Rock and Roll Saved My Soul

 National Arthritis Awareness Month, observed during the month of May, aims to bring awareness to the growing prevalence of arthritis, the need for additional research and advocacy, and to encourage physical activity among the millions of adults with arthritis. Since 2013, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has been working through local parks and recreation to help people with arthritis manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. NRPA has supported over 240 local park and recreation agencies across the country in the sustained delivery of CDC-recommended arthritis-appropriate evidence-based interventions across 48 states and American Samoa. According to a program participant who joined the Walk With Ease program offered by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, MD, “I feel the difference. My pain has been minimized. I have more energy when I wake...

Renal (Kidney) Cancer Kidney cancer is the third most commonly occurring genitourinary cancer in adults.  There are approximately 54,000 new cancer cases each year in the United States, and the incidence of kidney cancer appears to be on the rise. Kidney cancer tends to occur most commonly in individuals over the age of 40 and is more common in men than in women.  Most kidney cancers occur spontaneously, although some are associated with hereditary conditions, including von Hippel-Lindau disease and hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma.  Potential risk factors include cigarette smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.  Although most growths that arise in the kidneys are cancers, about 20% to 25% of kidney tumors are benign.  The most common types of benign kidney tumors are oncocytoma and angiomyolipoma.  Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer.   There are several sub-types of renal cell carcinoma...

What is Cervical Health Awareness Month? The United States Congress designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening (Pap and HPV tests). During January, NCCC and its many local chapters across the country highlight issues related to cervical cancer, HPV disease and the importance of early detection. While NCCC chapters host events throughout the year, January is a month with a special focus as chapters celebrate Cervical Health Awareness Month and work to spread the word in their communities. NCCC and the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) also offer a range of resources (listed below) to educate the public and healthcare providers about cervical health, from fact sheets to episodes of ASHA’s Sex+Health podcast. What Can You Do? As someone who is interested in educating and advocating for inc...

In addition to learning more about lung, pancreatic and stomach cancer this month, November is also a great time to learn more about carcinoid tumors and other neuroendocrine tumors. If you don’t know much about these tumors, Carcinoid Tumor Awareness Month and Neuroendocrine Tumor Awareness Day can be a great opportunity.  Raise Awareness For Carcinoid Tumors All Month Long Since carcinoid tumors are the most common type of NET, the entire month of November is dedicated to raising awareness. Approximately 12,000 new cases of carcinoid cancer will be diagnosed in 2015. Roughly 8,000 of these cases will be cancers of the GI tract, and the remaining 4,000 being in the lung. Since carcinoid tumors grow in the neuroendocrine system, they are different from other forms of cancer in that form in the GI tract or lung tissue. Carcinoid tumors are typically very slow growing, meaning that symptoms often do not appear for many years. Symptoms are often only noticeable when th...

The liver is one of the largest organs in the body. It filters harmful substances from the blood, produces bile that helps in the digestion of fats, and stores sugar that the body uses for energy. There are two types of primary liver cancer in adults – hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of adult primary liver cancer. It is relatively rare in the United States, although its incidence is rising, principally in relation to the spread of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program estimates that 42,030 new cases of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and some 31,780 people are expected to die of primary adult liver cancer in 2019. The five-year survival rate is just 18.4 percent. Having hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis are significant risk factors for adult primary liver cancer...

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month was first declared by President Ronald Reagan on October 15, 1988. On that day he said:   “When a child loses his parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn’t a word to describe them. This month recognizes the loss so many parents experience across the United States and around the world. It is also meant to inform and provide resources for parents who have lost children due to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, stillbirths, birth defects, SIDS, and other causes. Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”  All info from: https://www.nowilaymedowntoslee...

Since 1984, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared May to be “National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for people with asthma and allergies, and a perfect time to educate patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases. More Than Asthma, More Than Food Allergies More than 60 million Americans overall have asthma and allergies. About 26 million Americans have asthma (19 million adults and 6.2 million children) About 32 million Americans have food allergies (26 million adults and 6 million children) About 21 million Americans have hayfever, rhinitis or nasal allergies (20 million adults and 5.6 million children) These numbers paint a picture of how many people in the U.S. are managing asthma and allergies. But they don’t paint a picture of the overall impact these diseases have on people and communities. These conditions can be challenging to manage. But it’s important to remember your con...

During Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the American Academy of Dermatology is recognizing Skin Cancer Heroes — patients and survivors, the friends and loved ones who have helped and supported them, and the board-certified dermatologists who have detected and treated their skin cancer. The AAD also encourages everyone to be their own Skin Cancer Hero by taking steps to prevent skin cancer and detect it early, when it’s most treatable. Info from:  https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer/programs/skin-cancer-awareness-month What is bladder cancer? Cancer occurs when cells in the bladder start to grow out of control. Most tumors develop on the inner layer of the bladder. Some can grow into the deeper bladder layers. As cancer grows through these layers into the wall, it becomes harder to treat. The lining, where tumors initiate, is also found in the inner layers of the kidneys, ureters, and urethra. So, similar cancers can occur in these areas, though...