Studies Find New Risks for Colon Cancer

At this year’s annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Washington, D.C., two new studies will be presented, each suggesting new risk factors for colon cancer.

In the first study, researchers determined that people with higher levels of C-reactive protein in the blood have a greater risk of colon cancer. This type of protein is an indication of inflammation somewhere in the body.

The researchers analyzed more than 300 records of women with colorectal cancer and compared them with 450 cancer-free women. For women with the highest protein levels, the risk of developing colon cancer was two and a half times higher than those with the lowest levels.

The second study found that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which infects the stomach or first part of the small intestine, increases the risk of colorectal polyps in African Americans. These polyps often become cancerous if left untreated.

Researchers found that colorectal polyps were 50 percent more common in patients with H. pylori after reviewing medical records of about 1,260 African American patients.

The earlier the treatment, the better the prognosis for people with cancer. If you or a loved one have questions about cancer negligence or the quality of care received, please call or email our cancer malpractice lawyers at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today. We have helped clients throughout New York City, including those with Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Bronx cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Manhattan cancer malpractice and Long Island cancer malpractice cases.

Call 1-877-ASK4SAM today for your free consultation.

Colon Cancer Screening Less Available in Hispanic Areas

According to a recent report published in the journal Cancer, Hispanics in the U.S. may have less access to screening tests for colorectal cancer because many largely Hispanic areas have fewer facilities offering screening. Compared to non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics are not as likely to get screened for this type of cancer. This study may help explain the cause of those statistics.

For the study, researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston looked at data on colon cancer screening tests obtained from a nationwide health survey, a cancer monitoring program and Medicare records. They found that Hispanics in the U.S. usually reside in areas where screening tests are less accessible. Researchers also found that people with screening facilities available in their area were more likely to get screened for colorectal cancer.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 146,970 new cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. in 2009 and 49,920 deaths. If you or a loved one have questions about the timeliness of a cancer diagnosis or about the quality of the medical care you received, call or email Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. today.

Our cancer malpractice attorneys will provide a free consultation and evaluation of your potential case. We have helped clients with Bronx cancer malpractice, Brooklyn cancer malpractice, Queens cancer malpractice, Manhattan cancer malpractice and Long Island cancer malpractice cases. Call us toll free, 1-877-ASK4SAM.

Many Infants Deficient in Vitamin D

In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) increased the recommended daily requirement of vitamin D for babies and children from 200 IU (International Units) per day to 400 IU per day. However, in a nationwide study conducted in 2009, researchers found that about 20 percent of children ages 1 to 11 were deficient in vitamin D, with infants having a higher deficiency rate.

The study, published in Pediatrics, looked at infants ranging from one month old to ten and a half months old. These children were placed in three categories, with only about 5 to 13 percent of breastfed only babies, 9 to 14 percent of breast and bottle-fed babies and 20 to 37 percent of bottle-fed only babies getting the recommended amount of vitamin D.

Infants who are not receiving enough vitamin D can be given multivitamin supplements to prevent deficiency. According to the AAP, vitamin D helps the body absorb and retain phosphorous and calcium, which help build bone. The vitamin also helps prevent infections, in addition to certain types of cancer and diabetes. If your child may not be receiving the recommended amount of vitamin D, talk to their pediatrician about ways to increase their intake though diet or supplements.

If you or a loved one has medical malpractice questions, call or email the experienced attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. We have helped clients with Bronx medical malpractice, Brooklyn medical malpractice, Queens medical malpractice and Long Island medical malpractice cases. Call today for your free consultation.

1-877-ASK4SAM