Roots of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer has roots in some of the first to make America their new home. Research done by the University of Utah has traced a gene mutation for colon cancer all the way back to some of the very first settlers to the New World.

Mr. and Mrs. George Frye are genetically responsible for a significant number of colon cancer cases today. Those with the mutation almost a 70% chance of getting colon cancer, compared with 4% of those who do not carry the gene.

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Colon cancer starts as benign polyps, abnormal growths in the large intestine. These polyps later become cancerous. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain and unknown weight loss.

Screen for Colon Cancer

Don’t know if the Fryes are your distant relatives? Good news. Colon cancer can be treated if diagnosed early. HealthCheckUSA offers a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) as a colon cancer screening. The test screens for gastrointestinal bleeding and can help diagnose colon cancer in its early stages.

Chlamydia Screenings Can Detect the Silent STD

Chlamydia, popularly known as “the clap,” is the most common sexually transmitted disease, but don’t expect to hear about it in the news. While many remain silent on the taboo topic, the infection quietly affects around 2.8 million people per year. 75% of infected women and half of infected men don’t even know they have the disease - because they have no symptoms. Tests such as this Chlamydia Screening are the only way to know for sure.

Risks of Untreated Chlamydia

A person infected with Chlamydia is five times more likely to become infected with HIV, and if left untreated, can lead to other illnesses such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) and chronic pelvic pain.

Get Tested For Chlamydia

The Center for Disease Control recommends testing annually for Chlamydia, especially for women under 25. Health Check USA offers a Chlamydia antibody screening for the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which can be transmitted through sexual contact, as well as hands and clothing.

Celiac disease is one of the most common diseases you’ve never heard of. Its symptoms are as common as fatigue, joint pain or muscle cramps, but also include serious illnesses such as anemia and osteoporosis. With such vague symptoms, the disease is often misdiagnosed by doctors or temporarily treated with over-the-counter medications. Celiac disase can easily be diagnosed by a test such as the Celiac Disease DNA Test. While there is no cure, a change in diet can get rid of many symptoms.

Celiac disease is caused by gluten, a food product made of wheat, rye or barley found in many foods and medicines today. The immune system responds to gluten by damaging the lining of the small intestine, which normally aids in absorbing nutrients from our food. Celiac disease causes malnutrition, and can lead to cancer.

According to the Associated Press, over two million people in the U.S. suffer from celiac disease, and for Linda Fedewa, owner of A Piece O’ Cake Bakery, the disease was working her to death.

Because all of her baked goods were made with flour, Fedewa constantly ate food with gluten and had no idea why she was so sick. She was losing weight rapidly, and her doctor began checking for symptoms of an eating disorder after her weight dropped to 85 pounds. After being tested, Fedewa was told to stay away from all things gluten, including the extravagant cakes she baked for her customers. After changing her diet, she began looking for an gluten-free alternative for her bakery. Today, Fedewa’s gluten-free goods comprise a quarter of her business, and offer treats for those suffering from both celiac disease and a sweet tooth. (AP)

While celiac disease is a genetic illness, it can also be triggered by stress, infection or childbirth. As with any illness, early detection through health tests is the key to fighting celiac disease. HealthCheckUSA offers free genetic counseling with their Celiac Disease DNA Test.

Happy New Year! We sincerely wish a happy 2008 to you and your family. We also wish you a very Healthy 2008! Make a resolution to take better care of yourself this year and start the year off right with a men’s health screening or our women’s health screening. Also, make sure you are getting proper nutrition this year by having a nutrition analysis. Be healthy in 2008 and you are well on the way to a Happy New Year!