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Thursday, February 6, 2025

Stay On Top of Good Health Practices

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Many people start the New Year making resolutions to improve something in their lives. I’d like the people who read my column to think about ways they can try to prevent major illnesses.

I was a patient of Dr. Berger while I lived in Naperville. He said that there’d be very few deaths from colon cancer if everyone got screened on a regular basis.

The American Cancer Society suggests that people at average risk start getting screened at the age of 45. Some tests are stool-based and should be repeated every three years. Visual or structural exams like a colonoscopy should be repeated every ten years unless a precancerous condition like polyps is discovered. Then the exam should be performed every five years. But the key is to try to detect any tumors as soon as possible. The smaller the tumor, the easier it is to remove the cancer.

The American Cancer Society has reported that the incidence in breast cancer in women has been rising by 1% a year from 2012 to 2021. However, the death rate for breast cancer among women in the United States has dropped 44% from 1989 to 2022. The decline in deaths is attributed to advances in treatment and early detection. Mammograms can detect tumors before they can be felt. The treatment for breast cancer is directly related to the size of the tumor when it is detected. The best way to ensure early detection is to take the time to have a mammogram. The smaller the tumor, the easier it is to remove the cancer. It is suggested that women begin having yearly mammograms after the age of 40.

According to an article published on October 8, 2024, by Harvard Health Publishing, people who have poor oral health have a higher rate of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke. The scientists have not been able to prove that poor oral health directly causes heart-related problems, but the bacteria that infect gums and causes gingivitis can travel to blood vessels elsewhere in the body.

Some studies have linked periodontal disease to rheumatoid arthritis.

Regular visits to the dentist can help maintain good oral health and detect cavities while they are small. A small cavity is easier to treat than waiting for an abscess to develop and possibly needing a root canal.

There’s an old saying that an ounce of prevention can prevent a pound of cure. A healthy lifestyle can prevent many illnesses, but not all of them.

I hope everyone enjoys good health in 2025. But if that is not possible, I hope health issues are detected early.

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Sue Jelinek
Sue Jelinek
Sue Jelinek welcomes story ideas from ship to shore. Contact her at jelinst@sbcglobal.net.
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