Wellness Connection | Southwestern Vermont Health Care

March - April 2011

Colorectal Cancer: The time for screening may be now!

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Test your knowledge below about the screening tests for colorectal cancer (also called colon cancer), a cancer which kills approximately 53,000 people in the United States every year. At least 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be avoided if people had regular screenings done. Speak with your health care provider about which screening test is right for you.

Types of urinary incontinence

Stress incontinence: urine leaks when pressure is put on the bladder when coughing, laughing, etc.

Urge incontinence: sudden urges to go to the bathroom; difficulty holding it in until reaching the bathroom.

Overflow incontinence: small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. Often caused by an enlarged prostate in men, diabetes, or a spinal cord injury.

Functional incontinence: happens to those who have normal bladder control, but arthritis or other disorders make it difficult to get to the bathroom on time.

Urinary Incontinence: More common than you think

Urinary incontinence affects about 200 million people worldwide. While experts believe 25 million adult Americans experience transient or chronic urinary incontinence, the condition remains an under-reported health issue because many with urinary incontinence are often too embarrassed to seek medical help. More women than men experience the uncomfortable condition.