Colonoscopies: A Necessary Evil

“I couldn’t agree more!”

— Dr. Dale

Colonoscopies: A Necessary Evil

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-wolff/colonoscopies-a-necessary-evil_b_9553844.html

By Linda Wolff

Did you know March is National Colon Cancer Awareness month?

I had a colonoscopy this morning. Yes, I am writing this in a semi-twilight induced haze, but don’t worry, I will spare you the unsavory details, but it did make trying to come up with an appropriate title a struggle. (Possible titles: Thunder From Down Under and Let The Good Times Roll, didn’t seem quite right, nor did I’ve Never Been So Thankful For Charmin Extra-Soft.)

But, let’s get down to business.

This was not my first time at the rodeo, so I knew what to expect. The day of colonoscopy-prep is by far worse than the procedure itself. It is no less than torture. I endured drinking the gag-inducing Suprep, aka Liquid Dynamite, that they mercilessly (HA!) split into two portions, because, I kept reminding myself, it could save my life.

And I drank every last drop, slamming it back like Rocky getting ready for the fight of his life, and cursing the day I was born because that stuff is just nasty. I wanted my colon to be so clean they could see into tomorrow, leaving no part of my large intestine or any rouge polyp unchecked.

The putrid liquid is like licking the bottom of an old tropical fish tank with a splash of Robitussin to mask the taste. It fails. As my family eats my favorite Chinese take-out Moo Shu Chicken downstairs, I think this is what hell must be like.

Those 24 hours without solid food made me think of nothing but solid food. I was allowed nothing red, blue, or creamy, only clear food and liquids, like jello and juice and ice pops and chicken broth. I’m up to here in chicken broth. (Hand pointing to my shriveled neck.) And, the toddler in me never thought I’d say this, but I never want to see apple juice again.

Once this foul preparation has been taken you cannot leave the house, so plan your day accordingly. I did, however, manage to dash out before it was time to guzzle the “Liquid Drano” and before the dizzy spells from hunger kicked in, for a quick blow-dry and manicure, because nothing says comfort like a little pre-colonoscopy pampering. Besides, as long as I’m going to feel retched and disgusting, I might as well feel pretty. Though I’m certain they’ll be focused on my other end.

I kept myself busy to take my mind off starvation. I spent the entire morning paying bills, answering emails, cleaning out drawers, and watching hours and hours of scarf-tying tutorials on YouTube, of which I don’t remember a thing.

I know many people are afraid of having a colonoscopy. Fearing what the doctor might find or, worse — never waking from the anesthesia. I get that, I really do. No one likes getting poked and prodded in their nether regions while a room full of people are watching, or drugged and put to sleep. But, to me, all vanity slips away when your life is at stake. Many people put off having the exam, believing that no symptoms equals a healthy colon, only to find out they had cancer.

Experts recommend men and women begin testing for colon cancer at age 45, earlier for those with a prior or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. According to the American Cancer Society, “Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States when men and women are considered separately, and the second leading cause when both sexes are combined. It is expected to cause about 49,190 deaths during 2016.”

So I choose to be proactive even when it scares me, even when I don’t want to be brave. And force myself to sip, what humorist Dave Barry calls a “nuclear laxative,” knowing this test could save my life. Eventually, whatever goes in, comes out like, well, you can imagine. As I said, pure hell. Not even online shopping could boost my mood.

But it’s a hell worth going through. My mother is a colon cancer survivor and myfather died young from pancreatic cancer. I have been proactive about getting checked for both, feeling like I’m dodging genetic bullets. The BRCA test, mostly known for showing the genetic link for ovarian and breast cancer, is also a marker for pancreatic cancer. The two months I waited for results — thankfully negative — felt like forever.

Before you know it, it’s time for the procedure and, more than likely, you’re so drained (no pun intended) that a nice little nap sounds good. The procedure itself is quick and painless. Afterwards I feel as light as a feather and well rested. There is a little bloat, but I feel that way after Chinese food too.

My biggest fear is waking up in the recovery room facing a forlorn husband who has just heard bad news, so you can imagine my relief when the procedure was over and the doctor assured me everything was fine. And, if I were to find out a less the ideal prognosis, then well, at least I have given myself a fighting chance to do something about it. I’ve never been one to believe ignorance is bliss, unless I’m ordering dessert.

So, I go into these procedures, scared and, of course, fearing the worst, because I’m nothing if not prepared. But, I figure I’ve got a good chance of survival by putting myself in the very best hands before there seems to be any issues. Just because I come from a genetic minefield doesn’t mean I have to live in one. Neither do you.

Please get screened.

Coffee lovers rejoice: 4 reasons why coffee is good for your health

Coffee lovers rejoice: 4 reasons why coffee is good for your health

“Great news! Drink up.”

— Dr. Dale

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-adv-coffee-20160416-story.html

By Lisa Mulcahy

Love that cup of joe? It's OK to indulge — new science shows that black coffee has excellent benefits, including:

1. Lowering your disease risk. A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study published in the American Heart Assn. journal Circulation found that drinking as many as four cups of coffee a day cut subjects' odds of dying from heart attacks, strokes, Type 2 diabetes and neurological diseases. Scientists think this is because naturally occurring compounds in coffee beans have a positive effect on disease prevention. "Caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee contains similar amounts of polyphenols, antioxidants and minerals that may have beneficial effects," says the study's author, Dr. Frank Hu.

2. Improving liver function. Numerous studies recently analyzed by researchers in the United Kingdom found that coffee reduced the risk of liver cirrhosis by 44%; more research is needed to confirm the precise compound that does the trick.

3. Preventing cancer. A study by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute found that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day (the equivalent of 460 milligrams of caffeine) "may be associated with significantly reduced cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III colon cancer," perhaps because caffeine cuts inflammation. Previous research indicates that coffee may also reduce your risk of reproductive, breast, bladder and prostate cancer, plus other forms of the disease.

4. Maintaining your weight. A University of Copenhagen study found that coffee consumption was linked to a "low risk" of obesity, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 diabetes.

So drink up — just go easy on the sugar and cream.

Eating Nuts Linked to Lower Risk of Colon Cancer

“Great find.”

— Dr. Dale

Eating Nuts Linked to Lower Risk of Colon Cancer

http://www.livescience.com/54448-eating-nuts-may-lower-colon-cancer-risk.html

By Sara G. Miller

Eating nuts has been linked to a number of health benefits, such as a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Now, new findings from South Korea suggest that a nut-rich diet may also reduce a person's risk of colon cancer.

The researchers found a reduction in this risk for both men and women, according to the findings, presented here today (April 18) at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting.

Eating a serving of nuts three or more times a week appeared to have a big effect on risk, said Dr. Aesun Shin, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Seoul National University College of Medicine in South Korea and an author of the study.

In the study, a serving of nuts was considered to be 15 grams (0.5 ounces), Shin told Live Science. That's a smaller amount than what's considered a serving in the United States, she added. (A serving in the U.S. is 28 g, or 1 oz.)

Although the researchers included many types of nuts in their analysis, peanuts were the most widely consumed nuts among people in the study. This may be due to the availability of peanuts in South Korea, the researchers said. [6 Foods That Are Good For Your Brain]

To examine the relationship between eating nuts and colon cancer risk, the researchers looked at 923 patients who had been diagnosed with colon cancer and compared their diets with those of 1,846 people who did not have colon cancer.

The researchers found that men who reported eating three or more servings of nuts a week had a 69 percent lower risk of colon cancer than those who reported eating no nuts. Women who ate three or more servings had an 81 percent lower risk than those who ate no nuts, according to the study.

In addition, the researchers looked at several different types of colon cancer, based on the location in the colon where the cancer is found. Nut consumption was associated with a reduced risk across all of the different locations that the researchers examined, Shin said.

The study does not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between eating nuts and having a lower risk of colon cancer, the researchers said. However, the researchers hypothesized that some of the compounds, including fiber and antioxidants, found in nuts may help reduce a person's risk of colon cancer. [Top 10 Cancer-Fighting Foods]

Shin noted that a limitation of the study is that participants were asked to recall their own nut intake, and it's possible that they may have made mistakes.

The findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal.