Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the world. But this will no longer be true in 2010, when it’s expected that cancer will surpass heart disease as the leading cause of death. To put it more into perspective, cancer will cause more deaths than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis — combined.

A recent article in the Washington Post talked about this disturbing development and also noted that in 2030, there may be 27 million people with cancer if new treatments aren’t found by then. Furthermore, there are expected to be 17 million cancer deaths each year by 2030. These figures were released in the 2008 World Cancer Report.

The article points out that around the world, the major avoidable risk for cancer and cancer deaths is smoking, something that about 1.3 billion people do. While there have been increases in lung cancer, which is smoking-related, there have also been increases in breast cancer in developing countries. Despite the fact that in developed countries cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, it’s a major cause of cancer deaths in developing countries.

Get a Cancer Screening

Get a cancer screening — it’s so important to your health. There are several cancer screenings available from HealthCheckUSA, like a colon cancer screening and an ovarian cancer screening. Regular cancer screenings enable cancer to be detected as early as possible, therefore making the survival rate higher. Cancer screenings are simply critical to survival.

Heart Disease Test: Beneficial to Your Health

At-home colon cancer screenings are recommended by a Canadian campaign that recently launched. The campaign effort is to help stop the development of the cancer. And that may just happen if people take at-home colon cancer screenings, which will ideally detect colon cancer before it gets worse.

Put together by the Canadian Health Research Institute, the campaign urges people to take part in at-home colon cancer screenings because the survival rate is thought to  be over 90 percent when the cancer is caught early. When colon cancer is caught early, it is thought to be highly curable.

The Canadian Health Research Institute hopes that by taking these tests, people with colon cancer will have it detected before it gets worse. Since colon cancer is the second deadliest type of cancer in Canada, it makes sense that this campaign was launched.

Also known as colorectal cancer or large bowel cancer, colon cancer causes over 655,000 deaths every year, all over the world. University of Utah researchers were able to trace a gene mutation for colon cancer back to Mr. and Mrs. George Frye, some of the very first settlers to the New World. If you carry the mutation, there’s a 70 percent chance of getting colon cancer, while a 4 percent chance is there for those without the gene.

The third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, colon cancer begins as benign polyps, which are abnormal growths in the large intestine. Later, these polyps become cancerous. Abdominal pain, unknown weight loss and diarrhea are some of the symptoms of colon cancer.

Get an At-Home Colon Cancer Screening

So take a tip from this Canadian campaign and get an at-home colon cancer screening. HealthCheckUSA offers a colon cancer screening, the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The FOBT screens for gastrointestinal bleeding, and it can help diagnose colon cancer in its early stages so that it can possibly be cured. The way it works is that it collects a sample that is then analyzed. The colon cancer screening kit gets sent directly to you from HealthCheckUSA, and then you collect samples and mail the kit in a pre-addressed envelope to the laboratory so you can get your results after it’s been analyzed.

Getting a negative colon cancer screening doesn’t mean that the possibility of colon cancer is completely ruled out. The same goes for a positive screening: it doesn’t mean you absolutely have cancer. Hemorroids, anal fissures and Crohn’s Disease are some things that could be the reason for blood in your stool. You’ll want to contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms or abnormal results from the at-home colon cancer screening.

PSA Tests and Pain Killers

PSA Tests can be affected by the use of pain killers, according to an article that appeared in the Washington Post.  The article refers to a health study done on 1,319 men who were taking NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs), such as aspirin and other common painkillers.

PSA Test Results

According to the article that appeared on September 8th, Men who took NSAIDs showed PSA levels about 10 percent lower than men not taking NSAIDs.  There are several theories behind what this could show.  One is that the use of NSAIDs could help in lowering the risk of prostate cancer.  NSAIDs are commonly used to reduce inflammation and prostate cancer has been linked to chronic inflammation, according to the article.  However, several more studies involving following larger groups of men over many years will need to be done to clarify this theory.  Regardless of what later studies could show, men should make their physician and anyone performing their PSA test aware of any painkillers, or other medications, that they are taking.

PSA Tests and their Importance for Men

PSA tests are done to screen for prostate cancer in men.  The lab test measures a protein (prostate-specific antigen) produced exclusively by the prostate.  It is recommended that men receive a prostate cancer screening, or PSA test, annually starting at the age of 50.

PSA tests are important as Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer in men in the United States.  The American Cancer Society states that prostate cancer is also the second-leading cause of cancer death in men, lung cancer is the first.  Since prostate cancer grows slowly, early detection can make a difference in treatments and cure rate.

PSA Tests Available

HealthCheckUSA offers a PSA test at many of their laboratory locations across the United States.  It is a simple blood test that your doctor can use in conjunction with your history to determine if additional tests are needed to confirm any abnormal findings.

Home Health Tests Reviewed

Home health tests, according to an article that appeared in the Star-Telegram, are helping people take control over their health.  The article discusses the accuracy and safety of home health tests.

Home Health Tests Accurate When Administered Properly

According to the article that appeared on August 4th, home health tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration are generally pretty accurate.  However, the article warns that the accuracy of home health tests does depend on how the sample was collected.  The article states that if a home health test comes up negative, most of the time they are.  Although, there are times that false positives do show up and you should consider receiving a lab test from your physician to be sure of the results.

Home Health Tests vs. Lab Tests

When you consider that most home health tests are for pretty life-altering medical events, such as pregnancy, HIV, hepatitis C, cholesterol levels and prostate cancer; wouldn’t you rather leave that up to a more accurate lab test?

HealthCheckUSA provides you with the same convenience as a home health test, i.e. you don’t have to go to a physician; yet HealthCheckUSA provides you with the same accuracy and confidence in the results as going to your physician to receive tests.

Home Health Tests:  Wise Choice?

HealthCheckUSA offers physician-interpreted tests in all major health areas, such as prostate and ovarian cancer, pregnancy tests, HIV, diabetes, cardiovascular, and even complete health risk assessments based on several predictor tests.  Unlike home health tests, the samples are collected by medical professionals in a sterile environment and an accredited Medical Reference Laboratory analyzes all of the test results.

HealthCheckUSA is also priced comparably to most home health tests, making HealthCheckUSA lab tests an even better decision when it comes to taking control of your health.

Ferritin Screening: What is Ferritin

Ferritin, composed of protein and iron, is the storehouse in the body for iron. The doctor will order this test to determine how much iron your body has stored in reserves for future use. This test is usually ordered because the doctor suspects that you have too little iron or you have too much iron in your body – both of which have health risks.

Ferritin Screening: Low Levels of Ferritin

Low levels of ferritin can indicate several different health issues. They can indicate either anemia, restless leg syndrome, or iron deficiency.

Anemia, indicated by low levels of ferritin, can be caused by low levels of iron or a reduction in iron. Symptoms of anemia include mild skin paleness, less pink in the lips and the nail beds, irritability, fatigue and dizziness with a rapid heartbeat. It is very important to have children showing these symptoms to get tested, according to the Nemours Foundation, as anemia can cause developmental delays and behavioral problems.

Ferritin Screening: High Levels of Ferritin

High levels of ferritin can occur in patients with hemochromatosis, inflammation, liver disease, infection, and certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma and leukemia.

Hemochromatosis is an inherited disease found mostly in Caucasians. Hemochromatosis interferes with the body’s ability to get rid of iron. Over time, there is a buildup of iron in the tissues and organs which can lead to the dysfunction and failure of several organs. Complications of this disease can lead to diabetes, heart failure, heart attack, arthritis and cirrhosis of the liver. Discuss with your doctor the ordering of the ferritin test if you are concerned with this genetic disease.

Ferritin Sreening: How It is Done

The ferritin test is a simple sample test completed by drawing blood from the vein in your arm. If you have any questions about this test or any other lab test we offer, please contact one of our health experts.