Cancer of the colon or rectum is also called colorectal cancer. In the United States, it is the fourth most common cancer in men and women. Caught early, it is often curable. The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. Colorectal cancer occurs when tumors form in the lining of the large intestine. It is common in both men and women. The risk of developing colorectal cancer rises after age 50. You're also more likely to get it if you have colorectal polyps, a family history of colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, eat a diet high in fat, or smoke.

Heart disease is something we as Americans talk about a lot. But most often, the conversation surrounds the person who has heart disease or has had a cardiac event. But what about the spouse of that person? Many times the spousal role immediately changes to caregiver, nurse and housekeeper. Cardiac spouses are more susceptible to depression and other illnesses, but their health needs are often overlooked.