Oct 10, 2023 | Southern Arizona
A variety of studies have shown that an occasional glass of red wine has been demonstrated to have a positive effect on heart health. Also, beer has been linked to “some benefit against cardiovascular disease”, according to a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases. And, at least one study by the European Journal of Cancer Prevention suggests alcohol could reduce the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma.
However, before you pop a cork and say “Cheers” this holiday season, there are some cancer-related risks you should be aware of. A growing number of studies suggest concerning links between the development of certain types of cancers and alcohol consumption.
Alcohol: A “Known and Probable Human Carcinogen”
Cancer occurs when changes occur to a cell’s DNA. Some changes occur as a result of hereditary factors, but other changes occur after the body is exposed to environmental factors. These introduced environmental factors don’t always cause cancer, but certain outside exposures and substances can contribute to the development of cancer. These are called carcinogens.
Carcinogens will not cause cancer in every case of exposure; however, they make it easier for cancer to develop over time. For example, it’s common knowledge that tobacco smoke is a carcinogen. Not every smoker will develop cancer, but they are all at a higher risk after exposure to the chemicals in cigarettes.
If you drink alcohol it’s not a surety that you’ll develop cancer. But the National Cancer Institute states there is evidence that the more alcohol a person drinks, regularly over time, the higher their risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer.
Your Risks Increase With The More Alcohol You Drink
According to the National Cancer Institute, clear patterns are associated with alcohol consumption and the development of the following types of cancers:
- Breast Cancer
- Colon Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Head and Neck Cancers
- Liver Cancer
Other types of cancers have been studied for links to alcohol consumption and cancer as well. Currently there is no association between bladder cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer or uterine cancer; however, that may change in the future, with additional studies.
The American Cancer Society recommends drinking no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and no more than one per day for women.
The Sobering Conclusions of Alcohol Consumption
One study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2013 concluded that alcohol consumption resulted in 3.2% – 3.7% of all cancer deaths in the United States. For women, the primary alcohol-related cancer resulting in death was breast cancer and in men, it was esophageal cancer or upper airway cancer. The study’s authors went on to conclude that “reducing alcohol consumption is an important and underemphasized cancer prevention strategy.”
Another study performed on behalf of the Komen Foundation looked at nearly 100 breast cancer patients and concluded that consuming one or more alcoholic beverages per day increases the risk of developing breast cancer. Alcohol drinkers were 11% more likely to develop breast cancer than non-drinkers.
How Much Alcohol Should You Consume?
The American Cancer Society recommends drinking no more than two alcoholic drinks per day for men and no more than one per day for women. This is in line with the amounts of alcohol shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The drink limit is lower for women because they typically have smaller bodies that tend to break down alcohol more slowly. The ACS does not recommend saving your week’s worth of drinks for one day of the week.
If you or a loved one is struggling to control the amount of alcohol being consumed each day it may be best to seek assistance through a local organization.
Originally posted in 2018, updated in 2024.
Oct 3, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Annually, there are more than 5.4 million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancers. While there are fewer cases of melanoma, the incidence of this cancer is on the rise. Many of these cancers can be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning. Read more about skin cancer prevention tips.
Risk factors
- Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or tanning beds
- Skin & hair color: People with fair skin, freckling or red or blond hair have a higher risk
- Moles: Certain types of moles and large number of moles increase a person’s chance of getting melanoma
- Age: Chances of being diagnosed with skin cancer increase with age
- Gender: Men have a higher risk of developing skin cancer than women
- Personal or family history of skin cancer
- History of sunburns especially at younger ages
Learn more about how to lower your risk of skin cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
These often appear when the disease is advanced.
- Asymmetry-half of the mole does not match the other half
- Border irregularity or edges which are ragged or notched
- Color is not the same all over; may be brown, blue, red, or white
- Diameter is wider than about . inch
- Evolving-mole continues to change in shape, color, size or doesn’t heal
Screening
Skin cancer screening starts with you. You should regularly examine your skin to notice changes. If changes are found that do not go away, you should contact your primary care physician or dermatologist for a professional assessment. When signs and symptoms of cancer are found early, it may be easier to treat and prevent complications.
Originally posted in 2017, updated in 2024.
Sep 27, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Therefore, it’s important to learn some facts about prostate cancer screenings and make sure you, or the males in your life, are getting screened for prostate cancer in a timely manner.
Early Detection of Prostate Cancer Can Provide Better Outcomes for Patients!
All men, even healthy ones, can benefit from making prostate cancer screenings part of their regular healthcare routine. Doctors sometimes recommend testing simply because of age or family history. Other times, patients have some symptoms, and their doctor may suggest a prostate cancer screening as the first step to understanding the problem. Below is some information that can help you know when it’s the right time to get screened.
1. When Symptoms are Present
Sometimes men experience symptoms associated with prostate cancer, but those same symptoms can also occur in non-cancer-related conditions such as an enlarged prostate (“BPH”). When a patient visits their general practitioner or urologist with concerns, a prostate cancer screening is a very common part of the diagnosis process — even if the diagnosis isn’t cancer.
2. When You Have a Family History of the Disease
Between 5-10% of prostate cancers are hereditary. Men are at risk of developing prostate cancer if another male in your family has been diagnosed with prostate cancer previously. Several newer genetic tests, such as the PHI (Prostate Health Index), 4KScore, and PcA3, seem to be more accurate than the PSA test, your doctor may recommend one of those as well.
The American Cancer Society suggests screening for men over 50 years old if they have one family member who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at a relatively young age (under 65 years old). Men with two or more family members who developed prostate cancer should be screened once they reach the age range of 40 to 45. Also, African American men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, and the ACS recommends that they be screened beginning at the age of 45.
3. When You Turn 50
Prostate cancer treatments have a much higher success rate when found at an early stage. This is why prostate cancer screenings are regularly done on patients who have no symptoms or immediate family history of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends screening for men over the age of 50 who have no unusual prostate cancer risk factors.
It’s important for men to talk with their doctors to make an informed decision on when they should start prostate cancer screenings. After the initial screening, their doctor will also make recommendations on how often to continue follow-up screenings.
To learn more about prostate cancer screenings, ask your doctor for a referral to your local prostate cancer specialists. If you are located in Arizona and would like to make an appointment with one of Arizona Oncology’s prostate cancer specialists please contact us for an appointment. With cancer treatment centers located throughout Arizona, you’ll find advanced and personalized treatment, expert guidance from our specially trained and board-certified oncologists, and leading-edge cancer research options.
Originally posted in 2018, updated in 2024.
Sep 26, 2023 | Southern Arizona
By Robert Gin, MD
The word profiling has been defined as the use of personal characteristics or behavior patterns to make generalizations about a person. Profiling is used in our everyday lives. When someone knocks on our door and we look through the peephole, we make a split decision on the person’s appearance to decide if we open the door or turn off our lights to show no one is at home. Dating sites and the internet collect data and use that information to present users with a compatible person or products. However, profiling is not limited to just people. Think about walking along the sidewalk and you see a pit bull (no offense to pit bulls).
Some of us may be intimidated and decide to walk across the street. Or you go to the supermarket, and the closest parking space is next to a car with big doors or has lots of dents. You may decide to park a little farther to keep your car dent free.
In oncology, profiling has been around for quite some time. A good example is estrogen receptors for breast cancers. In 1896, it was noted that removal of ovaries in premenopausal women with advanced breast cancers led to regression of their cancer. However, only about 30% of women responded after removal of the ovaries. Even though this relationship between estrogen and breast cancer was known, it was not until the mid-1970s when a test was developed by breast cancer researchers to detect estrogen receptors on cancer cells that allowed them to respond to estrogen ablative therapies. As a standard of care, all breast cancers are tested for these receptors to determine if they will benefit from removal of the ovaries to taking a pill for the next five to ten years.
Much has changed since 1970. With advances in medical knowledge and technology, profiling has extended beyond testing for hormone receptors. Profiling now looks at the mutated genes of the tumor cells. These genes instruct cancer cells to grow, to spread, form blood vessels, become more aggressive, and hide from the body’s immune system. By understanding the behavior of these mutations, we can apply appropriate targeted and molecular therapies.
A widely-used test to profile breast cancer is the Oncotype DX. By analyzing 21 genes, this helps the oncologist determine if an early-stage breast cancer is harboring aggressive behavior to spread, (what I call a wolf in sheep’s clothing), and would benefit from chemotherapy. For all cancers, profiling can provide the physician with gene-specific information about the tumor and can assist in deciding which chemotherapy drugs could be most effective against them. Some mutations allow a cancer to hide from the body’s immune system. Profiling can detect these mutations and allow the oncologist to use immunotherapy drugs to “unmask” these tumors and allow the body’s own immune system to target the tumor.
In summary, most cancers are best treated by standard of care guidelines. For now, molecular profiling can provide information to your oncologist regarding the necessity of chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. In instances of rare cancers or those that have not responded to standard cancer treatments , profiling can aid the oncologist in choosing the best therapy for that cancer.
Originally posted in 2017, updated in 2024.
Robert Gin, MD, is a Radiation Oncologist at Arizona Oncology in Tucson. He received Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry as well as Molecular and Cellular Biology, with a minor in math and physics, from the University of Arizona, where he also completed his residency in Radiation Oncology, serving as Chief Resident.
Aug 25, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Arizona Oncology proudly announces its participation in the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM), a novel program aimed at improving cancer care. Only 44 oncology practices across the country, including ours, have been selected to take part in this initiative. Backed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), the program aligns with the Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot effort to enhance the cancer treatment experience.
What EOM Means for Patients
The EOM primarily targets Medicare and Medicaid patients undergoing chemotherapy for seven cancer types: breast cancer, chronic leukemia, small intestine/colorectal cancer, lung cancer, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and prostate cancer. Patients being treated for these conditions at Arizona Oncology can expect the following benefits:
- Round-the-Clock Clinician Access: Easy access to appropriate clinicians and seamless communication with your oncologist and care team between appointments, all aided by real-time access to medical records.
- Personalized Support: Enhanced services like patient navigation, tailored to provide guidance throughout the cancer treatment journey.
- Tailored Care Plans: Detailed care plans aligned with patient preferences, encompassing prognosis, treatment options, symptom management, and overall health needs.
- Social Assistance: Help with health-related social needs, including food and transportation through https://usoncology.findhelp.com/.
- Feedback Platform: Opportunities to share feedback on the cancer care experience and health outcomes.
Aim of EOM: Improved Patient Care
EOM’s core objective is to enhance care coordination and elevate patient outcomes. By focusing on individual patient needs, the program aims to provide better support during cancer care, promote clearer understanding of diagnoses, and facilitate collaborative treatment planning with oncologists.
Connect with Arizona Oncology
Our involvement in EOM stems from our commitment to supporting patients and refining their care experience. This initiative allows us to maintain comprehensive, coordinated care while intensifying our efforts to identify and address health disparities. Arizona Oncology remains dedicated to prioritizing patient care as we embrace EOM. Together, we’re embarking on a journey toward improved oncology care, focused on practicality, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to helping our patients thrive with and beyond cancer.
Aug 3, 2023 | Southern Arizona
Exposure to ultraviolet light is the primary cause of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers and premature aging. Both of these can be largely avoided by protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays – whether from the sun or tanning beds. If you’re going to be outdoors one of the best things you can do to protect your skin is to wear sunscreen. Wearing protective clothing and avoiding the sun at the hottest times of the day (10 am – 4 pm) can also reduce the risk of developing skin cancer.
With so many options, numbers and phrases on sunscreen packages, going to the store to choose the one that’s best for you can be overwhelming. Here are some things to help you understand what you’re reading on a sunscreen label.
Your Checklist for Choosing Sunscreen
- Choose the type of sunscreen you will apply. Sunscreen options include lotions, sprays, sticks, and gels. It is easiest to ensure where you are applying sunscreen with lotions, sticks and gels so that areas do not get missed. Sunscreen sprays are popular and convenient; just be sure to avoid spraying into eyes, nose and mouth and apply generously.
- Choose a high enough SPF. The sun protection factor (SPF), in a product ranges from 2 to 100 and refers to how much of the sun’s UVB rays are blocked.
- SPF 15: Block 93% of the sun’s UVB rays
- SPF 30: Blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends wearing sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher.
- Select a broad spectrum sunscreen. The sun generates both ultraviolet (UV) A and B rays. UVA rays cause premature aging of the skin (wrinkles and age spots.) UVB rays cause sunburns. Both UVA and UVB rays can contribute to skin cancer and your sunscreen should include protection from both.This might also be called “broad spectrum” sunscreen. A sunscreen that does not say “broad-spectrum” only protects skin from UVB (burning) rays.
- Identify the active ingredients you prefer. Sunscreens come in two different categories: barrier vs absorption
- Barrier sunscreens, like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, put a layer of protection between the sun and your skin that deflects the sun’s rays. This is often available in a white, thick cream or stick.
- Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays which often use active ingredients oxybenzone or avobenzone.
- Remember that water resistant is not waterproof. “Water resistant” and “sweat resistant” mean the same thing on a sunscreen label: these sunscreens have been proven to remain effective for at least 40 minutes while you’re in the water or sweating. You have to reapply when you get out of the water to prevent sunburn.
Prior to heading outdoors, whether it’s all day or just running errands in your car, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 30 (and water/sweat-resistant for swimming or activities) 20 minutes beforehand. Then, you will enjoy the great outdoors with peace of mind that you’re reducing your risk of skin cancer. And don’t forget to reapply every 90 minutes to two hours and after swimming or sweating.
Originally posted in 2017, updated in 2024.
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