October 2008 Blog Archive
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Cutting Sucrose may Prevent Colon Cancer Risk
This Halloween you might want to throw out those trick-or-treat candies. Craving candy? Or in need of a quick sugar high? If so, it may be best to start cutting sweets from your diet and looking elsewhere for that quick fix. A recent
study shows that sucrose may be linking to causing colon cancer. Rapid spikes in blood sugar and the ultimate lethargic low of coming down from one, provides an environment colon cancer tumors find best to grow in.
Although cutting sugar is easier said than done, considering sugar tends to hide in sneaky spots like in ketchup or some sauces and dressings. So if you're looking to cut down your risk of colon cancer, it's important to fill your diet with healthy substitutes and get screened yearly.
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Thursday, October 30, 2008
World Stroke Week
Organizations around the world are promoting the use of
early detection screenings, prevention and treatment to create awareness about strokes. October 29th marks the start of World Stroke Week, where globally medical organizations are hoping to educate people about the dangers, symptoms, treatments and prevention techniques for one of the world's leading causes of death.
The World Health Organization has aid that globally over 15 million people suffer from a stroke yearly. 5 million of which succumb to death and another 5 million fall victim to disability. Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death among adults. A vast majority of westernized countries are seeing decreasing instances of stroke due in part to more education and preventative body imaging tests.
In true World Stroke Week fashion, sign up for a CT or EBT scan today. If you're looking to find a professional clinic in your area,
scandirectory.com is your best bet.
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Wednesday, October 29, 2008
No More Heartache
French scientists have created an artificial heart that beats and resembles the real thing. The discovery brings resounding joys for hundreds of thousands of patients suffering from heart failure. Dr. Alain Carpentier the lead French doctor credited with the invention presented the prototype at a heart surgery conference in Paris on Monday. Carpentier a heart surgeon has been working on this project for nearly 15 years now. The success of this artificial heart proves that advancements in both preventive and diagnostic are making serious headway.
The risks still remain serious for heart transplant patients; however this advancement may limit the chances of blood clots during post-op.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
TeraRecon Showcasing at CT Symposium
TeraRecon, the leaders in EBT screening technology has announced today their plan to showcase a comprehensive CT Colonography package at the conference. The international symposium on
Virtual Colonoscopies will be held October 27-29 in Boston. TeraRecon are industry leaders in the US, serving clinics with some of the highest quality of 3D imaging.
"TeraRecon's 3D solution delivers a comprehensive CT Colon package that features all the tools necessary for confidence in diagnosis. The robust application provides automated segmentation and centerline generation for endoscopic evaluation."
With the right and efficient clinical tools, screening centers can provide patients with reliable and timely results from virtual colonoscopies.
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Monday, October 27, 2008
Virtual Colonoscopy – Not so Embarrassing After All
With the advent of
virtual colonoscopies a number of perks have also come along. Firstly, the hated procedure has become non-invasive; eliminating the notion of anaesthetics, pain and pre-procedure fasting and rules. Similarly patients have also taken a liking to the not-so-intruding probe that standard old-fashioned colonoscopies had. The virtual procedures also eliminate the embarrassment of the uncomfortable and highly invasive position. Many people are so traumatized by the colonoscopies they fail to go back for their yearly check-ups. However, virtual scans provide patients with privacy and far less intrusion. The procedure allows patients the comfort to get the preventative procedure done timely and efficiently.
In addition to the privacy perks of virtual colonoscopies, serious pain and discomfort are also a non-issue. The virtual scan still requires the insertion of a small posterior tube, but the rest of the process is done through an Electron Beam Tomography CT Scanner. As the field because further enhanced and tailored to the comforts of worried patients, the hopes are that more fifty-something's prone to polyps or those hoping to prevent them will get virtual colonoscopies more regularly.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Exercise and Heart Disease
A few hours of tennis or a couple miles on a treadmill each week may be the key to prolonging your life if you struggle with heart disease. Norwegian doctors are urging patients with coronary artery disease to get active and participate in sport related activity at least once a week to make sure the disease does not further progress. The study says that exercise once a week, resulted in longer life expectancy rates among both men and women. So an apple a day may keep the doctor away, but swimming, running and sport may be the best strategy for staying healthy.
The study says that,
"Mortality decreased by 30 per cent among women who exercised once a week compared to those who did not exercise at all. For men the corresponding figure was 20 per cent."
So if you're looking to get information about heart disease, preventative heart and body scans or any other related information go to
scandirectory.com.Photolink
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Survival of the Fittest
The Journal of American College of Cardiology released a study that says a heart scan may aid in predicting the odds of dying within 15 years for patients with coronary artery disease. However, according to the study these statistics don't bode true with non-coronary artery disease people. Nearly 2,500 people were involved in the study, all of which had symptoms of the disease. Each patient was given a tomography CT heart scan, and of those examined 86 died over the course of 15 years of any number of diseases which may be correlated to the coronary artery disease. Of those that died most were 59 years or older, but age played no part in those with severe cases of coronary artery disease – after administering the CT Scans and seeing the blockage physicians may able to predict untimely death as a result of the disease.
It is important to note that the study done was not all-inclusive or all knowing. It simply shows that there is quite possibly a link between heart scans and predicting death. If you are interested in heart scans or any other type of preventative body imaging scans go to
scandirectory.com for a clinic near you or for more information.
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Thursday, October 16, 2008
Age Guidelines for Colon Cancer Screening
Colon cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States, and colorectal screenings – victual colonoscopy – is becoming a widespread method for testing for polyps and tumors. However, a government task force is urging elderly people (75 and over) who get scanned regularly and have no symptoms to stop further screening. Similarly they are recommending people over the age of 85 to completely stop checking for colorectal cancer.
The task force highly recommends people the age of 50 to start screening yearly, but after age 75 the negatives of colonoscopies begin to outweigh the positives of early detection. The United States Preventive Services Task Force says that if you have not developed any signs of colorectal cancer by 75, you may not be susceptible to the disease thereafter.
However, for those of you between the age range of 50 and 75, it may be a good idea to get a colonoscopy for early detection – a key element for taming colon cancer. Go to
scandirectory.com to find a clinic in you area.
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Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Imaging Accolades
The Florida Hospital College of Health Science has been nationally recognized and awarded the leader in imaging education. Priding themselves on top-notch faculty, renowned scanners, and hands-on students the program is thriving and flourishing. The school is focusing on new advancements in the healthcare industry and implementing the systems into their program. The cutting-edge technologies utilized by their faculty to teach their students hopes to train and release some of the nations best radiologists.
These professional skills are essential to learn and for patients vital for their health. If you are interested in inquiring about some or simply trying to find a clinic near you go to
scandirectory.com. Photolink
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mrs. Heart Disease
Are women being misdiagnosed when going to the doctor for chest pains? Some say this may the case. Gender bias may be a reason by doctor's fail to diagnose heart disease among women. When going to their family doctor or internist with symptoms of heart disease: stress, chest pain, shortness of breath and family history – doctors are blaming the issue on anxiety not heart disease.
Whereas with men with the same symptoms these same doctors are claiming the problems are courtesy of heart disease. These doctors according to the Bloomberg article claim that women's issues are brought about my psychological problems or their lack of dealing with stress appropriately. However when stress was out of the equation for both genders, the men and women were diagnosed the same exact way.
If this is the case, it may be a good idea to take the Missus to get a heart scan instead of getting a broken heart. For information about virtual heart, lung and body scans go to
scandirectory.com.
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Friday, October 10, 2008
Fat Cells may be linked to Colon Cancer
For the first time ever scientists have found a genetic link to colon cancer. The study says that fat cells may reduce the risk of colon cancer in some patients. This newfound research may aid in the prevention of colorectal diseases and advance testing tools. Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America – so findings like this may help prevention, since many cases are treatable if caught early enough.
As researchers further investigate these findings, methods of prevention and testing – like the Virtual Colonoscopy - can hopefully become the mainstream method for early screening. If you are between the age of 50-75 you may want to get a colon scan, if you'd like to inquire with a physician or learn more about virtual colonoscopies go
scandirectory.com.
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Thursday, October 09, 2008
Things are Bigger in Texas
Texans take pride in the fact that everything's always bigger in Texas, but unfortunately for Texans this bodes true with weight too. People are bigger in Texas too. HealthyAmericans.org has said that Texas is the 12th fattest state in the nation with over 60% of adults overweight and unhealthy. With this recent alarming news, High Point Patient Services in Arlington, Texas is giving free body scans away to Texas residents every Saturday in October. With hopes that people will become more health conscious and decide to get yearly preventative body scans.
The scanner to be used is GE's Lunar iDXA System which was FDA approved 2 years ago. If you're looking to get healthy, fit and change your lifestyle it's important to get body scans and check up on your heart, lung and colon. Go to
scandirectory.com to find a clinic in your area.
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Wednesday, October 08, 2008
PET Scans may be more Widely Used in Australia
In a large institutional
study about the impact of PET Scans (position emission tomography), Australian researchers found that people with colorectal cancer adjusted their treatments based on results from their PET results. In fact the treating physicians changed their disease management plan for 65% of cases studied.
The Journal of Nuclear Medicine released the study reporting,
"…this study confirmed the important role PET plays in the decision-making process of patients with colorectal cancer and the impact of PET on both the management and outcome of disease."
More and more physicians are pushing for PET virtual body, heart and colon scans to be more available and widely spread around Australia – much like the United States. These researchers hope that physicians will refer their patients to scanning clinics for preventative measures.
If you are interested in learning more about PETs and other available preventative imaging scans go to
scandirectory.com for extensive information and locations for physicians in your area.
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Friday, October 03, 2008
Radiation Time Lessened for Breast Cancer
The standard 5-7 week radiation sessions may be shortened to 3 weeks after Canadian researchers released a report about State 1 breast cancer. The findings and 12-year experiment among women with stage 1 breast cancer showed that 3 weeks of radiation is sufficient. The results were virtually the same as 3 weeks after 5-7 weeks, and doctors agree this is quite beneficial considering the ramifications and side effects of excessive doses of radiation. Similarly 3 week sessions can help women maintain a high quality of life: taking care of their children, working, appearances and cutting down commute time.
This study could possibly change the duration of radiation for American women with breast cancer. A small number of oncology and women's health clinics provide short-term radiation sessions, but such treatments are prevalent in Europe and Canada. Alongside these new advances in breast health, doctors and researchers are looking to find a less painful and more efficient way of screening for breast cancer (rather than the traditional mammogram). Some have even mentioned the use of EBT machines and 3D CT scans.
If you're looking into getting a body scan or finding a clinic or asking a physician about information regarding this article go to
scandirectory.com. Photolink
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Firefighters Encouraged to get Heart Scans
You would think the leading cause of death amongst firefighters would be well…fire related. However, heart attacks are causing the most on duty fatalities – accounting for 44% of all deaths. With such alarming figures the United States Fire Administration is urging all firefighters to get preventative heart scans – Electron Beam Tomography scans in order to detect calcium in the arteries.
Most of the firefighters falling victim to cardiac related deaths lead highly stressful lives. Alongside getting yearly heart, lung and body scans the administration is suggesting that firefighters, especially those in fast paced areas, stringently shift their lifestyles to become healthier. Quality of life, sleep, not smoking and holiday time are also key elements in maintaining heart and body health.
New Jersey is one of the first states to oblige all of their firefighters to get tested. A first hand account from a former New Jersey Fireman shows the toll, impact and stress their job has on their lives,
" 'One minute you're still in the firehouse and then two minutes later you're going down a roadway with lights and sirens blaring. Your heart was at rest, but a minute later it's pumping 100 miles an hour,' said Capt. Norman Tahan, 45, a veteran Clifton firefighter who underwent calcium scoring recently and was relieved to receive a score of zero."
Although, insurance doesn't cover the heart scans, and prices are considerably high, the firefighters union is subsidizing the cost. The administration and state is very concerned for the health of their fireman and are keen believers that these preventive body scans are the key to lowering death rates among their units.
Whether or not you are a firefighter, heart and body scans are an important factor in maintaining your health and preventing cancer and heart disease. Check out
scandirectory.com to learn more and find a provider in your area.
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Racial Disparity in Colon Cancer Cases
Colon cancer kills over 50,000 Americans every year, but with the advent of Virtual Colonoscopies – such preventative measures have begun to dwindle the number of deaths per-year by catching colon polyps at earlier stages. However, the number of African-Americans with polyps and colon cancer is not only higher than that of whites, but the size and location of polyps vary as well. The New York Times released data from a recent survey by the American Medical Association said such disparities are a result of,
"… genetic differences that account for about a third of all cases of the disease. But blacks also have poorer access to health care and lower rates of participation when screening is offered."
While the numbers are plummeting for the upper-echelon of white America, colon cancer cases have progressively increased for black men and remained the same for black women. Similarly, radiologists and oncologists have found the prevalence of large polyps among back women to be occurring at an ever-increasing younger age. Doctors recommend colonoscopy screenings starting at age 50, however with such alarming findings the age recommendation for African-American women may be decreased in the near future.
The vast majority of the tumors and polyps (benign or cancerous) in blacks were found in the upper-regions of the colon and noticeably larger in size. Whereas those seen in whites were in the smaller sized and located in the lower regions, which are more easily detected in the scans. Another possible reason why the cancer rates run ramped in the black population.
Regardless of such racial disparities in the number of cases, the fundamental factor in preventing colon cancer is early detection via virtual or regular invasive colonoscopies. If you are looking to get a virtual scan or learn more about them
click here to find a physician or clinic near your area.
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