Think twice about that second holiday cookie

Just in time for holiday indulging, a Danish study of 55,000 middle-aged men and women monitored for an average of 10 years showed a clear association between healthy lifestyle and a lower risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to a study published in a recent British Medical Journal.

“Colorectal cancer is predominantly a disease of Westernized countries, indicating that components of a Western lifestyle may contribute to risk,” researchers wrote in the journal. Yet only three prospective studies had been done—in which people without cancer were monitored over a period of time to see who developed colorectal cancer, and how lifestyle actions compared in those who did and didn’t develop it. And the three previous studies used different lifestyle factors. This study was one of the first to study the impact of five basic healthy behaviors, rather than just one. Read the rest of this entry »

Just for today, don’t smoke!

Nearly 47 million Americans risk their lives — and increase their risk for colorectal cancer — by smoking.

But the good news is that 30 years ago, 1 in 3 people in the US smoked.  Today that has dropped to 1 in 5.

Today, November 18, is a chance to try life without tobacco.  The American Cancer Society hopes that people who stop smoking today will stay smoke-free.

Need help? The National Cancer Institute has tools to help you if you are still struggling with smoking.

The FDA has sent warning letters to five manufacturers of e-cigarettes telling them that they cannot market the devices as a way to quit smoking without FDA approval.

If manufacturers claim that e-cigarettes treat a disease — in this case, nicotine addiction — they have to prove to the FDA that the product is both safe and effective for its intended use.  All five manufactures say that the products help users to stop smoking, but none have sought FDA approval.

In addition, FDA intends to regulate e-cigarettes under its new powers from the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.  In a letter to the Electronic Cigarette Association, the FDA said,

FDA intends to regulate electronic cigarettes and related products in a manner consistent with its mission of protecting the public health.

Currently e-cigarettes contain no health warnings, and marketing is often targeted at young people. Read the rest of this entry »

Both women and men who are heavy smokers have twice the risk of colorectal cancer or an advanced colon polyp as people who never smoked.  However, women who smoke less have the same risk as men who are heavier smokers. Read the rest of this entry »