Menu

cancer

Smoking and your digestive health

,

We’ve all heard that smoking increases the risk of many life-threatening diseases—including lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. But did you know that smoking also contributes to many cancers and diseases of the digestive system? Estimates show that about one-fifth of all adults smoke, and each year at least 443,000 Americans die from diseases caused by cigarette smoking.
Smoking has been found to increase the risk of cancers of the:

  • Mouth
  • Esophagus
  • Stomach
  • Pancreas

Research also suggests that smoking may also increase the risk of cancers of the liver, colon and rectum.
What are the other harmful effects of smoking on the digestive system?
Smoking contributes to heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcers, and some liver disease. Smoking increases the risk of Crohn’s disease, colon polyps, and pancreatitis, and it may increase the risk of gallstones.
Heartburn is the painful, burning feeling in the chest caused by reflux. Smoking weakens the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscle between the esophagus and stomach that keeps stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. This causes heartburn and can possibly damage the lining of the esophagus.
GERD is persistent reflux can can lead to serious problems such as bleeding ulcers of the esophagus, narrowing of the esophagus that causes food to get stuck, and changes in the esophageal cells that can lead to cancer.
Peptic Ulcers
Smoking increases the risk of peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores on the inside lining of the stomach. The two most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Studies suggest that smoking increases the risk of H. Pylori infection, slows the healing of peptic ulcers, and increases the likelihood that peptic ulcers will recur. Smoking increases the production of substances that may harm the lining of the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Smoking also decreases factors that protect or heal the lining including:

  • Blood flowing to the lining
  • Secretion of mucus, a clear liquid that protects the lining from acid
  • Production of sodium bicarbonate, a salt-like substance that neutralizes acid, by the pancreas.

Liver Disease
The liver is the largest organ in the digestive system. The liver carries out many functions, such as making important blood proteins and bile, changing food into energy, and filtering alcohol and poisons from the blood. Research has shown that smoking harms the liver’s ability to process medications, alcohol, and other toxins and remove them from the body. In some cases, smoking may affect the dose of medication needed to treat an illness.
Smoking may worsen some liver diseases, including:

  • primary biliary cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease that slowly destroys the bile ducts in the liver
  • nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition in which fat builds up in the liver

Crohn’s Disease
Current and former smokers have a higher risk of developing Crohn’s disease than people who have never smoked.
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation in the GI tract. The disease, which typically causes pain and diarrhea, most often affects the lower part of the small intestine; however, it can occur anywhere in the GI tract. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, and the symptoms come and go. Crohn’s disease may lead to complications such as blockages of the intestine and ulcers that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues. Medications may control symptoms. However, many people with Crohn’s disease require surgery to remove the affected portion of the intestine.
Among people with Crohn’s disease, people who smoke are more likely to:

  • have more severe symptoms, more frequent symptoms, and more complications
  • need more medications to control their symptoms
  • require surgery
  • have symptoms recur after surgery

The effects of smoking are more pronounced in women with Crohn’s disease than in men with the disease.
Researchers are studying why smoking increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and makes the disease worse. Some researchers believe smoking might lower the intestines’ defenses, decrease blood flow to the intestines, or cause immune system changes that result in inflammation. In people who inherit genes that make them susceptible to developing Crohn’s disease, smoking may affect how some of these genes work.
Colon Polyps
People who smoke are more likely to develop colon polyps. Colon polyps are growths on the inside surface of the colon or rectum. Some polyps are benign, or noncancerous, while some are cancerous or may become cancerous.
Among people who develop colon polyps, those who smoke have polyps that are larger, more numerous, and more likely to recur.
Pancreatitis
Smoking increases the risk of developing pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach and close to the duodenum. The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes that usually do not become active until they reach the small intestine. When the pancreas is inflamed, the digestive enzymes attack the tissues of the pancreas.
Gallstones
Some studies have shown that smoking may increase the risk of developing gallstones. However, research results are not consistent and more study is needed.
Gallstones are small, hard particles that develop in the gallbladder, the organ that stores bile made by the liver. Gallstones can move into the ducts that carry digestive enzymes from the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas to the duodenum, causing inflammation, infection, and abdominal pain.
It’s never too late to quit!
Quitting smoking can reverse some of the effects of smoking on the digestive system. For example, the balance between factors that harm and protect the stomach and duodenum lining returns to normal within a few hours of a person quitting smoking. The effects of smoking on how the liver handles medications also disappear when a person stops smoking. However, people who stop smoking continue to have a higher risk of some digestive diseases, such as colon polyps and pancreatitis, than people who have never smoked.
Quitting smoking can improve the symptoms of some digestive diseases or keep them from getting worse. For example, people with Crohn’s disease who quit smoking have less severe symptoms than smokers with the disease.
 

Cervical Health Awareness

, ,

Cervical Health Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity. It’s also a major cause of cervical cancer.
About 79 million Americans currently have HPV and many of them don’t know they are infected. Each year, more than 11,000 women in the United States get cervical cancer.
In a story recently reported by the New York Post, it has been determined that more people die from cervical cancer than previously thought. “Black women in the US are dying from the disease at a rate 77 percent higher and white women at a rate 47 percent higher, according to the study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.” Women who had hysterectomies, which eliminated their risk of developing cervical cancer, were not previously accounted for and were included in the overall percentages.
What is HPV?
HPV is a group of more than 150 related viruses. HPV is named for the warts (papillomas) some HPV types can cause. Some other HPV types can lead to cancer. Men and women can get cancer caused by HPV infections. In women, HPV infection can also cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar HPV cancers. But there are vaccines that can prevent infection with the types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer.
How do people get HPV?
HPV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and is so common that nearly all men and women get it at some point in their lives. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. You can develop symptoms years after being infected, making it hard to know when you first became infected.
In most cases, HPV goes away on its own and does not cause any health problems. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.
Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or groups of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area.
HPV cancers include cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. HPV infection can also cause cancer in the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils.
The good news?
The HPV vaccine (brand name Gardasil) can prevent HPV. Parents should make sure their pre-teens get the HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12. Teens and young adults should get the HPV vaccine if they didn’t get it as pre-teens. Women up to age 26 and men up to age 21 can still get the vaccine.
Cervical cancer screenings can help detect abnormal cells early, before they turn into cancer. Most deaths from cervical cancer could be prevented by regular Pap tests and follow-up care. Women should start getting regular Pap tests at age 21.
For the most part, there are no symptoms of beginning stage of cervical cancer. However, common symptoms may include:

  • Vaginal bleeding: This includes bleeding between periods, after sexual intercourse or post-menopausal bleeding.
  • Unusual vaginal discharge: A watery, pink or foul-smelling discharge is common.
  • Pelvic pain: Pain during intercourse or at other times may be a sign of abnormal changes to the cervix, or less serious conditions.

All of these cervical cancer symptoms should be discussed with your doctor.
Cervical cancer may spread (metastasize) within the pelvis, to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. Signs of advanced cervical cancer include:

  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Back pain
  • Leg pain or swelling
  • Leakage of urine or feces from the vagina
  • Bone fractures

Cervical cancer can be preventable and is treatable if caught in time. Regular Pap test are crucial to your overall health.
Take time today to call your doctor and schedule an appointment for your annual check up (if you haven’t already.)

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

We hear the word Cancer and it sounds so scary to us as adults. Now imagine it’s your child.
This month is Childhood Cancer Awareness month. More children are being diagnosed with cancer today than ever before. Though pediatric cancer death rates have declined nearly 70% over the past forty years, cancer is still the leading cause of death from disease among children. We’d like to do our part to help educate families in our own community about childhood cancer.
Worldwide during the month of September:

  • 25,000 families around the world will get the horrible news that their child or teen has cancer
  • 6,667 families will experience the loss of a child due to cancer

In the United States in 2016, an estimated 10,380 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed among children from birth to 14 years, and about 1,250 children are expected to die from the disease.  The major types of cancers in children ages 0 to 14 years are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and neuroblastoma, which are expected to account for more than half of new cases in 2016.
What’s causing this rise in cancer? Most causes are not known and only about 5% of all pediatric cancers are caused by a genetic mutation that can be passed from parents to their children. In adults, cumulative effects of aging and long-term exposure to cancer-causing substances. However, identifying environmental causes in children is difficult to determine.
Thanks to pediatric oncology specialists and researchers, 80% of childhood cancer cases can be successfully treated. Like treating other cancer patients, treating children’s cancer depends on the type of cancer and and how advanced it is.
Common treatments include: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant. However, treatment in children can have different effects than on adults. Children may receive a more intense regimen of medications and the effects on their growing bodies can cause drugs to respond differently than if they were adults. The treatments can also have negative consequences later in life.
For children to receive the best treatment and have the greatest chance of beating the disease, seek a specialist at a hospital that specializes in treating children with cancer. Most pediatric oncology centers treat patients up to 20 years old. The centers that treat children provide comprehensive care for the child. Specialists at a children’s cancer center are likely to include primary care physicians, pediatric medical oncologists/hematologists, pediatric surgical specialists, radiation oncologists, rehabilitation specialists, pediatric nurse specialists, social workers, and psychologists. At these centers, clinical trials are available for most types of cancer that occur in children, and the opportunity to participate in a trial is offered to many patients.
Coping with cancer is a family challenge. You want to encourage the child and stay strong, but that can be difficult with this diagnosis. There are books and guides for parents along with ways to help siblings cope, and how to work with the health care providers. The National Cancer Institute website is a wealth of information for parents and families. Download the Children with Cancer guide for information on talking with your child, treatments, clinical trials, support, and other resources.
Surviving a battle with cancer is a major success, to say the least. But, it’s important to follow-up with your child’s doctors to monitor your child’s health since late effects of cancer treatment are of particular concern. A survivorship plan will be created specifically for your child and will include information such as:

  • Exams and tests/procedures to check for the recurrence or metastasis of cancer, and a schedule of when they are needed;
  • Care and support to manage any long-term side effects and check for late effects;
  • Psychosocial support or counseling, and referrals as needed;
  • Referrals for legal aid or financial support, as needed;
  • Referrals to, and coordination with, specialists such as cardiologists, education specialist, endocrinologists,physical therapists, and psychologists and to appropriate treatments, clinical studies, and rehabilitation specialists;
  • Recommendations for healthy behaviors, such as advice regarding nutrition and physical exercise;
  • Family-based care, education, and outreach to your child and family.

Have a support network of friends, family and medical professionals from the first diagnosis through the survival process is one of the keys to beating the disease.
Source: National Institute of Health

It's Colorectol Cancer Awareness Month –

,

March is Colorectal Cancer Month. While we’ve covered this top in the past, we thought it would be a good time remind those of you who are 50-75 years old to schedule your appointment for a screening. If you are younger than 50, but have a family history of the disease, then it’s important to talk to your doctor about your risks and when you should have your first screening.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a term that’s used for both colon cancer and rectal cancer. Like other types of cancer, colorectal cancer can spread to other parts of your body. The colon is the longest part of the large intestine, and the rectum is the bottom part of the large intestine.
Picture of the colon, the part of the large instestine attached to the rectum.
Am I at risk for colorectal cancer?
People over age 50 are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer. Other risk factors are:

  • Polyps (growths) inside the colon
  • Family history of colorectal cancer
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Not getting enough physical activity
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Health conditions, such as Crohn’s disease, which cause chronic inflammation (ongoing irritation) of the intestines

How often should I get screened?
Both men and women should get screened, but how often you get screened will depend on your risk for colorectal cancer. It will also depend on which screening test is used. There are different ways to test for colorectal cancer. Some tests are done every 1 to 2 years. Other tests are done every 5 to 10 years. You doctor can help you decide which test is right for you and how often to get screened. After the ag e of 75, most people can stop getting screened.
What to ask your doctor?
Visiting the doctor can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming, especially if you’re having anxiety about the appointment. So, writing down some questions ahead of time can help. You may also want to ask a family member or close friend to go with you to take notes. Here are some sample questions you can take with you to your appointment:

  • What is my personal risk for colorectal cancer?
  • When do you recommend that I start getting tested?
  • How often do I need to get tested?
  • What are the different types of screening tests for colorectal cancer?
  • Which screening test do you recommend? Why?
  • What’s involved in screening? How do I prepare?
  • Are there any dangers or side effects of screening?
  • How long will it take to get the results

What are the tests?
There are different kinds of tests used to screen for colorectal cancer.  Four tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer:

  • Fecal occult blood test
  • Sigmoidoscopy
  • Barium enema
  • Colonoscopy

Some tests you can do at home, such as a fecal occult blood test. Other tests, such as a colonoscopy, must be done in a clinic or hospital.
The day before the test, you may need to drink only clear liquids (like water or plain tea), and use laxatives to clean out your colon. Your doctor will tell you how to get ready for your test.
Some people find the tests for colorectal cancer to be uncomfortable. Most people agree that the benefits to their health outweigh the discomfort.
Get support.
If you are nervous about getting a colorectal cancer test, get support.

  • Ask a family member or friend to go with you.
  • Talk with people you know who have been screened to learn what to expect.

What about cost?
Most insurance plans now cover colorectal screenings, and depending on your insurance, you may be able to get tested at no cost to you. Talk with your insurance company to find out about your coverage.

Take control – act early.
If you act early, you have a good chance of preventing colorectal cancer or finding it when it can be treated more easily.

  • If your doctor finds polyps inside your colon during testing, these growths can be removed before they become cancer.
  • If you find out you have cancer after you get tested, you can take steps to treat it right away.

 
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Get ready for the Great American Smokeout®

, ,

Are you still smoking? Have you ever tried quitting? Perhaps you’ve quit in the past, but then you experience some sort of trauma that makes you pick them up one more time…
With the Great American Smokeout® coming up on November 19th, now is the time to make the decision to quit once and for all. And, since it’s American Diabetes Month and the cost of prescription medications and health care costs on the rise — these factors might be reason enough.
The American Diabetes Association has long advised diabetics to avoid tobacco smoke, says Robert Ratner, the group’s chief scientific and medical officer. Smoking impairs how the body responds to insulin, he says.
Ratner says the science on smoking and diabetes is not clear-cut. Though population-based studies show smokers have an increased risk of diabetes, Ratner says, “I am unaware of any data which directly links smoking to causing diabetes.”
Smoking creates a huge financial toll, as well, costing the country nearly $286 billion a year in direct medical costs of smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke, as well as in lost productivity due to premature deaths, the new surgeon general report says.
About 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, and tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. As of 2013, there were also 12.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and over 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.
By quitting, even it’s it just for one day you will be taking an important step toward a healthier life and one that can lead to reducing your cancer risk. Taking the step in that one day, could lead to another day, and another, and another – you get the gist.
Just think about these facts and imagine how much better you’ll feel if you quit:

  • In just 20 minutes your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
  • After 12 hours  the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
  • In 2-3 weeks your circulation and lung function improve, so you can exercise and breathe more easily. Exercise will help you feel better on many other levels, too!
  • In one – 9 months you will regain your sense of taste and smell, and cough less. I’ve actually had people tell me that they experience this even after just a few days!
  • In one year your heart disease risk is lowered by 50%. Imagine the pain and cost that will save alone!
  • After five years your risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers are 50% less. Your risk of cervical cancer and stroke are the same as a non-smoker’s. Think about how many doctor’s visits can be avoided, just by not picking up another pack of cigarettes!
  • In 10 years you’re 50% less likely to die from lung cancer. Your risks of larynx, kidney and pancreatic cancers decrease. Hmmm… suffer and die from lung cancer or breathe easily for years to come? What’s your choice?
  • In 15 years your heart disease risk is that of a non-smoker.

Do we have you thinking yet? You can save time, money and your health simply by choosing to quit. You have the power to do this.
Now here are some tools to get you started:
The Quit For Life® Program, provided by the American Cancer Society and Alere Health, offers a free smartphone app for iPhone and Android that offers daily tips and motivation, a cost-savings calculator, and a calendar to track your success.
The National Cancer Institute also has a quit-smoking app that allows users to set quit dates, track financial goals, schedule reminders, and more. It also offers a text messaging service that provides round-the-clock encouragement and advice to people trying to quit. You can sign up by texting “QUIT” to iQUIT (47848) and selecting a date to stop smoking.

Translate »