Archive for the ‘Health Screenings’ Category
Life Line Screening Provides hs-CRP screenings for the Dr. Oz Show
February 3, 2012
C-Reactive Protein screenings can help predict heart attack risk.
Recently, the Dr. Oz Show aired a groundbreaking show on Heart Disease in Women. One of the main elements of the show was a screening provided by Life Line Screening (and partners Northshore: Long Island Jewish Labs and Alere) for the entire studio audience. The test was for high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), a new test that can help predict heart disease.
C-Reactive Protein provides a measure of inflammation in the body and can be done by a simple finger-stick.
These are the current values for CPR as they relate to cardiovascular disease risk level.
As the show depicts, a normal artery is clear and blood flows through it smoothly. An artery with plaque may block blood a little bit but the blood still can still often flow. However, when the artery has plaque and also becomes inflamed, the blood can get blocked and this can lead to heart attack.
The segment is available on the Dr. Oz website at:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-new-test-predict-heart-disease-pt-1
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/best-new-test-predict-heart-disease-pt-2
Life Line Screening was very pleased to provide this screening for the studio audience and urges all of our customers to watch this number one rated daytime show for important health information. Check www.doctoroz.com to learn when the show is airing in your area.
Category: Are You at Risk?, Health Screenings
Too Many People Not Getting Cancer Screenings They Need
January 27, 2012
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute released new data that reveals that Americans are not getting necessary cancer screenings at the level they should.
According to the report, breast and cervical cancer rates have plateaued. Colorectal cancer rates are much lower than guidelines recommend, but more people are being screened. The focus now is on getting those numbers up.
According to a report on WebMD, in 2010, about 59% of eligible men and women had colonoscopies or another colorectal cancer screening test. This is significantly below the government target of 70%.
Life Line Screening now offers a new colorectal screening test, called the FIT test. This preventive health screening test is not a substitute for a colonoscopy but is a recommended detection test that is simple to use and done at home. It is also very inexpensive at only $45.
At Life Line Screening, we really want our customers to stay on top of all their preventive health screenings. Early detection is the best weapon we have. Please talk to your doctor about your needed cancer screenings, and come visit us to get your FIT test.
Resources:
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/news/20120126/cdc-cancer-screening-below-target-rates
Category: Health Screenings
Life Line Screening Recap: Paula Deen’s Diabetes Announcement
January 17, 2012
You may have read news stories yesterday about today’s expected announcement by Paul Deen on the TODAY show. Well it’s out! Yes, the down-home cook from Savannah, star of Food Network’s “Paula’s Best Dishes” has type 2 diabetes.
Just the news of the expected announcement started a firestorm of comments on TODAY’s msn.com website. Some comments were heated as they came from opposite sides of the spectrum, like:
- A quote from John Sampso: “I would love to see the percentage of type 2 diabetics who actually make a concerted effort to lose weight, exercise, and eat healthy, and the percentage of type 2 diabetics who don’t put forth enough effort.”
- A quote from annsrum: “@JohnSampso So how do you explain me? [...] I was diagnosed with type II diabetes despite the fact that I am at a healthy weight for my height, eat what most people would consider a healthy diet (use olive oil, eat salads, eat fish etc), and exercise 5 days a week.”*
- A simple finger stick glucose screening can detect diabetes. To find out more, click the picture.
Meanwhile during her TODAY interview with Al Roker, Deen talked about the importance of being responsible for yourself as far as making good food choices and eating some of the sugar-filled, high calorie foods only in moderation. She also urged people to get regular diabetes screenings, especially baby boomers, as she mentioned the other factors besides obesity that can “lead” to diabetes, such as genetics, lifestyle, stress, and age.
Dr. Rashini Raj, a TODAY Contributor, also appeared on the show and agreed that diet, lack of exercise, age, and race “increases the risk for diabetes.” However, obesity is the “most defined risk factor.” Still, it is not currently known what exactly causes diabetes, she said.
In an article on MSNBC.com, Vidya Rao reports that while Deen will continue to cook the high-fat foods, her son Bobby will promote lower calorie versions of his mom’s meals on his Cooking Channel show, “Not My Mama’s Meals,” as the comments about her appearance continue rolling in.**
Your comments are welcome here. Let us know what you think!
See the Paula Deen interview on TODAY at: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/46023389#46023389
Category: Health Screenings, Healthy Living, Personal Stories
Friday Roundup: How to Check Your Heart Rate
January 13, 2012
Your resting heart rate is important to your cardiovascular health. The Chicago Tribune has a good article that explains how to check heart rate yourself. If you ever have a heart rate over 80, be sure to consult your doctor immediately.
The steps taken from the article are:
- Use two fingers (not your thumb*) and press gently** on either on your neck or the underside of your wrist to locate the pulse
- Once the pulse is located, look at a clock or watch and count the number of beats in a 15-second period.
- Multiply the number from step #2 by 4 to get your heart rate.
*Your thumb has a light pulse which can be confusing so it is best not to use your thumb to check your heart rate. Use your index and middle fingers. (This fact is not included in the article.)
**Press gently because excessive pressure on an artery can slow the heart rate.
To find out more about heart rate, click on the picture in this post.
Read the Chicago Tribune article at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/sns-201201032000–tms–premhnstr–k-c20120104jan04,0,1650803.story
Category: Health Awareness, Health Screenings, Healthy Living
FIT At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Test Offered
January 11, 2012
In our January 9, 2012 press release, we announced that Life Line Screening will offer the latest standard in simple, accurate at-home colon cancer screening tests, the Fecal Immunochemical Test, or FIT.
Preferred by the American College of Gastroenterology, the FIT test can be purchased through Life Line Screening for the affordable price of $45.
When should you test and why? Life Line Screening’s Chief Medical Officer, Andrew Manganaro MD, explains in the press release that if you are age 50 or over, or a 45-year-old or older African American, you can really benefit from regular preventive colon cancer screenings. This is because preventive colon cancer screening tests can find cancerous cancers in their early stages and can also find precancerous polyps that can be removed before cancer develops.
Keep in mind, though, that the FIT test being offered is not a substitute for a regular physical and rectal examination. The FIT at-home colon cancer screening test is, however, a simple, safe, user-friendly way to begin the important and possibly life-saving process of colorectal cancer screening.
Facts about colorectal cancer that you should be aware of:
- “Colorectal” refers to the colon and rectum, which together make up the large intestine.
- About 75% of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors.
- Ninety-three percent (93%) of colorectal cancer cases occur in people age 50 and older, and the risk increases with age.
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
- Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among African Americans.
- The risk of colorectal cancer is higher among African Americans than any other population group in the U.S.
- Death rates from colorectal cancer are higher among African Americans than any other population group in the U.S.
- Many people who are at risk for colorectal cancer are not being screened.
- If found and treated early, 90% of patients survive five years or more.
The $45 FIT at-home colon cancer screening test is sold at Life Line Screening events. Make sure to ask for it at your next screening.
You can read our press release in full detail at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/1/prweb9085864.htm
Other Resources
Read how good (HDL) cholesterol can help cut your colon cancer risk at: http://www.lifelinescreening.com/health-updates/healthy-you/high-cholestorol/cholesterol-may-cut-colon-cancer-risk.aspx
Category: Health Awareness, Health Screenings
