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

(Lancaster) -- Many times, the first thing a person does when experiencing some unusual medical symptoms is head to the Internet.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One doesn't have to look far to see a pink ribbon, buildings cast in pink light or fountains flowing with pink water. The color pink is associated with the cause so much during the month that everyone knows exactly what it signifies.

(Langhorne) -- Bank statements, home addresses, and phone numbers are just some pieces of personal information that can be found online these days.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act won't be fully implemented for at least another year-and-a-half.  If it survives what could be a new Congress next year, there are sure to be many questions about the healthcare law, as it is still called by some.

(Carlisle) -- Most students these days learn about the dangerous effects of tobacco early on in school, and many live in homes where smoking's not allowed.

The American Cancer Society says research shows people who use tanning beds are much more likely to develop melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, than those who never did.

Each year, students across PA raise money to help kids who are fighting a tough fight against cancer. In 2012, they raised over 10 million dollars through THON events! The Beecher family is featured in this new documentary that chronicles the student-run philanthropy, THON, and the children, families, and students who are changed by their experience.

Central PA prostate cancer survivors and advocates Jay Snyder and Thomas Goodman, Jr., report back from the ZERO Summit to End Prostate Cancer in Washington D.C. where they learned about the latest in prostate cancer awareness, research and legislation.

As most people are aware, there are many changes coming to healthcare as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is fully implemented within the next two years.