We had a couple of patients in our clinics which developed ice craving. They loved to crush and chew on ice chips all the time. When they saw their physician for another reason, blood tests showed low level of hemoglobin, known as anemia.

It turned out that these patients had iron deficiency coming from blood loss from colon cancer. These iron deficiencies can lead to a craving to chew or eat ice chips. Iron deficiencies can affect the mucosa in the gut and mouth, and ice chips may relief some of the discomfort caused by iron deficiencies. Read the rest of this entry »

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.

In the month of March we are working to increase awareness that lives can be saved with screening. and colorectal cancer often can be prevented.

There is no shame in preventing cancer, and there are no reasons not to undergo screening. I have done my colonoscopy myself since I have a family history of colon cancer. It was pretty easy. The worst was the preparation a day before…which, in fact, was my day in Norris clinic. When I can do it, you can.

Regular screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. We know that screening with colonoscopies can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment can cure the cancer.
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For the month of March, which is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, I want to review the early symptoms of colon cancer so we can prevent this disease more successfully. Colon cancer is one of the few cancer you can prevent by doing colonoscopies.

The general recommendation is to have a baseline colonoscopy at 50 years and then repeat it every 5 to 10 years, which reflects that polyps or colon cancer development takes a long time. This leaves a window of opportunity to do the screening, remove polyps, and prevent colon cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

We know that throughout history people have lived well when their diets were rich in fruit and vegetables. There is evidence that eating fruits and vegetables helps to reduce gastric and colon cancer. All fruits and vegetables contain fiber which is helpful in preventing colon cancer. Now science has proven without a doubt that there is a relationship between intake of fruits and vegetables and health. Read the rest of this entry »

Patients always ask what they can do. Well, there is a lot they can do to reduce the risk for tumor recurring after successful surgeries.

Recent studies have clearly shown that diet is directly associated with the risk of tumor recurrence. People who eat primarily a Western diet are significantly at higher risk than those patients whose diet has less red meat, processed sugar, desserts, and French fries. You can change your diet and reduce your risk of tumor recurrence. Read the rest of this entry »