(Credit:PCRM) (CBS News) – Hot dog happy Chicago residents are being told that their favorite meat may cause colon cancer. A new billboard has popped up in the skyline featuring a man in a hospital gown looking at his rear next to the words “Hot dogs cause butt cancer: Processed meats increase colorectal cancer risks.”

The billboard is sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), a non-profit nutrition advocacy group that focuses on diet as a way to prevent disease and reduce symptoms. Nutrition education director for PCRM, Susan Levin, told Healthpop that recent studies have helped highlight the importance of a healthy diet.

“The evidence is just overwhelming that processed meats do lead to colorectal cancer, or as the billboards say, butt cancer,” she said.

Study: Red meat raises risk of dying, risk higher with processed meats

The American Cancer Society claims that in addition to hereditary factors and age, certain types of diets – especially those high in red and processed meats – can increase risk of getting colorectal cancer. Recently, a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine also showed that daily consumption of processed meats can increase a person’s chance of dying from a chronic disease by 20 percent, Healthpop reported.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there will be 103,170 new cases of colon cancer in 2012 and almost 52,000 people will die this year because of it.

PCRM claims Americans consume 20 billion hot dogs a year, not to mention the large amounts of bacon, cold cuts and other processed meats eaten at each meal. The group decided to put the billboard in Chicago because hot dog restaurants supposedly outnumber fast food locations in the Windy City.

Using the term butt cancer is certainly a direct way to get the point across, but Levin said the dire need to educate Americans about the risk made the language necessary. according to a survey conducted by ORC International of Princeton, N.J. and sponsored by PCRM, 39 percent of Americans don’t even know what the colon is.

“We’re just trying to be really clear here because it’s too dangerous not to be,” she said.

Recent studies have also tied eating processed meats to increased risks for bladder and pancreatic cancer.

However, some in the hot dog industry are claiming that PCRM is making uninformed statements to promote a vegan cause. “Hot dogs are a great Chicago tradition and part of a healthy, balanced diet. They come in a variety of nutrition and taste formulas and they are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals,” said National Hot Dog & Sausage Council President Janet M. Riley in a press statement. “This group’s claims are an effort to seek attention for their animal rights cause.”

“PCRM is an advocacy group that pitches the adoption of meat-free diets and are clearly leveraging extreme and sensationalized tactics to further their agenda,” said a spokesperson for Sara Lee, which produces Ball Park hot dogs, via e-mail. “We believe that the key to a healthy lifestyle is a combination of a moderate, balanced diet featuring a wide variety of choices and regular exercise. We are joined in this view by many health organizations, researchers, nutritionists and fitness experts.”

In addition, one of the supposedly carcinogenic ingredients of the hot dog may not cause cancer. Research presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s 10th annual International Conference showed that colon cancer rates have not have changed since a mandate to reduce the amount of nitrate in hot dogs was put in place in 1978. Sidney Mirvish, professor emeritus at the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, said in the press release that this suggests that nitrates may not be carcinogenic.

Another Brigham Young and Harvard University study published in Epidemiology in 2004 involving more than 725,000 men and women showed no connection between red or processed meat and colon cancer, but did add that fish and poltry may lower risk.

While Levin encourages people to eat whole fruits and vegetables, she said she understands the hankering for a juicy, grilled hot dog. she says instead of heading for the typical brands, try a meat alternative like tofu or wheat gluten.

“Once you pile on the relish, sauerkraut and mustard, you can’t tell the difference,” she said.

Las Cruces— the words “preventable” and “cancer” aren’t always seen in the same sentence.

We get frequent reminders of the traditional prevention methods to help counteract cancer and many other illnesses: Eat a healthy diet including lots of fruits in vegetables, exercise and avoid smoking, get regular screenings. Those screenings are important for many types of cancer, but don’t catch abnormal cells until they have already become just that: Cancer.

From 1955 to 1992, cervical cancer was one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women, according to statistics by the American Cancer Society. but since then, death rates have declined by almost 70 percent, due to increased use of the Pap test, a screening that is unique because it can detect changes in the cervix before cancer develops, thus making it the first step in halting the possible progression of abnormal cells into cervical cancer.

“This is one of the few cancers that’s preventable, because the Pap test will help you find it before it’s cancer, as opposed to mammography, which won’t find one you can treat prior to malignancy,” said Gena love, head of the Cancer Prevention and Control Section for the New Mexico Department of Health. Preventing HPV

Love said though there has been a tremendous decrease in mortality in cervical cancer cases, it is still not being caught at 100 percent. in New Mexico, approximately 80 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and about 26 women die from the disease each year, she said. only 3 percent of those cases are the invasive kind of cancer, and the rest are localized, in situ (“in place”) cancers.

Risk factors for cervical cancer include exposure to secondhand smoke and exposure to the human papilloma virus (HPV), a large group of related viruses and the most common sexually transmitted infection that can develop into cervical cancer in women. because being exposed to HPV can happen very soon after one becomes sexually active (according to the American Cancer Society, almost half of HPV infections are found in people between the ages of 15 and 25, and one-half to three-fourths of sexually active people will have the virus at some point in their lives), the HPV vaccine is recommended for young girls before they ever get exposed to that virus, love said. HPV can live inside the body for up to several years without symptoms, she said, and the body can clear the virus on its own, so some people may never even know they were exposed to the virus and may clear it without harm. but for others, it can develop into cancer.

“The body, for the most part, is able to deal with that virus, but it can progress into invasive cervical cancer,” love said. “Why some people can clear that virus without problems and others don’t is hard to pin down.”

More than 99 percent of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, and 70 percent of those are caused by HPV types 16 and 18, which can be prevented by taking the vaccines Gardasil and Cervarix.

Love suggests following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines, which recommend that girls ages 11 to 12 get vaccinated. Women from ages 13 up to 26 can also be protected by taking it. Girls as young as age 9 are able to take it, she said.

“The vaccine seems to be very promising in preventing the acquisition of that virus in young girls,” she said.

However, the vaccines don’t protect against all of the strains that can become cancerous cells.

“One of the messages we want to get out there is it only protects for certain types of HPV,” love said. “Even if you are protected against the most common types, you are not protected against all of them, so you still need to get Pap tests.” How often should women get screened?

Love said it is difficult to say how often women should get Pap tests and at what age they should begin getting tested, because test frequency is based on age, the type of test and previous results. Generally it is recommended that women start at age 21 or within three years of the first time they have sex, and every other year after that for the first 60 months. no matter what the frequency is, it’s important that women keep getting regular Pap tests and converse with their doctor about how often to do it and when to stop, she said. Unless told by their doctor that it is OK to discontinue getting tested, women should continue up until age 65 or the cervix is removed, she said. though the test may not be the most comfortable experience or something women look forward to, she said, it’s one of the most effective and low-risk.

“It is one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening tests available,” love said. “We don’t want to suggest that screening is easy – no one really likes to have it – yet compared to others, it’s relatively painless, quick, inexpensive and sensitive. if you’ve got abnormal cells, it’s very likely to find them.”

And with regular screenings, cervical cancer can be caught early, which is beneficial because the cancer has few symptoms and can be difficult to detect without a Pap test. though it is preventable, if it goes too long before it’s detected, it can be harder to treat.

“It is a very slow-growing disease from the time abnormal cells might be seen on a Pap test to cervical cancer might be a decade or more,” love said. Treatment

For localized cancers that are caught early, treatment may just be limited to the cervix, and cells are removed off of the surface, love said. if the cancer is invasive, more extensive surgery might be required, and if the disease has metastasized to other areas of the body, regional treatments like radiation and chemotherapy will be needed. the sooner the cancer is caught, the more likely it will be easy to treat. if it’s local, the average woman has an 88 percent chance of curing the cancer and surviving. if it spreads regionally, that five-year survival rate drops down to 52 percent. if the cancer becomes distantly spread, the survival rate decreases further lower to 18 percent, she said.

Love stressed that the most important prevention method is getting regular Pap tests.

“There are more women dying of other types of cancer than the 26 (women who die of cervical cancer each year in New Mexico), yet the tragedy is that those deaths could have been prevented,” she said. “A lot of people die from cancer that couldn’t be prevented but this is one that we could have saved those lives. This is one cancer that women don’t have to die from.” Get screened

The Department of Health has breast and cervical cancer early detection programs, and offers both free Pap tests and breast screenings to women who meet specific criteria. To receive free testing, women must be 30 or older, uninsured or underinsured, and at or below the federal poverty line. For more information, visit the New Mexico Department of Health Cancer Prevention and Control website, cancernm.org/bcc, or call the toll-free number: (877) 852-2585. Did you know…

In the U.S.:

About 12, 200 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed, and about

4, 210 women will die from cervical cancer in 2010.

In New Mexico:

Approximately 80 women are diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer each year

Approximately 26 women die from the disease each year

Most cancers are localized, in situ, non-invasive tumors that have not penetrated other tissues. Three percent of all new cancer cases in the state are the invasive form of cervical cancer.

Almost two-thirds of the women diagnosed are under the age of 55, but mortality is more likely to occur in older women: two-thirds of the deaths from cervical cancer are of women age 55 and older. Freelance writer Sara Cobble can be reached at .

Nourishing diet can undoubtedly reduce the probability of panic attack though it may appear to be strikingly odd. You’ve probably heard that medications can help fight panic attacks, but what you probably didn’t realize is that there are also many benefits of learning how to eat right.

This article explains how it’s possible to get rid of unwanted panic and anxiety attacks in a completely natural way.

Panic spells have a direct link with the nervous system. Thus, by keeping a healthy diet which nourishes the nervous system, you are also controlling your panic attacks and anxiety.

For instance, foods and beverages rich in B vitamins are known for boosting the nervous system.

The more you eat of these foods, the more efficient your nervous system becomes. Moreover, the B vitamin group has also been shown to have calming effects on the psyche and body. as you are aware, the opposite of panicking is being calm.

We need to care about what we eat and drink. You are what you eat! this applies to both mental and physical health. Once more, for example, B vitamins; they contain a lot of important nutrients like thiamine, niacin, and vitamin B12.

They also promote overall health, literally from head to toe, while alleviating the symptoms of panic bouts. The same way healthier foods may help manage panic attacks, also you should stay away from certain types of foods.

For instance, you are advised to reduce , potentially eliminating it completely, including cakes, sodas, teas, coffees and chocolates, not to mention other sweets. They have been demonstrated to increase nervous system activity which can make panic spell symptoms worse in the long run. Hormones are affected by these items. as you know, hormonal abnormalities can trigger panic bouts too.

There’s a great deal of helpful information on new and better ways to help with – panic attacks treatment – at the blog site. There is help available. try this quick next step and do not waste any more of your time. look at the Panic Attack Cure web site.

Leg Bone Cancer Symptoms

I told her this: I am glad that you are fine.Leg Bone Cancer Symptoms you are indeed lucky. she replied: “I have cancer, what is so lucky about that?” and I said: “You are lucky because your arm is not swollen, your liver and bone are okay. there are many others who suffered metastasis after their chemotherapy and radiotherapy. and you are alright! That is why I said you are lucky, very lucky.” In contrast, a few patients had told me: “I am glad that I had breast cancer. Because of this, I got to know you!” there is one Dr. Shirley who had breast cancer and she once told me: “I am so happy. with this cancer, I have learned how to save my whole family. my children and husband are much healthier now than they were before. Before I got cancer I did not know anything about a healthy diet. Now the family enjoys good food.”

Cancer patients view their problems differently. It is up to each one to chose the positive and discard the negative. by doing this your perception on life and your illness will change. you will not feel that you are just an unfortunate victim. It will then dawn on you that in any circumstances that you may be in, there is always a positive or brighter side to things. Therefore, we need not always view things from a negative view point. a relaxed and peaceful mind is very important for you to regain composure. At the same time it also provides the very best environment for your body to heal itself. Fear, confusion and negative emotions within will impede the body’s healing process.

Many cancer patients who do not fear their cancers anymore ultimately enjoy a peaceful state of mind. they learn how to live with their illnesses and feel at ease. when you are calm and have attained this stage of consciousness in your mind, many good things can happen and flow from you.

1) More blessed to give.

You will learn that it is more blessed to give than to receive. you open your heart to others and share. by sharing you not only give and help others but you also heal yourself from within. Jee Sun had renal cancer and has been on the herbs for the last nine years. He is still doing fine today. He told me: “The old Jee Sun is dead. I am the new Jee Sun. I have found peace and at the same time am healing myself by helping others.” Many people unfortunately do not see this point. they prefer to hide in their own shell, refusing to talk and share. Selfishness or fear does not help you heal. It is most regrettable too that some people believe that if you are well after an illness, you must keep your mouth shut. going around telling others about your recovery is to “invite the devil” to come back and have his “revenge” again. Many patients used to tell me: “I don’t want people to know that I have cancer. It is bad luck or it is a curse, and I am ashamed.” Let me tell you this: “There is nothing to be ashamed about. to get sick is also not bad luck or a curse by the devil or God.” Sickness is a natural process. Look at the branches of any big tree. Some branches are diseased and they rot away. Some are broken and snap off due to strong winds while others grow straight and healthy. That is what Nature is. In the same way we need to look at our life as a natural process like that of a tree. In the old days, some religions taught us that illness was a punishment from an angry God. I say to you, it is not.

Lung Cancer Secrets Revealed Click here

My own experiences tell me that by giving my heart more to others, I also benefit more in return. While on this point, I am reminded of one young lady, a bank officer. she came to our house late one night because of her mother’s cancer. she told me: “Oh, you are helping people. Your God will give you all the points when you die”. I told her: “Young lady, I do all these without even thinking of wanting to collect points. Fortunately, I do not believe in a God who gives out points for good work. my God is Love.” my message is if you give with an intention or hope of getting back something in return, you will be disappointed. Worldly possessions do not necessarily bring real happiness. when I help others and they become well, there is great indescribable sense of satisfaction and joy in the heart that no money can buy. Generating such feelings in yourself is good for health and healing! It is medicine unto itself and is more powerful than herbs or drugs.

2) Count your blessings.

The events in life can be perceived differently by different minds. a mind full of hatred and anger sees things as always being destructive. the good is never seen or appreciated. a mind ingrained with love sees things positively and always sees blessings in any crisis or circumstance. my advice is: Learn to count your blessings. Give thanks with a grateful heart for each new day. Be grateful for what you are and what you have. Live one day at a time. and most important of all, try to seek the inner meaning of your illness. Your mind, soul or body is giving you a message for being sick. Seek that inner voice and understand its message.

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I am not having hot flashes but my periods have become irregular and heavy. I am having Memory problems,Anxiety weight gain and insomnia.will black cohosh help relieve any or these symptoms? have you taken it? If so any side effects?

I took Black Cohosh at the end of my pregnancy when I was just about to give birth. I wanted something natural that will help speed things a long after my plug came out… and yes it worked.

MMM, i am not sure if it's going to help you. I think we get hung up on all the symptoms that we take a back seat and look for a pill. Note many pills you take will have side effects.

First you should consult your doctor. But I really think you should have a new outlook on life and start a regular work out routine and a healthy diet. Instead of looking for natural herbs, look to make real changes that will help you such as good diet and regular exercise.

I had to do a paper in college on menopause and I heard about that stuff when doing research for the paper. It supposidly helps relieve hot flashes. It was considered one of many natural alternatives to taking estrogen, yet there are no scientific studies that have proven that it really helps with menopause.
You should go to webmd.com they have a lot of helpful information on there.

I tried it when I wanted to get off hormonal treatment and it didn't work for me.
I had severe hot flashes and anxiety attacks.

About all you can do is try it and see if it works for you.

I would tend to think that if it works for someone, it's because their body isn't having a harsh menopause.

O DEBBIE,
I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I JUST DECIDED TO TAKE THE ESTROGEN. I WAS JUST SICK OF BEING a CRABBY,HOT,COLD,FAT WIFE AND MOTHER.I HAD MY THROID PANEL DONE AND IT WAS WHACKED TOO.LOL
I FEEL MUCH BETTER I DONT CARE IF I DO GET CANCER.(OK I WON'T SAY THAT……..)
AT LEAST I AM HAPPY AND SEXY AND NICE NOW LOL

I take it in the form of medicine called Estroven. Walmart has a version which is called Estrablend. It is designed for the menopausal woman, helps with irritability, hot flashes, night sweats. It definately helps me and I don't know of any side effects. Valerian helps you sleep better, and relaxes muscles. you need to dedicate 8hours sleep though, otherwise you will be groggy through the morning hours. I wish I knew a way to stop the weight gain, I packed on 40lbs and I am having a real hard time getting rid of it. If you know a way to stop that, you call me write back with that info! LOL. Anyway, enjoy the journey and don't ever look back.

been there, done that. no it did not help for me as black cohosh has a natural form of estrogen. What you need or what I needed with similar symptoms was progesterone. I used Prosperin, went on vitamins with iron. no side effects and it worked excellent. good luck to you also check out if you are deficient in iodine. see source.

Gallbladder diet after surgery is one of the most important things that you should take care of, not only during the post-operation period, but probably for the rest of your life.

If you didn’t have any other option but surgery, it means that your condition was serious enough. But gallbladder removal will not solve the problem just like that. You will have to start taking care of yourself. your lifestyle will have to go through certain changes. one of the crucial things is your diet. Diet is something you should take care of at all times. Even if you haven’t had any surgery or health problem – healthy diet is helpful in staying healthy.

After the surgical removal of gallbladder, your doctor will give you advice and instructions related to your lifestyle, activities and diet. Follow those instructions and be well disciplined about it. In the beginning, you may find these changes difficult to accept, butt after some time you will get used to the new regime.

In order to help your body in functioning more easily, you should eat foods like eggs, low fat diary products (milk, yogurt, cheese and light milk spreads), light salads and soups and lean meat (poultry and grilled fish).

You should not eat fast food, junk food, spicy or fried foods, cabbage, broccoli, cereals, pastries, peanuts and other types of foods that are difficult to digest. try to eat minimum amount of carbohydrates and more proteins. Foods you eat should be well cooked. do not eat large meals. Eat several smaller meals instead. Digestion becomes more difficult if gallbladder is removed, so one should try to ease this process as much as he/she can. For additional questions and information you should talk to a nutritionist and/or doctor. If you are not certain about any kind of food, ask for an expert opinion.

Tags: Gallbladder, Gallbladder Diet, Surgery