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Tidbits of Coachella Valley ciated cancer, usually colon or endometrial. The goal is to find and remove these cancers before they can spread. I strongly disagree with the doctor who suggested that diet isn’t important. When you are at a higher risk for cancer, it’s more important to have the healthiest lifestyle you can. A Mediterranean-style diet, which is high in fruits and vegetables and low in processed foods and meat, is likely to reduce your cancer risk, but it is critically important to continue screening. A colonoscopy is recommended every one to two years. Many experts perform endometrial biopsies every year, despite ironclad evidence of benefit. Ovarian cancer screening is controversial and of uncertain benefit; some high-risk women have chosen a risk-reducing surgery to remove their ovaries and fallopian tubes. Any symptoms of endometrial or ovarian cancer should be discussed with your physician, who can decide whether to do additional testing.
M.D.
Doctors Differ on Dietary Advice for Lynch Syndrome
Vol. XX
Issue No. 28
VETERANS POST by Freddie Groves
New Presumptives for VA health care
The VA has added three types of cancer to the list of presumptive illnesses and disabilities that it will consider to be service-connected. “Presumptive” means the VA “presumes” your condition was caused by your service, which means you DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a healthy don’t have to prove anything. The three new conditions are male breast 55-year-old woman who eats well and exercancer, urethral cancer and cancer of the paraurecises (with both weights and cardio) six to thral glands. seven times per week. Four years ago, I was If you were diagnosed with any of those diagnosed with Lynch syndrome. (I have the three new cancers on or after Aug. 10, 2022, but “MLH1” genotype.) were denied benefits, you might be eligible for My primary care physician suggested those benefits now. testing after my sister died of cancer at the Because of the PACT Act (aka The Promise * * * age of 48. (Doctors were never able to deterDr. Roach regrets that he is unable to ianswer in- to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), the levels mine if she had breast or lung cancer bedividual questions, but will incorporate them in the column of health care and benefits are expanded for veterwhenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYour- ans who were exposed to toxins. Service locations cause of the location of the cancer.) All of my GoodHealth@med.cornell.edu. siblings (four of us) have been tested, and have been expanded over time and now include (c) 2024 North America Synd., Inc. Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Djieach of us has it. Two of my nieces have also bouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and tested positive for it. Uzbekistan. I have three adult children of my own, During certain time periods, the following and my doctor told me that at least one of are also included: being aboard a military vessel them will have it. Of my three children, only within 12 nautical miles of Vietnam/Cambodia, and one has been tested, and she tested positive serving in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, Amerfor it. ican Samoa, the Korean DMZ or the Johnston Atoll, Since my diagnosis, I have been reor if you served in a location where C-123 aircraft ceiving regular preventive care such as colowere assigned. Radiation exposure is presumed for noscopies, endoscopies and mammograms. Enewetak Atoll, Palomares and Thule. Other than some polyps that were removed, The toxins list is long as well: burn pits, sand and dust, particulates, oil well or sulfur fires, checked, and free of cancer, all procedures chemicals, radiation, warfare agents, depleted urahave come back “clear.” nium, herbicides and more. Go online to www. One doctor told me to eat little to no MON., DEC. 11 publichealth.va.gov/exposures for more inforred meat, follow a Mediterranean-style diet, mation. Be sure to scroll through the alphabetical CLIP AND SAVE and exercise. Another told me: “Live yourreview life carefully. Double check: Phone Number(s) Spelling Prices Hours Please listing of toxins and illnesses in all the drop-down and eat whatever you want. Lynch Syndrome Contact your Tidbits representative immediately with changes ormenus. corrections. is hereditary. No matter what you do, you’ll If you were a volunteer for testing hazardOffice: 760-320-0997 email: valleybits@msn.com Fax: 760-320-1630 either get cancer, or you won’t!” ous chemicals and materials (or if you suspect you I feel like I’m getting mixed messages were part of the tests), see www.va.gov/disabilfrom my doctors. Could you please tell me ity/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure. more information about Lynch syndrome? Click on “Project 112/SHAD” for a link to declassified documents about the dates, locations and Does this mean that I will definitely end up Property of J Arthur Law Firm AdVenture Media, Inc. agents used. getting cancer? Is there preventive care that I 12th7-15-2 pg4 4C 13x To learn more about the PACT Act and the should focus on? -- G.R. Dec. 17, 2023 Vol. 19 - No. 5` benefits you have from that, go to VA.gov/PACT, or call 1-800-MYVA411 (1-800-698-2411). ANSWER: Lynch syndrome is caused by If you haven’t had your free screening yet, Phone: 760.320.0997 Fax: 760.320.1630 a mutation in a group of DNA repair genes. Withvalleybits@msn.com do. Call and make an appointment. out these repair genes, a person’s DNA is more * * * All Rights Reserved liable to have errors in it when duplicated, which Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them leads to an increased risk of cancers. People ● Wills into his column whenever possible. Send email to columwith Lynch syndrome are particularly at risk for ● Trusts nreply2@gmail.com. colon cancer, but also cancers of the stomach, ● Power of Attorney kidney, bladder and other organs. ● Healthcare Directives Women are at a higher risk for endomeand Living Wills trial and ovarian cancer, but it remains debated ● New to California? whether breast cancer is a Lynch-associated Update your existing cancer. Men with Lynch syndrome are at a Estate Planning higher risk for prostate cancer. Documents! Among family members, it is expected Arthur, Esq. that half will inherit the Lynch mutation. Your “Don’t die without it!” Joshua Attorney at Law family has been unlucky. I recommend that your other children get tested soon. Of the four major genotypes in Lynch 777 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way syndrome, MLH1 tends to have the highest risk Suite 200 of cancer, and approximately 70% to 80% of Palm Springs, CA women with this genotype will get a Lynch-asso-
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