Smart Talk Tuesday, March 24, 2015

One in twenty people will develop colon cancer at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, colon cancer has the second-highest cancer death rate in Pennsylvania. The good news is that there are preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk.

Family history makes a difference but so do diet, physical activity, and smoking and alcohol use.

Many people may feel nervous about having invasive preventative tests, but with the right lifestyle habits and regular screenings, colon cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and doctors all over our local region are encouraging their patients to get screened for colon cancer.

On this episode of Smart Talk, physicians Dr. Ray Hohl, director of Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, and Dr. Walter Koltun, chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, will discuss the causes, risk factors, symptoms, treatments and what we're learning about colon cancer.

Dr. Walter Koltun and Dr. Ray Holh

(Harrisburg) -- A new report from the American Cancer Society finds Pennsylvania is like most states in that it falls short when it comes to fighting the causes of cancer.

(York) -- The American Cancer Society hopes to enroll hundreds of people in the midstate in its Cancer Prevention Study-3. The study aims to gather health and lifestyle information to help advance ACS research.

Mike Rose was always too nervous to try scuba diving. Despite the fact that his wife loved the underwater adventure, the thought of diving into the unknown terrified Mike – that is, until he encountered something more terrifying than his own fear.

Angelina Jolie’s revelation that she had both breasts removed to prevent breast cancer is focusing attention on genetic testing and the choices patients face when they get the result. What does the news mean for you?

Hello. My name is Thomas and I am a 55 year old male who required a bi-literal mastectomy approximately 5 years ago. I was on Tamoxifen, went through chemotherapy, severe depression, post traumatic stress, issues with body image, post-mastectomy pain syndrome and chemo-brain where I was becoming so forgetful that I first thought I had acquired Alzheimer's.

(Harrisburg) -- Some midstate teens may use indoor tanning facilities to get ready for the prom and graduation seasons.

We want to take this opportunity to remember the beautiful life and spirit of a very special person that we were so fortunate to have gotten to know throughout this project. Her name is Bette Martin, and she passed away after her long battle with cancer.

You can read Bette’s obituary here.

Bette was enthusiastic about the mission of Facing Cancer Together from the beginning, and openly shared her story in the hopes that others would find some courage to face their own situation with hope.

Her humor, beauty, thoughtfulness, creativity and spirituality were inspiring to many of us who followed her story in the blogs that she wrote.

She helped to illustrate the fear that a person really faces when they hear the words: “You have cancer,” and the inner struggle that a person experiences when you're faced with a new perspective on how to live.

She wrote in her blog titled, "How now shall I live?":
"My relationship with God has been strengthened and continues to grow. I think that the timing of events since the diagnosis has confirmed God’s presence in my life. Evidence of divine intervention has been instrumental in clarifying my trust in God’s love and concern for me. There is much more growth needed in this area of my life. I thank the Creator every morning that I open my eyes and see the light of another day, allowing for the development of a deeper relationship with Him."

She helped others who were facing cancer know that they’re not alone in their fight and talked openly about wearing a wig, and how cancer affects body image.

She taught us to explore what’s out there, like alternative therapies for mind and body healing, and to tap into our spirituality for strength and guidance.

We thankBette for her honesty, courage, and partnership.

She will be deeply missed but her story will live on in the countless people that she touched throughout her life.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Bette's family and friends.

-The Facing Cancer Together team

Ann Durr Lyon of Camp Hill, PA passed away at her home on Thursday surrounded by family on February 7th.

Our Facing Cancer Together team is so fortunate to have met Ann and her husband Walter during an interview for this series.  She shared her powerful story about fighting breast cancer and being able to give herself permission to try something new in her life.  She encouraged other cancer survivors to be brave and try something new as well.  

HERSHEY, PA–A compound that stimulates the production of a tumor-fighting protein may improve the usefulness of the protein in cancer therapy, according to a team of researchers.