SEPTEMBER 2014
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
OLEAN TIMES HERALD
HEALTHY HABITS
SPECIAL ISSUE
Healthy lifestyle choices can lower your cancer risk
COMBATTING CANCER How to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer
ON THE MEND Coping with the side effects of chemotherapy
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
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4 Area Veteran Rediscovers Purpose at Total Senior Care 5 How might complex hearing aid benefits occur in the real world? 6 Cole Expands Workplace Wellness Services with Dr. Freeman 6 Girl’s Night Out to welcome guest speaker Nicole Johnson
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8 Delving into the cloud of concern around e-cigarettes 11 Dr. Schneider and Allegany Family Dentistry Takes a Stand against Oral Cancer!! 12 Reduce your risk for colorectal cancer
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13 The stages of colon cancer 13 Help kids understand their weight during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month 15 Understanding bone cancer 15 Is there a link between GMOs and cancer? 23 Breast Cancer Awareness
DID YOU KNOW? The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland, which means it secretes hormones directly into the blood, that is typically located in the lower front of the neck. The thyroid is tasked with producing thyroid hormones, which help the body use energy and stay warm. Thyroid hormones also ensure the brain, heart, muscles and other organs are functioning properly. When a person has thyroid cancer, which is relatively rare compared to other cancers, abnormal cells begin to grow in the thyroid gland, and this abnormal cell growth can lead to a variety of symptoms. A lump or swelling in the neck is the most common symptom of thyroid cancer, but pain in the neck, trouble swallowing and breathing troubles that may include constant wheezing are potential indicators as well. Fiveyear survival rates for thyroid cancer are very high, but men and women who detect any of the aforementioned symptoms should bring them to the attention of their physicians immediately, as early detection of cancer plays a role in the effectiveness of treatment.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Area Veteran Rediscovers Purpose at Total Senior Care
OLEAN, N.Y. – Jack Bickford is a man with a cause. He was a man of even greater cause until the circumstances of aging had slowly chipped away at his independence and vigor to live life to the fullest every day. Other than walking down the street once in a while, the Eldred, Pa. resident spent his days in a recliner, watching television. He wasn’t happy being so inactive. “I’ve got nothing to do,” is how he remembered feeling. That all changed a month ago, when Mr. Bickford enrolled in the DayBreak program at Total Senior Care in Olean. He attends the Total Senior Care center two days a week now, engaging in conversation,
activities and sharing meals with fellow seniors. The opportunity was made possible by Total Senior Care’s contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Geriatrics and Extended Care Services, which pay for Mr. Bickford’s DayBreak visits. Mr. Bickford’s niece, Cindy Gray, an employee at Total Senior Care, recommended the DayBreak program to her uncle after learning of the veterans benefit. “I knew that there was a VA program, but I had no idea it would be available to him because he is from a different state,” Ms. Gray said. “I asked some questions and found out that that didn’t matter. It was the fact that he was a veteran that mattered.” Mr. Bickford served as a combat engineer in the army in Fort Belvoir, Va. from 1952-54. He helped build bridges and airport runways. He was always active until age caught up to him. “I can’t sit around,” he said. “I’ve got to be doing something. I don’t care what it is.” The DayBreak program has given Mr. Bickford a renewed purpose. That purpose wouldn’t be possible if not for Total Senior Care’s contract with the VA.
The VA felt the need to partner with Total Senior Care within the past year because, “in the Southern Tier, adult day care is scarce,” said Susan Engel, a clinical nurse specialist and memory care coordinator for the VA Western New York Healthcare System. “This presents an opportunity for a veteran to attend a social program,” Ms. Engel added. “Most of our veterans have a memory problem. Our goal for our veterans with a memory problem is moment by moment happiness. We want to ensure that they’re happy and safe and comfortable and content so that the caregiver is free to rest or run errands and do what they need to do.” Since enrolling at Total Senior Care, Mr. Bickford has gained an interest in reading books from the center library and solving word puzzles. He is also exercising and socializing much more. “He’s so much happier since he’s been coming here,” Ms. Gray said. “He now has a life outside sitting at home.” Mr. Bickford is also known to happily assist Total Senior Care aides with folding clothes and cleaning the day center. “He feels very needed here,” Ms. Gray said. “When I’m here,” Mr. Bickford said with a smile, “I walk up to the counter
and ask for a wet rag. I don’t work here, but they give it to me anyway. I start out wiping the tables off. I take the dustpan and walk around the tables and sweep the floor. Everybody just shakes their head.” To enroll in Total Senior Care’s adult day care services, veterans must apply for veteran health benefits, be age 65 or older and have daily living needs, Ms. Engel said. They also must see a physician at the VA clinic in Olean for an annual checkup. For more information about veteran health benefits and adult day care services, contact Ms. Engel at 716862-3158 or susan.engel@va.gov. Veterans and all eligible seniors can enjoy the many benefits of DayBreak, including socialization, exercise, personal care and nutritious meals and snacks in a caring setting. Total Senior Care also offers a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The program provides comprehensive managed long-term care for adults, age 55 and older, who wish to live at home at home but need assistance to maintain health and safety and complete daily activities. To learn more about Total Senior Care, call Liz Young, Enrollment/Intake Coordinator, at 716-379-8474 or email lyoung@totalseniorcare.org.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
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How might complex hearing aid benefits occur in the real world?
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any people underestimate the complexity of hearing loss. They look at friends or family members with hearing loss and assume that the experience is simply a quieter world. In this same regard, there is a common assumption that hearing aids are a simple amplifier, boosting the world to normal hearing levels. The reality of hearing loss is that it is a complex chronic disease. In fact, statistics show it is the third most prevalent chronic disease (Collins, 1997). The impacts of hearing loss have been shown to manifest as more than reduced hearing ability. They include increased depression, anxiety, frustration, fatigue and social isolation. Developing new treatments for hearing loss that contribute to the management of these negative symptoms requires a broad range of talents and innovative thinking. Audiology research at Starkey Hearing Technologies contributes to ideating new hearing aid technologies with a keen focus on developing
deep knowledge into the benefits provided by these technologies. The discussion of hearing aid benefit has historically focused on improved speech understanding, particularly for speech in a background of noise. Our research efforts extend beyond speech understanding in noise to provide insight into the possible real-world benefits of these technologies. Imagine that you’re driving on a warm summer afternoon and the car stereo is playing an up-tempo song that fits your mood. You take a deep breath, turn the radio up, and enjoy a beautiful afternoon drive. Now, imagine that your drive takes you to downtown Chicago—you’re going to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. As you turn off the highway and enter the congested streets of downtown Chicago, you turn the stereo down… Did listening to the stereo make driving more difficult? No, but removing the distraction has a benefit. We all have a limited amount of attention that we can assign to one,
or multiple tasks. In this example, the task of driving on the highway is simple, placing few cognitive demands on you as the driver and allowing you to allocate more attention to the music. After entering the city, the cognitive demands of driving become much greater, requiring you to remove attention from the music and reallocate attention to the task of driving. The act of turning down the stereo frees that attention, making it available for the difficult task of driving in downtown Chicago (similar to a study described by Wu et al., 2014). This effect can be described as a change in listening effort, introduced recently in this post. As a result of our research efforts and university collaboration, we now understand how hearing aid technologies like Voice iQ2 and InVision directionality make listening easier and how easier listening translates to the real world. Think back to the driving example in which in which you had to reallocate attention from one task (listening to the radio) to another (driving in congested city traffic). Now,
place yourself in a noisy restaurant. The act of reading a menu while listening to a conversation is a typical situation that we all encounter. For the person with hearing loss, the attention required to understand speech in the noisy restaurant is so demanding that adding the additional task of reading the menu requires reallocating attention from the listening task. The person with hearing loss needs to make a decision: Do I read the menu or do I try to follow the conversation? In listening situations like these, Voice iQ2 would reduce the effort required to understand speech in the noisy restaurant and the reduction of listening effort would free resources for reallocation to the task of reading the menu. These examples are intended to illustrate how our research experiences may occur in the context of real-world listening. In the next blog post in this series, we will discuss how hearing aid technologies may benefit people who are sensitive to loud background noise.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Cole Expands Workplace Wellness Services with
Dr. Freeman ELDRED, Pa.— The Occupational Health Services Department at Cole Memorial will not only assume a new brand name, Cole Memorial’s Workplace Wellness, but the team has announced the addition of Dr. Richard Freeman, a board-certified family medicine provider and experienced occupational health specialist, to a second location at the Eldred Health Center on Main Street. Cole Memorial’s additional location in Coudersport, led by Dr. Kalliopi Nestor, has become one of the leading providers of occupational health services in the area, with more than 40 client companies. Now, Cole Memorial’s Workplace Wellness program will accept new employer groups at the Eldred location to provide services such as: • Department of Transportation (DOT) and non-DOT drug and alcohol testing; • Pre-employment physicals; • Sight and booth hearing tests; • Tuberculosis tests and other screenings; • Immunizations; and • Respiratory testing and mask/ respirator testing. “Cole Memorial and Dr. Freeman have held a relationship dating back to 1985 when he built a successful family medicine practice in the region,” said Ed Pitchford, president and CEO of Cole Memorial. “That relationship continued during his tenure with Lock Haven University’s Physician Assistant graduate-level program. So, we are pleased to welcome him back as a practicing physician to focus on occupational health at our Eldred location.” Dr. Freeman received his doctorate degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, Calif., where he also received a graduate degree from the School
Girl’s Night Out to welcome guest speaker
Nicole Johnson T
his year’s hotly anticipated Girl’s Night Out is set for Oct. 2. The annual event will feature dinner, music, health screenings, door prizes and a silent handbag auction, as well as guest speaker Nicole Johnson, author of “Fresh Brewed Life.” Nicole carries a message of hope for women, encouraging them to break away from the daily grind in order to live their lives with more intention and a deeper sense of community. We asked Nicole to share a few thoughts in anticipation of her appearance.
Photo submitted Dr. Richard Freeman, an occupational health specialist and family medicine practitioner, joins Cole Memorial’s new Workplace Wellness site in Eldred. of Public Health. His residency was conducted at the Hamot Medical Center family practice residency program. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in medical technology from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tenn. Employers may inquire or make an appointment with Dr. Freeman of Cole Memorial’s Workplace Wellness program by calling (814) 225-4241. For further information, visit www. colememorial.org.
What is the philosophy expressed in “Fresh Brewed Life”? “Fresh Brewed Life” is a philosophy more than a title or something catchy simply because I believe that coffee symbolizes much of what we long for in life. When somebody invites you for coffee, it isn’t because they’re thirsty, it’s because they want to sit and connect and talk with you. It transcends being a beverage. It’s really an invitation to experience relationship or friendship. What are some specific challenges women in the workplace face? You only balance things that are equal. And so when you have a work life and a family and then friends, you’re always going to struggle a little bit to find an equilibrium. Sometimes it’s a little heavier on the work side and then sometimes it’s a little heavier on the family or the personal side
but even in the midst of that tension, the goal is to be really present where we are, wholeheartedly and fully engaged. How do those challenges affect women’s health and why is health such an important part of living a full life? We don’t just carry stress like a suitcase outside of us; it’s in our bodies, it’s in our minds, it’s in our hearts, our spirits, and our emotions. A lot of times women don’t dig into what that stress is and they just live in it all the time. That’s going to come out, so when our bodies start to have reactions, it’s time to say, “Okay what’s really happening in my body as
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014 a result of what I’m doing and what I’m thinking and what I’m carrying?” How can women break out of that daily grind in order to really, fully live? The answer is twofold: it’s emotional health and physical health. People often focus on one or the other. I’m living here in Southern California. I have some friends and people I know they really are obsessed with physical fitness. They wouldn’t put gluten in their mouths if you tied them to a post and tried to force feed them a pancake, but when you talk about their relationships, there’s no focus there. Their emotional health goes unexamined. Or there are people I know that are, emotionally, fairly healthy. They pour a lot into their kids, into their relationships and families and as a result, there’s just no time to go to the doctor or get the checkup or have the mammogram, and that’s just as dangerous. You focus a lot on building community among women in their day-to-day lives. What can women do to foster that? I think events like Girl’s Night Out are great because when you look across the table and you’ve heard a message together, you have a new language. Another way is just walking together. It’s amazing what comes out
when you’re walking because you just start talking and then all of a sudden you’re really talking about what is heaviest in your life or what you’re thinking about the most. Why are you excited about coming to Girl’s Night Out and what do you hope women take away from the night? I’m excited because I get to speak to a group of women about all the things that keep us running; not to keep us on the hamster wheel but to consider in which ways we are operating healthfully and intentionally, and which upon ways we can improve. The second thing I love is when you get a group of women together, we really get a sense that we’re not alone in our struggles; that someone else is walking through something similar. It’s through our connection with each other that we can be more authentic, more of our true selves, and take care of ourselves and the things that matter to us. Any time we can spend doing that is so valuable and I love being a part of it. For more information on Girl’s Night Out, logon to www.ogh.org or www.brmc.com and look for the pink shoe.
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DID YOU KNOW? Only recently has a reliable screening process made it easier for physicians to detect the presence of cancer in the lungs. Unlike cancers of the breast and colon, which have long been screened for using mammograms and colonoscopies, respectively, lung cancers had no such screening processes until recently, when the American Society of Clinical Oncologists recommended using low-dose computed tomography to screen smokers and former smokers at high risk for developing lung cancer. Such screenings, which may help detect lung cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages, are recommended annually for those considered to be at high risk of developing lung cancer.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Delving into the cloud of concern around e-cigarettes
Some battery-powered e-cigarettes may increase health risks, says Roswell Park research By George Nianiatus OLEAN TIMES HERALD
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he unmistakable steamy mist pouring out of e-smokers’ mouths contains more toxic, cancer-causing chemicals than they realize — or might be willing to admit. An on-going research study at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo is initially indicating e-cigarettes, battery-operated devices that vaporize a nicotine solution, can deliver more toxic chemicals than anticipated. Some e-cigarettes allow the user to change the voltage of the device to increase vapor production and nicotine delivery. Dr. Maciej L. Goniewicz, a researcher and assistant professor of oncology in Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Department of Health Behavior, is leading the study which published early results online by Nicotine and Tobacco Research, a peer-reviewed journal. The study will compare the levels of nicotine and toxicants among four groups of participants: traditional smokers; users of electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes; people who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes; and
nonsmokers. The battery-operated devices look like cigarettes but do not burn tobacco. Instead, they use replaceable cartridges with flavors and liquid containing nicotine. Many advocate e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative that help smokers quit, but because they are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) there are causes for concern. Meanwhile, parents and health officials worry e-cigarettes could encourage teens to begin smoking. Because e-cigarettes can increase their vaporizing voltage, “The levels of toxicants also significantly increase,” Dr. Goniewicz said in a telephone interview. The study is looking at two outcomes: nicotine intake from e-cigarettes when compared to tobacco cigarettes; and exposure to toxic chemicals. “We’ve done a lot of study in the laboratory. Now, we’re trying to understand the long-term effects of inhaling this vapor,” Dr. Goniewicz said. He and his colleagues are still recruiting volunteers for the study. “These groups are important to us,” he said, “We’re looking for long-term
users.” The researchers are seeking e-cigarette users and dual users of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. If meeting the study’s criteria, volunteers will be asked to make a one-time visit to Roswell Park in Buffalo for one hour. This will involve giving a history of their health, a urine sample, a nasal swab, a breath test, and answering a few more questions. “This is very safe and convenient,” Dr. Goniewicz added. Also, each study volunteer will receive a $50 gift card. Dr. Goniewicz and colleagues believe the information they collect will reveal important details about the relative safety or harm posed by the electronic smoking devices. The researchers hope to find out how much nicotine users can get from e-cigarettes, and whether the devices can reduce exposure to carcinogens and other toxins. Roswell Park is one of three international sites conducting parallel studies to be published jointly. Related research is being done at institutions in the United Kingdom and Poland. E-cigarette users and dual users interested in participating in the Roswell Park study should call (716) 845-4916 and ask to complete an eligibility assessment for the study. “We will publish the study once we analyze all the data,” said Dr. Goniewicz. “In one year, we should have all the results.” Additionally, “We hope to inform consumers about e-cigarettes and the regulators of the FDA,” which is currently determining how it should regulate e-cigarettes, he said. In the past few years, e-cigarettes have been gaining increasing
popularity as nicotine delivery tools. When asked about e-cigarettes, Dr. Gilbert Witte, an internal medicine physician who specializes in pulmonology and also is Cattaraugus County Health Department’s medical director, said e-cigarettes are as equally addictive as tobacco cigarettes because both deliver the same nicotine “rush” within a few seconds. Dr. Witte is not a fan of e-cigarettes. “I’ve had a few patients tell me they were able to quit” smoking tobacco cigarettes by using e-cigarettes as a weaning process. But “people are fooling themselves,” Dr. Witte said in his view. “E-cigarettes are an addictive nicotine delivery system.” Cattaraugus County has been proactive in terms of classifying e-cigarettes with tobacco cigarettes. People cannot use e-cigarettes in restaurants or bars. Nationally, the FDA is still determining how to precisely regulate them. The FDA proposed a rule in April to extend its tobacco authority to additional tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. “This proposed rule is the latest step in our efforts to make the next generation tobacco-free,” then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said at the time. Consistent with currently regulated tobacco products, under the proposed rule, makers of newly deemed tobacco products would, among other requirements: • Register with the FDA and report product and ingredient listings; • Only market new tobacco products after FDA review; • Only make direct and implied claims of reduced risk if the FDA
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014 confirms scientific evidence supports the claim and that marketing the product will benefit public health as a whole; and • Not distribute free samples. In addition, under the proposed rule, the following provisions would apply to newly “deemed” tobacco products; • Minimum age and identification restrictions to prevent sales to underage youths; • Requirements to include health warnings; and • Prohibition of vending machine sales, unless in a facility that never admits youths. “Tobacco remains the leading cause of death and disease in this country. This is an important moment for consumer protection and a significant proposal that if finalized as written would bring FDA oversight to many new tobacco products,” said FDA Commissioner Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D. “Science-based product regulation is a powerful form of consumer protection that can help reduce the public health burden of tobacco use on the American public, including youths.” “Tobacco-related disease and death is one of the most critical public health challenges before the FDA,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “The
proposed rule would give the FDA additional tools to protect the public health in today’s rapidly evolving tobacco marketplace, including the review of new tobacco products and their health-related claims.” The FDA proposes different compliance dates for various provisions so all regulated entities, including small businesses, will have adequate time to comply with the requirements of the proposed rule. Products marketed for therapeutic purposes will continue to be regulated as medical products under the FDA’s existing drug and device authorities in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Just a couple weeks ago the World Health Organization said in a report that governments should ban the use of electronic cigarettes in public places and outlaw tactics to lure young users. The organization’s report calls for some of the toughest measures yet proposed for the increasingly popular devices. Similarly, the American Heart Association issued a policy statement which said e-cigarettes need to be strongly regulated — and quickly — to prevent another generation of young people from becoming addicted to nicotine. (Contact editor George Nianiatus at gnianiatus@oleantimesherald.com)
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
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Dr. Schneider and Allegany Family Dentistry
Takes a Stand against Oral Cancer!! C
urrently, Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide, but for almost all cancers the 5 year survival rate has improved over the last several years due to improved screening measures. Oral cancer is the exception; many Dental health care providers have recognized the benefit of Fluorescence Technology in efforts to discover oral cancer in its early stages and potentially save lives. The standard of care for oral cancer screening lies in the responsibility of your general dentist. Each year a visual and tactile exam should be performed, as part of your annual oral health assessment. Currently, 63% of oral cancer is found in late stages (stage
III, IV), resulting in a 5 year survival rate of less than 50%. Fluorescence Technology has the ability to “highlight” these irregularities in much earlier stages, before it is visible to your dental professional, in turn increasing the 5 year survival rate up to 80-90%. It was once believed that only nicotine or increased alcohol use could lead to oral cancer, but we now know that due to environmental, socioeconomic, genetic and varied health factors such as HPV virus; it makes the entire general public at risk. There is currently not a comprehensive program in the United States to opportunistically screen for the disease. Innovative dentistry which utilizes
Fluorescence Technology can provide a standard of care to help identify cancer in its early stages. This technology gives patients the opportunity to beat this epidemic. Oral cancer is a devastating disease which causes death and disfigurement however with increased public awareness dental health professionals hope to change the trends of oral cancer. Routine dental checkups which incorporate all of the skill and technology available are vital to discovering oral cancer. Inquire with your dental professional on the precautionary steps necessary for early discovery of oral cancer.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Reduce your risk for
colorectal cancer
A diet that is high in red meat, and red meat cooked over an open flame in particular, increases a person’s risk for colorectal cancer.
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olorectcal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both the United States and Canada. So say the American Cancer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society, who project nearly 60,000 Americans and Canadians will lose their lives to colorectal cancer in 2014 alone. Though many risk factors for colorectal cancer, including age,
heredity and racial and ethnic background, are beyond an individual’s control, that does not mean people are helpless to reduce their risk for this potentially deadly disease. Maintaining or adopting a healthy lifestyle can reduce a person’s risk of developing various cancers, and colorectal cancer is no exception. The following are a few ways adults can reduce their chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Get screened. As is the case with many cancer treatments, colorectal cancer treatments are much more effective when cancer is detected and treated early. Colorectal cancer screenings help find polyps before they become cancerous. In addition, people may not immediately associate symptoms of colorectal cancer with the disease, instead thinking such symptoms are indicative of a less serious illness or condition. Screenings can not only determine if those symptoms are a result of colorectal cancer but also find colorectal cancer before such symptoms even develop. Screenings and screening guidelines vary depending on the individual, as people with a higher than average risk for the disease may be told to start receiving annual screenings before they turn 50, which is the age when people are told to receive such screenings regardless of their backgrounds. Reconsider your diet. Adopting a healthier diet is another way many men and women can reduce their risk for colorectal cancer. Red meat is a great source of many nutrients, including protein, iron and zinc. But studies have shown that a diet high in red meat increases a person’s risk for colorectal cancer, which may be due to chemicals known as nitrites forming when meat is digested or processed. In addition, the CCS notes that red meat contains higher amounts of heme iron than white meat. That’s significant, as heme iron has been shown to cause damage to the innermost layer of the colon wall, which is known as the mucosa. A diet without much red or processed meats, which are those preserved by curing, smoking or salting, can lower one’s risk for colorectal cancer. Cut back on alcohol consumption. The International Agency on Cancer Research notes that there is sufficient evidence linking alcohol consumption to colorectal cancer. Men and women
who excessively consume alcohol may be at greater risk of colorectal cancer because such consumers tend to have low levels of folic acid in the body. Numerous studies have linked low levels of folate to a higher risk of colorectal cancer, and one study that examined the effects of folate deficiency on mice concluded that folate deficiency increased DNA damage by decreasing the expression of two genes involved in DNA repair. When consuming alcohol, men should stick to no more than two drinks per day while women who are not pregnant should limit their alcohol intake to one drink per day. Pregnant women should not consume alcohol. Reduce exposure to heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Meat that is barbecued, fried, broiled, or cooked to well done can produce heterocyclic amines, or HCAs, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, both of which have been found to cause changes in DNA that may increase cancer risk. According to the National Cancer Institute, HCAs form when amino acids, sugars and creatine react at high temperatures, such as those necessary when frying foods or grilling over an open flame. PAHs, which also can be found in cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes from automobiles, form when fat and juices from meat grilled directly over an open fire drip onto the fire and cause flames, which contain PAHs that then adhere to the surface of the meat. To reduce exposure to HCAs and PAHs, avoid prolonged cooking times and direct exposure of meat to an open flame or high heat source, flip meat often, discard charred areas of meat before eating and never use meat drippings to make gravy. Many risk factors for colorectal cancer are beyond an individual’s control, but men and women still can take steps to significantly reduce their risk of developing this deadly disease.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
The stages of colon cancer W
hile the death rates for colon cancer have declined considerably over the last 20 years, it remains the third-deadliest cancer among both men and women in the United States and a considerable threat overseas. But when discovered and treated early, colon cancer has a five-year survival rate of roughly 90 percent. Upon receiving a colon cancer diagnosis, men and women will be informed which stage their disease has entered, and that stage may dictate treatment and influence the diagnosing physician’s prognosis. The following are the stages of colon cancer. Stage 0: Also referred to as carcinoma in situ, stage 0 colon cancer is diagnosed when abnormal cells have been found in the mucosa, which is the innermost layer of the colon wall. These abnormal cells may become cancer and eventually spread. Stage I: When a diagnosis of stage I colon cancer has been made, this means that the cancer has formed in the mucosa and spread to the submucosa, a layer of tissue beneath the mucosa. In addition, a stage I diagnosis could mean the cancer has spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall.
Stage II: Stage II colon cancer is broken down into three categories: stage IIA, stage IIB and stage IIC. A stage IIA colon cancer diagnosis means the cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the wall’s outermost layer, which is known as the serosa. A stage IIB colon cancer diagnosis means the cancer has spread through the serosa of the colon but has not spread to nearby organs. When a person has been diagnosed with stage IIC colon cancer, their cancer has spread through the serosa and to nearby organs. Stage III: Stage III colon cancer also is divided into categories. A stage IIIA diagnosis can mean the cancer has spread through the mucosa to the submucosa and may have spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall. In addition, a stage IIIA diagnosis means the cancer has spread to at least one but not more than three nearby lymph nodes or that cancer cells have formed in tissues near the lymph nodes. But a stage IIIA diagnosis also is made when the cancer has spread through the mucosa to the submucosa and to at least four but not more than six nearby lymph nodes.
A stage IIIB diagnosis means cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon to the serosa or has spread through the serosa but not to nearby organs. Stage IIIB also means the cancer has been found in at least one but not more than three nearby lymph nodes or cancer cells have formed in tissue near the lymph nodes. If none of those signs are present, a doctor may still diagnose stage IIIB colon cancer if the cancer has spread to the muscle layer of the colon wall or to the serosa and to at least four but not more than six nearby lymph nodes. But a stage IIIB diagnosis also is made when cancer has spread through the mucosa to the submucosa and possibly to the muscle layer of the colon wall and to seven or more nearby lymph nodes. A stage IIIC colon cancer diagnosis means the cancer has spread through the serosa but has not spread to nearby organs, though it has spread to at least four but not more than six nearby lymph nodes. When such evidence is not present, a doctor still may diagnose stage IIIC colon cancer if the cancer has spread through the muscle layer of the colon wall to the serosa or if it has spread through the serosa, but not to nearby organs, and to seven or more nearby lymph nodes. Cancer that
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has spread through the serosa and to nearby organs is also indicative of stage IIIC colon cancer, but that diagnosis would not be made unless a doctor also notices the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or that cancer cells have formed in tissue near those lymph nodes. Stage IV: Stage IV colon cancer is divided into stage IVA and stage IVB. Stage IVA means the cancer may have spread through the colon wall and to nearby organs or lymph nodes. This diagnosis also means that the cancer has spread to one organ that is not near the colon or that is has spread to a distant lymph node. Stage IVB colon cancer is diagnosed when doctors suspect the cancer may have spread through the colon wall and to nearby organs or lymph nodes. In addition, this diagnosis is made when cancer has spread to more than one organ that is not near the colon or has spread to the lining of the abdominal wall. As with any cancer, early detection is often the key to surviving colon cancer. Men and women can visit www. cancer.gov to learn more about colon cancer diagnosis and risk factors.
Help kids understand their weight during Childhood Obesity Awareness Month The Y wants families to understand how a child’s perception of their weight impacts their health — and what to do about it.
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eptember is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and while the dangers of childhood obesity are well-chronicled, many children who are overweight or obese don’t realize it. That’s why the YMCA of the Twin Tiers — a leading voice on improving health— wants families to understand the role weight perception plays in childhood obesity and ways to reverse course through increased physical activity and improved eating habits. A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics says about 30 percent of children and adolescents aged 8-15 in the United States misperceive their weight, with approximately 81 percent of overweight boys and 71 percent of overweight girls believing they are about the right weight. If unchecked, obesity puts children at risk for many chronic diseases seen in adults such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. “The best way to find out if your child’s weight might be affecting their health is to visit your pediatrician or primary healthcare provider,” said Ink
Young, YMCA wellness director. “Once a family understands any weightrelated risks, they can work together to incorporate more physical activity and healthy eating habits into their daily routines.” The following tips are some great ways to incorporate more activity and healthier eating habits into your daily family routine: • Eat healthy — Make water the drink of choice (supplemented by ageappropriate portions of 100 percent fruit juices and low-fat milk) and make it easy for everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three colorful options. Feel free to mix and match fresh, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables to provide variety; • Play every day/go outside — Kids should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside — when possible — and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity; • Get together — Eat as a family as frequently as possible with kids involved in meal preparation and cleanup. In addition, adults should take a break from electronics and spend one-on-one
time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company; • Reduce screen time — Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours per day. • Sleep well — Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule: 10-12 hours per night for kids and seven to eight hours for adults. The Y is addressing this issue in its early childhood and after-school programs. YMCAs across the country, including locally in Olean, Bradford and Wellsville, have adopted and implemented evidence-based YMCA standards for healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA). To further the promise to local communities, the local YMCAs are implementing a new program called Youth Fit For Life in its after-school programs in the schools and at the YMCAs. The goal is to educate, mentor and promote lifestyle changes in children that will foster a healthy adult life. In addition to the after-school programs, the YMCA offers youth sports programs that promote healthy activity and build self-confidence in children by following YMCA guidelines.
The YMCA’s youth sports philosophy: • The YMCA stresses childoriented attitudes by keeping winning in perspective, having fun, improving physical fitness, and working with the whole child. The YMCA wants the quality of play to improve in order to meet the needs of all participants, whatever their ability and skills; • The YMCA accomplishes this by training adult volunteers in clinics and workshops that the child comes first and winning comes second. The key for coaches and parents is to keep winning in perspective. Competition will happen in youth sports without any external pressures. It is important to keep competition at a level appropriate for the athlete; and • The goal of the youth sports program is to help the child grow to his/her fullest potential in mind, body and spirit. Activity helps the body grow; thinking advances the mind; and belief makes the spirit grow. To learn more about the YMCA of the Twin Tiers (Olean, Bradford and Wellsville), call (716) 373-2400 in Olean; (814) 368-6101 in Bradford; or (585) 593-3246 in Wellsville, or online at www.yourymca.org.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Improve lifestyle and diet to prevent cancer, says oncologist By Kate Day Sager
OLEAN TIMES HERALD OLEAN — When patients enter Dr. Eyad Al-Hattab’s office in Olean, their first encounter is with receptionist Kassi Danforth who provides a smile and kind words before sending them into the clinic at the Foothills Medical Group, Barry Street Health Center. The treatment from Dr. Al-Hattab, an oncologist and hematologist with Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Olean General Hospital, is just as genuine for patients who are likely fighting a challenging disease. Also following suit in the “bedside manners” department are the rest of Dr. Al-Hattab’s staff who do their best to make patients feel at ease and comfortable during their visits. After finishing with his patients for the day, Dr. Al-Hattab shared his thoughts on how to prevent cancer through diet and lifestyle, how to screen for it and how to treat it. “Everyone knows that prevention is key, and the biggest point of prevention is if you’re a smoker. Stop smoking, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “Smoking almost increases every cancer risk across the board.” In particular, “Smokers see an increase in lung, bladder and kidney cancer,” he stated. Other measures to prevent cancer and other health risks include exercise and eating healthy
by avoiding processed foods when possible and increasing fresh food intake. “A lot of people don’t know that cooking actually deprives all foods from vitamins. That’s why we say eat fresh fruits and vegetables,” Dr. Al-Hattab said. Alcohol, if consumed, should be done moderately. “And women who are on estrogen for menopausal symptoms should not be on it,” he advised. “It has been shown in the women health studies that it increases breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.” The next best deterrent against cancer is screening, he said. This includes yearly mammograms, pelvic exams and pap smears for women, as well as colonoscopy exams after the age of 50. Men also need to have colonoscopy exams after 50 as well as regular prostate and PSA checks. People with genetic diseases may need to have these exams done sooner in life and more often, he added. He said mammograms and colonoscopy exams are likely the most important of all the screenings. “Most of the time when people feel a lump (in the breast) or have bowels that are bleeding from the rectum, it’s probably too late … or it will be more complex and annoying for them” to treat, he said. The third best way to defeat cancer
DID YOU KNOW? Though it is the most common cancer among children and teens, childhood leukemia is a rare disease. So says the American Cancer Society, which notes that roughly 75 percent of leukemias among children and teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia, or ALL. When a child has ALL, his or her leukemia begins to form in the lymphoid cells of the bone marrow. ALL is most common among children between the ages of two and four and is more common in boys than girls. Acute myelogenous leukemia, or AML, is another type of acute leukemia and accounts for much of the other cases of leukemia in children. AML starts in the myeloid cells where white and red blood cells and platelets are formed. In rare instances, a child may have a hybrid type of leukemia, often referred to as a “mixed lineage leukemia,” where cells have features of both ALL and AML. Children with this hybrid form of leukemia are often treated as if they have ALL, and that course of treatment is typically effective. While many adult cancers are linked to lifestyle choices or environmental risk factors, childhood cancers do not have a strong link to such factors. Many childhood cancers can be traced to gene changes inside cells, and these changes often occur early in life or even before a child is born.
Kate Day Sager Dr. Richard Freeman, an occupational health specialist and family medicine practitioner, joins Cole Memorial’s new Workplace Wellness site in Eldred. is early treatment. “Upon finding an abnormality you need to get it evaluated early and soon because the earlier we start, the better the results are,” Dr. Al-Hattab said. “Always find the experts and people with knowledge and experience in the treatment of cancer, and never give up hope” because new treatments are available every day. D. Al-Hattab admitted that working with some patients can be “heartbreaking,” especially if treatments are not available to cure the disease. “On the other hand, we have exciting situations where people (are cured) and feel a lot better afterwards,” he said. Dr. Al-Hattab’s compassion for those suffering with the disease carries beyond the office setting. Two years ago he had his head shaved for a “Goin’ Bald for Bucks” fundraiser that benefits Roswell Park Cancer Institute. In August, he also participated in the Goin’ Bald for Bucks fundraiser at Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) by shaving the participants’ heads. “Basically it’s a good chance to raise money for cancer research and the patients love it because you feel for them,” he said of the fundraiser. “It raises awareness that cancer has
treatment, but without research (new treatments) are not going to happen.” On another note, he said he practices what he preaches in that he never smokes or drinks, exercises regularly, eats healthy when possible and is screened for cancer. He and his wife, Dr. Ola KanjAhmed, an oncologist at BRMC, have four young children. The doctor and his wife try to pass along healthy habits to their children by eating fresh foods and exercising regularly as a family. Dr. Al-Hattab’s staff said he is not only kind with his patients, but works hard to ensure he provides them with the best and most current treatments. “He is someone who is ready to teach his staff and colleagues,” said nurse practitioner Ruta Kirstein. “It is an educational experience for me to work with him as well.” Registered nurses Jeanne Mathieson and Theresa Gaeta said they also enjoy working with Dr. AlHattab. “I’ll tell you his best quality,” Mathieson said of Dr. Al-Hattab. “He has the ability to talk to any person in language they understand.” (Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at kates_th@yahoo.com)
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
Understanding bone cancer F
ew things in the world are stronger than bone. According to the American Cancer Society, some bone is able to support as much as 12,000 pounds per square inch, and it can take as much as 1,800 pounds of pressure to break the femur, which is the longest, heaviest and strongest bone in the human body. Though bone may appear invincible, anyone who has ever suffered a broken bone knows that’s not the case. In addition to breaks, bones can fall victim to disease, including bone cancer. Cancers that start in the bone are uncommon, so many diagnosed with bone cancer often have lots of questions about their disease. Gaining a better understanding of bone cancer can help men and women in their fight against the disease. What is bone cancer? According to the National Cancer Institute, bone cancer is a malignant tumor of the bone that destroys normal bone tissue. But the presence of a bone tumor does not necessarily mean a person has cancer, as not all bone tumors are malignant and benign, or noncancerous, bone tumors are more common than malignant
tumors. Benign tumors do not spread or destroy bone tissue, though they can grow and compress healthy bone tissue. How do doctors distinguish between the types of bone cancers? There are different types of bone cancers, and doctors distinguish one from another by determining the type of tissue in which the cancer began. Cancer can begin in any type of bone tissue, including osteoid, cartilaginous and fibrous tissues. What are some types of bone cancers? Osteosarcoma is a type of primary bone cancer that arises in the osteoid tissue in the bone. This type of tissue is hard or compact, and tumors that begin in osteoid tissue most often occur in the knee and upper arm. Chondrosarcoma is another type of bone cancer that begins in the cartilaginous tissue, which is tough and flexible tissue that pads the ends of bones and lines the joints. Chondrosarcoma is typically found in the pelvis, upper leg and shoulder, and a chondrosarcoma that contains cancerous bone cells may be classified as an osteosarcoma.
There are also a family of tumors that may arise in soft tissue, such as muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, or blood vessels, but typically occur in bone. This family of tumors is known as the Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors, or ESFTs. These types of tumors are most often found along the backbone and pelvis and in the legs and arms. What causes bone cancer? There is no definitive cause of bone cancer, though several factors have been identified as increasing a person’s likelihood of developing bone tumors. For example, osteosarcoma occurs more frequently in people who have previously been treated with certain anticancer drugs and those who have undergone high-dose external radiation therapy. Studies also have indicated that people with hereditary defects of bones are more likely to develop osteosarcoma, as are people with metal implants that were used to treat past bone fractures. Are there symptoms of bone cancer? The most common symptom of bone cancer is pain, which may be persistent or unusual near a bone where a tumor is present. But such pain does not necessarily indicate cancer, so men and women dealing with pain in their bones should visit a doctor, who can conduct tests to determine the cause of the pain. Swelling in or near a bone also may be a byproduct of bone cancer.
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How is bone cancer diagnosed? When an individual reports persistent or unusual pain or swelling near a bone to a doctor, that physician will likely inquire about the individual’s personal medical history and that of his or her family. A physical examination also will be conducted, after which the doctor may order certain tests. One of the tests doctors use to diagnose bone cancer is an x-rays of the area, which can provide a depiction of the tumor, including its location, size and shape. Special imaging tests, such as an MRI, a CAT scan, a PET scan, and a bone scan, may also be ordered for patients whose pain is especially unusual or persistent. A biopsy also may be ordered to determine if cancer is present. During a biopsy, a tissue sample will be taken from the bone tumor to determine if it is malignant or benign. Biopsies of bone tissue are often conducted by orthopedic oncologists. Some doctors dealing with patients experiencing persistent or unusual pain in their bones may order a blood test to determine if a high level of alkaline phosphatase is present in the blood. High levels of this enzyme are normal in children and adolescents because they are still growing, so parents should know that a high level of alkaline phosphatase in their children’s blood does not necessarily mean the child has bone cancer. More information about bone cancer is available at www.cancer.gov.
Is there a link between GMOs and cancer? understand GMOs and why they spark such controversy.
Some studies point to a link between GMOs and cancer, while others are inconclusive.
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he use of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, in foods remains a controversial subject. The concerns about modifying genetic material in foods surrounds the uncertainty about the medical implications of consuming foods that have had their DNA changed in a laboratory. One such concern is whether or not there is a link between GMOs and cancer. To understand such a potential connection, it first helps to
What are GMOs and why are they used? GMOs are plants or animals that have been genetically changed, but many people associate GMOs with foods, namely corn and other grain products. Genes from one species are inserted into another to create a desired trait. This is known as gene splicing. Plants may be modified to be more resistant to drought or harsh conditions. Other genes may be altered to make plants more resilient and resistant to pesticides or certain diseases. Most commonly altered foods Certain foods are subject to genetic modification more so than others. Soybeans, corn, cotton, canola, papaya, zucchini, and other squashes are some of the more commonly modified crops. The International Service for the Acquisition of AgriBiotech Applications also lists alfalfa,
chicory, eggplant, flax, potato, rice, sugar beet, and tobacco on its list of GM crops.
Concerns about GMOs The risks associated with consuming GMOs are largely unknown. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, researchers have not conclusively confirmed if GMOs increase a person’s risk of developing cancer or other diseases. Some experts say the benefits of eating whole grains and vegetables — even GMO varieties — outweigh the concerns about GMOs, while others are not so sure. According to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, French researchers discovered that rats fed genetically engineered corn or those exposed to the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup over a long period suffered premature death and developed mammary tumors while also suffering from kidney and liver damage. Researchers fed rats GM
corn or gave them water laced with Roundup at levels allowed in the United States. The research found that even limited exposure to these products produced mammary tumors and led to severe liver and kidney damage, which occurred in as little as four months in males and seven months in females. Fifty percent of the male rats and 70 percent of the females died earlier than the rats in the control group. The corn studied was Monsanto’s NK603 seed, a variety developed to live through heavy dosings of pesticide. Roundup is a pesticide that plants can consume at levels many toxicologists say could cause harm to humans.
Conclusions More research is necessary to confirm or debunk any suspected link between GMOs and cancer, and even then it may be difficult to weed out risks between brands, foods and types of modification. People concerned about GMOs can eat organic foods or GMO-free foods.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Coping with the side effects of chemotherapy U
pon receiving a cancer diagnosis, men and women are often quick to inquire about their options with regard to treating their disease. Treatments vary depending on the type of cancer and whether or not the cancer has begun to spread, or metastasize, beyond its point of origin, but chemotherapy is one option used to treat various cancers. First used to treat cancer in the 1950s, chemotherapy drugs help kill cancer cells and may be used to keep the cancer from spreading, slow its growth and/or relieve certain symptoms caused by the cancer. As effective as chemotherapy treatments can be, the drugs used in such treatments are very strong and kill any cell that’s growing fast, even if that cell is not cancerous. The death or damage of these normal and healthy cells is responsible for the side effects of chemotherapy. Some people do not experience any side effects of chemotherapy, while others develop
side effects that can be painful, effect self-esteem negatively and make it difficult to maintain a normal level of activity during ongoing treatments. The following are some common side effects of chemotherapy and some suggestions on how to best cope with them should they surface during treatment. Nausea and vomiting Because chemotherapy drugs are so strong, many people feel sick to their stomachs or vomit during their treatments. Nausea and vomiting that results from chemotherapy typically surfaces a few hours after a treatment, and men and women might feel their effects for a short time after they begin. Coping with nausea and vomiting is something that should be discussed with your physician, who may prescribe medications to make these symptoms subside or at least lessen in severity. If the medicine does not work or if the vomiting continues for more than one day, call your physician.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014 is compromised during and after chemotherapy treatments. This is more likely to happen among people whose chemotherapy drugs are administered in especially large doses. Memory loss and other side effects that effect the brain remain somewhat of a mystery. But men and women who find their memory and concentration suffering during chemotherapy treatments should speak with their physicians, who may suggest certain mental exercises to counter the memory loss and keep the brain going strong throughout the treatment process.
Hair loss Upon beginning chemotherapy, many people are understandably concerned about losing their hair. But only certain chemotherapy drugs cause hair loss. Before beginning chemo treatments, your physician will likely discuss the potential side effects of the drugs that will be administered during the treatment, including the likelihood that you will lose your hair. Hair loss may occur slowly or rapidly, and sometimes hair only thins. When doctors advise you that hair loss is likely to occur, speak to the doctor about how to take care of your hair and scalp during treatment and ask about any potential solutions to mask the hair loss. Many people find their self-esteem suffers when they experience chemo-related hair loss, but such loss is nothing to be ashamed of and you can employ head covers, wigs and scarves to mask hair loss during treatment. Your health insurance may even cover the cost of a wig or hairpiece you might need as a result of chemo treatments. Memory loss Some people find their memory slips and their ability to concentrate
Changes in the mouth and skin Dental care is an important part of chemotherapy treatment. Certain chemo drugs can cause sores in the mouth or throat, and the American Cancer Society recommends that men and women visit a dentist prior to beginning chemotherapy treatments. A dentist can show you how to take care of your teeth and gums during chemo, which may require you do more than your normal dental routine. In addition to dental issues, skin changes are a side effect of certain chemo drugs. Redness, itching, dryness, acne, and peeling are some of the skin problems people have reported while receiving chemotherapy treatments. Others have reported allergic reactions that can cause hives and make it difficult to breathe. These particular issues must be treated right away, and if you report them to your physician, he or she may insist that you receive treatment in his or her presence so he or she can treat this reaction immediately. Chemotherapy is an effective way to kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading, but such treatment may produce potentially painful side effects. Men and women should not suffer these side effects in silence, as there are many ways to lessen their severity and make it easier to endure treatments.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
The relationship between vitamin D and cancer
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itamin D has long been a friend to men, women and children. Obtained primarily through exposure of the skin to sunlight but also procured in certain foods and dietary supplements, vitamin D helps the body use calcium and phosphorous to improve bone health and build healthy teeth. But as valuable as vitamin D can be to your bones and teeth, it also may play a role in reducing your risk for certain cancers. The National Cancer Institute notes that many studies have suggested that higher intake of vitamin D or higher levels of vitamin D in the blood are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer. To understand this relationship, it helps to first understand vitamin D. What is vitamin D? A group of fat-soluble prohormones, vitamin D comes in two forms that are important to humans. Vitamin D2, also known as ergocalciferol, is made naturally by plants, while vitamin D3 is produced naturally by the body when it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program from the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is most frequently diagnosed among men between the ages of 65 and 74. Though any man can get prostate cancer, older men are far more likely to be diagnosed than younger men. Of the new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States between 2007 and 2011, less than 1 percent were among men between the ages of 35 to 44. While prostate cancer has excellent survival rates, death rates are higher among certain groups of men, including those between the ages of 75 and 84 and men of African-American descent. The benefits of early detection of prostate cancer are obvious in the death rates, as just 0.1 percent of prostate cancer deaths between 2006 and 2011 were among men between the ages of 35 and 44, while just 1.6 percent of those deaths were among men between the ages of 45 and 54.
How are vitamin D levels in the body measured? When vitamins D2 and D3 enter the body, they are converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the liver before traveling through the blood to the kidneys, where the 25-hydroxyvitamin D is modified to calcitrol, which is the active form of vitamin D in the body. When a person has their vitamin D levels measured, the most accurate method of doing so is to determine the amount of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in their blood. How do I get enough vitamin D? The NCI notes that most people already get at least some of the vitamin D they need through sunlight exposure. In addition to sunlight exposure, many people get plenty of vitamin D from their diets, including foods such as fatty fish, fish liver oil and eggs that naturally contain vitamin D. But foods fortified with vitamin D, such as milk, juices and breakfast cereals, also ensure many people get adequate amounts of vitamin D. For many people, the combination of exposure to sunlight and diet is enough to produce strong bones and healthy teeth and
reduce risk for colorectal cancer. But people who are diagnosed with low levels of vitamin D can look to supplements to ensure they’re getting enough. Recommended daily intake guidelines vary depending on age, but those interested in learning these guidelines can find them on the Institute of Medicine website at www.iom.edu. Why study the connection between vitamin D and cancer? While studies have previously linked higher levels of vitamin D with reduced risk of colorectal cancer, research is ongoing to determine if vitamin D plays a role in lowering a person’s risk of developing other types of cancers as well. Driving this research are early studies that discovered incidence and death rates for certain cancers were lower among people living in southern latitudes than those living in northern latitudes. That’s a significant distinction, as levels of sunlight exposure, which is a chief source of vitamin D, are relatively high in southern latitudes and considerably higher in such areas than in northern latitudes. Studies are ongoing into this particular link and if vitamin D is, in fact, behind the lower cancer incidence and death rates. Another reason to study the connection is that experimental studies conducted on cancer cells and tumors in mice found that vitamin D may play a role in slowing or preventing the development of cancer. Does vitamin D definitively lower risk for certain cancers? Though evidence has suggested a link between high vitamin D intake and lower risk of specific cancers, the NCI notes that, thus far, studies have been inconsistent. While numerous studies have concluded that vitamin D reduces a person’s risk for colorectal cancer, even that widely acknowledged link remains open to debate. For example, a 2006 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that healthy women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements for an average of seven years did not have a reduced incidence of colorectal cancer, though some scientists questioned if that study was extensive enough to support its ultimate conclusion. More information about the relationship between vitamin D and cancer is available at www.cancer.gov.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Be prepared,
Dr. Gilbert Witte
flu season is around the corner By By Dr. Gilbert Witte
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he clock has turned back, the leaves have begun to change color — and both serve as a reminder to me that flu season is right around the corner. Shipments for this year’s flu vaccine have begun arriving at our offices and our providers and nurses have already started giving vaccinations. They will continue through October, November and December, and additional months if needed. Remember, it takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, but you can benefit from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after flu season starts. The flu vaccine is your best chance to ward off influenza, a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications, particularly to young children and to older adults. Flu shots are the most effective way to prevent influenza and its complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older be vaccinated annually against influenza. Although the vaccine is for
everyone, we especially urge older people, young children and pregnant women to be vaccinated. Individuals with chronic medical conditions also are at risk of influenza complications — conditions such as asthma, cancer or cancer treatment, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, kidney or liver disease, obesity. Additionally, those who live with or care for others who are at high risk of developing serious complications should get vaccinated, as well as caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease, caregivers of infants younger than 6 months old, and all healthcare personnel. When you are vaccinated, your immune system produces antibodies that will protect you from the vaccine viruses. In general, though, antibody levels start to decline over time. This is why healthcare givers press you to get a flu shot every year. Individuals who are allergic to eggs and those who have had a bad reaction to the vaccine previously should consult his or her provider. It is unlikely that the vaccine caused any reaction but it is wise to alert your
healthcare provider in the event that another episode arises. There are two forms of influenza vaccine — a nasal spray and a flu shot that’s administered with a needle. The flu shot does not contain any live viruses and can be administered to anyone over the age of 6 months. And contrary to some beliefs, the flu vaccine can’t give you the flu. It is possible that some might develop flulike symptoms — despite getting a flu shot — for a variety of reasons, such as muscle aches and fever for a day or two, and illnesses like the common cold. If you were exposed during the two-week window after the vaccination, you catch the flu anyway. The vaccination is not 100 percent effective in all cases. The ability of a flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or “match” between the viruses or virus in the vaccine and those in circulation. Fortunately, there is much you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones during flu season. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based sanitizer on your hands if soap and water aren’t available. Avoid touching
your eyes, nose or mouth whenever possible. Avoid crowds when the flu is most prevalent in your area. During a regular flu season, about 90 percent of deaths occur in people 65 years and older. Flu season in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Over a period of 31 seasons between 1976 and 2007, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people. Flu vaccines are available now so call your healthcare provider for an appointment today. (Dr. Gilbert Witte is a pulmonologist with Olean Medical Group. He joined the Medical Group in 1985. He received his medical degree from Tufts University in Boston and he completed his residency and fellowship at Medical Center Hospital in Burlington, Vt. He is board-certified in internal medicine, critical care medicine, and pulmonary medicine. Dr. Witte is medical director of Cattaraugus County and also Hospice. He participates in committees at Olean General Hospital and also serves as an Olean Medical Group board member. He lives in Olean with his wife.)
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
How to establish a cancer fundraiser
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ancer and its associated treatments can rob patients of their energy and enthusiasm for daily activities. But cancer also can prove taxing on a person’s finances. Depending on an individual’s health insurance coverage, treatments can be costly and out-of-pocket expenses numerous. Those incapacitated by cancer also may find they are unable to work, resulting in lost wages. Some cancer fundraisers aim to provide funds for families or individuals in financial peril as a result of their diagnoses, while others hope to raise money for cancer research. Millions of dollars are raised annually both by
national foundations and individuals. Successful cancer fundraisers follow the same guidelines of any successful fundraising effort, with dedication of time and devotion to the cause playing a key role. With dedication and commitment in tow, the possibilities to raise money for a worthy cause are endless. Establish your cause. Set the fundraising objective, which will include how the money will be raised and how it will be spent. If you are raising money for a specific type of cancer, it may be easy to pair up with an organization that already works toward that cause, such as the American
Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Canadian Cancer Society, or CureSearch. Of course, you can start from scratch, but donors may be more inclined to give to a charity that has already established itself. Make it personal. It’s much easier to stand behind a cause in which you have a vested interest. This is why many cancer fundraisers are so successful. Many people start a fundraiser in the name of a friend or family member battling cancer or someone who has lost his or her battle, and that personal connection can be a motivating force as you raise awareness for your cause. Establish a fundraising team. Fundraising is more manageable when there is a team of people working together to raise money and organize how money is spent. Assign responsibilities based on personal skills and areas of expertise. For example, a person with accounting experience can handle the bookkeeping work, while someone familiar with marketing can work to raise awareness for the cause and any fundraising events. Solicit community attention. Getting the word out about your organization and fundraiser may require the help of others in the community. Find out if you can join a school-sponsored “Relay for Life”
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event or have an information booth at the entrance to supermarkets or other high-traffic businesses. Maintain transparency. The success of fundraising may revolve around how much potential donors trust your efforts. Make every attempt to be as open and honest with people as possible. Be willing to share information about charitable organization documents, funds raised, distribution of money, and administrative costs. Establish a website. A website enables you to continue spreading the message of your charitable efforts after hours. Donors can look up your charity online and learn about the story behind your fundraising efforts. Promptly return any phone calls or emails from people interested in more information. Frequently update the website so the public has reason to come back for more information. Personally thank donors. Send a letter or place a phone call to thank donors for their contributions. This establishes your charity and fundraiser as one that cares about its cause and the people who help that cause. It also puts a face to your efforts. Cancer fundraisers are quite popular and relatively easy to establish. It takes a group of people willing to devote time and effort to a worthy cause.
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September 25, 2014 • Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era
Alcohol and cancer risk T
hough the exact details of how alcohol increases cancer risk are unknown, the American Cancer Society notes there are several different ways that alcohol may contribute to a person’s elevated risk of developing cancer. Tissue damage: Alcohol can be an irritant in the mouth and throat as well as other areas of the body, forcing damaged cells to repair themselves. That forcing of the hand may lead to DNA changes in the cells, and such changes may act as a steppingstone to cancer. Alcohol also can cause inflammation and scarring in the liver, and as liver cells attempt to repair that damage, mistakes in the DNA may result, increasing a person’s risk for cancer. In the colon and rectum, bacteria can convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, a chemical which studies have shown causes cancer
in lab animals. Body weight: Excessive consumption of alcohol often causes people to gain weight, and being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for various types of cancer. Hormones: Women who consume alcohol may be prone to elevated levels of estrogen, a hormone associated with hormonereceptor-positive breast cancer that plays a significant role in the growth and development of breast tissue. According to Breastcancer. org, when compared to women who abstain from alcohol, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer, and that may be a byproduct of the effect alcohol has on a woman’s hormone levels.
Effect on harmful chemicals: Alcohol can dissolve other harmful chemicals, including those found in tobacco smoke, making it easier for them to enter the cells lining the upper digestive tract. The ACS theorizes that this may play a role in why the combination of smoking and drinking is far more likely to cause cancers in the mouth or throat than either smoking or drinking alone. Effect on nutrients: The body’s cells need a vitamin called folate to stay healthy. But alcohol consumption can compromise the body’s ability to absorb folate from foods, which is especially problematic for heavy drinkers who do not get enough nutrients in their daily diets. Low folate levels have been linked to breast and colorectal cancers.
Olean Times Herald • The Bradford Era • September 25, 2014
Breast Cancer Prevention What can I do to prevent breast cancer? What is the best way to find my cancer early, before it has spread? These are two of the most common questions women have. Here’s what we know: There is nothing that you can do to ensure that you absolutely do not get breast cancer. However, studies suggest that some lifestyle choices may help reduce breast cancer risk. These include: Eating a healthy diet that is low in animal fat and high in whole grains and fruits and vegetables. There is no data indicating that a specific diet, per se, can help reduce breast cancer risk. Taking a multivitamin and make sure it includes adequate folic acid. Having your children before 35, if you have a choice. Breastfeeding your children. Avoiding unnecessary X-rays. Drinking alcohol in moderation and make sure you take folic acid when you do drink. Losing weight (if you are overweight Not gaining weight after menopause. Getting regular exercise. Using hormone therapy to treat menopausal symptoms for the shortest time period necessary, it at all. You should also be sure to: Evaluate any breast symptoms or changes that develop. Have mammograms when appropriate. Consider http://www.dslrf.org/breastcancer/content.asp?CATID=0&L2=1&L3=4&L4=0&PID =&sid=130&cid=1282 if you are postmenopausal and need to take a drug to prevent bone loss. If you have a family history of breast cancer or for other reasons are at high risk of getting breast cancer, visit our section for http://www.dslrf.org/breastcancer/content. asp?L2=2&SID=133 . To help us learn more about breast cancer prevention, you can: Join the http://www.armyofwomen.org/ , revolutionary initiative that is changing the face of breast cancer research. http://www.dslrf.org/endingbc/content.asp?L2=1&L3=7&L4=4&SID=292 sponsored by the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation. http://www.dslrf.org/breastcancer/content.asp?L2=7&L3=1&SID=231 , and work with us to insure that research on breast cancer prevention is supported and funded.
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