Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. During recent years, the number of people diagnosed with colon cancer has stayed the same. Fortunately, the number of people who die from colon cancer has decreased, and early detection is largely responsible.

Let’s take a look at some statistics:

Colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older; although, it can occur at any age (most people who develop colon cancer are over the age of 50). Screening for colon cancer is a way of checking for health problems before they cause symptoms. If colon cancer screening reveals a problem, diagnosis and treatment can occur promptly. And as the statistics show, it’s generally more treatable when found early, before it has a chance to spread. Some providers are able to offer very inexpensive colon cancer screenings that can catch the cancer during an early stage and save lives.

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Dr. R. Preston Lamberton, Director of Endocrine Services at the Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, says “We are particularly prone to vitamin D deficiency due to the long winters with reduced sunlight exposure.”

by Dr. R. Preston Lamberton

Vitamin D deficiency has recently been described as a world wide epidemic that includes those living in the United States.  Over the past several years, it has been suggested that vitamin D deficiency may contribute not only to bone disorders such as osteoporosis, but also to a variety of other health concerns.  Living in New England, we are particularly prone to vitamin D deficiency due to the long winters with reduced sunlight exposure.  As a result, vitamin D deficiency is a potential concern to all those living in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Vitamin D is classified as a fat soluble vitamin meaning dietary fat is required for its absorption from the GI tract.  It turns out that vitamin D is actually a hormone in regards to its chemical structure and how it acts in the body.  We get vitamin D either from foods fortified with vitamin D or foods naturally containing vitamin D, vitamin D supplements, or from sunlight exposure which leads to the production of vitamin D in the skin.

Years ago, it was thought that vitamin D only affected bone health and the absorption of calcium from the intestine.  It is now clear however that vitamin D has important actions, for example, on muscle function, skin, the immune system, breast tissue, the lungs, the pancreas and the liver.  Because of these diverse actions, vitamin D deficiency has been suggested to be involved in many serious diseases such as diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, various cancers, and heart disease.  In addition recent studies have shown that low vitamin D levels in elderly patients may lead to muscle weakness, falls and hip fractures.  Vitamin D supplements can improve muscle function in these patients reducing the incidence of falls and hip fractures.

Vitamin D deficiency was perhaps first recognized as a widespread problem in the U.S. in 1988 based on an article published in the New England Journal of Medicine.  Since then many epidemiological studies have documented and better defined the prevelance of vitamin D deficiency.  It has been estimated for example that over fifty percent (50%) of those living in the Northeast have significant vitamin D deficiency that could negatively affect their health.  There are several reasons why vitamin D deficiency has become so common.  Relatively low amounts of vitamin D supplements are added to fortified foods making it very difficult to maintain adequate vitamin D levels through diet alone. The second reason for worsening vitamin D deficiency involves the more frequent (appropriate) use of sunscreens that block ultraviolet sunlight on the skin, leading to reduced skin production of vitamin D.

Most local health care providers have been very aware of the concern for vitamin D deficiency, especially as a result of the many medical publications addressing this issue.  Vitamin D deficiency can be diagnosed on the basis of a blood test measuring 25-vitamin D.  Once diagnosed, the treatment of vitamin D deficiency usually involves the patient taking vitamin D supplements, either by prescription or by using over the counter vitamin D.  Although the FDA has recommended a daily intake of 400 to 800 international units (I.U.) it is widely recognized that much higher vitamin D intakes should be recommended.  Most experts in the field now recommend 1000 to 2000 I.U. (or more) each day.

Another way to improve vitamin d levels is through limited careful sunlight exposure.  Studies have shown that for many patients 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure to uncovered arms and legs twice a week may improve vitamin D levels.  To be effective, the sun exposure needs to occur between the hours of 10am and 3pm during the late spring through early autumn.  Some patients however, such as the elderly or those with darkly pigmented skin, will not make significant vitamin D in their skin despite sunlight exposure.  As a result these individuals are among those at highest risk for severe vitamin D deficiency.

At the present time, it is clear that patients and their health care providers need to continue to be aware of the risks for and the consequences of vitamin D deficiency.  By reducing the frequency of vitamin D deficiency, it is likely that many common, serious health disorders may also lessen in frequency and or severity.  Thus it is certainly worth asking your health care provider if you may have a deficiency of vitamin D.

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It’s New Year’s resolution check-up time, and there’s good news: CT residents who made resolutions to improve their health will probably succeed. American Heart Association (AHA) research shows that about two-thirds of people will make good on health promises this year.

And for those who haven’t done their best yet, exercise physiologist Karen Zurn with the AHA offers a few tips. Hop out of bed a half-hour earlier to alleviate the morning rush in order to make time for a healthy breakfast. And, she says, exercise doesn’t have to mean a costly gym or new treadmill – simply being more active will improve heart health.

“You’ll see fewer trips to the doctor’s office and fewer medications in the long run, if you just make a conscious effort to get out there and start exercising, being active.”

Karen suggests that, when shopping for food, consider looking at products with the heart ‘check mark’ symbol on the label that indicates the food meets AHA guidelines for heart-healthy eating.

“It’s probably a little bit lower in salt, lower in fat, lower in sugar, so that people can make a conscious effort to pick something off the shelf where it’s easy to see on the label that it might be a little bit healthier choice.”

Karen also advises walking during work breaks and planning physical activities to take the place of some of the night’s TV couch time.

Full survey results are at: www.startwalkingnow.org.

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Raise a puppy for Guiding Eyes and give a puppy a chance at becoming the "eyes" of a blind person.

Success in the New Year can be measured in many ways.  Some people resolve to lose weight, others to start regularly exercising.  Some people are successful in following through on their resolutions, and many are not.  But if you measure success as the love you will give and get from bringing a future guide dog into your home, then you are a candidate to be a Guiding Eyes for the Blind volunteer puppy raiser.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is looking for people who want to become part of something bigger than themselves. The renowned nonprofit guide dog school is actively recruiting puppy raisers – volunteers that take 8 week old puppies into their homes, love, nurture, and educate them, and send them off to their calling as a guide dog for a blind or visually impaired man or woman.

For a person without sight, a Guiding Eyes dog provides a life changing independence.  Take Ricky Jones, of Nashville, TN, for example.  Last October, Ricky was crossing the street using his white cane when he was hit by a car whose driver was speaking on the cell phone.  Ricky was badly injured – his shoulder and ankle were broken and his MCL was torn.

Ricky returned home after a long hospital stay and intensive physical therapy.  His injuries were discouraging; he was barely able to walk and did not have the strength to turn a doorknob.  More disconcerting than his physical injury was his fear to travel outside his home.  As he grew stronger and was able to walk longer distances, he became overwhelmed with anxiety.  He would tremble at street corners, often praying that he would make it to the other side safely.  Outings with his three-year-old child were out of the question; how could he look after his son when he himself had so much angst?

Ricky applied for a guide dog from Guiding Eyes in early 2009.  He said that at that moment, he realized he needed to take control of his life, and to return to the normalcy he enjoyed before the accident.  In June, Ricky was matched with Guiding Eyes Pearson.  He remembers the hesitancy associated with picking up the harness, and how hard it was to let go of his fear.  As Ricky and Pearson began to connect, the trepidation slowly faded away.  The pair crossed an eight lane street while training in Manhattan, a feat that seemed impossible only a month before.

Ricky returned home to Nashville in early July to his job as a life skills instructor, to his volunteer position at the Tennessee Association for Blind Athletes, and to his family.

“When I got home, I went straight to the corner.  A little nervous to say the least, but with Pearson it was only a little.  Nothing like the fear just five weeks earlier.  We step off and took the crossing with no problem – we even stomped on the sight where I was hit.  When I got to the other side, I just sat at the bus bench – first to praise Pearson, and then to reflect on where I had been and where I was then.  I am manly enough to admit that I cried.  I swore at that place never to live in fear again.  The best part was when my son hugged me and said, ‘now you’re not afraid, right daddy?’”
Guide dogs aren’t born with the skills to keep a blind person safe; they are carefully trained and prepared for the job.  Guiding Eyes puppy raisers provide hours of patient teaching and numerous socialization journeys.  For Anne and Cindy Lenault of Marlboro, MA, the hard work paid off when they met Ricky Jones and were reunited with Pearson, the puppy they lovingly raised.

Anne and Cindy admit that letting Pearson go was difficult, but they say it was more than worth it. “It is so wonderful to know that raising Pearson has made such a monumental difference in Ricky’s life.  He certainly has left a huge impression on our hearts.”

The Guiding Eyes Puppy Raising Program is comprised of more than 400 volunteers from Maine to North Carolina.  As Lee Nordin, the program’s director, says, “these caring, dedicated people are the ‘heart and soul’ of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.”

So this January, resolve to bring joy and love into your own home, and to give a puppy a chance at becoming the “eyes” of a blind person.  Raise a puppy for Guiding Eyes; it will change your life, and make a profound difference in the life of a blind or visually impaired person.  Call 1.866.GEB.LABS or visit us on the web at www.guidingeyes.org.

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