Alison Block, Ph.D.

03/17/2026

This message from Atlantic Coast Gastro tells all of us who should get screened for colorectal cancer, why it is important and the value of early detection. When colorectal cancer is found early the 5 year survival rate is 90%.
From the Atlantic Coast Gastroenterology Associates,
" Dear Valued Patient,
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a reminder of the important role screening plays in preventing colorectal cancer and improving outcomes. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet it is highly preventable with appropriate screening.
1 in 5 new colorectal cancer diagnoses now occurs in people under age 55, making awareness and timely screening more important than ever. Early detection saves lives. When colorectal cancer is found early, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%, which is why regular screening is so important.
When Should You Get Screened?
For individuals at average risk, the American Cancer Society recommends beginning colorectal cancer screening at age 45. If you have certain risk factors—such as a family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or other medical conditions—your physician may recommend starting screening earlier.
Why Colonoscopy Matters
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. It is the most effective test for detecting both colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous polyps.
During a colonoscopy, your gastroenterologist can identify and remove polyps before they develop into cancer, making it both a diagnostic and preventive procedure. For average-risk patients with normal results, colonoscopy is typically recommended every 10 years.
Colonoscopy is also the recommended screening test for higher-risk patients, including those with:
A personal history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer
A family history of colorectal cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
The Importance of Early Detection
Colorectal cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why routine screening is so important. Detecting and removing polyps early can often prevent cancer from developing altogether.
Schedule Your Screening
Our practice offers open-access screening colonoscopies for eligible average-risk patients, allowing you to schedule your procedure without an initial office visit.
If you are 45 or older and have not yet been screened, or have questions about your options, simply go to our website, https://atlanticcoastgastro.com/ . Early detection is vital, and we are here to help you make the best decision for your health.
Sincerely, Altantic Coast Gastroenterology Associates

Your Trusted Team of Gastroenterologists Our Locations Book Appointment About Atlantic Coast Gastroenterology Associates Our physicians are on staff at both Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey and Hackensack Meridian Ocean Medical Center in Brick, New Je...

03/11/2026

The most important message here is to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own values and goals.

Maybe you have already read that imposter syndrome statistically hits 7 out of 10 women at some point in their lives. Even though imposter syndrome has no age limit and can impact men as deeply as women...

03/11/2026

The most important message here is to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on your own values and goals.

Maybe you have already read that imposter syndrome statistically hits 7 out of 10 women at some point in their lives. Even though imposter syndrome has no age limit and can impact men as deeply as women...

03/03/2026

5 sleep habits to steal from Winter Olympians:
Don’t be lured into buying sleep trackers. Instead, maintain consistency in going to bed and waking up. Check out their other tips as well.

Here’s how athletes get better rest when it really counts.

02/25/2026

Warning Signs That Your Marriage May Be in Trouble:

Every marriage has its ups and downs. Times when communication falters and you feel distant from your partner. It is easy to ignore these warning signs and hope they go away. But what if they don’t? The emotional connections that hold people together are key to a good relationship and admitting problems. While hard, it is the first step toward rebuilding your love.

Consider the 18-year marriage of Georgia and Sam. They have raised three children, Sam is successful in his career and Georgia is opening a business now that her children need less of her attention. They have good friends with whom they vacation and enjoy family activities with their kids. But recently, Sam realized that he could not remember the last time they made love and Georgia feels like Sam is so involved in work that she makes all the family decisions on her own.

Working with Georgia and Sam, we identified the red flags that they had missed – warning signs that their marriage might be falling apart.

-Intimacy disappears. Physical closeness, both sexual and non-sexual, is a reflection of emotional closeness and lack of touch leads to a sense of rejection and distance. If physical affection is rare or completely absent, the marriage is already in trouble.

-Emotional closeness diminishes. Emotional intimacy is what makes a marriage feel warm and safe. Without that “feeling” you might as well turn to a co-worker or friend for support. If you are not sharing your feelings and needs with your partner, something is wrong.

-There is a breakdown of communication. Silence, arguments, criticism, or sarcasm are indications that healthy communication has failed. It is especially bad if you are avoiding conflict and not even fighting. If you don’t feel heard or understood, how can you solve the problems you face together.

-You no longer feel like a team. When you are no longer operating as a “we”, you lose your sense of partnership. Do you feel trapped in an unfulfilling relationship? Do you feel chronically misunderstood? If you do, you may begin to live parallel lives, instead of ones that intersect and grow together.

Recognizing that your marriage is in trouble and making the effort to fix it takes courage and a belief in yourself and your partner. Here are some steps you can take:

*Have an honest conversation with your spouse and don’t play the blame game.

* Get professional help. Repairing the relationship will go faster and you will also develop some personal insight.

* Focus on non-sexual intimacy – small gestures like a hug or a simple touch can make all the difference in the world.

* Give 110% to the relationship without measuring what your partner is doing.

* Remember kindness is key.

02/24/2026

NOTE: My PSYPACT Certification has been renewed allowing me to continue to offer sessions to my clients in over 40 states.
"Alison Block, congratulations!
Your APIT®️(Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology) renewal application has been approved by
PSYPACT Commission!"

02/16/2026

A practical guide for expanding your circle, with advice from sociable people.

A practical guide for expanding your circle, with advice from sociable people.

02/09/2026

A great way to help new habits stick is by pairing them with existing embedded habits. I’m going to try pairing my balance exercises which only take 5 minutes with taking my vitamins, something I do every morning. What might you try?

DESC: In TODAY.com's Expert Tip of the Day, a therapist shares the simple practice that takes the resistance out of forming a new habit.

02/03/2026

Excellent article! "they all have one common factor that links them: they all grew up in a household with childhood emotional neglect."

Feeling like an outsider rarely reflects how others see you.

01/30/2026

I agree with the author that we all feel too much guilt. Try these tips to get your guilt under control.

It can prompt you to do the right thing, but it can also drag you down.

01/29/2026

Thought-provoking quote for today: "Happiness is not a factory setting. It’s a skill you learn." - author unknown

Send a message to learn more

01/26/2026

Understanding the Difference Between Worrying and Problem Solving:
For all of my anxious readers out there, I thought this chart might help you understand how worrying functions and does not help us versus how problem-solving not only has immediate positive effects but can also have longer-term benefits.
Worrying is problem-centered with your thinking zeroed-in on what went wrong rather than on a solution. When you begin to be problem-solving focused, you are thinking about those things over which you have some control. Look at the differences in the chart below:
Problem-Solving Worrying
1.Focuses on outcomes 1. Centers on causes
2. Reduces autonomic arousal 2. Keeps body tension high
3. Can include others or be 3, Usually solitary
Individual
4. Usually results in action or change 4. Usually does not result in change
5. Has a beginning and end 5. Is open ended and often uses a great deal of time.
6. Leads to perceived resourcefulness 6. Results in perceived helplessness
7.Reduces stress 7. Increases stress
8. Is an appropriate coping mechanism 8. Is not a good coping mechanism
9. Reinforces a positive self-view 9. Reinforces a negative self-view

By now you are probably asking yourself, “How do I start to problem solve?”
Try to take the first step and ask yourself what parts of this problem do you have any control over, what can I change?” It can also help to learn some behavioral skills to help you stop worrying. If you need help in these areas, give Health Psychology Center a call.