Inflatable colon raises cancer awareness

“A clever way to grab peoples’ attention.”

— Dr. Dale

Inflatable colon raises cancer awareness

http://www.13newsnow.com/news/health/inflatable-colon-raises-cancer-awareness-1/315138797

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- An odd exhibit is bringing attention to a big issue. A 14-foot replica of a colon was on display at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk Wednesday.

The colon also gives people a deeper understanding of the importance of getting checked.

"We are in one of the three hot spots in the United States for people who are dying at a higher rate of colon cancer rates compared to other parts of the country," said Dr. Cynthia Romero.

She explained why the rates are so high: "People are not getting screened, or by the time they are detected, they are actually detected at a later stage."

To educate future doctors and combat the problem, EVMS brought in gastroenterologist Dr. Bruce Waldholtz. He said part of the goal is to increase the number of people getting a colonoscopy.

"To have 80 percent of Americans screened for colorectal cancer by one of the American Cancer Society screening guidelines by the year 2018," said Waldholtz.

Right now, Medicare beneficiaries are covered for colonoscopies, but Dr Waldholtz said there's still an important treatment piece missing.

"Unfortunately if a polyp is found during that time, due to a problem in the writing of the bill, the patients may have to pay co-insurance costs, going up to $300 per patient," he said.

That's why next week he and 700 other American Cancer Society volunteers are lobbying in Washington to change that. He says the more screenings, the better.

"Then by the year 2030 nationwide, the American Cancer Society has estimated we will decrease the number of cases by 277,000 and the number of deaths by 203,000," he said.

The HPV vaccine has cut infections by up to 90% in the past 10 years

“This is remarkable.”

— Dr. Dale

The HPV vaccine has cut infections by up to 90% in the past 10 years

http://www.sciencealert.com/the-hpv-vaccine-has-halved-cervical-cancer-rates-in-the-past-10-years

A recent review of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is has found that in the 10 years since its original release, the infection rate of HPV has been lowered by up to 90 percent in countries with high levels of immunisation.

The review found that with more than 187 million doses of the vaccine administered in 130 countries around the world, the number of HPV infections fell by up to 90 percent in some areas, with similar decreases in genital warts and cervical abnormalities also being reported.

"Reductions in HPV infections as well as reductions in the prevalence of HPV 6/11/16/18-related diseases, as noted by decreases in Pap abnormalities, cervical pre-cancers, and genital warts, were detected within four years after vaccine introduction," said lead researcher Suzanne Garland, from the Royal Woman’s Hospital in Australia.

HPV is a DNA virus that spreads through sexual contact. Before this vaccine, having one of more of these viruses were very common, with the CDC concluding that nearly all sexually active men and woman have had it.  

"One in two of us will get it in our lifetime, so it is extremely common infection," said HPV vaccine co-creator Ian Frazer, from the University of Queensland told the Brisbane Times. "The chances of you getting a cancer if you have the virus is about one in 100."

What’s worse is that HPV causes more than 70 percent of all cervical cancer cases, and also increases the risk of vulva, penile, anal, and throat cancers.

"Five percent of all cancers worldwide are caused by papillomavirus infection, cervical cancer is the big one," said Frazer, "but there are also some cancers in the throat and mouth we recognise are being increasingly caused by these viruses and then on top of that are a number of rarer cancers caused by these viruses."

"About 20 percent of all cancers are caused by a virus infection, and about a quarter of those are caused by papillomavirus," he adds.

Analysing the findings of 58 studies from nine different countries on the effects of the HPV vaccine, the researchers found that in high immunisation areas such as Australia, where the vaccine is provided in specialised school vaccination programs for free to all 12-year-old school children, the rates of HPV and HPV-caused diseases plummeted.

"Maximal reductions of approximately 90 percent for HPV 6/11/16/18 infection, approximately 90 percent for genital warts, approximately 45 percent for low-grade cytological cervical abnormalities, and approximately 85 percent for high-grade histologically proven cervical abnormalities have been reported," the researchers report.

Another study from February this year showed in the US, the rates of HPV infection declined from 11.5 to 4.3 percent. That’s a 64 percent reduction, which is pretty incredible when you realise that only 37 percent of girls and 13 percent of boys between 13 and 17-years-old have received all their shots.

The US reportedly has such low levels of HPV vaccination due to controversyover the sexually transmitted nature of HPV, and the age at which kids are recommended to receive the shot. But research has shown that the vaccine is most effective when the patients have had no sexual contact to be able to spread the virus.

The research is a pretty good indication that we’re on the right track in dealing with HPV, and with proper implementation, we might some day be able to eradicate HPV-related diseases altogether.

"Observations from over the past 10 years are that the HPV vaccines, if delivered effectively to the majority of 10 to 12 year-old-girls in the developing world from today forward, should lead to the global elimination of new cervical and other HPV associated cancers by 2050," said Frazer.

Environmental Nutrition: Top 10 IBS relief

“For my IBS patients — this may help. ”

— Dr. Dale

Environmental Nutrition: Top 10 IBS relief

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/food/sns-201608221300--tms--foodstylts--v-f20160822-20160822-story.html

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an unrelenting intestinal disorder, occurs in up to 1 in 5 Americans, presenting with bloating, alteration in bowel habits, pain and cramping. Diet may be your first line of defense. Here are 10 evidence-based strategies that may minimize symptoms:

1. Try a low FODMAP diet. The low FODMAP diet offers symptom relief for 70-75 percent of people affected by IBS. With the guidance of a registered dietitian, give this diet a trial to assess if you are FODMAP sensitive. Don't change your diet before meeting with your health professional.

2. Manage diarrhea. The low FODMAP diet can help mitigate diarrhea. In severe cases, your gastroenterologist may prescribe either an antibiotic (rifaximin) or bile acid sequestrants, as diarrhea may be related to a bacterial infection or over-production of bile.

3. Enlist peppermint oil for pain. Enteric-coated peppermint oil (one capsule contains 0.2 mL) can relax the smooth muscle in the intestine and dull the pain. Be cautious if you suffer from reflux, as peppermint oil may exacerbate this condition.

4. Consider fiber supplements. If constipation is your middle name, work with your health care provider to test fiber supplements. Psyllium husk has the best evidence for efficacy in IBS.

5. Get moving! Gentle daily exercise, such as walking and yoga, can minimize symptoms and encourage more regularity.

6. Add probiotics. Some IBS patients benefit from probiotic supplements. Those with the best efficacy include Align, Culturelle and VSL#3.

7. Consider biofeedback or pelvic floor physical therapy. Both treatments aim to make muscles and nerves more effective for elimination. Biofeedback uses sensors attached to your body to help you better control intestinal function.

8. Beat nausea with ginger tea. Try tea made with fresh peeled ginger root, which can aid stomach emptying.

9. Try herbal extracts to combat bloating. Iberogast is a clinically proven herbal medicine shown to encourage movement of the intestinal tract to manage symptoms of bloating in IBS.

10. Improve your brain-gut communications. Consider gut-directed hypnosis: muscular and mental relaxation via hypnotic suggestion are used to calm your heightened intestinal sensitivity. To find a therapist in your area go to www.IBSHypnosis.com.

What is the Low FODMAP Diet?

The low FODMAP diet is an elimination diet that reduces foods rich in commonly malabsorbed sugars and fibers. FODMAP is an acronym for:

Fermentable (creates gas)

Oligosaccharides (fibers in wheat, beans, garlic, onion)

Disaccharides (lactose in milk)

Monosaccharides (excess fructose in apples, pears, honey, agave syrup)

Polyols (found in stone fruits, cauliflower, mushrooms, pears, apples, watermelon)

The low FODMAP diet has three phases:

1. Elimination phase: FODMAP-rich foods are eliminated for two to six weeks.

2. Reintroduction phase: FODMAPs are methodically reintroduced to identify food triggers.

3. Maintenance phase: Diet is restricted only as necessary for symptom control.