Men have many strengths. They are experts at efficiency and completion of tasks, especially the “honey–do list.” But men tend to be weak in one area: communicating with their doctor.

You may not hear about Men’s Health Week on the news, radio or on your social media feed, but open your eyes and take a look around you. Hospitals, clinics and community centers will offer free programming and convenient health services to males around the country. The initiative is growing each year as people continue to spread the word. Men’s Health Week is always a valuable time to communicate about preventable conditions and diseases, available screenings, and early detection for those conditions. We all agree that preventing a disease is always easier and less expensive than treating a disease, so Men’s Health Week focuses on awareness and education.

Whereas women would rather talk through problems to discover possible solutions, men would rather do something proactive to solve the problem. If you have a man in your life who likes to be productive and tackle difficult tasks, you may want to encourage him to organize or participate in some activities such as:

• Health Fair that offers free screenings for prostate cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney, liver, heart, and thyroid issues
• Lectures by sports figures
• Seminar on a condition or disease that runs in his family
• Meatless Monday, a national health campaign to help Americans prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer – four of the leading causes of death in America
• Softball Tournament and Home Run Derby which would also offer health screenings
• Couch to 5k program
• Community carnival that includes free blood pressure checks, tips on healthy eating, family safety tips, a workshop emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups, and a kids workshop

Distributing brochures about the dangers of smoking and how to get help to quit
Add celebrating Men’s Health Week to your man’s to-do list, and wait to see what happens. You may be surprised to see how much he enjoys taking an active role in his health. Sometimes men need a little bit of prompting to get started, but they will pick up the ball and run with this one.

Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine performed an observational study which examined screening adherence rates of individuals with intellectual disabilities, spinal cord injuries, or blindness or low vision and compared them with the general U.S. population. The study included data from South Carolina Medicaid and Medicare claims, state health plan claims and hospital discharge forms from 2000 to 2009.

The researchers discovered that individuals with certain disabilities had lower screening rates than the general population. Only 34 percent of people with intellectual disabilities, 44 percent of people with spinal cord injuries and 46 percent of people with blindness or visual impairment followed screening guidelines for colon cancer. The overall screening rate for the general public was 48 percent.

Study author Chelsea Deroche, Ph.D., explained that several barriers could be responsible for this disparity. “I think a lot of it has to do with access to the care, and also [the disparity has] a little bit of providers not giving these people the information that they need,” she said. Deroche went on to explain that those with physical limitations may not have easy access to transportation to complete colon cancer screenings. Those with intellectual disabilities may be in group homes that do not prioritize preventative screenings, and doctors may not thoroughly discuss screening recommendations with these patients.

Deroche would like to see screening rates increase in the future, particularly among individuals with disabilities. However, she admits that further research on a broader scale is needed. “We want to do a wider study — because we did just do South Carolina – [with] a general US population to validate what we’ve done here and that these findings are nation-wide,” she said. Future research will likely include a larger population of patients and include various tumor types, including breast cancer and cervical cancer (Source: Oncology Nursing News).

Several studies have shown that people who have higher levels of serum vitamin D have lower rates of colorectal cancer.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that aids in the absorption of nutrients, promotes immune function, and maintains cell communication throughout the body. While vitamin D can be obtained from certain foods, it is also produced naturally when the body is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin D was first identified as a potential preventive agent for colorectal cancer over twenty years ago. Researchers observed that individuals in the northern and northeastern United States had significantly higher mortality rates from colorectal cancer than those who lived in Hawaii, Florida and southwestern states. These figures were directly correlated with individuals’ serum vitamin D levels.

A more recent meta-analysis, which included data from five observational studies, found that increasing serum vitamin D levels to 34 ng/ml could reduce colorectal cancer incidence rates by half. Increasing serum vitamin D levels even higher produced greater colorectal cancer preventive benefits. Lead researcher Edward Gorham, Ph.D. explained, “We project a two-thirds reduction in incidence with serum levels of 46 ng/ml, which corresponds to a daily intake of 2,000 IU of vitamin D3. This would be best achieved with a combination of diet, supplements and 10 to 15 minutes per day in the sun” (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine). 

Experts vary in their recommendations for daily vitamin D allowance. However, current guidelines by The Institute of Medicine recommend 600 IU daily for adults between the ages of 19 and 70. Adults over the age of 70 need 800 IU daily.

To meet your daily recommended intake of vitamin D, try to spend at least a few minutes outside soaking up the sun’s rays. Vitamin D production can vary based on season, location, weather conditions, skin tone, and sunscreen use, but estimates show that just 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure to the arms and legs can produce 3,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D (Source: sunshinevitamin.org). You can also increase your vitamin D intake by consuming foods that are naturally rich in this nutrient. These include:

• Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines
• Beef liver
• Egg yolks
• Shitake mushrooms
• Caviar
• Cod liver oil
• Vitamin D fortified foods including milk, cheese and orange juice

Bowel prep. It’s hands-down the worst part of getting a colonoscopy, and yet, it’s probably the most important. A thorough bowel cleansing ensures that your gastroenterologist will be able to perform a high-quality exam and detect the presence of any abnormalities, such as colon polyps, during your procedure.

An estimated one in four colonoscopies is reported to have inadequate bowel preparation. This often results in prolonged examination times, reduced cecal intubation rates, decreased adenoma detection rates, and the need for repeat exams. In short, a poor bowel prep could lead to increased costs and complications with your procedure.

No one ever looks forward to getting a colonoscopy, but if you have to have one, it’s worth getting it right the first time. Here are some tips to help you through the bowel prep process so your doctor can perform a thorough exam:

• Ask your doctor about a split-dose prep – A split-dose bowel preparation allows you to drink half of your bowel cleansing liquid the night before your exam and the remaining half on the morning of your procedure. This method is generally more tolerable for patients, and it has been shown to be more effective in cleansing the colon.
• Drink it chilled – Put your laxative solution in the freezer for a few hours so it’s nice and chilled when you start to drink it. Keeping your solution cold will help tame any undesirable flavor.
• Use a straw – If you’re struggling with the taste of your bowel prep solution, try drinking it through a straw and swallowing it quickly
• Mix it with your favorite beverage – Mixing your bowel prep with Kool-Aid, Gatorade or Crystal Light can help mask the flavor. Just be sure to avoid anything with red, blue or purple dye.
• Sip on soup broth – Flavorful broths can help satisfy your appetite when you’re restricted to a clear liquid diet
• Snack on something sweet – Gummy bears, popsicles, Italian ice, Jell-O, and hard candy are all acceptable to eat during your colonoscopy preparation

A quality colonoscopy is one of your best defenses against colon cancer (Source: StopColonCancerNow). Do your part to ensure a thorough exam by following your bowel prep instructions completely and to the letter. It’s a one-day commitment that will protect your digestive health for years to come.

New data presented by the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute indicates that people born in 1990 are two times more likely to develop colon cancer and four times more likely to develop rectal cancer than people born in 1950. These findings are quite surprising, given that 90 percent of new colon cancer cases occur in adults over the age of 50.

Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates in older adults have dropped significantly over the past few decades. Researchers credit this progress in part to improved screening rates, which can detect the presence of colon polyps before they become cancerous. However, routine screenings are not generally recommended for adults under the age of 50, which means that young-onset colon cancer often goes undetected during its earliest, most treatable stages.

Rebecca Siegel, lead study author and epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society, said they have not yet identified the cause of this sharp increase in younger individuals. She did, however, point out that the rise in obesity mirrors trends in colon cancer. Certain factors associated with obesity, such as poor diet and sedentary behavior, are also risk factors for colon cancer, which could offer some explanation.

This study is not the first to detect a rise in young-onset colon cancer. Dr. George J. Chang, chief of colorectal surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, predicted two years ago that one in 10 colon cancers and one in four rectal cancers would be diagnosed in adults under the age of 50 by the year 2030.

The American Cancer Society is currently reviewing colorectal cancer screening guidelines to determine whether any changes need to be made (Source: CNN). However, young adults can still take preventive steps to reduce their colon cancer risk even if they are not eligible for screening. These steps include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Exercising regularly
• Limiting intake of red meats or processed meats
• Not smoking
• Recognizing colon cancer symptoms, such as changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain or blood in the stool

The link between diet and colon cancer is clear, and now we may be one step closer to understanding why.

New findings published in the journal JAMA Oncology show that certain gut bacteria appear to play a role in the development of colon cancer. A group of Boston researchers tracked the diets of over 137,000 study participants over a period of decades and examined over 1,000 colon tumor samples. The researchers specifically looked for Fusobacterium nucleatum, an inflammatory bacterium that is believed to promote colon cancer. The results showed that individuals who adhered to a high-fiber diet rich in whole grains had a lower risk of colon cancer containing Fusobacterium nucleatum, but their risk for developing colon cancer without the bacterium remained unchanged.

Study co-senior author Dr. Shuji Ogino said of the results, “Though our research dealt with only one type of bacteria, it points to a much broader phenomenon – that intestinal bacteria can act in concert with diet to reduce or increase the risk of certain types of colorectal cancer.”

This study is the first of its kind to establish a link between long-term dietary habits and bacteria in colon tumors. Co-senior author Dr. Andrew Chan explained that further studies are needed to examine the relationship between diet, gut microbiota and cancer development (Source: News Medical).

According to Oncology Nurse Advisor, the community in which you live could impact colon cancer diagnosis. For patients who live in segregated communities, geographic region plays a significant factor in the timing of individuals being diagnosed with colon cancer. This is important because the degree of advancement of the disease at time of diagnosis affects patient prognosis. Detecting colon cancer in advanced stages means that the cancer is more difficult to treat.

A recent study found that patients who live in highly segregated Asian communities in coastal California are more likely to have late-stage colon cancer at diagnosis, yet patients who lived in highly segregated African American communities in large urban areas and the Sun Belt are less likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer.

Using information from the United States Cancer Center Database, researchers looked at data from more than 500,000 cases of colon cancer newly diagnosed from 2004 to 2009. Researchers also reviewed literature that found examples of a variety of initiatives to promote urban populations to have a colon screening. These campaigns’ audiences were mostly minority, low-income and non-English speaking sections of urban people groups. Very few campaigns targeted rural populations and no campaigns targeted Asian communities. 

One of the most important findings of the study was that people who lived in segregated locations among their same race or ethnicity may be slightly protected from developing colon cancer. Furthermore, they may have a lower risk of late-stage diagnosis of colon cancer. The reason for this may be that segregated communities often provide more encouragement and support, which may boost screening rates.

This study underscores the importance of support among family, friends, communities, and racial and ethnic groups. Colon cancer is preventable through routine screening, and it is highly treatable when diagnosed in the early stages, but colonoscopies require the assistance of a caregiver. The patient needs a caregiver to provide transportation and post-procedure care because of the sedative medication. Having a strong network of support means that it is easier to ask for patients to request help from their inner circle. A closer community often means higher screening rates and lower colon cancer incidence. 

This study is pivotal as research groups seek to educate our geographic areas and communities on the importance of colon cancer education. Currently, colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women, but it does not have to remain this way. Through education, communication, and community support, we can help all eligible individuals receive preventative screenings. Talk to your doctor about when you should schedule your first colonoscopy, and be confident in asking your loved ones if they are up-to-date on their screenings. Offering to be a caregiver for a parent, relative or neighbor could save a life, so take action today.