colon rectal cancer

Cancer in any form is dreadful. Not only because the word itself terrorizes our mind, the visuals we recall are too scary. Once it sets in, it is very difficult to get rid of it in totality and one has to surrender to whatever treatment methods are available. Injuries to nearby organs, side-effects, trauma for the body and mind as a whole plus social stigma are some realities that stay with the victim for the rest of his/her life.

I can suggest three mantras: One, prevention is better than cure. Two, either you change your lifestyle, or make some necessary additions to counter the cancer threat. Three, try alternative medicines or therapies.

WHY GIVE OPTION ON LIFESTYLE?

If you belong to the western world, (as per Wikipedia) chances are that you are more susceptible of catching this type of cancer. But you cannot move to the other part of the world for only this reason. Moreover, how would you know for sure that you could be a victim? Only for this reason I mentioned that either you change your lifestyle or...

IS CHANGING LIFESTYLE EASY?

Definitely not. We are all part of a society and have our stated norms of behavior, work culture, food (solids & liquids) consumption pattern, ways of recreation are all set. To some extent we can change our habits like avoiding late nights, getting full sleep, exercising etc. But today's expenses need extra work both physically and mentally. Somewhere we have to compromise which we cannot compensate with something beneficial.

A fully nourishing lunch induces sleep so some people either don't have proper lunch, or combine it with coffee and both are harmful. Work pressure forces to go either for smoking, extra cups of coffee, or for over the counter pills as they are easily accessible. Even these have harmful after-effects.

WHAT COULD BE DONE HERE?

Remember Edison, who invented the Electric Bulb? He slept for just four hours and always got up refreshed. Develop a habit of sleeping less. Easier said than done, may be your answer. To counter I present two incidents.

1. I was working on a project and could not sleep for 3 days. The fourth evening, somehow I had to accompany my boss to an overnight musical concert. When we departed, I was totally refreshed and went back to office.

2. Many of my hostel friends developed the habit of sleeping at three in the morning to get up by seven. The same pattern holds good twenty years after passing out.

It is all in the mind. You can train it the way you want. Think about the soldiers at war zone or the police personnel who hardly get time to sleep. When these people can manage why can't you? Try meditation, even a 30-minute trance is enough to compensate for a full night's sleep.

HELP YOUR BOWEL DISCHARGE EASILY.

The most common cause for rectal/colon/anus cancer is constipation. Piles is the first reaction. Eat veggies or fruits that have roughage e.g. Carrot, Radish, Lettuce. Those veggies that do not dissolve in full. Eat fruits whole, as the skin acts as roughage. If not allergic to Banana, it acts as a good bowel cleaner.

Drink plenty of plain water (not disguised as beer or canned juices). Avoid the lift when possible.

Get the wonder product "Isabgol" which is neither a fruit nor vegetable nor a medicine. It is the husk of the Psyllium plant seed. This husk absorbs water, becomes slippery and aids bowel to discharge without pressure. You can consume this either with water, curd, fruit juice or sprinkle liberal amounts in any dish as it is tasteless.

TRY ALTERNATE THERAPIES

No system of medicine is foolproof. Doctors do not admit the fallacies. For example, Homoeopathy has no medicine for high blood pressure but works wonders for skin diseases. Colitis, skin ulcers, burns & wounds are treated in no time. It has no side-effects as well. Ready made mixtures are available over the counter for hundreds of diseases that you can try.

As always, there are no shortcuts to success. Trial and error should be your mantra. Find out what suits your body, your taste and let your mind guide you. After all if you catch the dreaded disease, your mind suffers the most.

Walk with nature and you remain safe. Even if you lose track, nature is there to help you out. Do not rely totally on Allopathy, try out other branches as well. Spirituality is one of them. Be selfish, for your body's sake. Prevent accidents, injury and trauma. Improve your life. Show others how to. Contribute something to humanity.

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Are you worried concerning colorectal cancer? Late phase colorectal cancer is a particularly lethal disease that takes the lives of over 50,000 annually in the United States alone. What may be performed to protect your self from this illness? Here we focus on the protective measures you possibly can take to achieve optimum colon health.

Colon Cancer is the malignancy in the large intestine, the organ that temporarily houses wastes like feces before they are completely eliminated from the body through defecation. It is one of the most common diseases responsible for taking several lives of individuals around 50 years of age. However, colon cancer being a terminal illness doesn't take away the fact that its development can be prevented through some healthy practices.

Everyone can be susceptible to colon cancer. On the other hand, there are people who seemed to be born with some or all of the risks factors of this malignancy while others acquire or inflict themselves with the said factors. Aside from age, the individual's choice of food, lifestyle and pre-existing polyps in the intestine also predispose a person to the aforementioned disease. In particular, high cholesterol and low fiber diet increases an individual's chance to develop colon cancer. Carcinogens from smoking are also one of the contributory factors that lead to colon malignancy. However, intestinal polyps are most likely to progress into malignant overgrowth and are the major cause of colon cancer, especially when accompanied with the other factors.

Knowing that people who are 50 years old and above are high risk for colon cancer, it is recommended by doctors that these age group undergoes early detection diagnostic exam like colonoscopy. This will aid in determining presence of polyps that is the major precursor of most colon cancer cases. Hence, once polyps are found present, an appropriate surgical intervention such as polyp removal can be immediately done to prevent further progress of the polyps into malignant tissues.

With regards to diet, high fiber and low cholesterol intake are highly suggested by experts to prevent colon cancer. Cholesterol intake is usually associated with production of free-radicals which are identified as carcinogenic while fiber promotes fast and regular elimination of wastes from the body.

The normal metabolism of the body is responsible for the production of free-radicals. However, the destruction caused by free-radicals are controlled and even prevented by the natural antioxidants like glutathione. Therefore, other aspects that may cause imbalance between free-radicals and antioxidants' level such as high blood cholesterol must be totally avoided. Cholesterol molecules are susceptible to be transformed into free-radicals because free- radicals may bind and steal ions from them. Hence, it is logical to say that high blood cholesterol level is directly proportional to the amount of free-radicals in the body. This means that an increase in cholesterol level increases the free radicals level as well and vice versa.

Another risk factor for contracting colon cancer is smoking. In fact, 50 out of 4000 chemicals from cigarette or tobacco smoke have been determined carcinogenic. Smoking is comparable to directly instilling free-radicals into the body, which intensifies cellular destruction in the respiratory tract and also in other body organs such as the colon. In these regard, every individual who wants to trim colon cancer risk factors has a choice to give up smoking now and never start smoking at all.

In general, prevention of colon cancer is dependent on the determination of its possible origin such as the risk factors mentioned above. When this origin is identified, appropriate interventions can be set up to maintain a healthy colon. The elimination of these factors or decrease of exposure of individuals to them reduces the risk of developing the disease and increases the chance of preventing colon cancer.

The info offered in this item isn't a replacement to professional treatment and should not be used for testing or providing treatment for a medical problem or illness. It is best to check with your health provider should you have or presume you may have a health problem.

Colon Health is our primary focus at GI for Life. Founded by board licensed gastroenterologists committed to developing Colon Health Supplements based on the most current evidence for supporting digestive, intestinal and Colon Health. Makers of the supplement ColoVite which is for overall Colon Health, Probiotic and enzyme supplements for Intestinal Health, and Liposomal Liquid Vitamin D3 for overall well being. Visit us online at http://www.colovite.com/

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Comprehensive Cancer Consultation

A Comprehensive Cancer Consultation is the beginning point of your Integrative Medicine Plan of Care. The Comprehensive Cancer Consultation allows us to develop a dynamic and flexible picture of the status of your health. This includes a description in Integrative Medicine terms of the causes and effects of cancer and why and how the mind and body have adapted to the stresses of having cancer.

When cancer is present it changes the physical, biochemical, mental and energetic balance of the person. These changes include how the mind and body react, and how the nutritional and energetic systems shift to cope with the increased stress of cancer. These changes are unique to every person - no two people are ever the same, even when they have the same "diagnosis".

We have to carefully identify and be sensitive to these changes. Each treatment plan is highly individualized. The conventional approach of "fighting" cancer without really understanding and treating the whole person can be pretty much a futile effort.

The information gathered during a Comprehensive Cancer Consultation leads to your personal "Health Profile". The Health Profile then serves as our primary guide in developing your treatment plan. It tells us where to begin and which treatments, medications and other therapies are likely to be of the greatest benefit at each step along the way.

Keeping up with your changing needs is an important part of your Health Profile. As your mind and body gradually begin to shift from "cancer mode" to "healing mode", the need for particular medications and therapies also shifts and changes. Through frequent updating of your Health Profile we can keep up with these changing needs when and as they occur. The selection of medications is often very different from what one might expect. This is because everyone's needs are unique to them. Selection of medications is based on your own documented test results and takes into account the whole person. Choice of medications is not limited to "evidence based medicine" according to the name of the diagnosis.

A Comprehensive Cancer Consultation takes approximately 2 hours. At the conclusion of your consultation you will be given a printed copy of a recommended Integrative Medicine Program of Care based on your particular situation and needs. Most care plans begin with 6 weeks of intensive care, usually with daily treatments in the office 4 or 5 days a week. Your Health Profile is then reviewed and further recommendations are made as indicated.

A Patient Care Advisor (PCA) will be assigned to you when you make your first appointment. Your PCA will be your main contact throughout your care with us. You will have an opportunity to review your Integrative Medicine Program of Care with your Patient Care Advisor.

Your PCA will review your treatment scheduling, arrange for any medical testing that may need to be done, and review the finances of the treatment program with you.

Preparing for your Comprehensive Cancer Consultation

You should:

1. Contact the office to schedule your initial appointment. A Patient Care Advisor will be assigned to you at that time.

2. Your PCA will help collect and forward medical records to us for the doctor's review before your appointment. Bringing medical records with you also works but it may not be as efficient as getting them to us before your appointment.

3. The nature of Integrative Medicine and how we look at and understand cancer is quite different than the conventional. You are welcome to bring someone with you whose insight and opinions you trust to serve as a second set of ears. We often call this person your "Advocate".

4. Be well hydrated.

5. Avoid chewing gum or candies.

6. Remove magnetic items such as wrist bands or necklaces.

7. Jewelry items that are not magnetic do not need to be removed.

8. Remove cell phones and other electronic devices from your person.

9. Avoid using perfumes, colognes and body oils before your consultation.

10. Wash your hands and arms to the elbows just before starting your consultation. 11. You are welcome to bring a tape or electronic recorder for your consultation.

Medicine of HOPE, PC

Integrative Medical Oncology Charles Schwengel, DO, MD(H) 4550 E. Bell Rd, Suite 284 ï¿¿ Phoenix, AZ 85032 480.668.1448 or toll-free 1.877.668.1448

Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Charles Schwengel, DO, MD(H) Medical Director

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Colon Cancer is not only the second leading cancer killer in the United States it is also the third most common form of cancer. Most cases of colon cancer start quietly, and polyps in the colon can take 10-15 years to turn cancerous and as such most people turn a "blind" eye to their bouts of constipation,usually the only symptom. Constipation is one of the reasons for the emergence of polyps in the colon. Studies have shown that if polyps are addressed early and with the cancerous polyps removed, 80% of those cancer deaths could have been avoided.

It is then imperative that one goes for a screening test for colon cancer before even the symptoms appear and especially if you have any of these high risk factors:

· History of family having colon cancer

· Your own personal history of colon disorders

· If you are more than 50 years old

Colorectal cancer screening tests come in 2 versions; one screens for both polyps and cancer, while the other screens for cancer only. It is recommended to go or the former as, during the screening if polyps are found, they can be removed before they turn cancerous. Biopsy can be done on the removed polyps to determine if cancer is present. As for the 2nd version, it is testing the stool for signs of cancer. This is a much cheaper version but will not be able to detect polyps and thus lose the opportunity to remove any polyps. The early removal of polyps before they turn cancerous is a life-saving procedure as early screening can help to prevent colon cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends that man or woman above the age of 50 to undergo a screening test for colon cancer for early detection of this 2nd leading cancer killer in the States.

The complete screening would be the Colonoscopy, where the entire colon and rectum is examined with a camera that is inserted with the use of a flexible tube via the anus. This procedure allows for the removal of small polyps if found and the removed polyps can be checked under microscope for cancer.

Sigmoidoscopy is another screening test that is quite similar to colonoscopy except for this test, the examination is done at the final 2 feet of the colon instead of the entire colon as done in colonoscopy. This is deemed sufficient as cancer survival of the colon is limited to only the final 2 feet of the colon.

The colon and rectum are emptied and cleaned before the procedure. The doctor would prescribe laxatives and instruct you to drink clear liquids for at least a day before the test. This preparation may be the worst part of the test for some, as it means running to the toilet often the night before.

The test itself would take about half an hour if no polyps found and longer in the presence of polyps as this means added procedure of removing it. Small polyps are usually removed as they may eventually turned cancerous and this is done by looping a wire over it and cut if off from the wall by using electric current. However, if a larger polyp, tumor or any abnormality is seen, a small specimen is removed for biopsy. The test is uncomfortable, but it is usually done under sedative and most patients will feel normal once the sedative effects go off.

Colonoscopy is a safe procedure, so get one today. Don't wait till it's too late to prevent Colon Cancer. Remove the polyps.

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A recent study published in Genome Research found that a bacterium that has been associated with periodontal disease has also been detected in colon tumors. Scientists at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute in October 2011 found an abnormally large number of "fusobacterium" in colorectal tumor (or colon cancer) samples. Fusobacterium is typically found in dental plaque and associated with gum disease or periodontal disease. This discovery of the bacteria found in both the mouth and the colon is the first time this type of microorganism has been found to play a role in colon cancer. It is an important finding because colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

DNA samples from normal colon tissue were compared with samples from colorectal cancer tissue. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer. It includes cancerous growths in both the colon and rectum. The tumor tissue contained large amounts of the fusobacterium. Scientists have been giving much more attention in the last ten years to the environment in which cancer cells live. In the case of colorectal cancer, the environment is heavily populated with the same bacteria found in the mouth. This particular bacterium is also associated with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis, which can put people at a higher risk of developing colon cancer.

The colon is a part of the digestive system prior to the waste material of the body being eliminated. Most colon cancer starts off as a polyp, although not all polyps are cancerous. A polyp is a growth that starts in the tissue lining. Left unchecked, a polyp may grow, become cancerous and metastasize to other parts of the body. One of the reasons this is the second leading cause of cancer deaths is that the colon is highly vascularized which leads to higher metastasis and growth rate. Also cells of the colon reproduce frequently or turn over very rapidly, unlike brain cells. This rapid growth also causes the cancer cells to grow faster. Effective prevention of colon cancer has always been diet high in fiber, early detection through colonoscopies and removal of polyps. It appears there may also be another weapon to add to this deterrence arsenal: prevention and treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease and tooth decay are the most prevalent diseases on the planet earth. It is a chronic infectious inflammation of the teeth and gums. Although late stages of periodontal disease show signs, early stages do not. The signs of this gum disease are: bad breath that won't go away, red or swollen gums, tender or bleeding gums, painful chewing, loose teeth, and sensitive teeth. Both periodontal disease and tooth decay (or gingivitis) is caused by bacteria. There are hundreds of different species of bacteria in the mouth. Fusobacterium is just one. The mouth is a dark, moist, acidic environment with a constant warm temperature and a steady supply of carbohydrates. These are ideal bacteria growing conditions - particularly in between teeth and under the gum line.

It has not yet been determined whether the fusobacterium found in colon cancer is essential for the cancer to grow or whether it just affords a favorable environment for the bacterium. In either case, it is suggested that those with periodontal disease run a higher risk of colon cancer. It is important to treat the gum disease and lower the fusobacterium in the mouth. It is becoming evident that periodontal disease is linked to many systemic diseases including heart disease, COPD, arthritis, diabetes, etc. Thus, periodontal disease not only affects the gums and teeth, it affects the whole body. Regular professional cleanings and diligent home oral care are essential in preventing and treating periodontal disease.

Dr. Piero, a practicing dentist for over twenty five years, is the inventor of Dental Air Force®. Call 616-399-8511 or visit http://www.dentalairforce.com/. Interviews or articles are available on periodontal health related to heart disease, respiratory health, diabetes, strokes, and other systemic diseases.

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Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and among the top contributors of cancer-related death. But it is also one of the more treatable and preventable cancers. Since March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, it is a good time to learn about prevention. It's important to know the facts as well as the proactive steps that you can take to protect yourself and reduce your risk factors.

Are you at Risk?

The statistics and estimates are initially frightening. In 2011, it is estimated that 141,000 people will be diagnosed with colon-colorectal cancer and approximately 50,000 people will die from the disease. However, according to an America Cancer Society report more than half of these deaths could be prevented by screening. In addition, studies suggest that a healthy diet is vital in reducing colon cancer risk.

One of the common misconceptions is that only individuals with a family history of colon-colorectal cancer need to be concerned. In fact, statistics show that only 1 in 5 people who are diagnosed with colon-colorectal cancer have a family history; Which means that most people diagnosed with this cancer have no genetic connection to the disease.

Diet and Exercise

It is well known that exercise, diet, nutrition and other lifestyle factors are connected to cancer prevention. What is interesting is that out of all the cancers, colon-colorectal cancer is most impacted by food choices, exercise habits and your weight.

Regular colorectal screening is extremely important in preventing this cancer. Polyps can be identified in their early stage and removed before they can develop into cancer. In addition, you can really play a big role in preventing this cancer by choosing the right foods, getting rid of the wrong ones and making sure that there is plenty of physical activity in your life.

Maintain Healthy Changes

Many of us find it challenging to make long-lasting lifestyle changes. We read about cancer or some other disease, get scared or concerned and vow to make changes in our lives. Some of us get overwhelmed with trying to figure out what to eat and what to do so we never even get started. Many others start to make changes but several weeks later, when the fear motivation dissipates, we return to our original habits.

Using a Health Coach can often make a huge difference. A Health Coach not only provides education, support and guidance but also helps you implement an individualized program to address your specific goals. The approach is to make incremental lifestyle changes in a supported, energized and motivated environment so that you are much more likely to stick with it for the long haul. Studies show that individuals who work with health coaches are more likely to make healthy lifestyle changes. Eating healthier, weight loss and using nutrition to treat disease are some of the goals that individuals have when they work with a Health Coach.

Tips for Reducing Your Risk

Below are several tips for reducing your risk for colon-colorectal cancer.

Colon Cancer Prevention Tips

1. Schedule regular colorectal screenings
2. Include lots of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower in your diet as well as colorful fruits and whole grains
3. Eat calcium rich foods such as leafy green vegetables
4. Limit your intake of processed meats or red meat
5. Take steps to maintain a healthy body weight. Being overweight increases your risk for colon cander so you should take active steps to start a weight loss program.
6. Some studies suggest that vitamin D can help reduce cancer risk yet most people are Vitamin D deficient. Check your vitamin D levels (simple blood test) and consider taking supplements.
7. Exercise regularly
8. Avoid smoking and avoid drinking too much alcohol

For more information or to arrange a free consultation, please feel free to contact me at jenn@healthylifehealthcoach.com.

Jennifer Sandberg, HC

Jennifer is a Holistic Health and Wellness Coach. She focuses on losing weight, finding nutritious foods that fit your life, and stress relief through small easy changes to your diet and daily activities. To learn more about how to get started on the road to a healthier you, please visit http://www.healthylifehealthcoach.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/healthylifehealthcoach

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