September 11, 2018

Small Steps to Healthier Living and Healthy Aging

Health goals often focus on the short term-what you can do now to see results quickly. For cancer patients, focusing on healthy aging may be more realistic and effective. By making small lifestyle changes patients feel more in control of their health and longevity, helping those changes to become healthy habits. The question is, what […]

September 10, 2018

Understanding the Links Between Inflammation, Lifestyle and Cancer

Experts have long suspected inflammation may play some role in cancer’s development. In 1863, German scientist and physician Rudolf Virchow was the first to make the connection, observing that cancer often develops at sites of chronic inflammation. But researchers have only recently pinpointed chronic inflammation as a primary risk factor for cancer and other serious health conditions. […]

September 10, 2018

New Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common non-skin cancer in America and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. But for many adults at average or low risk, colorectal cancer may be caught early and treated with positive outcomes, simply by following an appropriate screening regimen. With incidence rates rising, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has developed new guidelines designed to encourage more adults to […]

August 12, 2018

Should You Get the HPV Vaccine?

While most people know a human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine exists, according to Dr. Natalie Godbee, a Gynecologic Oncologist at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Phoenix, many believe that it’s just for teens and young adults in their twenties. Many adults, particularly those being treated for cancer, aren’t aware, however, getting the HPV vaccine might […]

August 10, 2018

E-cigarettes’ Persistent Popularity Raises Serious Concerns

Electronic cigarettes are often touted as a safer alternative to their traditional counterparts. They typically have fewer chemicals and lower nicotine levels than regular cigarettes. They’re also marketed to smokers as a way to quit the habit, and advertised to young people with appealing packaging and flavors, like chocolate and cotton candy, and names like One […]

July 10, 2018

Dangerous Drug Interactions

Many people know that taking a sedative and an antihistamine at the same time can cause extreme drowsiness, or that taking an anti-inflammatory like Advil®, Aleve®or Motrin® while you’re on a blood thinner raises the risk of hemorrhaging. But some in the medical community, and the public, are less aware that common medicines may reduce the effectiveness of […]

July 6, 2018

Double Trouble

For many people, smoking and drinking go together like bacon and eggs or hot dogs at a baseball game. But when it comes to cancer risk, Stephen Lynch, MD, Primary Care and Intake Physician at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), Phoenix, compares alcohol and tobacco to a more volatile pairing. “It’s gasoline and matches,” he […]

June 6, 2018

What Men Need to Know About Factors that Impact Risk of Prostate Cancer

While anyone may be diagnosed with cancer, everyone has varying levels of risk based on genetics, environment and lifestyle. Certain larger populations may also be at increased risk compared to other groups. For instance, your risk of cancer may vary according to your race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geographic location or gender. In the case of […]

April 3, 2018

Excess Weight May Contribute Up to 40 Percent of US Cancer Diagnoses

Your weight plays an important role in your overall health, including your risk of many chronic diseases — cancer included. In fact, being overweight or obese — defined as a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25 or 30, respectively — is believed to cause up to 40 percent of all cancer diagnoses in […]

March 13, 2018

What are Environmental Risk Factors, and How Can I Avoid Them?

Tobacco smoke at a concert. Pollution from the factory around the corner. Radiation from a routine X-ray. When it comes to environmental factors that raise the risk of cancer, it may seem like avoiding exposure is as impossible as avoiding the air you breathe. In reality, though, you have more control than you think. Experts […]