Prostate cancer has a new nemesis in prostate cancer survivor Arnold Palmer. The foundation he created to fight the spread of prostate cancer and promote prostate cancer screening is called Arnie’s Army Battles Prostate Cancer. During Palmer’s professional golf career, where he was widely considered to be one of the greatest golfers who ever lived, his enthusiastic fans were called “Arnie’s Army.” Now Palmer has put those fans to work raising money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Arnie’s Army also holds charity golf events that are designed to raise awareness about prostate cancer screening and the need for early detection.

It might seem odd that a golf legend is at the forefront of the fight against prostate cancer, but as Palmer says, “In the time it takes to play a round of golf, 14 men will lose their lives to prostate cancer.” This is a death toll that could be lowered if more men took prostate cancer screenings. Perhaps the word of Arnold Palmer, a man who has won seven major golf championships, will motivate people to go out and get their prostate cancer screenings. Considering that prostate cancer is more likely to develop in men over the age 50, it’s hard to imagine a better spokesman for this demographic group than a golf legend.

According to Arnie’s Army, they’ve raised $1.3 million to fight prostate cancer with their golf competitions. They do a lot of the legwork. They provide a contest kit that includes prizes for the winners, as well as Golf Digest subscriptions and souvenirs for every participant. “Arnie’s Army Battles Prostate Cancer” says that their golf contests have taught 70,000 golfers the importance of early prostate cancer screening.

Early prostate cancer screening could include a prostate cancer test called a PSA. This stands for Prostate Specific Antigen. This screens for a protein found in the blood that is produced by the prostate. Cancer might be present if there are high levels of this protein. This prostate cancer screening might also help a doctor determine if cancer has spread through other parts of the body. It might lead to more specific prostate cancer tests, such as biopsies, which require the surgical removal of tissue. In general, men over the age of 50 should get prostate cancer screenings annually. Men who have a family history of prostate cancer might have to get prostate cancer screenings at an earlier age.

Recently, Paul Howard posted a Washington Post article to show America’s health care system is really the greatest health care system in the world, not the problematic, insensitive corporate machine concerned only about the bottom line, as Michael Moore proposes in his new movie, “Sicko“.

Howard tells us a “Story Michael More Didn’t Tell You” about a young girl who is diagnosed early and treated for a rare form of cancer. It’s a wonderful story. I’m sure everyone is happy that her life, and possibly her eyesight, have been saved by our “great system of health care”. I know I’m happy for her and her family.

But I have to point out the story that “Paul Howard Didn’t Tell You”, or more accurately, the point he blew over. This is the child of a rich and famous NBA player. Of course she received exceptional health care. In defending health care, Howard is actually helping Moore make his point. In America, if you’re rich, you are going to get Great Health Care. If you’re poor . . . not so much.

Colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, has predominately been tested through a colonoscopy. But detecting colon cancer could become much easier and less invasive in the near future with doctors at John Hopkins announcing that they have found a way to screen for colon cancer through a blood test. This may be a sigh of relief for many, with doctors recommending that every person over the age of 50 recieve a colonoscopy.

By analyzing the blood test results of patients with colon cancer compared to those without the disease, the researchers have been able to distinguish the results of those who have the cancer from those who do not. In their initial tests, John Hopkins researchers have been able to determine and identify pre-cancerous polyps, cancer related proteins, and cells produced by cancers as effectively as a colonoscopy. If the testing passes the next stage of the FDA approval process–expanding the testing to 500 people to confirm their findings–the blood tests could be available to the general public in as little as two years time. Researchers say that the procedure will be most effective at determining who should get a colonoscopy and who should not. Eventually, the doctors believe that a blood test could go as far as determining who has colon cancer.

The blood testing method will appeal to those who find a colonoscopy too intrusive or uncomfortable, hopefully ensuring that more people will be tested for the cancer. With the number of people over the age of 50 growing each year and the risk of developing colon cancer increasing as you age, increased testing means saved lives. These new findings are just one more reason why performing preventative health screens is a smart and easy way to ensure your future health.

HealthCheckUSA currently offers a colon cancer screening blood  test known as the fecal occult blood test, or FOBT. This colon cancer screening is recommended annually for men and women after age 50, and even earlier for people who may be at high risk for colon cancer. If you have any questions about ordering a colon cancer screening, or any other lab test, please contact us.