Nona Gets Personal about Colon Cancer | Catching Health with ...

A year ago I wrote an article about Nona Wills for Maine Women Magazine. I ran into Nona yesterday and we both agreed I should get permission from the editor to run it again on Catching Health. You see, Nona has an important story to tell about colon cancer and how getting a colonoscopy could save your life. She has gained a bit of notoriety sharing her story ? she was part of a major ad campaign for the Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program. The campaign included a blown up picture of Nona on the back of Metro buses. She told me yesterday that friends would call her up and exclaim, ?Nona, I just saw you up on Munjoy Hill or on Congress Street! I guess it?s quite fitting that my face was on the rear end of a bus!? I?m happy to report that Nona is doing very well and that we got permission from Maine Women Magazine to ?recycle? her story.?So, without further adieu, here?s Nona!

Nona Wills got an unusual 50th birthday present three years ago from her family doctor ? an appointment for her first-ever colonoscopy. It was a gift that saved her life. The colonoscopy revealed that Nona had colon cancer. ?I had no family history or other risk factors,? says Nona. ?It just came out of the blue.?

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, after lung and breast cancer. In the entire population in Maine, it is the second leading cause of all cancer deaths. While men and women share many risk factors, some are unique to women.

Colorectal cancer risks factors for women include:

• Menopause
• History of breast cancer
• History of uterine cancer

Risk factors shared by women and men include:

• Age
• Family history of colon cancer or polyps
• Sedentary lifestyle
• High fat or low fiber diet

Regular screenings, like the colonoscopy Nona had, are recommended for people age 50 and older. That?s because colorectal cancer is most common after 50, and the risk increases with age.

However, according to the?National Women?s Health Report Card, the screening rates for colorectal cancer among women lag far behind screening for both breast and cervical cancers.

Here in Maine, screening rates are especially low among people who don?t have health insurance or don?t have regular access to a health care provider.

In an effort to reduce the number of people who are diagnosed with, or die from colorectal cancer, the Maine CDC provides no-cost screenings for Mainers who either don?t have insurance or do, but their benefits don?t cover colonoscopies.

Getting a colonoscopy may not be anyone?s idea of fun, but if it means detecting cancer in its earliest stages or finding and removing a polyp that could become cancer, wouldn?t it be worth it?

When I had my first colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist found one of those pre-cancerous polyps. He practically jumped up and down with joy. ?This is the reason we do these procedures, Diane,? he exclaimed. ?That polyp could easily have turned into cancer and you might never have known until it was too late.?

The thing about colorectal cancer is that usually, there are no symptoms in the early, more treatable stages. If there are, they may be easily mistaken for other problems.

Possible symptoms in women include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool (red, black, or very dark)
• Change in bowel movements, especially in shape of the stool
• Discomfort or urge to move bowels when there is no need
• Cramping in lower abdomen or frequent gas pains
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme fatigue

In hindsight, Nona realized she had some of those symptoms in the weeks before her colonoscopy.

?At my doctor?s visit, I got weighed. I?d lost eight pounds, but I hadn?t done anything different. I was also having some bowel issues. I wasn?t constipated, I just had difficulty going. My stools got skinny ? what they call ?pencil stools?- and they had an odd consistency and color. I wasn?t all that worried, though.?

When she got the diagnosis, Nona?s attitude was, ?Give me a list and tell me what I need to do.? A few weeks later, she had surgery to remove her cancer and a foot of her colon. Because the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, she also had many weeks of chemotherapy.

About a year after she finished her chemo, she heard about?ScreenME, a new initiative of the Maine Colorectal Cancer Control Program, which spreads the word about colorectal cancer screening by sharing personal stories in TV and radio ads, posters, and on the ScreenME web site. Nona knew right away she wanted to participate. ?I?m a classic case of why it?s important to have a colonoscopy. People need to hear my story. I?m lucky because I lived to tell the tale.?

It?s possible that because of Nona, someone else may also live to tell their story. She is scheduled for a checkup in a couple weeks. Let?s say ?thank you? by wishing her well.

If you would like to find out if you or a loved one is eligible for a colonoscopy at no cost, call the Colon Screening Hotline at 1-877-320-680

Source: http://www.dianeatwood.com/catchinghealth/2012/03/nona-gets-personal-about-colon-cancer/

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Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis | No Boobs About It

Women who have had breast cancer treatment may be at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture for several reasons. First, estrogen has a protective effect on bone, and reduced levels of the hormone trigger bone loss. Because of chemotherapy or surgery, many breast cancer survivors experience a loss of ovarian function and, consequently, a drop in estrogen levels.

Studies suggest that chemotherapy also may have a direct negative effect on bone. In addition, the breast cancer itself may stimulate the production of osteoclasts, the cells that break down bone.

Several strategies can reduce one?s risk for osteoporosis or lessen the effects of the disease in women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nutrition: Some studies have found a link between diet and breast cancer. However, it is not yet clear which foods or supplements may play a role in reducing breast cancer risk.

As far as bone health is concerned, a well-balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D is important. Good sources of calcium include low-fat dairy products; dark green, leafy vegetables; and calcium-fortified foods and beverages.

Supplements can help ensure that the calcium requirement is met each day, especially in people with a proven milk allergy. The Institute of Medicine recommends a daily calcium intake of 1,000 mg (milligrams) for men and women up to age 50. Women over age 50 and men over age 70 should increase their intake to 1,200 mg daily.

Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption and bone health. Food sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, saltwater fish, and liver. Many people, especially those who are older or housebound, may need vitamin D supplements to achieve the recommended intake of 600 to 800 IU (International Units) each day.

Exercise: Like muscle, bone is living tissue that responds to exercise by becoming stronger. The best activity for your bones is weight-bearing exercise that forces you to work against gravity.

Some examples include walking, climbing stairs, weight training, and dancing. Regular exercise, such as walking, may help prevent bone loss and will provide many other health benefits.

Recent research suggests that exercise also may reduce breast cancer risk in younger women.

Healthy lifestyle: Smoking is bad for bones as well as the heart and lungs. Women who smoke tend to go through menopause earlier, resulting in earlier reduction in levels of the bone-preserving hormone estrogen and triggering earlier bone loss. In addition, smokers may absorb less calcium from their diets.

Some studies have found a slightly higher risk of breast cancer in women who drink alcohol, and evidence suggests that alcohol can have a negative effect on bone health. Those who drink heavily are more prone to bone loss and fracture, because of both poor nutrition and an increased risk of falling.

Bone density test: A bone mineral density (BMD) test measures bone density in various parts of the body. This safe and painless test can detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs and can predict one?s chances of fracturing in the future. The BMD test can help determine whether medication should be considered. A woman recovering from breast cancer should ask her doctor whether she might be a candidate for a bone density test.

Medication: There is no cure for osteoporosis. However, medications are available to prevent and treat this disease. Bisphosphonates, a class of osteoporosis treatment medications, are being studied and have demonstrated some success in their ability to treat breast cancers that have spread to bone.

For more information on osteoporosis, visit the National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/default.asp or call 800?624?2663.

For updates and for any questions about any medications you are taking, please contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at:U.S. Food and Drug Administration Toll Free: 888?INFO?FDA (888?463?6332) Website: http://www.fda.gov/

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Source: http://noboobsaboutit.org/2012/03/14/breast-cancer-and-osteoporosis/

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NOOK for Android - v3.1 update brings access to Barnes & Noble?s collection of comics, graphic novels and manga titles

The latest update to NOOK for Android has bumped the app into v3.1 and aside from having the normal bug fixes and stability improvements in it, you can now also have access to Barnes & Noble’s collection of comics, graphic novels and manga titles.

With exciting graphics in stunning color that virtually jump off the page, NOOK Comics enables customers to explore favorite super heroes and characters in landscape and portrait and pinch and zoom to dive into even the tiniest details of the action. Barnes & Noble’s vast selection of NOOK Comics features the largest digital collection of Marvel’s graphic novels available through a third party, as well as titles from other leading publishers including Archie, IDW, Dynamite and Dark Horse.

The v3.1 update also includes NOOK Shop enhancements that allow folks to easily add or edit the default credit card associated to their account, as well as  un-archive content with a single tap in NOOK Library. The update is available now in the Google Play Store and you'll find the download link, past the break.

Source: Barnes & Noble

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/CGv0DGpg_PQ/story01.htm

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NBC's 'Fashion Star': A Revolution in Retailing ... - Yahoo! Finance

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NBC's 'Fashion Star' is going where no reality TV show has gone before. The fashion reality show debuts next Tuesday and puts a new twist on how consumers buy clothes.

Like other reality TV shows, the main talent are celebrities. Model Elle Macpherson is the host of the show, while pop-singer and fashion diva Jessica Simpson, menswear designer John Varvatos and actress and fashion designer Nicole Richie act as mentors to the 14 contestants who are vying for the chance to have their clothing chosen each week by the judges.

What makes this show different are the judges, who are the actual buyers for three major U.S. retailers, including Macy's (M), H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue (SKS). "They act as judges but in real-time they are [bidding and] buying" for each week's winning designs, says executive producer E.J. Johnston.

After a show airs, consumers can purchase the winning design online through the highest bidding retailer each week. "You can actually wear the winner" after each show, says Johnston. "That night you can buy it online and the next day you can go in the stores and wear it."

The Daily Ticker's Aaron Task sat down with Johnston and Varvatos to get a sense of what really sets this show apart from 'Project Runway,' 'Top Model' and other fashion shows. Johnston and Varvatos say "Fashion Star" could change the fashion industry for both retailers and up and coming designers.

"Other than it is about fashion, there is nothing about [Fashion Star] that is like 'Project Runway'," says Varvatos. "'Project Runway' is great as it is but it is more about fantasy. This is real clothes for real people that you can buy right now."

The three participating retailers contributed an unprecedented total of $9 million dollars to this project. Johnston, along with the co-creator of the show James Deutch, convinced the stores to buy large quantities of the winning designs, something unheard of in the industry for new and untested designers.

The grand prize for the winning designer is a multimillion deal to have his or her collection sold in all three retailers under the new 'Fashion Star' brand, essentially launching the designer's career.

It is hard for designers today to be truly successful without having their designers sold in stores. 'Fashion Star' allows designers to "go from no where to some where real quick and in our industry that almost never happens," says Varvatos, who got his start at Ralph Lauren (RL) and Calvin Klein. "Even if they don't win, their name is out there."

Varvatos' role as a mentor is to help guide these new talents through the complexities of the fashion industry in terms of both design and business.

"It is not about a one-hit wonder with this show or with having a brand. It is having the ability to continue to move and perpetuate what you've started. Somebody may have one good idea, but can you execute beyond that?" says Varvatos. "I guide [the contestants] through the process and help them think in terms of a brand, help them think in terms of dealing with the buyers, help them think in terms of what the products should be and how true it is to your voice."

In general, retail sales and earnings data have been fairly good in recent months, signaling a slight improvement in the consumer. Both Macy's and Saks posted double-digit earnings gains during the fourth quarter of 2011. Macy's reported a 12% increase in earnings while Saks reported a 48% increase.

"The retailers made the strategic decision to become involved because they saw that this format allowed them to achieve core business objectives to market their brands, find new talent, and acquire new customers," say the creators of the show.

While ratings for most reality shows have been on the decline, especially for the CW's 'Top Model', this new show has the potential to put a further positive spin on sales figures for these three retailers.

But one thing is for certain: in the age of instant gratification, being able to immediately touch and buy that new product on TV is pretty fashion forward.

We'd like to hear what you think: Do you think this show will change the business of fashion or spur a revolution in retailing?

'Fashion Star' launches March 13 at 9:30 pm EST on NBC in a two-hour premiere. In the weeks to follow, the shows 9 other episodes will air during the NBC's 10 pm time slot.

For more of our interview with John Varvatos see:

Designer John Varvatos on Fashion Industry: How Jessica Simpson Became America's $1 Billion Sweetheart

Source: http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/nbc-fashion-star-revolution-retailing-172421067.html

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What You Need To Know About Personal Loan Financial institution ...

Article by Sakiyao Kulinaja

It never feels great to go back again house after an exhaustive and wasteful day in a long banking hall. These days getting a regular loan authorized is close to impossible. And whether or not approved you still have to wait for a long period of time until you get the reply to your application. Luckily enough you will find individual loan bank facilities that are offered by lending institutions which are far much simpler and faster to get than benchmark loans.

On a fundamental level there are two types of personal loans, brief term and long term loans. Brief term loans are the ones that must be paid back inside a short period of 2 weeks. But despite the brief repayment period, extension of deadlines is really much feasible.

This long term loan is more of a flexible loan than its counterpart. The payment period is a reasonable 30 days and also the interest rates are manageable and unobtrusive to ones financial commitments. By and big it is advisable to get this type of finance as it enables you time to organise your finances with no pressure.

The truly fortunate point about such loans is that they don?t need you to go via a lengthily approval procedure, throughout which an in depth analysis of your credit history is going to be created. Even if you have a bad credit history you?re nevertheless capable of obtaining financed. In addition to this no collateral or security is needed.

Only several requirements must be met on your side. You should at least give them evidence of current employment, as well as particulars of your monthly earnings. Additionally to this you are needed to give them an account number into which authorized funds must be deposited.

As soon as an application has been submitted, a regular approval period must pass till money is deposited into ones account. Personal loans are simple to get; just give them a try and see if you don?t leave the ATM machine having a smile carved across your face.

Source: http://dr-said.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-personal-loan-financial-institution-institutions

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Romney heads South into evangelical states

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, greet supporters at his campaign headquarters in Charleston, S.C. Romney faces a tough sell in the Deep South. With Mississippi and Alabama primaries coming up next Tuesday, there?s concern that he?s too slick, not really a conservative. In a region where the evangelical vote is important, some are skeptical about his Mormon faith. But for many Southerners, if he wins the Republican nomination and it?s a November choice between him and Barack Obama, he may be just good enough. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, greet supporters at his campaign headquarters in Charleston, S.C. Romney faces a tough sell in the Deep South. With Mississippi and Alabama primaries coming up next Tuesday, there?s concern that he?s too slick, not really a conservative. In a region where the evangelical vote is important, some are skeptical about his Mormon faith. But for many Southerners, if he wins the Republican nomination and it?s a November choice between him and Barack Obama, he may be just good enough. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

Mitt Romney's struggle with white evangelical voters doesn't bode well for him as he moves through the GOP presidential primary, with Mississippi and Alabama just ahead.

In the five states so far where born-again Christians were a majority of GOP primary voters, Romney has trailed either Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich among evangelicals by an average of 20 points, according to exit polls. About 4 in 10 born-again voters who were asked said it was deeply important that a candidate share their religious beliefs.

Still, exit polls also show an opening for Romney to draw a bit more of the evangelical vote. In Ohio and Tennessee, evangelicals who said shared religious beliefs are less important when choosing a candidate were significantly less likely than other evangelicals to see Romney as too moderate.

The key question for Romney is whether enough of these evangelicals are present in the contests ahead to make any difference for his candidacy.

In the 2008 Republican presidential primary, about three-quarters of Republicans in Mississippi and two-thirds in Alabama identified themselves as white evangelicals. Primaries in Mississippi and Alabama are set for Tuesday, with Louisiana to follow on March 24.

John Green, a University of Akron political scientist who analyzes religion and voting, said he noticed that Romney generally does better, although not well, among evangelicals in larger metropolitan areas. These urban born-again voters are found in greater numbers in states where Democrats and Republicans are more competitive, such as the Midwest. Kansas is scheduled to hold its caucuses Saturday, and Missouri and Illinois contests are scheduled near the end of the month.

However, pragmatism may win out even among some Bible Belt Christian voters, since large groups of Republicans have said repeatedly in exit polls that they are seeking a candidate who can beat President Barack Obama in the general election.

"What these numbers suggest is that he has a chance to expand his support among evangelicals," Green said. "I don't know exactly what it is that Romney would have to say to persuade them, but it doesn't seem like his religion or the things he's been saying are necessarily a barrier."

It's impossible to know how much Romney's Mormonism has been a factor in his weaker performance.

On politics alone, many Republicans are wary. Romney once supported legalized abortion, which he now condemns, and enacted a health care coverage program as governor that many conservatives consider government overreach. In Ohio on Super Tuesday, nearly half of evangelicals said Romney's positions on the issues were not conservative enough.

Romney is also is lacking in the kind of charisma that has buoyed other candidates, especially in the South, said Jim Guth, a political scientist at Furman University in South Carolina. "Evangelicals like their leaders with a little zing ? and that Romney doesn't have," Guth said. "And, of course, his social milieu and cultural expression just doesn't match theirs very well."

Many Christians do not consider Mormons part of historical Christianity, although Mormons do. Republicans who say Mormonism is not Christian are less likely to support Romney for the GOP nomination, according to a November 2011 survey by the Pew Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Conservatives who consider religion when choosing a candidate have had several other options in the large field of candidates for the Republican nomination. Santorum and Gingrich are Roman Catholics who heavily emphasize religion and moral issues on the campaign trail, although Gingrich's personal history, including three marriages, has cost him some conservative support. The same Pew survey, however, found GOP voters would overwhelmingly back Romney in a general election against Obama. .

In Romney's 2008 bid for the presidential nomination, he openly courted evangelical leaders and directly confronted concerns about his Mormonism, including a major speech in which he promised "no authorities of my church" will influence his policies. This election year, Romney barely mentions his religion unless an issue arises while campaigning.

Instead, he has tried to appeal to religious conservatives by stressing his shared values with them on concerns such as traditional marriage, especially as social issues took prominence in the campaign due in part to the ascendance of Santorum. Campaigning Thursday in Huntsville, Ala., Santorum called the state the "heart of conservatism."

If Romney too heavily emphasizes social policies, he would also draw attention to his former stand in favor of legalized abortion.

Mark DeMoss, a public relations veteran and evangelical adviser to the Romney campaign, said there is no plan to change that strategy on religion as the primaries move through heavily evangelical states in the weeks ahead. He said the former governor will keep his focus on "the state of the economy and uncertainty about jobs."

"I think those issues cross all segments of voters," DeMoss said.

This means missed opportunities for connecting with religious voters. DeMoss said Romney doesn't visit church services as part of his campaign. The weekend before Super Tuesday, Santorum and his family attended Sunday worship at a Southern Baptist mega-church in Tennessee, where the pastor invited them to stand before the congregation and receive a blessing, according to Associated Baptist Press. Romney finished second to Santorum in Tennessee.

"Churches are largely the social and cultural centers in these communities and the minister usually has the largest microphone, so building real and authentic relationships with people of faith is pretty essential," said Burns Strider, a Mississippi native and adviser on faith outreach to Democrats, including Hillary Rodham Clinton when she was seeking the party's 2008 presidential nomination. "It doesn't mean it requires Sunday worship services, but there are plenty of other opportunities."

____

AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll reported from New York. AP Deputy Director of Polling Jennifer Agiesta reported from Washington.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-03-09-Romney-Evangelicals/id-94d2698613e945b09d7c8dfda5506962

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Reader rants: Cagereaders speak up on Rousey, the Edgar/Henderson rematch and ?Rampage?

MMA fans are nothing if not passionate and opinionated. Cagewriter appreciates those passionate opinions, and wants to give them a home. Welcome to "Reader Rants," the best reactions to MMA's biggest stories on Cagewriter's Facebook page.

Opinions differed on the UFC giving Frankie Edgar a rematch for the lightweight belt against Benson Henderson.

I see Frankie winning this fight. He always displays an underdog mentality when he is out there fighting. Even when he was the champion! Now that he doesn't have the belt I feel like we are going to see even more heart and determination from him, if that was even possible. -- Christian Hagopian

BENDO .. another UD. It is not going to change. Edgar should have taken another fight before this. after losing twice to BENDO he will have his hand forced to move down a weight class. -- Jason Tellier

Ronda Rousey's first-round win over Miesha Tate impressed quite a few Cagereaders.

Ronda Rousey practices armbars on steel beams. -- Michael Rds Adams

Sickest armbars in MMA. That may not have been the best submission ever, but I can't remember one that looked more painful. -- Gabriel Martinez

But nothing moved more people to speak than Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's tweets about his next fight being his last one in the UFC. Instead of drawing sympathy, Jackson drew the ire of quite a few Cagereaders.

He hasn't done anything significant in the octagon since 2008. He has shown a complete lack of interest & dedication as well. Now he is going to complain about $$$. Adios homey! Vince McMahon can probably line something up for you. -- Frank Fazio

He wants more pay? Bader walked all over him! I think the UFC/Boxing/and contact sport like this should go to a winner take all purse maybe then some of these guys would take their train a little more serious and make weight. -- Edward Kelly Fiori

This guy misses weight, can't win a fight and is [expletive] about pay? Make weight and you won't lose 20% of your purse. Then win some fights and then maybe you will get more sponsors. This guy is a joke in MMA now anyways. Go make more terrible movies -- Chris Stephens

Want your opinion included in the next edition of Reader Rants? It's simple. Like Cagewriter on Facebook, and comment on the links.

Other popular content on the Yahoo! network:
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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/reader-rants-cagereaders-speak-rousey-edgar-henderson-rematch-143817017.html

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