Every other Wednesday in the Pacific Daily News, Dr. Vincent S. Duenas, an internal medicine physician at the FHP Health Center and chief medical officer at TakeCare Insurance Company, Inc, writes Wellness Wednesdays, a column offering suggestions to live a balanced lifestyle.
The 2023 Pika’s Best Family Physician, Dr. Duenas’ most recent columns are below and linked to the original columns at guampdn.com.
If you have a question, you can contact Dr. Duenas via email at vincent.duenas@fhphealth.com.
Get screened for colorectal cancer - March 13, 2024
As an internal medicine physician in primary care, I encourage you to get screened for colorectal cancer, or CRC. Time and time again, I witness the unfortunate consequence of not doing so or being too late. Even just one preventable cancer death is one too many. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, making this the perfect time to educate ourselves, and others, about this disease, its risk factors, and the importance of screening. The statistics are alarming. CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, affecting both men and women. This reality underscores the impact of this disease on our community and the critical need for increased awareness and preventive measures.
To read the rest of the column, click here
Managing diabetes through diet and nutrition - March 27, 2024
Diabetes affects roughly 38.4 million people in the United States. Close to 100 million adults in the nation now have prediabetes and are at risk of progression. The numbers are staggering. For those living with diabetes, managing your diet and nutrition is a vital part of your health. Some key concepts and habits can help treat diabetes more effectively. First, focus on limiting saturated fats, which are typically found in animal products such as pork, beef, chicken, and dairy items. Consuming high amounts of these fats have been linked to heart problems, which have a direct correlation with diabetes.
To read the rest of the column, click here