bottom line is KNOW YOUR RISK. Just as the Boyscouts have said for generations - Be Prepared. If you know your own risk for particular kinds of cancer, change the habits that could increase that risk, and get regular screenings and health check ups, you will be doing a lot to reduce your odds for developing cancer. Right now, 2 out of 3 adults will deal with some kind of cancer in their lifetime - let's change that together.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

If you were asked how you're going to "celebrate" Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, chances are you would not enthusiastically shout out "I believe I'll schedule a prostate screening!!"

Just thinking of having a prostate screening may make you shift uncomfortably in your seat. Even if you're female. But what if a recent study showed that a screening improves your survival odds by 50% ? And what if the screening was absolutely free? Would that make a difference?  Well, it has, and it is. So now you have no excuse.

Where, you ask, would you find such a fantastic deal? Why, right here at Hope Cancer Resources!  We are offering free prostrate screenings September 21st with four of the area's finest urologists, and you are invited to participate.  Screenings will begin at 6p.m.

A screening consists of a brief visit with a doctor, then a quick draw of blood for some lab work, and you're out the door.  It would take you more time to stand in line at Starbucks for a Vente Caffe Macchiato. And those won't save your life. Except, perhaps, on certain Monday mornings...

So man up, give us a call, and get a time scheduled. What's a little discomfort, compared to a long and healthy life? For more info and to schedule a screening, call us at 479-361-5847.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!

Colon cancer is probably not the most popular lunchtime topic for you and your co-workers. Nor is it likely that you'll be chatting about fecal blood tests with your neighbor as you trim your lilac bushes. It's an uncomfortable subject due in part to the manner in which it's detected. Subjects involving bodily functions are uncomfortable to discuss with medical professionals - let alone people you see more than once a year while wearing more than a couple of yards of cotton fabric.

Perhaps it's the reluctance we have about discussing it that makes colon cancer the #2 cancer killer in the United States - second only to lung cancer. In fact, there are approximately 150,000 new cases diagnosed every year in this country, with over 50,000 deaths resulting. 


Do we have your attention yet? 

Here are a few more facts we've collected. Feel free to throw them around while chatting with your friends... they may look at you funny, but if it helps even one of them catch colorectal cancer early - it will be worth the risk of being talked about behind your back or uninvited to happy-hour for a couple of weeks, we promise.

• The lifetime risk for an American to get CRC is 1 in 19 for both men and women.
• Annual screening with a proven Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) can lead to the detection and removal of polyps and reduce the risk of getting CRC by 20%.
• Annual screeting by FOBT can help reduce the number of deaths from CRC by 15-33%.
• The five-year survival rate from CRC is about 90% when the disease is detected early, compared to only 11% when it is detected in a later stage.
• Annual screening with a proven FOBT can detect 90% of CRC cases in average risk individuals; i.e., those who are age 50 and older and have no symptoms.  

To highlight the preventable nature of this disease, we are giving away free screening kits at Hope Cancer Resources throughout the month of March. You can come by our office in Springdale, Arkansas, or you can contact Rebekah Billingsley, our Community Cancer Education Coordinator, to request a kit to be mailed to you. Rebekah can also provide more information about screenings we provide through our Community Outreach Programs. 

Additional information about colorectal cancer can be found at one of these websites: 
The Colon Cancer Alliance
American College of Gastroenterology
Johns Hopkins Colon Cancer Information
The Colon Club