KNOWING YOUR RISK
When pondering the top culprits that contribute to the most deaths occurring from cancer, rarely does one consider the colon. Though in all actuality colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer related deaths in the United States with nearly 50,000 per year. This is a staggering number but, fortunately, it has decreased dramatically over the years (2002 had almost 150,000 deaths due to colorectal cancer), and with public awareness and early screening chances of survival are encouraging.

Who is at risk of developing colon cancer and what can help to prevent it?

Although colon cancer can strike anyone, there are certain ethnic groups, genetic factors, and lifestyle behaviors that do increase one's risk for colon cancer. Some of them can be prevented, and some can't, but what is important is being educated and open with your doctor to keep your risk as low as possible.

ETHNIC BACKGROUND
African Americans have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer in the United States. Jews of Eastern European decent have the highest frequency of colorectal cancer in the world. The reason for this is unknown.

AGE
Since 9 out of 10 people who develop cancer-causing polyps do so after the age of 50, this is current recommended age to have a first colonoscopy. There is a certain genetic condition, which predisposes a person to excessive polyps and an extremely high risk for cancer. These individuals should begin being screened at puberty.

PERSONAL HISTORY OF POLYPS OR INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD)
If you have had a previous screening, which was positive for polyps, then you should be screened more often. Your Gastroenterologist will determine how often this should be done. Individuals who suffer from IBD can have an increased risk of developing abnormal cells in the tissue of the colon. These abnormal cells can lead to a higher risk of cancer.

FAMILY HISTORY OF COLON CANCER
Statistics show that incidents are higher if a first-degree family member has had colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps, but studies fail to show whether this is a genetic link, or possible similarities in lifestyle and environmental factors.

LIFESTYLE
A number of health issues and lifestyle choices have been strongly linked to one's risk of colorectal cancer. Certain comorbidities, such as diabetes, have been linked to colorectal cancer, as well as, lifestyle choices that can be controlled, some being:

    * Smoking
    * Heavy alcohol use
    * Diets high in saturated fats
    * Inactivity/lack of physical activity

It is important to let your doctor know if you have any symptoms that could indicate a problem, such as, blood in the stool, changes in your usual bowel movements, or any sudden weight loss. These are just some of the risk factors associated with colorectal cancer. Some can be controlled, while others must be monitored. Either way it is important to follow what guidelines your doctor recommends. Although colorectal is one of the most common cancers, it is also one of the easiest to prevent and, when caught soon enough, treat.

By Jill Rickerson

Buried in the basin, the ovaries are difficult to examine. Thus, cancers affecting them are often discovered late. If improvements are to provide treatment, the prognosis remains closely linked to early care.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth largest female cancers in US, with 4 000 new cases per year. But his prognosis remains very bleak as it is often discovered at a late stage. Panorama from an unknown disease.

Ovarian cancer is relatively uncommon. All too often discovered at a late stage, this cancer is difficult to treat. As it is detected late, ovarian cancer has a fairly bleak prognosis. Each year, 3 800 american die from that cancer. The survival rate of ovarian cancer is just over 30% in 5 years, while for breast cancer, it is about 75%.

Few women are genetically predisposed to ovarian cancer. Genetic factors were responsible for 5 to 10% of cancers of the ovary. Between 160 and 320 women are suffering from a hereditary cancer of the ovary annually. Family mutations of certain genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 rarely, are known to predispose strongly to this cancer, with an earlier age (before age 50). Alteration of these genes is also responsible for predisposition to breast cancer.

Without benefitiating from screening test, ovarian cancer has long been nicknamed the silent killer because symptoms are supposed to appear at an advanced stage of the disease. Early detection is an incredible challenge: 70 to 90% of women with ovarian cancer detected at a primary stage are still alive five years after diagnosis against only 20 to 30% of those whose cancer was diagnosed at an advanced stage. And unfortunately, the second scenario is more often met ... Some figures show awareness of this scourge, female: 4 488 new cases and 3 508 deaths directly linked to the disease in the year 2006.

Characteristic symptoms: Beware of the trio!
Researchers have followed 1 408 women who were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire about symptoms experienced with the previous year. Among the proposed events can include pelvic pain, abdominal, low back pain, the urge to urinate, constipation, weight loss, unexplained, and so on. The severity, duration and frequency of these signs were also informed. The same procedure was conducted on 128 women awaiting surgery for pelvic tumors, including ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is no longer the silent undetectable killer . Even women with cancer at preliminary stages have signs. The diagnosis of ovarian cancer is based on clinical examination, gynecological and a determination of tumor marker, supplemented by medical imaging examinations, including pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. But only the surgical exploration allows a complete diagnosis of the local extension of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian Cancer: 7 Early Warning Signs
Ovarian cancer is often called "The Silent Killer" because the symptoms
are so nonspecific and are often blamed on something else. Thus it is possible to have been experiencing early warning signs of this disease for years and not realize anything is seriously wrong. This is very understandable, as the symptoms, if they are seen at all, most often seem benign at first. Cancer is a scary word and most people would prefer to just assume everything is fine and hope whatever is bothering them simply "goes away." However, consider that ovarian cancer statistics show that 70% to 80% of diagnoses are made in late stages when the prognosis is not so good.

To give yourself the best chance at long-term survival and even a complete cure, these are 7 of the symptoms to watch out for:
1. Persistent indigestion.
2. Bloating, feeling of fullness, tightness of clothes.
3. Painful intercourse, or dyspareunia.
4. Pelvic discomfort or pain.
5. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain.
6. Leg pain.
7. Change in character of menstrual periods.

Clearly, some or even most of these symptoms are common enough and could be problematic for women on occasion and most of the time it really is just overindulgence at the local Mexican eatery, too much Turkey dinner, that time of the month, or a strained leg muscle. However, if you experience any of these symptoms consistently on a regular basis it is possible they could be early warning signs of ovarian cancer so have your doctor check you out for peace of mind. Remember, your best chance is an early diagnosis.