Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common health problem, representing the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and causing a significant burden in terms of morbidity and mortality, with annual deaths estimated at 700000. The western way of life, that is being rapidly adopted in many regions of the world, is a well discussed risk factor for CRC and could be targeted in terms of primary prevention. Furthermore, the relatively slow development of this cancer permits drastic reduction of incidence and mortality through secondary prevention. These facts underlie primary care physicians (PCPs) being assigned a key role in health strategies that enhance prevention and prompt diagnosis. Herein, we review the main topics of CRC in the current literature, in order to better understand its pathogenesis, risk and protective factors, as well as screening techniques. Furthermore, we discuss preventive and screening policies to combat CRC and the crucial role served by PCPs in their successful implementation. Relevant articles were identified through electronic searches of MEDLINE and through manual searches of reference lists.

Significant changes in abdominal lipid deposition occurred in MO patients 6 and 12 months after bariatric surgery. The changes were significantly, correlated with the magnitude of BMI loss. The fat redistribution may contribute to the improvements in metabolic abnormalities.

New legislation in Greece towards presumed consent for organ donation, effective as of June 2013, has come at a critical moment. This pilot study aims to explore awareness, specific concerns and intentions about the new organ donation framework among patients attending Greek general practices in a rural and urban setting. Only 2.6% of respondents had a donor card, a mere 9.6% was aware of new legislation, whereas only 3.8% considered that the public had been adequately informed. Higher income respondents were more likely to be aware that they would be considered organ donors upon death, unless declared differently. Urban practice respondents were less likely to have previously discussed with a significant other their intentions in regards to presumed consent. One quarter of all respondents (22.4%) intended to carry out their right to prohibit organ removal upon death. Survey results reveal that organ donation reform has yet to be disseminated by the Greek society, underscoring the urgency for targeted information campaigns.

The worldwide upward trend in obesity in adults and the increased incidence of overweight children suggests that the future risk of obesity-related illnesses will be increased. The existing anti-obesity drugs act either in the central nervous system (CNS) or in the peripheral tissues, controlling the appetite and metabolism. However, weight regain is a common homeostatic response; current anti-obesity medications show limited effectiveness in achieving long-term weight loss maintenance; in addition to being linked to various side effects. Combined anti-obesity medications (per os or injectable) target more than one of the molecular pathways involved in weight regulation, as well as structures in the CNS. In this systematic review, we conducted a search of PubMed and The ClinicalTrials.gov up to February 2021. We summarized the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications, and we focused on the combined pharmacological treatments, related to the incretin hormones, currently in a clinical trial phase. We also assessed the mechanism of action and therapeutic utility of these novel hybrid peptides and potential interactions with other regulatory hormones that may have beneficial effects on obesity. As we improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity, we hope to identify more novel treatment strategies.