| St. Helena Urology opens in Clearlake
Mindy Samuelson, MD and John Brasch, MD specialize in treating incontinence and prostate cancer in addition to a variety of medical conditions related to the bladder, kidneys, urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Dr. Samuelson, who is the only female urologist in the North Bay counties, specializes in treating female incontinence and has participated in several research studies on this condition, which affects more than 13 million Americans and mostly women. She is board-certified in urology and has advanced training in minimally invasive surgical treatments. Her medical degree is from Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Brasch has been a board-certified urologist for 35 years and specializes in adult urology, geriatric incontinence, and cancers of the kidney, bladder and prostate.
Colon Cancer: Are You at Risk?
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of non-skin cancer in men (after prostate cancer and lung cancer) and in women (after breast cancer and lung cancer). It is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States after lung cancer. The rate of new cases and deaths resulting from this disease is decreasing. Still, over 147,000 new cases are diagnosed, and more than 57,000 people die from colorectal cancer each year.
Who is at Risk?
The exact causes of colorectal cancer are not known. However, studies show that certain factors are linked to an increased chance of developing colorectal cancer: Age -- Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. Although the disease can occur at any age, most people who develop colorectal cancer are over the age of 50.
Illinois' health insurance option of last resort
In the middle of her cancer treatments her insurer canceled all Illinois customers in her particular plan. Fortunately, she could go on ICHIP. Another point: it's the cost of insurance that forces some people to keep working even when they have such a serious illness they'd be more likely to recover if they had more rest and less stress. They're gambling their lives, trying to protect their families. Posted by: Tom J | Feb 9, 2009 4:11:33 PM I suppose Ann Fisher either works for a health insurance company or is in sterling health herself. The ICHIP program has been a relief to those of us unfortunate enough to be unable to get insurance from private carriers. But if you do the math, after the negotiated amount paid by the insurance company, minus your out-of-pocket, minus your monthly premiums, minus your co-insurance, the insurance companies are still making a hefty profit even for those of us that use the medical system.
Peek at the Week
Prostate Cancer Support Group meets every second Wednesday of the month. The Teen Cancer Support Group is for teens ages 13 to 18 whose parent or caretaker has been diagnosed with cancer. The group meets every third Wednesday of the month. Registration and parental consent are required. Multiple Sclerosis Support Group meets the last Saturday of each month in the Resurrection Rehabilitation Center of Chicago, first floor, Professional Building, Entrance C. For more information call (773) 594-7856. Alzheimer's Support Group meets the second Tuesday of the month in the Health Management Classroom. The session is free. For more information call Health Management, (773) 792-5022. Afterglow Support Group for stroke survivors and their family and friends meets the second Wednesday of the month in the Resurrection Rehabilitation Center of Chicago, first floor, Professional Building, Entrance C.
CDC Releases New US Cancer Statistics
The highest death rates from cancer related illnesses occur among people with lung cancer, followed by prostate cancer and female breast cancer.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a joint effort with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), have released the seventh official federal report of cancer incidence and mortality statistics for the U.S. from 1999-2005. The report was produced with the assistance of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.Over 1 million cases of cancer were diagnosed in 2005 in 48 states as well as 6 metropolitan areas and the District of Columbia. This data is inclusive of geographic areas that account for approximately 96 percent of the U.S. population. The report data was compiled from the CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and the NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.The report's cancer mortality data was collected and processed by CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
Therapeutic target for prostate cancer
Hormone-related therapy is the first line of treatment for more advanced prostate cancers as prostate cancer cells usually rely on male hormones to grow. Some prostate cancers become insensitive to hormone-related therapy after initially responding to it. Over the past 50 years, the dietary intake of omega-6 fatty acids has increased substantially, relative to that of omega-3 fatty acids, in Western countries. We are what we eat - dietary omega-6 fatty acids end up in our cells where they are released by the enzyme cPLA2- and converted into inflammatory chemicals. Inflammatory chemicals can contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer due to their roles in promoting cell and blood vessel growth. Dr Qihan Dong and his research group hypothesised that, since a reduction of omega-6 or an increase in omega-3 fatty acid intake might decrease prostate cancer development and progression, blocking cPLA2- activity could have a therapeutic effect in treating advanced prostate cancer.
Tobacco Lawsuits: Newspapers Neglect Reporting That Dangers of
In high school we saw a shocking film showing a smoker with lung cancer getting his lung cut out in excruciatingly gory detail. One smoker in our class fainted dead away. However, about a week later he was back to chain smoking again. Did he later become part of a lawsuit claiming he was not warned about the dangers of smoking? .
Cancer Death Rates Decline Among Blacks, But Disparities Linger
Cancer of the lung will be the most common cause of cancer death in both black men (31 percent) and women (23 percent), followed by prostate cancer in men (12 percent) and breast cancer in women (19 percent). Cancer of the colon/rectum and pancreatic cancer are expected to be the third and fourth most common causes of cancer death for both black men and women. Death rates for all cancers combined have decreased faster among black men than white men, mostly due to rapid declines in lung and prostate cancer death rates among black men. Overall, cancer death rates have also decreased among black women but at a slower rate than among white women, likely due to smaller decreases in breast and colorectal cancer death rates among black women. While racial disparities are decreasing, the 2005 death rate for all cancers combined was 33 percent higher in black men and 16 percent higher in black women when compared to that of white men and women, respectively.
Cryosurgery treatment may reduce tumor removal trauma
Prostate cancer becomes increasingly common with age and men over age 40 are advised to have yearly tests. The best chance of survival lies in early detection. There is an improved treatment that, in many cases, will allow partial retention, and therefore function, of healthy parts of the prostate. The walnut-size gland surrounds the urethra and produces some of a man's seminal fluid. Larry Junker just couldn't figure out why he increasingly had the urge to urinate. His doctor found the problem: prostate cancer. “It was rather demoralizing and crushing and it initially sounds like it's a death sentence. recounts Junker. “The ‘C' word, cancer, is just a real devastating experience when you're told you've got it." A urologist wanted to remove Junker's prostate, and others urged chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Ingalls memorial prostate cancer seminar to focus on diagnosis
The second annual W. Bradford Ingalls Memorial Prostate Seminar will present renowned researchers and scientists discussing major issues in prostate cancer diagnosis and therapy, including hormonal blockade therapy, radiotherapy options, new diagnostic approaches, and the body's immune system response to prostate cancer. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 7 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Featured will be medical doctors and professionals from Scripps Research Institute, the National Institute of Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada), University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, Aureon Laboratories (Princeton, N.J.) and the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (Boston).
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