African Americans and Cancer

During Black History month, it is good to look back on the great things African Americans have achieved all over the world. But while the milestones are great, so is the need for everyone to take note of the health dangers that increasingly claim more and more of them every year.

Doctors cannot always explain why one person gets cancer or other illnesses while others do not. However, scientists have found, as with every race, the African American population seems to be more susceptible to certain kinds of illnesses and diseases. The following are some of the most dangerous health problems African Americans face today and tips on what they can do to limit their risk.

One of the most serious diseases African Americans face is cancer. According to the 2005 Cancer Statistics found in the Cancer Journal for Clinicians , African American Men have a 24 percent higher incidence rate and a 40 percent higher death rate than other races. Although African American women seem to have a lower chance of getting cancer, they have a 20 percent higher chance of dying from it once they develop a cancerous tumor.

Prostate Cancer

One type of cancer most common in African American men is Prostate cancer. In fact it strikes 2 times as many African American men as Caucasian men.

Urologist Dr. Steven N. Cockrell sees patients suffering from prostate cancer every day at his office located at the Hannibal Clinic.

“There are usually no specific signs or symptoms of early prostate cancer,” said Dr. Cockrell. “That is why prostate screening is so important.”

He suggests an annual physical examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and digital rectal exams (DRE) for all men age 50 and over. He says that method provides all men with the best chance of identifying prostate cancer in its earliest stages.

Dr. Cockrell said in later stages of prostate cancer, patients might experience the following symptoms:

- Weak or interrupted flow of urine

- Urinating often (especially at night)

-Difficulty urinating or holding back urine

-Inability to urinate

-Pain or burning when urinating

- Blood in the urine or semen

- Nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis

If you are experiencing any or all of those symptoms, contact your physician right away.

“Many factors like age increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer,” said Dr. Cockrell. “Most prostate cancer patients are over the age of 50 but if you have a family history of prostate cancer or are of the African American decent, you need to start getting tested at least by the age 45.”

Here are other risk factors for prostate cancer:

•  Diet: A high fat diet and alcohol consumption may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.  Whether fatty food intake is an increased risk factor, or decreased fruits and vegetables intake in men who eat higher fat diets is the cause, is still unknown.  

- Vasectomy: A few studies in the 1990s showed having a vasectomy could increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. However current studies have shown vasectomies as not increasing a man's risk of developing Prostate Cancer, but no study has firmly established this risk factor.

Dr. Cockrell said there are some ways to protect yourself from prostate cancer…and it's all in the food you eat every day.

“Selenium which is found in apricots, watermelon, brazil nuts and sunflower seeds as well as Vitamin E are good to eat,” said Dr. Cockrell. “Also lycopenes like cooked tomatoes and omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oil are good to put into your diet. All these foods are thought to reduce the risk of developing cancer and reduce the progression of cancer in the body.”

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. In recent years, reports have emerged to suggest that African Americans may have a higher rate of death from colon cancer compared with other ethnic groups.

“Colon Cancer is a silent disease,” said Dr. Bhagirath H. Katbamna, a Gastroenterology specialist at the Hannibal Clinic. “Many times patients don't show any signs or symptoms until their tumors are quite advanced.”

But when symptoms do show up they usually include the following:

- Weight Loss and Changes in Bowel Movements

- Pain in the lower abdominal area

- Diarrhea lasting more than several days

- Obstruction of bowel movements

- Blood in the stool

- Significant weight loss

You may be at risk for Colorectal Cancer if you have had a previously treated cancer or have a family who has had colon cancer before. Family history can increase your chances in getting colorectal cancer, but you can take some steps to limit your risk.

•  Eat right: Colorectal cancer is more common among folks who consume a diet high in fat, protein, calories, alcohol, and meat (both red and white). A healthy low-fat, high-fiber diet rich in calcium, fruits and vegetables combined with exercise has been shown to decrease risk for the disease. There is also evidence that smoking cigarettes may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

•  Female Hormone Use: Women using postmenopausal hormones have a lower chance of developing colon cancer, but not rectal cancer.

•  Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Some studies have shown that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin may reduce your risk for colorectal cancer.

But Dr. Katbamna said the best protection way to guard against colon cancer is by getting a colonoscopy every 5 years starting at age 50. This procedure is a good way to identify and remove polyps, which could develop into colorectal cancer.

“Most people are initially apprehensive about getting a colonoscopy,” said Dr. Katbamna . “But after they get it they are usually delighted about how easy it really was to protect themselves.”

Hypertension

Hypertension is a dangerous condition where the blood pressure is persistently higher than normal. If left untreated, people with hypertension are at risk for heart attack, stroke or heart and kidney failure. Doctors do not know why African Americans are twice as likely to suffer from hypertension as their peers of other races not why they tend to develop the disorder at an earlier age.

“There are not many symptoms of hypertension at first,” said Dr. Richard Ha, a cardiologist at the Hannibal Clinic. “A moderate increase in blood pressure does not usually cause any noticeable symptoms. Most of the symptoms related to Hypertension are due to target organ damage from Hypertension. If you wait until symptoms occur, it's too late to prevent serious complications like kidney failure, heart attack, heart failure or stroke.”

Dr. Ha said although African Americans are more at risk for H ypertension or High Blood pressure, there are some things they can do to lower their risk.

•  Exercise: Adequate amounts of p hysical activity will help maintain normal blood pressure.

•  Quit Smoking: That cigarette may relax a smoker, but it raises blood pressure, making the heart labor to maintain blood flow.

•  Lose Weight: Extra weight increases blood pressure. Losing a few pounds is often the patient's first goal after being diagnosed with high blood pressure.

•  Start a Heart-Healthy Diet: Too many fats, cholesterol-rich foods and salt raises blood pressure.

•  Limit Alcohol Intake: Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to hypertension.

•  Try to Limit Stress: Determine what causes your stress and try to limit it.

These are just 3 of the most dangerous threats facing the health of African Americans all over the country these days. But no matter what the threat, doctors agree. Prevention is the best form of medicine.

Spring Cleaning:

It helps your house….and your health.

It's that time of year when folks are cleaning out closets and airing out their house after a long winter indoors. But your home's isn't the only one who benefits from a good post-winter scrub-down. It also helps your all around health.

One of the first things you might think of when spring-cleaning comes to mind is dust removal, whether it's dusting, vacuuming or airing out your house. But it turns out with each swipe of your dust cloth you are actually ‘wiping' away the things that can make your family sick.

Dr. Lawrence Nichols, a family medicine physician at the Hannibal Clinic says it all comes down to what is in the dust your find all over your home.

“Skin flakes make up a lot of what we call dust,” said Dr. Nichols. “Dust mites feed on flakes of skin your family leaves behind. That combination of dirt, skin flakes and dust mites around your home can cause problems for adults and children with asthma and can really flare up a person's allergies if he or she is allergic to dust.”

While on the prowl for dust, watch out for mold. This allergen usually grows in dark, warm and sometimes hard to reach places. However Dr. Nichols says your allergy ease will be plenty payback for your efforts.

Something you may not think about are the household cleaners found below most sinks in your home. Dr. Nichols said many household chemicals, cleaners and other toxins can be extremely dangerous if not stored and sealed properly.

“If one of your family members has asthma or another type of respiratory problem and is around those leaky and unsealed containers of household products, the fumes coming out of those chemicals could affect their condition,” said Dr. Nichols.

Speaking of household cleaners, right now is also a good time to make sure all your chemicals and toxins are out of reach of your children.

“Spring-cleaning is a great time to review the products you have in and around your home,” said Dr. Justin Bubolz, Hannibal Clinic Pediatrician. “You might be surprised when you see all the toxins you have sitting where your child can get at them.”

Dr. Bubolz also suggests using this time of year to evaluate the following safety hazards that could mean the difference of life and death for your growing child.

- Make sure all outlets have appropriate outlet covers

- Check all extension and appliance cords for frayed wires

- Move lighters and matches to a child-safe area of the home

- Check the batteries in your smoke detector

Peripheral Arterial Disease—What You Should Know

It affects about 10 million people in the United States, or 1 in 20 people over the age of 50. It touches everyone, although men are at a slightly higher risk than women. Yet, despite these facts, only a quarter of its sufferers are diagnosed and receiving treatment.

So just what is this mystery illness? Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a common circulation problem in which the arteries that carry blood to the legs or arms become narrowed or clogged. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis (often called hardening of the arteries). Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which cholesterol and scar tissue build up, forming a substance called “plaque” that clogs the blood vessels. PAD may also be caused by blood clots that lodge in the arteries and restrict blood flow.

The most common symptom of PAD is painful cramping in the leg or hip, particularly when walking. This symptom, also known as “claudication,” takes place when there is not enough blood flowing to the leg muscles during exercise. Over half of PAD sufferers experience leg pain, numbness or other symptoms—but many people dismiss these signs as a common component of the aging process and never seek the care of a physician. “It is very important for anyone who is over 50 or in a high risk group, who experiences these symptoms to seek the medical care of their physician,” stressed Dr. Aphrodite Henderson, a board certified surgeon at The Hannibal Clinic. “Unfortunately, the disease often goes undiagnosed until the advanced stages because many people do not suffer from disabling symptoms in the early stages of PAD, or they mistake the symptoms as part of getting older.”

Other symptoms of PAD may include numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg, a cooling or color change in the skin of the legs or feet, or loss of hair on the legs. In severe cases, one may experience a burning or aching pain in his foot or toes while resting, or develop a sore on his leg or foot that does not heal.

Those who are at the highest risk are:
• over the age of 50,
• smokers,
• diabetic,
• overweight,
• people with heart disease, or
• people who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Patients with PAD are at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. In extreme cases, untreated PAD can lead to gangrene, a serious condition that may require amputation of a leg, foot, or toes. “Too many people ignore their symptoms, and eventually suffer more severe consequences that could have been prevented,” remarked Dr. Henderson.

Anyone who feels they may suffer from PAD, are in the high risk group, or would like more information are encouraged to see their physician, or call The Hannibal Clinic Surgery Department at (573) 231-3232.