The leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the US is lung cancer.  As with any type of cancer, the key to surviving the disease is early detection.  Different individuals often manifest different symptoms.  However, most individuals who have lung cancer don’t exhibit any symptoms until the disease is advanced.  The bottom line is that nearly 220,000 people in the US will be told that they have the disease while over 140,000 will die from it. Two Types of Lung Cancer to be Aware of Doctors have divided lung cancer into two primary forms based on the...

National Respiratory Care Week provides important information regarding breathing issues.  While this week highlights the efforts to reduce disabling breathing conditions, it’s also devoted to helping raise public awareness about what can be done to reduce these debilitating lung conditions. Why is this Week so important? National Respiratory Care Week is important for a couple of reasons.  First and most important, it acknowledges and promotes hard-working respiratory therapists on a global scale.  Second, it provides an opportunity to generate more awareness of this outstanding profession.  Unfortunately, these healthcare specialists don’t always get the credit and kudos they deserve.  However, National...

If you’ve been struggling with back and joint pain, you’re not alone.  Statistics show that some of the most common problems that millions of individuals are suffering with are bone and joint issues.  Currently, one of the best information sources for the cause and prevention of these musculoskeletal ailments is Bone and Joint Health Action Week.  The event takes place every year between October 12th – 20th and focuses on the prevention and treatment of arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, and pediatric conditions that affect bone health. Bone and Joint Health Action Week helps to raise awareness regarding the prevention, management,...

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021 is recognized as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and a day that focuses on the more than 271,000 Americans who are suffering with this type of cancer.  It is a time for learning more about the disease and communicating what those individuals suffering with it are up against as well as how we as a society can help.  Fortunately, treatment modalities for breast cancer improve each year. What is Metastatic Breast Cancer? When an early-stage breast cancer metastasizes or spreads to other organs in the body it is commonly referred to as metastatic breast cancer and...

It goes without saying that one of the most effective methods for staying healthy and stopping the spread of germs is washing your hands with soap and warm water.  Each year, we highlight the importance of handwashing on October 15th, designated as Global Handwashing Day in 2008.  The purpose of this day is to remind everyone that this is one of the best methods for avoiding illness and spreading germs.  Furthermore, handwashing is also important at other times such as: After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After going to the restroom When preparing food Before a meal It’s important...

Traumatic brain injury awareness is recognized during the month of March and provides an opportunity to promote strategies for preventing these catastrophic injuries and help improve the quality of life for TBI victims and their families.  These injuries result from a force or impact to the body or head, or a skull penetrating injury and affect roughly 2.5 million Americans every year.  In most cases, the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries are falls, especially in seniors age 75 or older. Types of TBI’s and their Consequences According to the medical and scientific communities, there are 4 types of traumatic...

National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is also known as National Prostate Health Month or NPHM and is observed every September by health advocates, health experts, and men who are concerned about the health of their prostate and prostate cancer.  This year, it is estimated that 175,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 32,000 will die from the disease.  Most prostate cancers are diagnosed in men 65 years of age and older. Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer Fortunately, most prostate cancer cases are diagnosed early on through screening.  While no symptoms are evident in early-stage prostate cancer, the more...

September 13th has been designated as “National Celiac Disease Awareness Day” in honor of Dr. Samuel Gee, the man who identified a link between diet and the disease.  It was commemorated on August 3rd, 2010 by a resolution in the U.S. Senate in the hopes that more people would become aware of and informed about the disease.  While it may not be a holiday that is widely celebrated, it is important to an estimated 3 million people who suffer with it. What is Celiac Disease? While it is sometimes called gluten-sensitive enteropathy or celiac sprue, celiac disease is an immune...

In its early stages, the symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague and aren’t that intense.  Furthermore, most screening tests aren’t that dependable.  Unfortunately, by the time diagnosis confirms the presence of the disease, it’s already in the latter stages and has a poor prognosis.  According to the American Cancer Society, this is the deadliest of all reproductive system cancers and the 5th leading cause of cancer deaths in females. As a result, September has been designated as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month to rally for more research, support, and treatment of this very difficult to detect form of cancer.  Consequently,...