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Pumpkin spice lattes and Halloween candy aren’t the only things October is known for. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The month of October is dedicated to educating women about early detection of breast cancer. Studies show that the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the easier it can be to treat. While your OBGYN may do a breast exam during your annual visit, the only real expert on your body is you, especially if you are performing regular self-breast exams. Performing regular self-breast exams will help you get familiar with your breasts and to know what is normal and what isn’t. If

Sarcoma is still considered to be the “forgotten cancer.”  Efforts to encourage research and drug development are made more challenging due to a lack of awareness and understanding.  How as a community do we raise funds for vital research if people don’t know that this cancer exists? Though the Sarcoma Foundation of America works tirelessly every day to raise awareness, during Sarcoma Awareness Month we aim to further highlight the extraordinary challenges that sarcoma patients face and the need for more sarcoma research and better sarcoma therapies. What is Sarcoma Sarcoma is a rare cancer in adults (1% of all adult cancers), but

The school year is drawing to a close, and many families are planning their summer vacations.  Wherever your vacation plans take you, the beach, a theme park or enjoying time outside close to home, the sun is everywhere, and proper precautions need to be taken by every member of your family. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. UV damage can also cause wrinkles and blotches or spots on your skin. The good news is that skin cancer can be prevented, and

  An estimated 44 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year. From depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and PTSD just to name a few, mental health covers a wide range of symptoms. Mental health challenges are still wrought with a stigma that prevents people from seeking the help they need. Since COVID-19, According to Mental Health America, an organization whose goal is to promote mental health as a part of overall wellness. the number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed. From January to September 2020, 315,220 people took their anxiety screen,

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. That's a staggering statistic. Like most cancers, the key to treating it successfully is early detection. Knowing the early warning signs, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer is vital. What are the symptoms of colon cancer? The trouble with colon cancer is that sometimes there are no symptoms at all in the beginning. However, if you experience any of the symptoms listed below, it is important not to ignore them. Colon cancer symptoms include: constipation diarrhea changes

If you have trouble swallowing pills, you’re not alone.  A survey by Harris Interactive reported that 40% of American adults have difficulty swallowing pills, even though most have no problems with food or liquids. Of those who experience difficulty swallowing their medications, 14% have delayed taking their meds, 8% have skipped a dose, and 4% have discontinued using their medication altogether. There can be several reasons why you have trouble swallowing your pills. Gag reflex. Swallowing a solid substance like a pill without chewing feels unnatural. So it may trigger your involuntary gag reflex, which protects you from choking. Anxiety. Fear

If you watch TV, chances are you have seen an advertisement for cholesterol medicine. But what exactly is cholesterol and is it as bad as these advertisements make it out to be? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is in all of the cells inside your body. It is something that your body produces naturally and something your body needs! You see, cholesterol is used by your body to make hormones, vitamin D, and other things that help you digest your food. The trouble with cholesterol is when you don’t have the right balance of cholesterol types. There are two types

National Women’s Health & Fitness Day is observed on the last Wednesday in September. It is the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages. More than 500 groups across the country will host women’s health and fitness events at senior centers, hospitals, health clubs, park and recreation districts, local health and service organizations, schools, retirement communities, houses of worship, and other community locations. An estimated 50,000 to 75,000 women of all ages are expected to participate in these local activities. Activities will be noncompetitive and may include walking events, exercise demonstrations, health screenings, and health information workshops. As

There has been much debate in the news recently about who should wear a mask and if they work to stop the spread of COVID-19. Before we look at how effective masks may or may not be in stopping COVID-19, it's important to understand the logic behind the recommendation to wear a mask. According to the CDC, the idea behind wearing masks is to prevent or reduce the amount of infected respiratory droplets from traveling into the air.  Every time we speak, laugh, cough, or sneeze, we release tiny drops of liquid into the air.  These droplets can contain many viruses