September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month and organizations and companies all over the U.S. are working to raise money for continued research for a cure as well as prevention awareness. Below are just a few organizations that are aiding in the fight against colon cancer.
Last night, over 50 celebrities came on primetime TV and asked for money. Not for themselves but for the millions of americans that continue to die from cancer and cancer related illnesses. They came to get American’s on board the StandUp2Cancer movement.
Health Magazine had an interesting article on the frequency and likelihood of hospitals making mistakes that cause a life to be lost. Certainly our medical physicians and surgeons should be revered for their hard work, long hours and continued research into the diseases and ailments that rob our loved ones of life every day. But doctors are also human and can make mistakes, sometimes to the worst of consequences. The magazine gives a quick list of things to do should you believe that a hospital has made a mistake in treating you or a loved one.
Tammy Figg of St. Louis knows how embarrasing it may seem to talk to your doctor about “down there.” Bleeding was the first sign for her that something was wrong - something that was ultimately diagnosed as colon cancer. Her struggle with her own illness and the post-operation struggles (radiation, ostomy bag, reconstructive surgery) prompted her to start her organization, Figg Tree Foundation, to help raise awareness and start a dialogue about an illness that most woman don’t want to bring up to their doctor, much less their spouse.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a drug called Maraviroc for treating the HIV virus this year. The drug, also known by the brand name Selzentry, blocks the CCR5 cell receptor the HIV virus uses to invade and infect white blood cells, invariably slowing down a patient’s immunity breakdown. This is the first HIV or AIDS drug to work in this way in early stages of HIV. Because the drug is new, side-effects are still be studied but early usage of Selzentry has been positive.
