Cancer-a word that one does not want to hear in a sentence that is the same as one’s own name or the name of a loved one. As a doctor, I not only treat cancer, but it is my job to prevent cancer.

Earlier this month, Dr. Eva Chalis and I discussed “Your radio doctor“The medical talk show is broadcast on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT every Sunday at 10 am. Dr. Chalis is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University Long Island School of Medicine and the former president of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has just graduated from university nationwide. I came back from the meeting and shared the importance of obesity and family history in the key areas of women’s health.

obesity

In addition to increasing the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, obesity also increases the risk of a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, Ovary, gallbladder and pancreas. Adipose tissue converts male hormones into estrogen, which is food for breast and uterine cancer.

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.according to

National Institutes of Health, BMI categories include:

Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9

Overweight = 25-29.9

Obesity = BMI of 30 or higher

If your BMI is between 25 and 29, your risk of uterine cancer will double. Once your BMI exceeds 30, the risk will triple. “Bicycle” weight loss or “yo-yo” diet will increase the percentage of body fat, but at the cost of muscle mass, especially after menopause.

in ours Radio show In April, with Dr. Maureen Kelly, we learned that being overweight in a female or male partner can also reduce fertility and increase miscarriage rates. In addition to increasing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure during and after pregnancy, it can also increase the risk of obesity throughout the child’s life.

family history

Family history also plays a pivotal role in cancer risk. It is very important to know if your relative has breast, ovarian, uterine or colorectal cancer. This also includes breast and colorectal cancer cases in male family members who may have liver cancer.

BRCA

(Breast cancer) gene or

Lynch syndrome.

Most of us are familiar with BRCA gene mutations, which lead to an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. But did you know that it also increases the risk of pancreatic and prostate cancer?

Marianne Ritchie, MD

Lynch syndrome is a disease caused by mutations in one of several genes. It has a life-long risk of colorectal cancer as high as 90%, and significantly increases the risk of other cancers-the most common is uterine cancer, but may include stomach cancer, small bowel cancer, and pancreatic cancer. More and more evidence now includes an increased risk of prostate cancer. If the patient’s Lynch syndrome test result is positive, there is a 50% chance that first-degree relatives will also be affected.

It is also important to note that even if your genetic test does not reveal a specific genetic mutation, your family may still carry an undiscovered genetic abnormality.

A positive family history may indicate that screening tests need to be started at a young age and that they need to be checked more frequently.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology no longer recommends every year

Pap test. The time interval between Pap smears depends on age, sexual history and previous test results. For women without symptoms, annual pelvic examinations are no longer recommended. This leads to some confusion for patients in their daily care.

Dr. Chalas emphasized that it still It is very important that women have to go to a gynecologist or primary medical institution every year to discuss their gynecological health and recommend age-related examinations at appropriate intervals. Other topics should include reporting any new symptoms, reviewing the history of their abnormal PAP test/HPV test, and discussing the treatment of menstrual period regulation, birth control, prevention of miscarriage or menopausal problems. This may also provide an opportunity for a woman to discuss with the primary care doctor about issues that she may not be willing to discuss, such as abuse.

Listen to the whole show www.yourradiodoctor.net Learn more about preventing cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer.

Pink plus

A few years ago, I started a project called Pink plus This provides women with the opportunity to have three cancer screenings in one visit. Patients can come to Jefferson for a regular gynecological examination, followed by a mammogram, and then a short visit to review the screening options for colorectal cancer.

Although the “pink” movement has played a very active role in promoting women to take mammograms, there are still too many women who think that “mammograms have been completed.” It is important to know that when we combine men and women, more people die of colorectal cancer than breast cancer, so all these tests are important.

call 215-503-1631 Make an appointment for Pink Plus today.