When Ruby Norland of Las Vegas decided to donate a kidney to her 29-year-old son, Ramiro Alvarado, she assumed determination and love would be enough. But after a series of evaluations at another transplant center, Ruby heard the word she feared most: no. 

"I cried out of anger and frustration," she recalls. "I felt devastated and helpless." 

Even though Ruby was a match, she was told her case was too complex. She had a small kidney stone and unusual anatomy. Instead of one artery, the right kidney had two, with the main artery branching very close to the aorta. Although her left kidney was not complex, Ruby was told the risks were too great to leave her with a single kidney that had a stone. 

That's when Ruby was referred to Mayo Clinic. 

Watch: Mother refuses to give up on son and finds a way forward

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:43) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

The path forward to donation

Ramiro had been on dialysis for eight months, three to four hours a day. For him, it was physically and emotionally challenging. "When my mom first offered to donate her kidney, I was stunned. I could never have asked anyone to do something so profound for me. She decided almost instantly, without a second thought," says Ramiro. "Donating an organ is not just a medical act. It is an act of love." 

During her first call, Ruby remembers the coordinator pausing before responding, not to say no, but to say that Mayo wanted to take a closer look. The Mayo Clinic team reassured her that their technology and surgeons were well equipped to handle complex cases like hers, offering hope instead of focusing on obstacles to donation. 

Experience meets complexity 

The transplant team evaluated her kidney stone risk, studied her anatomy in detail and worked through what donation would mean for her long-term health. The outcome was one other centers hadn't reached: Ruby was approved to donate her left kidney, while keeping the kidney with complex anatomy and the small stone, along with a long-term plan to reduce future risk. Mayo Clinic Transplant Center physicians have studied predictors of future kidney stones and have helped develop donor guidelines.   

"My test results didn't show a high risk of recurring kidney stones, and I felt confident about keeping my right kidney," says Ruby. When Ruby received the call that she was approved, she cried again, but this time out of relief. "When I told my son, he didn't believe me at first," she says. "Then it sank in, and we just held each other."   

The transplant itself was a success. "The testing was thorough, and the team was honest about the risks," Ruby says. "That made me feel prepared, not afraid."  

"It is our responsibility to not only identify but also comprehensively understand risks for potential donors, ensuring that decisions are guided by the expertise of our clinical team as well as input from the donor. Often, complex donor anatomy leads to denial at other centers. However, our approach at Mayo Clinic allows us to assist many donors successfully," explains Dr. Carrie Jadlowiec, medical director of the Living Donor Program at Mayo Clinic in Arizona.  

"My care team never minimized my risks," Ruby says. "They just refused to stop at no." 

Ruby says the moment that stays with her most is waking up after surgery and hearing that her son's new kidney was already working.  

Her recovery was smooth, and today she's back to hiking, practicing hot yoga and strength training and looking forward to her first Mother’s Day after the transplant.  

For Ramiro, having more energy, freedom and a renewed sense of gratitude for everyday moments that once felt out of reach drives his days. "I am not just surviving anymore. I am living again," he says. "There was a time when I avoided looking too far into the future because it felt like a privilege I could not count on. Now, I find myself making plans and looking forward to what comes next." 

For Ruby and her son, the transplant is no longer the center of the story; it's the turning point. What remains is many more Mother’s Days in their future together. And for Ramiro, every day reminds him of the incredible gift his mom gave him. 

Becoming an organ donor

Living kidney donation is available at all Mayo Clinic sites, where multidisciplinary teams prioritize patient needs, even in complex cases. Ruby's story is just one example of what's possible, thanks to the Transplant Center's support from Mayo Clinic's depth of expertise. This collaboration enables Mayo Clinic to care for patients facing extraordinary challenges while advancing transplant medicine. 

Learn more about Living Kidney Donation at Mayo Clinic. 

Related posts:

• How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO)
• Transplant Center at Mayo Clinic in Arizona sets a five-year national record for solid organ transplants (VIDEO)

The post Mother refuses to give up on son and finds a way forward (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

For patients with type 1 diabetes and end-stage kidney disease, a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant eliminates the need for dialysis and insulin injections by restoring insulin production and curing diabetes. Some people with type 2 diabetes may also be eligible.

For nearly four decades, 49-year-old Nakia Odom of Phoenix lived with type 1 diabetes, a disease that slowly took more than his health. It took his independence, his mobility and the tap dancing that once defined him.

Nakia was taught tap dancing by his grandmother, and it became an early passion. He even got to dance with tap legend Savion Glover at the Apollo Theater in New York. But a diabetes diagnosis at age 13 forced him to shift his focus from the stage to his health.

"Diabetes was livable at first," Nakia says. "But as I got older, it took more and more." As he approached his mid-20s, his health began to deteriorate. He had to give up tap dancing and eventually, playing football and basketball.

Diabetes to kidney failure

By his mid‑40s, diabetes-related complications had led to kidney failure. Nakia began dialysis at age 46, endured multiple surgeries, lost a toe to infection and developed sepsis, leaving him unable to walk or bear weight on his feet for months.

Nakia leaned into his faith. He also began to explore kidney-pancreas transplantation — but his case was too complex for most transplant centers.

That changed when he was referred to Mayo Clinic in Arizona, where transplant teams specialize in caring for patients others may turn away. Mayo Clinic is a leader in kidney–pancreas transplantation, with outcomes that meet and often exceed national averages. The team is also advancing the field through innovations such as robotic-assisted transplants, using minimally invasive techniques to support complex procedures.

Watch: Kidney-Pancreas transplant restores life without diabetes, the Nakia Odom story

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:21) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Last spring, Nakia received a simultaneous kidney–pancreas transplant. "The first thing I noticed when I woke up was that the brain fog was gone," he says. "I wasn't in pain. And every day since, it's gotten better."

Now, one year post‑transplant, Nakia no longer needs insulin or dialysis. He's active again and has returned to tap dancing for the first time since 2001.

"My goal was always to dance again," Nakia says. "Dancing is how I connect with God."

Organ donors

His story reflects both the promise and the urgency of organ donation. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are waiting for a kidney transplant, and around 2,500 are on the list for kidney–pancreas transplants. For many, the wait can stretch three to five years or longer. 

Nakia is deeply aware of the gift he received. "I pray for the donor's family every day," he says. "Their loss gave me my life back. Without their sacrifice, I might not be here today."

Now, the sound of Nakia's second chance is the rhythm of his tap shoes touching the floor once again — showing how his transplant didn't just restore his health; it gave him back something he deeply loved. 

"This is the best thing that's ever happened in my life," he says.

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Transplant performs record 2,065 organ transplants in 2025
• Robotic kidney transplant, when innovation meets family (VIDEO)
• How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO)
• Mayo Clinic Minute: What to expect as a living kidney donor

The post Kidney-pancreas transplant gives tap dancer new life without diabetes (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

PHOENIX — This National Donate Life Month, Mayo Clinic is highlighting how innovation is shaping the future of transplant care.

"Over the last 50 years, transplant safety and outcomes have improved dramatically, making it a successful treatment for many patients. Since joining Mayo Clinic in 1976, I've seen how teamwork, research and high-volume expertise have driven advances," says Sylvester Sterioff, M.D., retired transplant surgeon.

Mayo Clinic performed its first transplant in 1963, marking the start of its pioneering work in transplantation. At that time, surgeons didn't typically specialize in transplants full time. The introduction of improved immunosuppression therapies in the 1980s greatly expanded capabilities, and surgical techniques have progressed from traditional open procedures to today's advanced methods.

"These innovations now allow us to accept a broader range of organs, and preservation techniques have improved considerably," says Dr. Sterioff. "Over the years, I've witnessed success rates in transplantation rise from 35% to over 90%. Mayo Clinic's foundation in collaborative, complex care makes these achievements possible." 

Today, that progress is enabling less invasive options for some transplant patients.

Watch: Inside the Innovation — Robotic-assisted kidney transplant

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:04) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Robotic-assisted transplantation expands possibilities

Now, that legacy continues with robotic-assisted kidney transplantation, a surgical approach available at only a limited number of advanced transplant centers nationwide.

"In robotic-assisted surgery, the surgeon controls every movement, the robot isn't operating on its own," explains Alex Cortez, M.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. "It's a tool that gives us greater precision and a magnified view, so we can perform highly advanced minimally invasive surgery. With four robotic arms and a nearby console, the surgeon can make finer, steadier motions than the human hand alone. This can also make surgery possible for some patients with more complex cases. And because it's less invasive, patients often have smaller incisions, less pain and a faster recovery."

Robotic systems have come a long way since the first robotic kidney transplant in 2001. Much like smartphones, the optics, technology and access have improved. This efficiency enables surgeons to perform additional procedures, allowing them to assist a greater number of patients. Robotic-assisted surgery still requires extensive training and uses the same core surgical principles. Advanced haptics let surgeons feel tissue resistance and suture tension, improving precision and safety. This reduces tissue harm and complications over visual cues alone, and technology will continue to evolve. 

The future of transplant innovation

Looking ahead, advances in robotics could help make complex transplants and multi-organ transplants less invasive and shape what the next era of transplant medicine looks like.

"I think this is just the beginning. We're able to merge innovation with patient-centered care to provide not only successful transplants, but also allow patients to recover faster and lead to a better quality of life," says Michelle Nguyen, M.D., a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. "For the first time at Mayo Clinic, we have been able to perform a simultaneous kidney and pancreas transplant using robotic surgery."  

"Looking to the future, there's a lot of innovation occurring," she adds. "With the introduction of telepresence, the robot’s video camera and microphone allow users to see, hear and interact in a remote environment.” Surgeons from all over the country will be able to watch and learn from Mayo Clinic. There are also opportunities for leveraging the data to then potentially train the robot and other machine learning models to help us make the operation much smoother. "We hope this approach will expand access to care for more patients in the future."

Mayo Clinic is not only advancing today's transplant care, but helping define what comes next. Transplant teams at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Mayo Clinic in Arizona are continuing their work to expand robotic-assisted transplants to other organ groups and the Jacksonville campus at Mayo Clinic in Florida will be including robotics as part of their transplant practice in the near future. These advances would not be possible without the generosity of organ donors, who make lifesaving innovation possible.

Expert sources:

• Alex Cortez, M.D., transplant surgeon, Mayo Clinic in Minnesota 
• Michelle Nguyen, M.D., transplant surgeon, Mayo Clinic in Arizona

###

About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

About Mayo Clinic Transplant Center  
Mayo Clinic Transplant Center is one of the largest and most comprehensive transplant programs in the world. With programs in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota, Mayo Clinic provides seamless, coordinated care across adult heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation. Guided by a commitment to innovation, research and education, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center delivers world-leading outcomes, compassionate patient care and advances that shape the future of transplantation worldwide. 

Media contact: 

• Carey Stanton, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu 

The post How innovation is shaping the future of transplant care (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Mayo Clinic is using new technology to help with diabetes-related kidney failure.

About 40 million people in the U.S. are living with diabetes. Most are able to manage the condition with medication and lifestyle changes.

But in some cases, diabetes, type 1 or type 2, can lead to more serious problems, including chronic kidney disease, even kidney failure, leaving patients with only one option – a pancreas-kidney transplant.

The transplant has been performed for decades. Now, surgeons at Mayo Clinic are performing the transplant robotically. 

Steve Canzoneri shares his life-changing story of becoming Mayo's first patient to undergo a robotic pancreas-kidney transplant.

Watch: Mayo Clinic announces first robotic pancreas-kidney transplant

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:45) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Steve has battled diabetes most of his life. Despite treatment, diabetes still took a toll on his body and over time led to kidney failure.

"I've had some major setbacks with diabetic complications and other things like that," says Steve.

Diabetes is a disease where the body cannot properly control blood sugar levels. In most cases, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or the body can't use it effectively. This can damage organs, especially the kidneys, leaving some patients like Steve in need of a pancreas-kidney transplant.

Steve got the transplant he needed at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. He also became Mayo's first patient to undergo the procedure robotically.

"Traditionally, this operation involves a very big incision, but with the minimally invasive approach, we're able to offer patients a smaller incision," says transplant surgeon Michelle Nguyen, M.D. "That potentially allows the patient to recover faster, have less pain, have less risk of wound complications and just be able to return to their normal life more quickly."

For the transplant, two surgeons sit at consoles guiding the robot with hand controls. The robot does not replace the surgeon – it enhances precision, accuracy and control. 

"The robot is actually just a tool that we use in the operating room that improves our magnifications, allows us to do a minimally invasive approach," says transplant surgeon Nitin Katariya, M.D. "We are in control the whole time."

Goal of transplant

The transplant is more than just a treatment.

"For many of these patients on insulin, we can try to cure both issues: the kidney disease and what may have caused their kidney disease in the first place, their diabetes. And so we look at kidney-pancreas transplant together as a way to attack both problems and solve both problems," adds Dr. Katariya.

Steve's dad noticed an improvement right away.

"He said to me that I finally sound like his son again," says Steve.

Steve was discharged less than a week after his transplant. 

"He’s recovering very smoothly. He is done with dialysis, his kidney function is pretty much normal now, he is off insulin," says Dr. Nguyen.

For Steve, that means a future free of limitations.

"To be able to live, and travel again, be able to live life, and having that renewed spirit of being able to just do whatever I want–whenever I want–and not be tied down somewhere," says Steve.

Not everyone is a candidate for the robotic pancreas-kidney transplant. Doctors recommend talking to your healthcare team to determine what options are best for you.

Related stories:

• Mayo Clinic surgeons perform first robotic-assisted kidney transplant in Minnesota
• How a pancreas transplant can cure diabetes
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Reasons to be a living kidney donor
• From donation to Kilimanjaro: Living kidney donor defies limits (VIDEO)

The post Mayo Clinic announces first robotic pancreas-kidney transplant (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

John Zajac, a certified golf physical therapist at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine, demonstrates the best pre-golf dynamic warmup stretches. 

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:04) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Mayo Clinic doesn’t just advise golfers on stretches and strength. For 25 years, it has served as the official medical sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open, providing on-site care for athletes, event staff and spectators. Supporting one of the world’s largest golf events, from heat-related illness to musculoskeletal injuries, reflects deep expertise in both prevention and knowing when specialized care is needed. 

The golf swing requires coordinated rotation through the hips and upper back. When those areas are stiff, the lower spine often compensates, increasing strain and risk of injury. Spend 5-10 minutes warming up before each round. It helps improve performance and protects your joints. 

These golf warmup stretches help you stay healthy and out of the orthopedics office. See you on the green. 

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: 4 physical therapist-recommended golf exercises
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Are the yips just nerves or something more?
• Mayo Clinic Q and A: Golf-related wrist pain and injuries

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Dynamic golf warmup to prevent injuries appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I'd like to become a living kidney donor. What's involved and how do I prepare if I'd like to donate a kidney?

ANSWER: You've made a generous and meaningful decision to become a living kidney donor. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are on a waiting list for a kidney transplant. 

Your donation offers life-changing benefits for someone with kidney failure. The kidney's role is to filter waste from the bloodstream. Receiving a kidney transplant frees the person from the rigorous schedule and restrictions of dialysis and allows them to participate more fully in life — working, raising a family, traveling and returning to the activities they value. 

Living donor kidney donation can be made in several ways:

• Directed. This means your kidney will go to someone you know — a family member, friend or co-worker. Blood relatives are usually the most compatible living kidney donors.
• Paired. If you aren't compatible with your intended recipient, you may participate in a kidney exchange so that both recipients receive compatible kidneys.
• Voucher (advanced donation). You can donate your kidney now through a national program and receive a voucher for a designated person. If that person needs a transplant in the future, the voucher helps prioritize them for a compatible living donor kidney through the exchange system
• Nondirected. Your kidney goes to someone you don't know, based on medical need and compatibility.

This is a big decision, and you want to go into it feeling well informed. Typically, when you decide to become a living donor, a living donor advocate will contact you, followed by the living donor team, who will explain the risks and benefits, the process, and provide care and support along your donation journey.

Throughout the entire process, you shouldn't feel pressured. If you change your mind, that's OK too. Also, your confidentiality as a donor is protected unless you choose otherwise.

The cost of the donor evaluation and testing is covered by the transplant center or the recipient's insurance. Living donors aren't financially responsible for medical testing related to donation.

Health history and criteria

You'll start your donation journey by filling out a health history form. Living donors are carefully selected based on health criteria. Factors such as chronic diseases, diabetes, previous cancer treatment, certain medications and anything that could affect the future health of your kidneys are considered. Weight, blood pressure and kidney function also are key factors.

If you meet these criteria, you'll undergo a comprehensive evaluation at a transplant center. This includes a physical examination, blood and urine testing, imaging of the kidneys, and consultations with a nephrologist and transplant surgeon. In many centers, this evaluation can be completed in a single day.

Once all this information is gathered, it will be presented at a multidisciplinary living donor meeting where the whole team — living donor advocate, nephrologist, surgeon, nutritionist, pharmacist and social worker — will evaluate the results to determine whether you're an eligible donor. If you're approved, then the donation process begins.

Surgery

The first step is to schedule surgery. The timing depends on whether you're making a directed, paired or voucher donation. The procedure is typically performed laparoscopically using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Most donors stay in the hospital for one night and return home the next day.

After surgery, temporary symptoms such as pain, nausea and constipation are common and managed by your care team. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided for the first two weeks, and most donors return to their usual activities within four to six weeks.

Your remaining kidney needs time to adjust, too. To take on the extra work, it will undergo internal changes to improve its filtration capabilities. Typically, donors regain 75% of the function they had from two kidneys.

Follow-up care is an essential part of donation. Transplant centers monitor donors at six, 12, and 24 months after surgery to ensure your long-term health.

By choosing to become a living kidney donor, you offer someone not just a transplant but a renewed opportunity for life.

Pooja Budhiraja, M.B.B.S., Nephrology and Hypertension, Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic in Arizona 

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: How do I prepare to donate a kidney appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

What began as a routine check for swelling quickly turned Randy Ramey's life upside down. When pneumonia and swelling were diagnosed as stage 4 cirrhosis of the liver, Randy, of Denton, Texas, struggled to understand how it was all connected. 

A series of visits with local specialists revealed a fatty liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH. For Randy, the diagnosis set off a cascade of life-or-death decisions that led his wife and him to Mayo Clinic, where he underwent a complex series of three lifesaving procedures, including a double coronary artery bypass surgery, liver transplant and, just months later, a kidney transplant. They found themselves navigating one health obstacle after another.

Randy is sharing his story to raise awareness during Donate Life Month.

Watch: 3 lifesaving surgeries and a second chance

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:47) is available for download at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

"I was shocked. I mean, we didn't see that coming at all. It's right out of left field. You know, at that point, I wasn't physically sick. I was just swollen," says Randy.

When pneumonia and swelling became a diagnosis of stage 4 cirrhosis. Randy came to Mayo Clinic for a liver transplant evaluation. What doctors found made his situation far more urgent and far more complex.

"I went into the lab for a chemical stress test, but that's where they confirmed the two blockages. So what they ended up deciding, we're going to do two surgeries in one day. We're going to do your heart surgery — your double bypass — and we're going to do the liver. The worst I felt was the day before I got transplanted. The next morning when I woke up and had to do the walk, I still felt better than I did before the surgery," he says.

From the hospital window, Randy's wife, Elise, watched the mountains outside and saw their journey ahead — every peak, every valley — another procedure, another decision, another climb.

"We're going to have to climb every one of those mountain ranges," Elise says as she recalls their journey. "We're going to have to ascend and descend and ascend and descend every one of those mountain ranges."

"I'm getting rebuilt from the ground up," Randy says. "My kidney took off running, and it hasn't stopped. I don't know how you pay somebody for saving your life. I get emotional because you can't put it in words, but I've tried."

And with smiles as big as Texas, Randy and Elise are home after 27 weeks in Arizona. 

Related stories:

• From donation to Kilimanjaro: Living kidney donor defies limits (VIDEO)

The post 3 lifesaving surgeries and a second chance (VIDEO)  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

As golfers head back to the course during peak golf season, Mayo Clinic sports medicine and orthopedic experts are available to discuss the most common early-season golf injuries, how to prevent them, and when to seek medical attention.

While headlines may focus on injuries affecting professional golfers, including Achilles tendon, back and ankle issues, most golf injuries are not sudden. They develop over time and are often preventable with proper warm-up, strength and mechanics.

What causes most golf injuries?

"Golf may appear as low-impact, but the repetitive, rotational nature of the swing places stress on the spine, shoulders, hips and forearms," says John Tokish, M.D., a Mayo Clinic sports medicine specialist. "Over time, limited mobility, poor mechanics or lack of strength can lead to overuse injuries, especially early in the season when activity levels increase."

Common injuries include:

• Low back pain
• Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries
• Elbow injuries, including golfer’s elbow
• Wrist and forearm strain
• Hip and ankle instability

Many golf injuries are preventable

The majority of golf-related injuries are linked to doing too much, too soon or returning to play without proper preparation. Three key prevention strategies:

Warm up before every round
A dynamic warm-up prepares muscles and joints for the rotational demands of the golf swing. Learn more: Mayo Clinic Minute: Dynamic golf warmup to prevent injuries

Build strength off the course
Resistance training improves stability, balance and control. Strengthening the core, shoulders and lower body helps protect joints and supports a more efficient swing. Learn more: Mayo Clinic Minute: 4 physical therapist-recommended golf exercises

Focus on proper mechanics
Poor mechanics can increase wear and tear over time.

Golfers experiencing persistent or concerning symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional.

When is pain not normal?

Muscle soreness can be expected, especially early in the season. However, certain symptoms may indicate a more serious issue:

• Pain lasting more than a few days
• Pain that wakes you at night
• Pain that affects your swing or performance
• Sharp or worsening pain with activity

Early evaluation by a sports medicine or orthopedic specialist can help prevent minor issues from becoming more serious injuries. With proper preparation, golf remains a safe and lifelong sport for players of all ages.

Expert sources:

• Rochester, Minn.: Adam Tagliero,  M.D., Sports medicine/orthopedic specialist, Mayo Clinic
• Phoenix: John Tokish, M.D., Sports medicine specialist
• Jacksonville: Matthew Crowe, M.D., Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Mayo Clinic Health System: Bradley Kruckeberg, M.D., Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news. 

Media contacts:

Carey Stanton, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

The post  Golf injuries are preventable — what to know as golfers return to the course during peak golf season  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My cousin, who's in her 30s, was recently diagnosed with colorectal cancer. I've always thought of colorectal cancer as something that affects older adults. Why are more young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and is it different when it happens at a younger age?

ANSWER: For many years, colorectal cancer was considered a disease that mainly affected older adults, and screening traditionally began at age 50. Today, however, doctors are diagnosing more people in their late 20s, 30s and 40s.

This shift led to national guidelines being lowered; they now recommend 45 as the age to begin routine colorectal cancer screening. In the past, doctors believed colon polyps, small growths in the colon or rectum, typically took about 10 years to become cancerous. That understanding helped determine when screening should begin.

Colorectal cancer screening

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy are considered the gold standard for screening. Both require bowel preparation the day before, sedation during the procedure and someone to drive you home. These procedures also allow doctors to remove polyps during the same exam.

Stool-based tests are another option. Some look for hidden blood, while others look for cancer-related DNA. These tests generally must be done annually and, if positive, require follow-up with a colonoscopy. For people at higher risk, such as those with a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is typically recommended instead of stool testing alone.

While screening is important, researchers are still working to understand why more younger adults are being diagnosed.

So far, there isn't a single explanation. In some cases, inherited conditions, such as Lynch syndrome, and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Researchers are studying other possible genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, but more research is needed to fully understand the rise.

Smoking, alcohol use, higher red meat intake, lower physical activity and sedentary habits are often discussed, but much of the evidence comes from observational studies, and firm conclusions are still lacking. Researchers are also examining whether early life exposures, including during pregnancy, may play a role.

Younger adults sometimes experience delays in diagnosis because they may not yet qualify for screening and symptoms can be subtle. Some data suggest younger patients may have multiple medical visits before receiving a diagnosis, which can contribute to detection at a later stage.

Warning signs or symptoms

Symptoms that young adults should watch for include:

• A consistent change in bowel habits, such as ongoing constipation or diarrhea.
• Blood in the stool, whether bright red or dark.
• Unintentional weight loss.
• Abdominal pain that doesn't go away.
• Iron-deficiency anemia.

Some people attribute rectal bleeding to hemorrhoids, but any blood in the stool should be evaluated. Iron-deficiency anemia, particularly microcytic anemia found on blood tests, should prompt evaluation to determine whether bleeding may be occurring in the digestive tract. That workup often includes a colonoscopy.

Symptoms that persist for several days to weeks should be evaluated.

Treatment options for colorectal cancer

Treatment approaches, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and, in some cases, immunotherapy, aren't different based on age alone. However, younger patients often face additional life considerations. Many are balancing school, careers and family responsibilities along with financial pressures. Fertility is also an important concern, since these treatments can affect the ability to have children. For that reason, fertility counseling is often discussed before treatment begins.

In certain rectal cancers, treatment strategies are evolving. Doctors are working on tailoring therapy to reduce long-term side effects while maintaining cure rates.

There's ongoing research focused on prevention, including studies of the gut microbiome and how environmental exposures may influence cancer risk. Advocacy groups such as Fight Colorectal Cancer and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance provide education and support for patients and families. They also work closely with researchers to help ensure that patients have a voice in how clinical trials are designed and conducted.

While much remains to be understood about why colorectal cancer is increasing in younger adults, awareness, timely evaluation of symptoms and appropriate screening remain key.

Christina Wu, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Related posts:

• Mayo Clinic Minute: Advancing colorectal cancer care through innovation and screening
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Are colon and rectal cancers treated differently?
  
  

The post Mayo Clinic Q&A: Why are younger people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer? appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

In this Mayo Clinic Minute, Zajac demonstrates the best pre-golf resistant exercises.
 
Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (1:04) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.
 

Resistance training

 Mayo Clinic doesn't just advise golfers on resistance exercises and strength. For 25 years, it has served as the official medical sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open, providing on-site care for athletes, event staff and spectators. Supporting one of the world's largest golf events, from heat-related illness to musculoskeletal injuries, reflects deep expertise in both prevention and knowing when specialized care is needed.
 
Resistance training is essential for golfers. It strengthens muscles, ligaments and tendons while improving core stability, mobility and functional strength. These benefits can translate into better swing control, more consistent contact and improved endurance throughout 18 holes. Just as important, targeted strength work helps protect the lower back, shoulders and wrists — areas commonly affected by golf-related injuries.
 

Golf exercises to consider

Zajac recommends focusing on three key areas:

• Rotator cuff and shoulder (rows/scapular strengthening): Strengthening the upper back and shoulder stabilizers supports posture and helps control the club throughout the swing.
• Core (plank and side plank): A strong core improves rotational stability and balance, allowing for more efficient power transfer while reducing strain on the spine.
• Glutes and legs (bridge exercises): Golf is played on one leg at a time. Building lower-body strength and balance enhances stability during the swing and helps generate power from the ground up.

 Perform these exercises on non-golf days two to three times per week. A consistent strength routine can help you stay steady, swing with confidence and avoid a season-ending bogey. 

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