The Raleigh Endoscopy Centers are orchestrating “Kill Cancer,” an event featuring good food, drinks and local band performances with a portion of proceeds donated to the Cancer Coalition.
Major Vice and Q6 will be performing at the event, which is held at Mac’s Tavern, on Saturday, April 15, at noon to 4 p.m.
Bonnie Woodward, RN, affectionately known as “Nurse Bonnie,” lost her mother to colon cancer at a young age due to a misdiagnosis. She has since dedicated her life to helping save other people’s lives.
Nurse Bonnie cares for her community at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank, an AMSURG-affiliated ambulatory surgery center in New Jersey. Through her work, she honors her mother and the countless patients she has helped prevent and overcome colorectal cancer diagnoses. One of those patients is Michele Battista, an 11-year Stage 3 colon cancer survivor who calls Nurse Bonnie her sister in blue.
“Everyone should have a Nurse Bonnie,” Michele said. Nurse Bonnie has helped care for Michele during her cancer journey, and in the process, they have become close friends.
“Colorectal cancer is beatable, treatable and preventable. Get your colonoscopy screening; it can save your life,” Bonnie said.
With more people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) at a younger age, it is now recommended that those at average risk for CRC begin screening at age 45 instead of 50.
It’s possible that Michele Battista’s life could have been different had the recommended first-time screening age been lowered sooner. Still, her decision to be screened at 50 was lifesaving.
Without any CRC symptoms, Michele scheduled a screening colonoscopy at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank in New Jersey. She followed her prep and arrived at the center on Valentine’s Day.
“I wasn’t expecting anything,” Michele said.
Her physician discovered a peach-sized tumor during her colonoscopy. She was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. Michele underwent surgery and 12 rounds of chemotherapy and is now celebrating her 11-year cancerversary®.
She has become a fierce advocate for early CRC detection, sharing her story and encouraging people to receive timely screenings.
“If I can get one person to go get their colonoscopy based on my story at 50, then I’m happy.”
Second chances aren’t a given, which is why Keith Lyons is determined to make the most of his.
“I’m a survivor. I got a second chance at life, and I’m not going to sit on it,” said Keith, an endoscopy technician at the Endoscopy Center of Red Bank.
He is committed to helping others survive. In addition to raising awareness, he supports physicians in detecting and preventing colorectal cancer through colonoscopies at work.
As a teenager, he had an inflammatory bowel disease and didn’t like the thought of having to receive additional colonoscopies. Then, at 32, with the help of a trusted nurse and knowing the importance of his gastrointestinal health, he decided to get screened. That’s when he learned of his Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis, which he has worked to overcome.
“It’s an everyday fight. I’m not going to lie. But I’m still here to fight because I chose to get myself checked out.”
Now 55, Keith continues to spread his message of survival, encouraging people to get screened and using his experience to break stigmas around colonoscopies.
“‘Colon cancer is preventable.’ That’s my slogan,” he said. “Please get checked.”
Shoulder pain is one of the most common conditions people experience as they age. It is wise to call an orthopedist about shoulder problems because pain and injuries can impact your daily activities. Shoulder pain could indicate tendonitis, arthritis, a rotator cuff tear or shoulder instability.
How can you know when you should try to manage your pain at home or seek medical intervention? It may depend on the cause of the pain or injury. You may get some relief from adjusting your activities and doing shoulder stretches if you have mild pain. If your pain does not subside or you have any of these symptoms, you should call an orthopedist:
At your visit, your doctor will perform a physical exam and may take an X-ray to determine the cause of your shoulder problem. In some instances, you may need an MRI as well.
After reviewing your results, your orthopedist will develop a customized treatment plan to relieve your pain and help you recover. Some initial treatment options may include the following:
If your discomfort persists, your doctor may recommend surgical intervention. Our surgery centers offer many procedures and treatments, such as a shoulder conditioning and recovery program, injection therapy for the shoulder or elbow, and shoulder surgery.
One of the most common causes of pain is a rotator cuff tear. If an MRI reveals a rotator cuff tear, you may require surgery. In most cases, shoulder surgery is an outpatient procedure that allows you to go home the same day. During the procedure, a surgeon will enter through a small incision and use a tiny camera and tools to reattach the torn rotator cuff to the bone.
You don’t have to live with constant shoulder discomfort. Whatever the cause of your shoulder pain may be, an orthopedist can help you manage your pain and prevent further damage. Call your orthopedist to schedule an appointment and get relief so you can resume the activities you enjoy.
Some vision impairment is a natural part of the aging process. Presbyopia often begins around age 45 but can be easily corrected with contacts or glasses. Recent research found that 28 percent of adults over 71 are visually impaired, even with the help of corrective lenses or visual aids.
The study used data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Olivia J. Killeen, MD, a Clinical Lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Michigan Medicine, led the research, and the findings were published in JAMA Ophthalmology.
One of the main findings was that various types of visual impairment are linked to older age, lower income and less education. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults were likelier to have visual acuity and contrast sensitivity impairments than non-Hispanic White adults.
Many participants in the study needed an updated eyeglass prescription to treat their visual impairment, but some faced financial barriers. For example, many seniors have to pay for glasses because Medicare only provides eyeglass benefits after cataract surgery.
“These findings are important to address, as poor vision is associated with several adverse outcomes for older adults, including depression, dementia, falls, motor vehicle accidents and even death,” said Dr. Killeen.
The main cause of blindness and vision impairment in seniors is age-related eye disease. Cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration are three eye conditions that can develop as you age, and your risk increases after age 65.
Older adults with impaired vision also have a higher risk for the following:
Has it been over a year since your last eye exam? Regular comprehensive eye exams with dilation can help detect vision problems and preserve your eyesight as you age. Eye conditions can develop slowly; therefore, you cannot rely on symptoms or warning signs, so call your ophthalmologist to make an appointment.
If you knew that you could help save more than 100,000 lives, would you do it? The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be 106,970 new cases of colon cancer along with 46,050 cases of rectal cancer this year, but many are preventable with screening.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This monthlong initiative focuses on colorectal cancer (CRC) and promotes research, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and hopefully, someday, a cure for this disease. Many Americans are at risk for colon cancer because they are unaware of the facts of the disease:
Colonoscopy is the most effective colon cancer screening technique because it can not only detect colon cancer but also remove precancerous growths, called polyps, during a single procedure. Other tests can detect abnormal cells or blood in the stool, but patients must schedule a follow-up colonoscopy if they receive positive results. Colonoscopy uses a flexible tube with a camera to inspect the colon for abnormalities and remove or sample them for microscopic evaluation. Many people think colonoscopy is painful, but patients receive sedation and the procedure usually lasts less than 30 minutes.
Education is crucial for change, and that’s where you come in! You can do your part to get involved and spread the word about colon cancer awareness. Even children can be advocates for this life-saving cause. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
According to the American Cancer Society, colon screenings could prevent 60 percent of colon cancer deaths if people get screened starting at 45. Take the time to share with family and friends about the importance of getting screened and adopting healthy lifestyle habits that decrease colon cancer risk.
Have you already given up your New Year’s Resolution to exercise more? If you have, you’re not alone. Almost two-thirds of people give up on their New Year’s goals within a month.
Long-term fitness habits must be reasonable and sustainable. The best way to incorporate exercise into your day is to commit to a few minutes of strength exercises each day.
According to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, people can improve muscle strength with just a single muscle contraction five days per week. Another study in the same journal found small amounts of exercise throughout the week produced better results than one extended workout, even if the overall duration of physical activity was the same.
The research team instructed participants to do 30 arm curls weekly for four weeks. One group did 30 curls once weekly, and another did six curls five days weekly. The group that did all the curls in one day did not increase their muscle strength, but the group that spread out their exercises improved muscle strength by 10 percent.
Skeletal muscle tissue declines as we age, which affects our independence and function. A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk for many chronic conditions:
Experts suggest adults get 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. Unfortunately, if you work a full-time job, finding time to be physically active can be challenging. Here are some easy ways to incorporate exercise at work:
Are you motivated to make small steps to bring about a change in your health? Before starting a new exercise regimen, talk to your doctor for recommendations and suggestions. Your doctor can customize your workouts to prevent injury or joint pain.
Loss of taste and smell are common complaints of COVID-19, but these are not the only complications. Because the virus deprives organs of the oxygen they need, people can experience vision changes.
Research shows that about 10 percent of people who contracted COVID-19 developed symptoms of the eyes or ears, which were the most persistent symptoms of the illness. A new study published in Nature Communications explores whether the COVID-19 virus may affect the vision and depth perception of people who have contracted the virus.
The study was co-led by Griffith University’s Menzies Health Institute and South Korea’s Center for Convergent Research for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.
Using animal models, the research team found the eyes and specific nerves attached to the brain are susceptible to the virus, and SARS-CoV-2 can infect the eye through the respiratory tract by way of the brain.
Principal Research Leader and co-lead author Suresh Mahalingam said the COVID-19 virus could cause the retina to get thicker by:
“The virus can infect the eye through nerve tissues at the back of the eye that play a role in the visual aspects of the eye and sending signals for visual purposes,” said Professor Mahalingam.
Griffith University Ph.D. student Ng Weng Hann said much research has been done on the lungs and nasal region but not so much on the eye.
“We found the virus can indeed infect the eye through a normal intranasal approach, but also if droplets of the virus make direct contact with the eye,” he said.
An inflamed retina can cause blurred vision and a reduction in depth perception. Fortunately, blurred vision does not indicate vision damage; it seems to be only a symptom that is likely temporary.
You should make an appointment with your ophthalmologist if you experience symptoms such as the following:
Preventing eye disease is always more manageable and less expensive than treatment. Because eye diseases develop slowly, they often don’t have warning signs in the early stages.
An annual comprehensive eye exam with dilation can help prevent eye diseases like cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration. These conditions can permanently affect your vision if you do not seek treatment. Your ophthalmologist can also recommend treatment for dry eye, diabetic retinopathy and droopy eyelids..
How long has it been since your last eye exam? Call today to make an appointment.
A new study finds that many Americans are unaware that alcoholic beverages increase the risk for several types of cancer, including colon cancer.
Alcohol is a well-established carcinogen that increases cancer risk and cancer recurrence. Alcohol use can increase the risk for mouth, throat, esophagus, voice box, liver, breast and colon cancer. Even someone who drinks only one alcoholic beverage daily displays an elevated risk for cancer, and the risk increases as a person consumes more alcohol over time.
According to Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, many adults are unaware that alcohol influences cancer risk. In fact, many Americans believe wine and even liquor have health benefits.
“Alcohol is a leading modifiable risk factor for cancer in the United States, and previous research has shown that most Americans don’t know this,” said the study’s lead author, Andrew Seidenberg, PhD, MPH, who conducted the study during a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute.
According to Dr. Seidenberg, alcohol contributed to more than 75,000 cases of cancer and 19,000 cancer deaths per year between 2013 and 2016.
Dr. Seidenberg and his research team analyzed survey responses from a 2020 study of almost 4,000 adults. Participants answered the following question: “In your opinion, how much does drinking the following types of alcohol affect the risk for getting cancer?” The study recorded responses for beer, wine and liquor.
Some of the findings included the following:
The study found older adults had lower awareness than younger adults that alcohol use can cause cancer. Dr. Seidenberg believes this disparity may be due to long-standing drinking habits in the older generation.
While some claim resveratrol (a plant compound found in grapes) has health benefits, researchers have no evidence that consuming red wine can decrease colon cancer risk. Many studies have analyzed whether stopping alcohol use can lower cancer risk, but research shows it may take years for cancer risk to decline.
Moderate to heavy drinkers increase their colon cancer risk 1.2- to 1.5-fold compared to non-drinkers. The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest men drink no more than two drinks per day and women drink no more than one drink per day. However, it is best for your health to only drink on special occasions.
Colon cancer is one of the only preventable cancers because screening can be diagnostic and therapeutic. Colonoscopy is the best colon cancer method because your doctor can view the entire colon and remove abnormal tissue, called polyps, during the exam. If left intact, polyps may develop into cancer. Thus, you can prevent colon cancer by getting screened.
Are you current with your colon cancer screening? The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force suggests adults at average risk for colon cancer should begin screening at age 45, but those with a family or personal history of colon polyps or cancer should get screened earlier. You may also require evaluation for possible colon cancer if you have digestive symptoms. Call your gastroenterologist and make an appointment for a colonoscopy.