Allegiance Health

Strong, healthy bones are essential to your general well-being. Protecting your bone health becomes even more important when undergoing treatment for cancer, because some cancer treatments increase the risk factors for osteoporosis. A condition that causes your bones to become weak, brittle and more prone to fractures, osteoporosis can affect both men and women.

Bone strength can decrease with some forms of radiation, steroid treatments and hormone therapy used to suppress testosterone in prostate cancer patients or lower estrogen levels in breast cancer patients. Certain chemotherapy regimens can also contribute to loss of bone density.

To lessen your risk for osteoporosis, it’s important to include bone health maintenance in your cancer care plan right from the start. Talk with your physician about a having a bone density scan before, during or after treatment to determine if bone loss is occurring.

There are other steps you can take to help promote strong, healthy bones during cancer treatment. These include eating a nutritionally balanced diet and getting regular, weight-bearing exercise like walking and stair climbing. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important, since being underweight makes you more prone to bone loss and fractures.

Be sure to get enough calcium, the mineral that maintains bone health and strength. Calcium-rich foods include yogurt, cheese, broccoli and kale. Or, choose from calcium-fortified foods such as orange juice, milk and pasta. You may also need to take calcium supplements, along with vitamin D, which helps your body to absorb and retain calcium. Your health care professionals can help you choose the supplements that are best for you. They may also prescribe medications called bisphosphonates, which slow the rate of bone loss. Another important way to protect your bones during cancer treatment is make your environment free of dangers that could cause a fall. Enlist the help of friends or family to clear electrical cords or any clutter that could trip you up.

Learn more about bone health and treatment for osteoporosis at Allegiance Health.

One thing many of us dread about turning 50 is going in for our first colonoscopy, as recommended in the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of cancer. The exam is performed to identify any changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon) and rectum in order to prevent colorectal cancer.

If you feel a little uncomfortable just thinking about having a colonoscopy, that’s perfectly normal. No one says colonoscopies are fun, but they are necessary. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for both men and women. While the number of new cases is still high, it has dropped dramatically over the past 20 years, which is largely attributed to the fact that more people are getting colonoscopies.

Colorectal cancer nearly always starts with non-cancerous (benign) growths called polyps, which would typically be identified and removed during a colonoscopy. Given the alternative of colon cancer, most would agree that a colonoscopy is worth the inconvenience. 

The colonoscopy procedure involves a flexible tube with a tiny video camera at the tip. This is inserted into the rectum, allowing the doctor to see the inside of the entire colon. If polyps or other types of abnormal tissue are detected, they will be removed through the scope during the exam. Tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken as well. You should not feel any discomfort and probably won’t remember the procedure after it’s completed, because the medications commonly used for sedation during a colonoscopy will put you into a sleepy and relaxing “twilight” state.

Some people say the most difficult part of a colonoscopy isthe preparation. This has improved significantly over the years, but it is still necessary to completely empty the colon in order for the exam to be successful. Instructions will vary by doctor, but they typically include avoiding solid foods the day before the exam. On the evening before your colonoscopy, you will take something prescribed by your doctor to cleanse your bowels, which will likely cause diarrhea.

The best news is that if no polyps or other abnormalities are found during the colonoscopy, you generally won’t need another one for 10 years, according to the American Cancer Society. Frequency may vary with individuals, so be sure to check with your doctor.

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, or have other related risk factors or symptoms, you should consult your doctor. You may need to have your first colonoscopy before you turn 50.

In addition to having a colonoscopy, you may be able to lower your risk for colorectal cancer with regular physical activity, good nutrition and a low intake of alcohol. Click here fordetails. 

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