Five percent of people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. As Cooper Clinic Gastroenterologist Andrew Gottesman, MD, says, that’s a big deal.

“In medicine, 5% is a huge number. It’s one in 20 people.”

“The good news is colon and rectal cancer is largely a preventable disease,” Gottesman said. “In the United States, it is the fourth most common cause of death and the second most common cause of cancer deaths. Only lung cancer kills more people. It’s important to be proactive to reduce the risk of colon cancer.  This includes lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, controlling obesity and minimizing red meat consumption. It is also important to schedule a colonoscopy, beginning at age 45.”

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. It usually arises from abnormal growths, called polyps. Over time, colon polyps may become malignant. This usually takes 5 to 10 years to occur. Not all polyps are of equal importance. When a colonoscopy is performed, all polyps are removed. Statistically, pre-cancerous polyps are identified in 30% of patients undergoing screening colonoscopy. With their removal, the likelihood of developing colon cancer is significantly reduced. 

The incidence of colon cancer is increasing in patients under the age of 50. Many patients are diagnosed at later stages, so patients of average risk should begin routine screening colonoscopy at age 45. Some physicians advocate for screening at an even earlier age.

The results of your screening colonoscopy will determine the next time you’re screened. If no pre-cancerous polyps or malignant polyps are found, the next colonoscopy should be scheduled in 7 to 10 years, unless you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps.  In this situation, follow-up colonoscopy is recommended in five years.

If pre-cancerous polyps are found, follow-up colonoscopy is recommended in three to five years, depending upon the size, number and microscopic appearance of the polyps. Occasionally, one year follow-up is recommended.

When a Diagnostic Colonoscopy may be Needed

Colonoscopy is also performed to evaluate gastrointestinal symptoms such as anemia, weight loss, abdominal pain and to detect a variety of diseases such as colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulosis. This is a diagnostic colonoscopy. 

• Family history: If a close relative (parent, sibling or child) less than 60 years old has been diagnosed with colon cancer or pre-cancerous polyps, colonoscopy should be performed at the earlier of age 40 or 10 years younger than the affected relative.
  

• Blood on or in your stool: Talk to a health care provider if you notice blood in your stool or on the toilet tissue, or if your stool looks dark or bright red. It’s important to remember blood in your stool doesn’t mean you have colon cancer. Other things—from hemorrhoids to anal tears to eating beets—may change your stool’s appearance. But it’s always best to check with a health care provider any time you notice blood in or on your stool.
  

• Persistent changes in your bowel habits: Talk to a health care provider if you have persistent constipation and/or diarrhea.
  

• Abdominal pain: Talk to a health care provider if you have abdominal pain with no known cause that doesn’t go away. Many things may cause abdominal pain, but it’s always best to have unusual or frequent abdominal pain evaluated.
  

• Bloated stomach: Similar to abdominal pain, many things may make you feel bloated. Talk to a health care provider if your bloated state lasts for more than a week, worsens or you have other symptoms such as vomiting or blood in or on your stool.
  

• Unexplained weight loss: This is a noticeable drop in your body weight when you’re not trying to lose weight.
  

• Fatigue and feeling short of breath: These can be symptoms of anemia, or loss of blood. Anemia may be a sign of colon cancer.

What Causes Colon Cancer?

Like all types of cancer, colon cancer happens when cells grow and divide uncontrollably. All cells in your body are constantly growing, dividing and dying. That’s how your body remains healthy and working as it should. In colon cancer, cells lining your colon and rectum keep growing and dividing even when they’re supposed to die. These cancerous cells may come from polyps in your colon.

There are thought to be multiple causes for colon cancer. Diet and genetics play a role. To reduce the risk of colon cancer, limiting the consumption of red meat and alcohol is recommended. Eating fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Low dose aspirin has also been shown to be useful in some patients, though this is not generally recommended due to the long-term side effects of aspirin use.

When You Might Need an Endoscopy

Routine screening of the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach and small intestine) is not generally recommended. However, for patients with chronic reflux, difficulty swallowing or in patients with an abnormal lining of the esophagus, upper endoscopy can be performed at the same time as colonoscopy.

During the procedure, following sedation, an endoscope (a thin tube with a light and a camera at the end) is inserted into the mouth and slowly passed through the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. The camera then sends video images to a monitor, allowing the doctor to see inside the body and diagnose any issues.

An endoscopy may be needed for the following conditions.

• Gastrointestinal bleeding: An endoscopy may be used to identify the source of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. It can help to determine the cause of the bleeding, such as an ulcer in the stomach or small intestine. An endoscopy can also treat the bleeding by cauterizing or injecting a substance to stop the bleeding.
  

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Endoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which can develop as a result of chronic heartburn or acid reflux. An endoscopy can help identify any damage to the lining of the esophagus caused by stomach acid and can also be used to take biopsies of the tissue.
  

• Ulcers: An endoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat ulcers in the stomach or small intestine. Because of the size and flexibility of the endoscope, your doctor can view the ulcer and take biopsies of the tissue.
  

• Gastrointestinal obstruction: An endoscopy can be used to view obstructions and diagnose and treat blockages in the digestive tract. This procedure can also be done to remove food or foreign objects stuck in the upper GI tract.
  

• Barrett’s esophagus: Your doctor may recommend an endoscopy to diagnose and treat Barrett’s esophagus. This condition occurs when people who have chronic GERD also experience regular acid reflux which damages the lining of the esophagus. In this scenario, the endoscope can view the abnormal cells and take biopsies of the tissue.
  

• Celiac disease: The diagnosis of celiac disease is often confirmed by biopsy of the small intestine through an upper endoscopy.
  

Cooper Clinic Gastroenterology provides on-site colonoscopy and endoscopy using the latest technologies. Our practice surpasses the national standard. Andrew Gottesman, MD, a board-certified gastroenterologist, and our nursing staff, with nearly 30 years of experience, provide personalized care and a clear picture of our patients’ health. A limited number of patients are seen daily with flexible scheduling and thorough pre- and post-procedure follow-up.

To schedule a GI consultation, colonoscopy or endoscopy, call 972.560.3255.

For more information about professional fitness training at Cooper Fitness Center, visit cooperfitnesscenter.com or call 972.233.4832.

Can brushing your teeth and attending regular dental visits help your heart? “Yes, your mouth is the entrance of gastrointestinal tract. It is important to make sure your teeth, gums and tongue are healthy,” says Kim  H. Allen, MD, Preventive Medicine Physician at Cooper Clinic. The mouth has multiple places where bacteria can accumulate, for example between your teeth and at the gumline. The types of bacteria found in the mouth include:

• Naturally occurring bacteria
• Bacteria that is inhaled
• Bacteria that is consumed

If you have an open wound in your mouth, such as a small cut, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection inside your body. “Those who have been diagnosed with a moderate or advanced stage of gum disease are at greater risk of heart disease,” says Dr. Allen. Periodontal or gum disease is an infection that affects the tissues surrounding your teeth. If bacteria from the teeth or gums enter the bloodstream, it can travel to the heart and cause infection of the heart and damage of the heart valves. These types of infection can affect multiple organs and lead to complications including stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.

Warning Signs

So, what does poor oral health look like? While many may believe it’s bad breath, Dr. Allen shares five major symptoms associated with poor oral health:

• Tooth decay
• Gum inflammation, pain or bleeding
• Bad breath
• Tooth sensitivity
• Tongue changes or coating

Poor oral hygiene can be caused by numerous factors, not just by forgetting to brush your teeth. “Certain medications, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases and dry mouth may also be factors associated with an individual’s poor oral health,” says Dr. Allen. Smoking and consuming excessive amounts of alcohol also cause inflammation and further decay.

Dr. Allen explains that while we can often see and feel these warning signs ourselves, it’s important to visit your dentist because they are equipped to see well into the oral cavity.  A dental professional, when seen regularly, can see changes in your mouth such as space between the teeth, inflammation and an abscess. If your dental professional identifies issues of concern, they can address and help treat them and also recommend you see a doctor for further diagnosis if needed.

Dr. Allen explains, “a person can go to the dentist for their regular check-up and not know they have an illness. For example, during the examination, a dentist may find an abnormality like excessive bacterial/plaque accumulation bleeding or dry mouth. These abnormalities may be a result of an autoimmune disorder the patient would not have known of before the dental visit.”

Proper Oral Hygiene

To help prevent inflammation, discomfort and other oral issues, Dr. Allen recommends four steps for good oral hygiene:

1. Brush and floss your teeth, tongue and gums twice a day.
2. Floss two to three times a day.
3. Use oral rinses but avoid ones that have high alcohol levels.
4. See a dentist at least two times a year.

For those who have health conditions such as diabetes, Dr. Allen recommends visiting the dentist at least three times a year due to their increased risk of gum disease.

To learn more about your overall health, schedule a comprehensive preventive health exam at Cooper Clinic by visiting cooper-clinic.com or calling 866.906.2667.

For more information about professional fitness training at Cooper Fitness Center, visit cooperfitnesscenter.com or call 972.233.4832.

Arthritis pain is one of the most common reasons people limit physical activity. Ironically, moderate physical activity can help reduce the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. Appropriate exercises can:

• Increase flexibility and mobility of arthritic joints
• Help maintain body weight
• Build muscle
• Increase endurance
• Improve health overall

Arthritis refers to a rheumatic disease causing pain, stiffness and swelling in joints and other connective tissues. With more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The knee, hip and spine are the most common areas affected by arthritis.

If you have arthritis, before beginning an exercise program, consult your physician about which activities should be avoided. David H. Williams, Professional Fitness Trainer at Cooper Fitness Center, recommends the following exercises to help reduce arthritis pain.

• Range-of-Motion Exercises – Gentle exercises performed daily to maintain or improve range of motion around an arthritic joint. If you have access to a pool and/or water aerobics classes, exercising  in water takes the pressure off your joints due to the water’s buoyancy. Williams says, “it’s important that the affected joint(s) are fully submerged in the water.  There can be more benefit if the water is heated as this can also help alleviate pain.”

• Strengthening Exercises – Resistance training can help maintain or increase muscle strength to help support and protect joints affected by arthritis.

• Aerobic/Endurance Exercises – Aerobic exercises improve heart, lung and muscle function. Remember to consult your physician or professional fitness trainer on the best type of aerobic activity for your type of arthritis.

Watch this Exercise Move video  for examples of range-of-motion and strength exercises that may be beneficial to you.

After consulting with your physician, meet with a professional fitness trainer to review proper exercises and techniques. Prior to your planned workout, be sure to stretch or warm up with range-of-motion exercises. Remember, you may always modify any planned exercise to your comfort level.

Typically, you’ll know you’ve overdone it in your workout if your pain lasts longer than one hour or you experience unusual fatigue, increased weakness, decreased range of motion or increased joint swelling. If your joints become painful and inflamed during exercise, rest and let your physician or professional fitness trainer know immediately. Williams shares, “you should not underestimate the value of rest. For example, if you use free weights or machines to train your legs, allow at least one full day off of exercising those muscles the same way so they can fully recover.”

Most importantly, find something you enjoy and stick with it. Exercise, along with a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan, can help decrease pain, increase quality of life and improve your mood and outlook on life. Take slow steps for better health and enjoy!

For more information about professional fitness training at Cooper Fitness Center or to schedule a session with a trainer, visit cooperfintesscenter.com or call 972.233.4832.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 2 million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025. At least 42% of these cases are linked to modifiable risk factors such as:

• Excess body weight
• Alcohol consumption
• Poor nutrition
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking

When it comes to implementing habits that decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, you may consider modifying any of these lifestyle factors to set yourself up for a longer, healthier life.

Many foods, food groups and diets are studied for their anti-cancer effects related to specific plant chemicals and/or fiber content present. A vast array of plant chemicals in combination work to mitigate damage done by inflammation in the body. Oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which damages the cells and tissues and is shown to increase the risk of chronic diseases including:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Depression

Oxidative stress occurs naturally; however, you can help defend against subsequent inflammation by living a healthy lifestyle. One avenue is a healthy nutrition plan, where food groups—fruits, vegetables and healthy fats—help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. You can also limit pro-inflammatory foods such as refined carbohydrates, fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages, red and processed meats, stick margarine, shortening, lard and alcohol.

Much of the research points to a similar sentiment: a high intake of plants is one of the most powerful choices you can make to reduce cancer risk. This can be accomplished through more than one dietary pattern, and one of the most evidence-based options is the Mediterranean diet. Not only will this impact your cancer risk, but it will help support your longevity and overall well-being! Begin reducing your cancer risk and overall risk of disease by eating more of the foods listed below.

• Fruits: According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, there is probable evidence that fruit and non-starchy vegetables decrease the risk of cancer. Each fruit has its own unique mix of antioxidants. Try to include:
  
  
  • Berries
  • Cherries
  • Citrus
  • Apples
  • Grapes
  • Watermelon
  • Apricots
  • Grapefruit
  • Tomatoes
  • Pomegranate
  • Plums
  • Peaches
  • Papayas
  • Avocados

Rather than supplementing with a single antioxidant, it is best to get your antioxidants through a variety of foods. Try incorporating fruit as a regular part of your snack routine or as a sweet way to finish your meals.

• Vegetables: We know no single food can prevent cancer on its own, but vegetables are one of the most well-studied when it comes to their anti-cancer benefits. Variety is key as each vegetable has unique anti-inflammatory capabilities. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, are especially full of antioxidants.
  
  Keep in mind that the cooking method you use matters. Steaming your vegetables retains the highest amount of nutrients. Minimize burning or grilling your vegetables as this can increase carcinogens and decrease nutrient availability. Increase the antioxidants in your food when cooking by flavoring your food with ingredients such as onion, shallots and capers.

• Nuts: When it comes to nuts, each has its unique anti-inflammatory benefits and all can be great snack options! Try incorporating walnuts, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts into your weekly routine, but remember variety is still most important. If you don’t enjoy nuts on their own, try adding them to Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cereal or salad. Nut butter is another option—great for dipping your fruit in, spreading on toast and adding in smoothies.
  
  The recommended portion of nuts is ¼ cup (or one ounce), which provides 200 calories. If you aim to lose weight, be conscious of portion size to support your weight loss goals.

• Olive oil: This healthy fat is rich in polyphenols that mitigate the effects of oxidative stress in the body. Buy extra virgin olive oil in an opaque container and store it in a dark, cool place to prevent oxidation. Select an amount you can use in two to three months after opening to retain freshness and optimize nutritional value. Use olive oil on top of salads, sandwiches, bread, toast and even baked potatoes.

• Spices: Last but not least, spices are a wonderful way to bring out the flavor in your food while packing an antioxidant punch. In particular, turmeric has been studied for its role in the inflammatory process due to its curcumin component. To get the most amount of curcumin from your turmeric, consider taking a supplement made up of turmeric extract as a majority, rather than ground turmeric. Other than turmeric, black pepper and chili pepper are two spices to add to your routine to increase the cancer fighting capacity of your foods.

Navigating how to implement these changes in an individualized and realistic manner can feel like a large task. Schedule a nutrition consultation with a Cooper Clinic registered dietitian nutritionist to create sustainable health habits that work for you. Having support is one of the best ways to experience long-term success in your health journey! For more information, call 972.560.2655 or visit cooperclinicnutrition.com.

Article provided by Cooper Clinic Nutrition