Latest news with #ColorectalCancerAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Massachusetts family pushed for increased funding during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and one local family traveled to Washington, D.C. with a national organization to advocate for more funding. The American Cancer Society says colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. They estimate over 107,000 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed this year. In Massachusetts, 2,770 cases of colon and rectum cancer are predicted this year. Blood test for colon cancer screening is approved by US regulators In an effort to spread awareness, twin sisters Kimberly Schoolcraft of Springfield and Karen Fogarty of Westfield obtained a Massachusetts Proclamation that names March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, signed by Governor Healey. Proclamation-CRC-Awareness-Month-2025Download Kimberly told 22News that she lost her partner to colon cancer several years ago, which led her and her sister to advocate for colorectal cancer awareness. 'Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among men and women combined. There is currently no cure, but many people don't realize that it's largely preventable,' said Kimberly. Want to know your risk for colorectal cancer? Take the quiz: Earlier this month, Kimberly and her boyfriend Steve Franklin went to Washington, D.C. with Fight Colorectal Cancer to meet with congressional offices to ask for more funding for research. The organization is calling on Congress to create a colorectal cancer caucus in the House of Representatives. During their visit, Kimberly and Steve, along with many volunteers, placed 27,400 blue flags in front of the U.S. Capitol. They symbolize the number of people aged 20 to 49 who will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2030. 'In 2030, it's estimated to be the #1 cancer killer in that age group,' Steve said. There are four stages of colon cancer. Stage one means that colon cancer has just started, and has not gone beyond the very superficial layer of the bowel. While stage two colon cancer is a little bit deeper into the wall of the bowel, it has not spread anywhere yet. Stages three and four are when the polyps become much more intrusive, making their way into other parts of the body and neighboring organs. This makes the disease much more difficult to contain and treat. New guidelines say people should be getting screened for colon cancer at age 45. The American Cancer Society found that this disease is now the top cause of cancer death in men under 50 and second only to breast cancer for women in the same age group. The top deadly cancer in men under 50 Timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and regular follow-up care are important for improving survival rates and quality of life. The rate of people being diagnosed with colon cancer each year has dropped overall since the 80s, mainly because more people are getting screened, but in people younger than 50 years of age, rates have gone up. There are programs, resources, and help for those diagnosed with cancer: Cancer Helpline: 1-800-227-2345 Educational materials Reduce the risk of cancer Share your story Cancer research Cancer Survivors Network Reach to Recovery Road to Recovery Hope Lodge Support for caregivers To help advocate for colorectal cancer, including resources, education, and more, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People diagnosed with colon cancer shared with BI their early symptoms
This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here. Welcome back! If you've ever wondered how economy flights compare, don't worry. BI's travel reporter put two airlines to the test. The winner felt like "a class above…for a lower price point." On the agenda: Welcome to the era of wellness vacations. For the rich, Manhattan is now flyover country. Doctor for superagers shares four mistakes people make about longevity. Move over, Aspen. A new Colorado ski town aims to take center stage. But first: We have to talk about colon cancer. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here. Actor Chadwick Boseman shocked fans in 2020 when he died at age 43 from complications related to colon cancer. Five years later, the rate of young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer has risen swiftly, according to the American Cancer Society. If caught early, colon cancer is treatable. What complicates this particular cancer, however, is just how hard it is to diagnose since the symptoms — abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and weight loss — can lead to misdiagnosis. It doesn't help that routine testing isn't offered to people under 50 years old in the US. As March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, BI's health team spoke to many people affected by the disease. They detailed the early signs and symptoms in hopes of helping others. Katie Couric said her first husband, Jay Monahan, who died at age 42 from colon cancer, had symptoms of fatigue and digestive changes. Shannin Desroches, a 27-year-old living in Ontario, couldn't eat without severe pain despite eating a clean diet. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last year. JJ Singleton was diagnosed in 2015 at age 27. One of his early symptoms was losing five pounds in a week. He later discovered he had Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Tracy Robert, diagnosed 10 years ago at the age of 40, said she experienced bloating and chalked it up to IBS. Robert said, looking back, she wishes her doctors had taken her "symptoms and concerns seriously." Americans are stressed. Instead of adventure-forward vacations involving bustling cities or day drinking on the beach, they're turning to more restorative options. Wellness retreats and self-care centers are happy to step up. The wellness market was valued at around $480 billion in 2024, according to a McKinsey estimate. At one resort, a week of Pilates, pickleball, and Watsu water therapy could all be yours — for $5,650 per person. "It's very White Lotus." Forget hired cars. Some of New York's moneyed set are taking to the skies instead, relying on helicopter services like Blade for their regular commutes. Blade's service starts at $95 for a nine-minute ride from the west side of Manhattan to JFK airport. When an Uber can take longer than an hour and cost more than $100, that seems like a deal. Plus, the views are wild. Dr. Sofiya Milman studies people who are 95 or older, a cohort known as super-agers. She aims to understand what helps healthy people live to 100 years old. Her research showed centenarians are just as likely to have unhealthy habits as other people. She said it's a myth that longevity is all about lifestyle or genetics — and that it's only about living as long as possible. These are common misconceptions. For decades, Snowmass Village, Colorado, was often compared to its glitzy neighbor, Aspen. Now, the luxury town is ready to step into its own spotlight. As a $1 billion development wraps up, Snowmass offers newer amenities, fine dining, and luxury shopping. It also targets a set of travelers Aspen can't: families. Paving its own way. "Holland": Nicole Kidman stars as a teacher and homemaker whose seemingly perfect life in Holland, Michigan, gets uprooted by strange happenings in Prime Video's new thriller. "Queer": Daniel Craig plays an American expat who falls in love with a much younger man in Luca Guadagnino's adaptation of the novella "Queer," now streaming on Max. "The Studio": Seth Rogen portrays a newly- appointed movie head of a movie studio head fighting to keep the film industry alive in this new Apple TV+ comedy series jam-packed with celebrity cameos. See the full list A pillow we use every night: Everyone has different sleep needs, so it's rare that one product can cater to them all. The Coop Sleep Goods Pillow comes close, and you can learn why in our review. Entry-level espresso making: Becoming your own barista isn't cheap, but you don't have to spend $800 to start. Instead, consider the more affordable Breville Bambino, one of our favorites. Sweats for every occasion: Whether you're getting groceries, hitting the gym, or just lounging around, the right pair of bottoms can carry you through it all. Check out our roundup of the best men's sweatpants to find your own. We guide CEOs through psychedelic mushroom trips in the mountains. Here are the most common takeaways. 'The White Lotus' viewers are window-shopping for this $160,000-a-week superyacht. Women's sports are rethinking childcare for their mom-athletes. My 12-year-old accidentally committed credit card fraud. I realized she wasn't ready to have a phone. 8 workout trends you'll see in 2025, according to fitness experts. Dennis Quaid lied his way into teaching Marlon Brando the mandolin. We spent years looking for the perfect US city to live in. After our dream picks let us down, we chose a spot we never expected. A 73-year-old who did her first pull-up at 63 works out six times a week. Three simple things helped her get into shape. Americans are clamoring to buy the highest penthouse in the world. The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City (on paternity leave). Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago. Correction: An earlier version of this newsletter misstated the streamer that airs "Severance." It is Apple TV+, not HBO. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer at 33 — this was the symptom I initially dismissed
When she was crowned Mrs. Mississippi Plus America last year, Bryce Ramsey immediately knew what her platform would be. 'Hands down, colon cancer awareness,' Ramsey, 39, told The Post. 'At the time, I was a four-year survivor, and I was like, 'I just want to be able to help as many people as I can.'' With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Ramsey is also working with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to share her story. She hopes to encourage people to get screened for the disease — her journey has already revealed that colon cancer is more common in her family than she thought. Friends and family were stunned when Ramsey learned in 2019 that she had Stage 3 colon cancer at the age of 33. Colorectal cancer typically affects people over 50, but there's been a concerning uptick in diagnoses among younger adults. Ramsey was not as surprised by the news. As an operating room nurse, she knew the importance of listening to her body. 'In my spirit, I just knew something wasn't right,' Ramsey, who lives in Canton, Mississippi, recalled. Ramsey initially noticed blood in her stool after giving birth to son Ashton in 2011. She dismissed it as hemorrhoids. The bleeding became more frequent in 2019 and included mucus, so she underwent a colonoscopy. The exam revealed that she had a 5-centimeter polyp in her sigmoid colon, the section of the colon that connects to the rectum. Shortly thereafter, doctors removed 3 feet of her colon and 13 lymph nodes. Because the cancer had spread to three of these lymph nodes, Ramsey was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. She begged her family members to get screened. Having first-degree relatives (parents, siblings or children) with colon cancer greatly increases the risk of developing the disease. 'We found out that we do, in fact, have a significant family history,' Ramsey said. Her dad had his entire colon removed upon the discovery of several precancerous polyps, her brother is set to have a portion of his colon cut out, and her aunt lost part of her colon after a tumor was found. Her family addressing their colon cancer is not the only positive outcome of this ordeal. Ten days after surgery, for her birthday, Ramsey attended a New Orleans Saints game with her then-boyfriend, Mickee. As time on the clock expired, Wil Lutz kicked a 33-yard field goal for the Saints to beat the Carolina Panthers 34-31. Ramsey was a bit distracted trying to make sure no one accidentally touched her stomach as they celebrated — because it still had staples — so she didn't notice Mickee beginning to propose. 'He said, 'I just want you to know I'm not proposing to you because you're sick. I've been planning this for a long time,'' Ramsey said. 'He was like, 'It just threw a little hiccup in our plan.'' The couple ended up on the jumbotron, and Saints linebacker Demario Davis retweeted footage of the special moment. Ramsey started chemotherapy weeks later, in January 2020. As if that wasn't stressful enough, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and Mickee was deployed to the Bronx Zoo to help emergency personnel with ambulance services. The couple wed in June, two weeks after Mickee returned to Mississippi. On Father's Day in 2020, Ramsey learned she was pregnant. Throughout her cancer journey, Ramsey had persistent dreams of having another boy, with 'Luke' or 'Lucas' in his name. They welcomed Emree Lucas-Ray in February 2021 after Ramsey had a taxing bout of COVID. 'He's absolutely perfect in every way, and his name actually means strong, shining light,' Ramsey said. 'It was just kind of like a breath of fresh air after the whole colon cancer thing.' Ramsey has been cancer-free for five years as of this month. In April, she passes her crown to a new Mrs. Mississippi Plus America, a title celebrating plus-sized wives in the state. Ramsey has been using that platform and social media to remind people to schedule colonoscopies. Colorectal cancer has a 91% survival rate when caught early, yet one-third of eligible adults aren't getting screened. A recent study from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance found that most Americans would rather do pretty much anything else. Adults at average risk are encouraged to begin screening at 45, while those with a family history like Ramsey likely need to get examined earlier and more often. 'I just want to spread awareness,' she said, 'to get people involved, to get a screening and to listen to their bodies, because if something doesn't seem right, more than likely it's not.'
CBS News
25-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
"Don't put it off" Colorado father urges screenings after routine colonoscopy finds cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Colorado doctors are warning the deadly disease is on the rise among young people. Diagnoses in people under 50 have risen by more than 50% since 1994. When Castle Pines father of two Jeff Lind turned 45, his doctor told him it was time for his first colonoscopy. "I did not want to do it because I've heard that it's, it's quite invasive," Lind said. After putting off the screening procedure twice, Lind ultimately scheduled it for January of this year. "It's the right thing to do for my health. I mean, if I'm by myself and don't have anybody who relies on me, then maybe that's a different story. But I have a family. I want to see them and see my kids grow," Lind said. Despite the fact that Lind had no noticeable symptoms, doctors at AdventHealth found cancer in his colon. "They found 10 polyps and a tumor, and it didn't look good," Lind said. "It's super scary. I didn't know what was going to happen. Am I going to make it through this? Am I going to see my kids grow up?" A few weeks later, colorectal surgeon at AdventHealth in Castle Rock and Parker Dr. Ryan Smith operated on Lind, removing 10 inches of his colon. "Jeff is a classic example of reason to get screened at age 45. He really didn't have any symptoms. He was going for a routine colonoscopy at the recommended age and found a mass in the distal part of his colon and first part of his rectum," said Smith. Smith said colorectal cancer is on the rise in young people. "We are seeing an increased incidence in colorectal cancer in patients under the age of 50. It's actually the leading cause of cancer-related death in men under 50, and it's the second leading cause of death in women under 50," Smith said. It is recommended that adults should start getting a colonoscopy at age 45 and repeat every 10 years if no polyps are found. If you have symptoms or a family history, talk to your doctor about getting one sooner. "If you do have a family history, it is an indication to get screened earlier. The recommendation is 10 years earlier to the onset of a family member, and then anytime you have symptoms, that is also an indication to get screened," said Smith. "Symptoms such as bleeding, weight loss changes in bowel habits; those are all indications to get evaluated. Oftentimes, things like that can get written off in the younger population. So it's really important to be your own advocate and when you know something is not right, to have it evaluated." Lind said the procedure was not bad, but the preparation was terrible. Dr. Smith said the process is easy, safe and not worth putting off. "I certainly think there can be a stigma. I don't think anybody enjoys the prep and everything that's required for a colonoscopy. And it's also easy to be one of those things that you keep putting off because of just life happening and inconvenience in everybody's busy schedule. But it should not be anything anybody is embarrassed about. It is something we recommend for everybody," Smith said. Thanks to early detection, Lind is now cancer-free. "It wouldn't have been identified if I hadn't gone when I turned 45, getting a colonoscopy. I could be in a much different place, you know. Say I didn't go for five years, who knows what, what would have happened?" Lind said. He'll have to get a colonoscopy once a year but says it's a small price to pay for a future with his family. "Don't put it off. Just go get it done," Lind said.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ask A Specialist: Colonoscopy Excuses
HONOLULU (KHON2) — March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and those 45 years and older should consider getting screened for colon cancer. There is a long list of excuses and reasons for putting off the inconvenient procedure, but Dr. Nour Hamade, gastroenterologist at the Queen's Medical Center, explained how these excuses could be hazardous to your health. Ask A Specialist: Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Excuse #1: I feel fine and healthy, with no stomach pain or bleeding, so why do I need a colonoscopy? 'Unfortunately, colon cancer doesn't always have symptoms, so by the time that things do develop, typically, the disease is advanced. We want to catch the disease early because that's when we can treat it best, with up to a 90% survival rate. If caught in later stages, that decreases to as low as 14%,' said Dr. Hamade. Excuse #2: No one in my family has had colon cancer. 'It's true that a family history can increase your risk for colon cancer. But even 70 to 80% of people with no family history can develop colon cancer. So, we recommend screening for everyone starting at age 45,' Dr. Hamade advised. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Excuse #3: The preparation is time-consuming and uncomfortable. 'It will only take one day to prepare for the procedure. You will be on a clear liquid diet for that day. We do have a number of different preparations that we can offer, so just discuss that with your physician to determine something that is appropriate for you. I do want to stress that it's very important to do the prep very well because it's important for us to visualize the colon adequately,' Hamade said. Excuse #4: Colonoscopies are for older adults. 'While colon cancer does increase with age, newer research is showing that actually colon cancer is increasing in younger individuals. One in three people who are diagnosed with colon cancer are actually younger than 55 years old. So that is why the new guidelines actually decreased the age from 50 to 45 for us to start screening,' said Hamade. Ask A Specialist: Calcium Score Test Excuse #5: Only men get colon cancer. 'I think actually, the rates are pretty equal. In 2025, we are estimating that 80,000 individuals are going to be diagnosed with colon cancer, 40,000 of those are going to be women.' Excuse #6: I'm too busy to take time off from work. 'I know we're all busy these days, but this is important for your health, and it should be a priority. Essentially, taking that time to take care of yourself and getting screened so that we can catch things early will ultimately be more beneficial for you in the long run. Because if we can catch the disease early then the treatment is less invasive and less time consuming as opposed to catching it at a more advanced stage,' Dr. Hamade said. Check out more news from around Hawaii To learn more about the services provided by the Queen's Colon Screening Program, call (808) 691-8270. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
