November is Stomach Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Both cancers are often called "the silent killers" because they can be difficult to detect early and hard to treat in later stages. Many symptoms for these illnesses only come at later stages and can seem similar to more common, less serious issues. Know your body and what's normal for you, and talk to your doctor if something seems off. Early symptoms of stomach cancer may include indigestion and pain in the upper belly. As the illness progresses, symptoms can include trouble swallowing, feeling bloated after eating (even small amounts of food), nausea, vomiting, losing weight without trying, fatigue, and stools that look black. Like with stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer symptoms can include stomach pain, fatigue, and lack of appetite. But symptoms also include jaundice (when the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow), itchy skin, dark urine, light-colored stools, blood clots, and diabetes that's newly diagnosed or becoming difficult to control. #StomachCancerAwarenessMonth #PancreaticCancerAwarenessMonth

Lung cancer screening guidelines got an update in 2021 that will save more lives. #LungCancerAwarenessMonth is a perfect time to learn who is eligible.👇 People aged 50 to 80 years old who have smoked a minimum of 20 “pack-years” and either still smoke today or quit within the past 15 years are now eligible for lung cancer screenings. Wondering how to calculate a “pack-year”? Multiply the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the years the person has smoked. For example, someone could qualify by smoking one pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years. Lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths. Roughly 9 out of 10 cases in the U.S. are linked to cigarette smoking. If you’re ready to quit, contact your health provider about the best approach, which may include a combination of medication and counseling.

Worldwide, 6.7 million people died from diabetes in 2021, and 1 in 10 adults are currently living with it. According to the International Diabetes Federation, almost half the people who have the disease don't know it. #WorldDiabetesDay is a time to focus on education for a healthier tomorrow. Type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition affecting 8% of people with the illness. In comparison, type 2 diabetes affects roughly 90% of people with the disease and often develops from lifestyle habits such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and being overweight. Both types are serious and can have common symptoms. Check them out below, and contact your doctor if you are experiencing any of them. > Blurred vision > Being very thirsty > Low energy compared to usual > Frequent urination > Wounds that heal slowly > Frequent infections > Losing weight without trying > Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet