CANCER: PREVENTION
& EARLY DETECTION
Knowing some basic facts about cancer, such as which
lifestyle choices may reduce your risk of developing certain cancers and
what types of regular screening examinations can promote early detection
of particular cancers gets you in involved in your health care.
Cancer is a diagnosis used to describe a group of diseases
characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
It is synonymous with the term malignant neoplasm. Neoplasm
refers to a growth of new tissue or cells and malignant defines
the growth as abnormal and always harmful to the body. This abnormal
growth may spread, or metastasize to other parts of the body.
It is in part due to the cancer's ability to spread that early detection
is critical to successful treatment. Where the cancer originated
and the spread of the cancer determine the stage of the cancer's development.
Staging
is important in determining the choice of therapy and the prognosis.
Today in the United States, men have a 1 in 2 risk of
developing cancer over their life time. For women the risk is 1 in
3. Cancer is the second leading cause of death in our country,
exceeded only by heart disease.
There is evidence that approximately one-third of
the cancer deaths are related to lifestyle factors and could be prevented.
Prevention is the one area we can most influence. Cancer is caused
by many factors. Our health is clearly a reflection of the environment
to which we are exposed, our genetic makeup and our lifestyle choices.
Below is a list of some of the recommendations The American
Cancer Society offers to help you reduce your risk of cancer and to
promote early detection.
*Stop smoking and avoid use of other tobacco products.
*Choose most of the foods you eat from plant sources.
*Limit your intake of high fat foods, particularly from
animal sources.
*Be physically active: achieve and maintain a healthy
weight.
*Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages, if you drink
at all.
*Limit or avoid sun exposure during the midday hours(10
a.m. -4 p.m.). When outdoors cover your skin and use a solar protection
factor(SPF) of 15 or higher.
*Get regular screening examinations by a health care
provider for earlier detection of cancers of breast, colon, rectum, cervix,
prostate testis, oral cavity and skin. Early detection is the best
possible chance at successful treatment.
*Practice self examinations for cancers of the breast,
testis and skin.
Cancer Checkup - A cancer-related checkup is recommended
every
3 years for people 20-40 years of age,
and every year for people age 40 and older.
SITE/ RECOMMENDATION SITE/ RECOMMENDATION
Breast Women 40 and older
should have an annual mammogram, an annual clinical breast examination
by a health care professional and perform monthly breast self-examinations.
Women ages 20-39 should have a clinical breast examination every three
years and perform monthly breast self-examinations.
Uterus Cervix: All women who are or have been sexually
active or who are 18 and older should have an annual Pap test and pelvic
examination.
Endometrium: Women at high risk for cancer
of the uterus should have a sample of endometrial tissue examined when
menopause begins.
Prostate A Prostate-Specific Antigen(PSA) blood test and a digital
rectal examination annually, beginning at age 50, and to younger men who
are at high risk.
Colon & Rectum Beginning at age 50, men and women should
follow one of the examination schedules: 1.) A fecal occult
blood test every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy; or 2.)
A colonoscopy every 10 years; or 3.) A double-contrast barium enema
every five to 10 years. And a digital rectal exam
should be
done by your health care provider at the same time with any of the examination
schedules. People who are a higher risk for colorectal cancer should
talk with a doctor about a possible different testing schedule.
Health Ministry News
St. Francis of Assisi - Ann Arbor, MI - April 9, 2000
St. Francis Health Ministry...on
the journey to wholeness with God! [Voice mail number: 821-2115]
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