"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of Cure"-Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin -our great leader and inventor said long time ago like Confucius--a wise man of China.

"An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of Cure".

These words of wisdom still hold true as society tries to deal with new problems.

Recent death from a teenager who was driving while texting--amounted to a criminal charge.The teen ager realized his mistake,but a valuable person had lost his life.

Vince Lombardi of football fame as well as Jack Dempsy ,a heavy weight prizefighter said,"The best defense is a good offense".

Let us think about these 2 great phrases.

Many vaccines to prevent a disease are based on the Best defense philosophy.

But how about Cancer?

Even after having spent trillions since 1972-when our President declared a WAR ON CANCER--Cancer remains a dreadful disease.Chemotherapy,Radiation therapy,various transplants(bone marrow) have been invented to save  lives for a few years.But the costs of doing these are staggering--thus adding to rising health care costs.

However Benjamin Franklin seems to be winning.

Prevention remains the cheapest and least painful option.

Here are some examples:

Breast Cancer

Cervical Cancer

Colon Cancer

Lung Cancer

Susan Komen organized local community campaigns have increased the awareness and led to 90% screening for Breast Cancer.

Cervical Cancer ,likewise is gaining awareness.

For Lung Cancer--ads as well awareness has helped 85%--but 15% still smoke.

What about Colon Cancer?

Colonoscopy was invented in 60's--almost 47 years ago with crude tools,but with fiber optics and new cameras,Colonoscopy has become a less painful procedure without sedation.With sedation,Colonoscopy or Colon Screening has become painless for patients ,thus allowing the gastroenterologists to look for polyps--hidden ones and all.Removing these Cancer causing Polyps have saved millions of lives--thanks to the inventors and Katie Couric's efforts.

Dr.OZ of TV show named after him -told Larry King on CNN after Dr.Oz discovered that he had precancerous polyp that every one should be screened over 50 and earlier if they have family history.For some groups-the current recommended age is 45.

I am volunteering as a doctor for  www.getyourrearingear.com   Get Your Rear in Gear--nice catching phrase.

However--in Illinois 5-14 die every day from Colon Cancer.

The death toll from Colon Cancer is close to 50,000 per year in the USA.

WHY????

Only 50% are taking Colon Cancer screening seriously.The other 50% are not listening to Benjamin Franklin.

Cost is not an issue as all insurances cover Colonoscopy for over 50.

85% of people are insured.

Robin Gibb --a 6 times Grammy Award winner, had no financial reason.He died at 62--never went for Colon Screening at 50.

Even Oprah Winfrey told Dr.OZ--I have not had my screening and she was 57 in 2010 when she heard about Dr.OZ pre cancerous polyp.

Dr.OZ told Larry King--that 25% of people have Polyps in their Colon--which are the source of Colon Cancer.

With 1 in 4 odds--why 50% do not go for Colon Screening and then complain about our CANCER CURE.

Yes--there is cure for Colon Cancer--but it gets very expensive if allowed to progress. For some death sentence is unavoidable.

SO DON'T Complain about not enough being done for CANCER.

Tell people over 45 or 50--PLEASE GET COLON SCREENING.

Tell  kids-Smoking is the cause of Lung Cancer.

Let us listen to Benjamin Franklin.