Posts in: Cancer
Posted in: Cancer, Preventative Health // 0 Comments
It sounds unbelievable but heartburn and acid reflux can cause esophageal cancer, and once diagnosed there is only a 17 percent chance of survival. “It is a devastating cancer,” says Vikram Gopal, M.D. gastroenterologist at the Borland-Groover Clinic.
The rate of esophageal cancer is increasing in the United States. “There is an increase of acid reflux in this country which is a result of our culture of ‘super-sizing,’” Dr. Gopal says. “Fifty percent of the U.S. population is obese or overweight based on studies by the Centers for Disease Control. And overeating can cause a significant increase in acid reflux,” he adds.
Chronic acid reflux can then lead to precancerous changes in the esophagus known as Barrett’s Esophagus and, left untreated, can lead to esophageal cancer. Called a silent killer because if left untreated the symptoms can go away as a result of the changes in the esophageal tissue; the patient thinks the problem is solved when, in reality, cancer is silently developing.
Mindy Mintz Mordecai founded the Esophageal Cancer Action Network after her husband died from esophageal cancer. “Most people don’t know that they have esophageal cancer until the day that they can’t swallow,” she says. “Because it is a condition that starts with a precursor, the pre-cancerous Barrett’s Esophagus, it can be cured if found when still in the Barrett’s Esophagus form. That is critical for people to know because our goal is to save lives,” she says.
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) include:
• heartburn or burning in chest
• regurgitation
• chest pain
• nausea after eating
• sour taste in mouth
• coughing, choking or wheezing
• difficulty swallowing,
• hiccups
• belching or burping excessively,
• hoarseness or change in voice
• sore throat
• feeling that food is stuck behind the breastbone.
Mordecai says that in most cases these symptoms are more likely to occur or become worse at night. Symptoms are increased by bending, stooping, lying down or eating and are temporarily relieved by antacids.
While esophageal cancer can occur at any age, screening should be targeted for Caucasian and Hispanic males who are 50 years or older, and who have an elevated body mass index.
“Barrett’s Esophagus can be treated with thermal ablation, photodynamic therapy, cryoablation and endoscopic mucosal resection,” says Dr. Gopal. And according to Lisa R. Bichsel, Director of Marketing – GI Solutions, Covidien, if Barrett’s Esophagus is diagnosed early it can be treated successfully and esophageal cancer can be avoided. “We have treated with more than 100,000 procedures and our ablation technology is safe and effective. It is a treatment that lasts,” says Bichsel. “But it is important to get screened,” she says. Screening methods for esophageal cancer include imaging, barium swallow test, upper endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound or bronchoscopy.
“We want to prevent esophageal cancer and that is why it is so important to discuss your acid reflux issues with your doctor,” says Dr. Gopal.
Posted in: Cancer // 2 Comments
Malignant melanoma is the most feared and potentially life-threatening skin cancer.
To increase the likelihood of catching melanoma in the early stage when it’s most easy to treat and the prognosis is most favorable, monitor the condition of your skin at least once a month.
The letters “A, B, C, D, E” can help remind you of what may be evidence of melanoma in one of your existing moles. When you see any of the following, or if a new mole that looks different from your other moles appears, consult with your dermatologist or other appropriate healthcare professional.
• A for asymmetry. The shape of one half of the mole is different from the other half
• B for a border that is irregular. The border is ragged, notched, or blurred or pigment has spread into the surrounding skin.
• C for color that is uneven. The color isn’t consistent. There may be shades of black, brown and tan or areas of white, gray, red, pink or blue.
• D for diameter. Has the mole changed size? While melanomas may be small, most are larger than ¼ inch (larger than the size of a pea).
• E for evolving. The mole has changed over time, perhaps the past few weeks or months. When melanoma is in a more advanced stage the texture of a mole may change and the mole may become itchy, tender or painful. The surface may ooze or bleed.
Posted in: Cancer, Preventative Health // 0 Comments
By Virginia Pillsbury
I did my part for Colon Cancer Awareness Month – I went to Borland-Groover Clinic for a colonoscopy. I am actually a third-timer; I’ve had polyps in the past and require a closer watch, so I do take my colonoscopies seriously.
Now that it is safely behind me for another five years, I can tell you that in many ways, the very worst part of the whole event is the anticipation. True, the prep is not a day at the beach, nor would you want to be at the beach once you’ve started consuming the prep solution.
Thursday:
I wake up and remember that tomorrow is the day and today is the prep day. No food after 9 am; only clear liquids. So I fix a light breakfast and go to Publix to stock up on clear liquids. I also have my laxative pills and laxative powder to mix with a drink later in the day.
3 pm. I take two laxative pills with a big glass of water and the anticipation grows.
5 pm. Time to mix up the laxative powder. I chose Mountain Dew as my drink of choice. It helps me to have the drink super cold and icy and drink it with a straw. I had to down 64 oz of fluid (in 8 oz increments) that had been mixed with two weeks’ worth of laxative powder. Yes, two weeks, at least that is what the instructions on the container said.
6 pm…. Waiting and drinking. 7 pm….drinking and waiting….8 pm. It’s showtime – first trip to the bathroom.
8:30 pm. second trip to the bathroom. Clearly the colon is clearing out very effectively! I am feeling good and very optimistic about my night.
By 11 pm, after a few more trips to the bathroom, I think I might be about done. I go to bed.
2 am. Uh oh. I wake up with cramping. While I am a mind over matter person; these cramps hurt. I spent the greater part of the 2 am hour in the bathroom. You can imagine. That was the worst part of the evening, but in retrospect, it passed fairly quickly. And compared to cancer surgery, radiation and chemo, this pain was truly not a big deal.
Friday morning:
5 am – Up and getting ready to go to the surgery center. Still going to the bathroom with some regularity but no more cramping.
6:15 am – arrive at the surgery center. Get my ID bracelet and get prepped with an IV. Now that I am here and the colonoscopy is so close, I mostly just feel relief. I made it through the night and the prep! All of the players, the gastroenterologist, the anesthesiologist, the OR nurse have all come by to chat and make sure that I understand what is going on.
7:30 am – I am ready to go. I get wheeled into the OR and the anesthesiologist and I start talking. Before I know it I feel myself fading away. During the procedure, I am totally in dream world and have no idea what is going on.
8 am – next thing I know I am waking up from a dream. My doctor is there to tell me that the colonoscopy went well. No polyps. Come back in five years.
8:30 am – on my way home. My husband stops at Panera to get me something delicious for breakfast. I eat and go to sleep for the rest of the morning.
Noon – Awake and feeling fine. I take it easy for the rest of the day, just because it seems like the perfect way to celebrate a colonoscopy well done! By evening I am ready for sushi with my family.
Saturday morning
Up at 7 am to go for a five mile run.
I am here to tell you that from prep start to colonoscopy finish took less than 24 hours. Of that time, the prep was the hardest but not impossible. And certainly not a reason to avoid a colonoscopy.
Please do not put this off – I wish you well with yours!
