Quad City residents 50 years old or older, or anyone with factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, are encouraged to pick up and return a free colon cancer testing kit during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

The kits are provided free of charge in March as long as supplies last. this annual screening is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Walgreens Drug Stores, Metropolitan Medical Laboratory and the American Cancer Society. Completed kits should be mailed to the Metropolitan Medical Laboratory at Genesis East. Patients will have results mailed to them within four weeks.

The kits are designed to detect small amounts of hidden blood that can indicate early problems with polyps or cancer before other symptoms are apparent. anyone with a positive test should contact their family physician and ask about a colonoscopy.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011 and nearly 50,000 will die from the disease. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer and more lives could be saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received regular testing. Screening and colonoscopy are the most effective ways to prevent colon cancer from developing.

Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These polyps can become cancerous.Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable. because there are often no symptoms for polyps, it is important to be screened.

Free kits can be picked up at the following locations in March, or until supplies last:

Walgreens Drug Stores

Bettendorf: 830 Middle Road, 3425 Middle Road; Clinton: 806 S. 4th St., 1905 N. 2nd St.; Davenport: 1805 Brady St., 1720 West Kimberly; 1525 East Kimberly, 1660 West Locust St., 4011 East 53rd St.; East Moline: 301 30th Ave.; 1301 Ave. of the Cities; Geneseo, 1009 S. Oakwood Ave.; Moline: 3601 16th St., 555 19th Ave.; 4000 Ave. of the Cities; Milan: 440 10th Ave. West; Muscatine:1703 Park Ave; Rock Island: 3100 11th St.; 2955 18th Ave.

Other Pick-Up Locations

Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, 1118 11th Street, DeWitt; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, West Campus Information Desks; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Campus Information Desks; American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 2397 Cumberland Square, Bettendorf.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies, so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated with increased risk for colon cancer include:

· Age – most diagnosed are 50 or older.

· Race – African Americans are at greater risk.

· Personal or family history of colon cancer.

· Personal or family history of intestinal polyps.

· Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative or Crohn's colitis).

· certain genetic factors (familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish descent).

· Smoking, or use of other tobacco products.

· Physical inactivity.

· Diets high in red meat.

Initiative announced on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today

DEERFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–According to the American Heart Association, one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, making hypertension among the leading conditions that can be controlled or managed through early detection. Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) is now offering free blood pressure testing through Sunday at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics nationwide, as announced on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” today.

“It’s extremely important for people to know their numbers when it comes to blood pressure, because often times there may not be symptoms that alert you to a problem”

“It’s extremely important for people to know their numbers when it comes to blood pressure, because often times there may not be symptoms that alert you to a problem,” said Richard Ashworth, Walgreens vice president of pharmacy operations. “Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in our country today, and by offering free blood pressure testing at our more than 7,600 locations, we hope these services and interaction with our health care service providers encourage more people to make blood pressure monitoring a practice in managing their overall health.”

Blood pressure testing is available to adults ages 18 and over at all Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics today through Sunday, Jan. 16, during regular pharmacy and clinic hours. each test includes a free consultation from a Walgreens pharmacist or Take Care Clinic nurse practitioner. the free blood pressure tests are not being done for diagnostic or treatment purposes and recipients are encouraged to report results to their primary care provider.

For more information or to find the nearest participating location, visit walgreens.com/findastore.

More than 76 million people in the U.S. age 20 and older have high blood pressure, American Heart Association statistics show. of those, the association says about 22 percent are unaware of their condition, 69 percent are receiving treatment and only 45 percent have their blood pressure controlled.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2010 sales of $67 billion. the company operates 7,655 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

Not really sure where you have it, but I have a small patch at the base of my head where the bottom of my hairline is. in the past when it is really bad I use a tar shampoo (found in the shampoo aisle I think it's called TGel) I believe there is a gel-like lotion also available. there may also be a bar soap available. Check out the soap aisle in your local Walgreens or CVS. Hope this helps.

Try looking at this site, it has a lot of information about herbs that can help this condition:

mothernature.com/Library/Book…

You might also want to try looking up how nutrition can play a part in it. I found this site which talks a bit about it:

health4youonline.com/nutritio…

Hope it helps. Good luck!

Try taking Borage Oil capsules. do a web search on "benefits of borage oil" and you will read up on how in the last 20 years studies have shown that a lack of GLA can be the cause of eczema and psoriasis. You can purchase Borage Oil at any vitamin shop. and along with taking it you can also peirce the capsule and rub it in to the areas where you have the psoriasis.

I forgot to mention that Borage Oil is higher in GLA than flaxseed oil or primrose oil so therefore you don't need to take as much.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Mangosteen 100 juice.