At the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center, we are privileged to provide the best community cancer care available for each patient. Our blog serves as an extension of this care, offering community-based resources on a wide array of cancer-related healthcare topics.
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Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. In 2022, approximately 106,180 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer and 44,850 with rectal cancer, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society.
The lines of cars outside Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks every morning attest to America’s love affair with coffee. In fact, 64% of Americans drink just over three cups of coffee a day, for a total of 400 million cups consumed daily.
As you know, COVID-19 has impacted many aspects of our lives — from increased hand washing and mask wearing to restrictions on gatherings with friends and family. There have been many changes at the Leever Center too. We have had to cancel all in-person support groups and events, follow guidelines for screening and safety, and change our cleaning and sanitizing protocols for everyone’s safety. One important aspect of patient care that has continued without interruption is our multidisciplinary conferences.
If you have visited the Leever Cancer Center in the last year, you’ve met our screening team, which greets all visitors and verifies that they are safe to enter the facility.
Should you put off your cancer screenings? Experts agree the answer in most cases is “definitely not.” Here’s why:
“I’ve been told to avoid all sugar and white flour since it can make my cancer grow. Is this true? Do I have to give up everything that I love?” The question about sugar and cancer is undoubtedly the most frequently asked nutrition question at the Leever Cancer Center, and it often creates fear in patients who are already anxious. The answer is complex and brings up many issues about the role that our food plays in preventing and/or promoting health and disease.
Many people are still reluctant to get cancer screenings or treatment, but experts suggest you consider several factors before making a decision.
“Fear of contracting the coronavirus in health care settings has dissuaded people from screening, diagnosis, and treatment,” Norman E. Sharpless, MD, director of the National Cancer Institute, wrote in Science magazine. “In general, the earlier one receives cancer treatment, the better the results. Cancers being missed now will still come to light eventually, but at a later stage and with worse prognoses.”
OPEN MOUTH. INSERT CHOCOLATE. CLOSE EYES. SAVOR. SMILE.
Chocolate is one of America’s favorite foods and is often associated with love, comfort, and well-being. In fact, every year, Americans consume about eight billion pounds (11 pounds per person) and spend over $22 billion on chocolate. Halloween and Valentine’s Day are all about chocolate.
Next time you could use an energy boost, try one of these quick pick-me-ups.