Chiropractic News - Link Between Obesity and Cancer in Women

Study links obesity to higher lifetime cancer risk in women
A Cancer Research UK study found a 40% greater risk of developing at least one weight-related cancer type among obese women compared with slimmer counterparts. For every 1,000 obese U.K. women, 274 are likely to get one of the cancers, compared with 194 among women of a healthy weight, the study says. HealthDay News (3/17)

I've always appreciated the fact that most patients that I see have a mechanical problem with their back, neck, hip, shoulder...etc that I can help them with. Rarely, I come across a patient who doesn't fit the mold of a mechanical problem causing their pain. Possibilities include cancer, heart, gallbladder, prostate and more.

Recently, I had a patient whose low back pain was caused by lung cancer that spread (metastasized) to their spine. The cancer eventually caused a weakening of the bone structure of a vertebra leading to pain in his back. Although worse than normal, he was not that concerned because he had always had some amount of chronic back pain so he never came in for evaluation until it was too late

I write about this because so many people have chronic pain in their back, neck, hip...etc but they never get it looked at. They figure that it will eventually go away. It's only when the pain gets so bad that it interferes with their daily activities, do they eventually come in.

Most times, it's a mechanical problem that's treatable with chiropractic therapy but occasionally it's not. In those cases, early detection can be a matter of life and death. And, if it proves to be mechanical, prompt treatment always resolves the condition faster anyway, so you're better off getting it looked at. So, if you've been having pain that's lasting more than a week or two, I urge you to get it checked out. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Could my back pain be a spinal tumor?

Could my back pain be a spinal tumor?

Gonzalo and Kathryn’s metastatic spinal tumors caused them excruciating pain and inability to do daily activates. Then they had their spinal tumor treated with STAR. Hear their stories and how they got their life back.


Click to hear Gonzalo's story


Click to hear Kathryn's Story

Back pain is commonly the symptom that patients notice first when cancer has spread to cause tumors in the spine.

However, some people with metastatic spinal tumors do not have symptoms.

Who is most at risk for metastatic spinal tumors?

If you:

• Have a primary cancer elsewhere in the body
• Are experiencing sudden onset of unexplained back pain (mild to severe)
• Are experiencing neurological problems (such as weakness or numbness of the arms or legs or a change in normal bowel or bladder habits)
• Are experiencing loss of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or fever, chills or shakes.
  
  

...then, you may be at risk for, or have, a metastatic spinal tumor.

Learn More and Download a Free Information Kit

The spine is the most common site for bone metastases, with studies showing that metastatic spinal tumors will develop in between 10% and 40% of all cancer patients, with even higher rates in elderly patients.¹

There are an estimated 160,000 people living with painful metastatic spinal tumors.² Are you, or could you be, one of them?  Are you a caregiver for someone who may be at risk?

Next: Take Action

• Receive information about spinal tumors and the t-RFA/STAR procedure
• Get a discussion guide about STAR to take to your doctor
• Find a STAR physician in your area

References

1. Cardoso ER, et al. Percutaneous tumor curettage and interstitial delivery of samarium-153 coupled with kyphoplasty for treatment of vertebral metastases. J. Neurosurg Spine 2009;10:336-342.
2. Constans, et al., J Neurosurg 59:111-118, 1983; Gokaslan, et al., J Neurosurg 89:599-609, 1998; Wong, et al., Spine 15:1, 1-4.