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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2000-10-18, Page 3News Breast self-examination classes aim to reduce number of cancer deaths By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Stott Every year she's worked as an emergency department nurse, Debbie Selkirk has seen two or three elderly women coming into emergency, usually with an unrelated complaint, suffering from .the advanced stages of breast cancer. - "When they've changed into -a hospital gown, you'll see there's an open cancerous wound on their breast. They'4e probably ignored all the symptoms out of fear," she says. adding she's seen three such women during the past year. ' Selkirk says there's still a lot of fear and discomfort among women. especially older women. around practices, such as _self- examination . and mammography. -that can improve their chances of surviving the disease. "It's really important to_ talk to our mothers and grandmothers about It. especially since the highest numbers of breast cancers are found between ages 50 and 79." she says. Selkirk was one of the speakers at a breast self- examination course offered at Seaforth Community Hosptial Oct. 2. The class was the first of five to be offered to Huron County women this fall and was funded by a $7.107 grant from the Canadian Breast Cancer. Foundation. During the past 10 years, 12 Huron County women have died' of breast cancer each year. In 1996: seven. "Huron County women in 100 had breast cancer. "It's pretty common..Most of us know someone with breast cancer." says Selkirk. , She say that while many women don't perform breast self-examination for fear of finding a lump, the good news is that 80 per cent of all lumps are benign (non- cancerous). But. if one is found, Gail Stewart -Mores, of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation presents a cheque of $7,170 to Kim Ross. of Cancer Care Huron, towards local programs, such ak the series of courses on breast self examination being head this month throughout Huron County. women should get it checked in a mirror for any changes to out immediately. your breasts with your hands "Don't think it's going to at your sides, over your head go away on its own, she and on your hips.. says. .The next two steps include She promotes breast self- ' using the pads of three. examination for women' aged fingers in a circular motion 20 . and up to improve to. examine your breasts. women's comfort with, and starting under the collar bone knowledge of their own and working around the bodies. breast like a clock and then "Getting into the habit is examining the•lymph nodes the hard part but that's the under each armpit. The only way, you'll know what's manual exam should be done normal for you. It's both upright. either in the, important to incorporate a shower or tub, and lying routine around it, just like , down in bed. brushing your teeth." she ."Finding breast cancer can says. . • save your life," she says. - "And.. while it sounds like adding that finding lumps it takes forever to dq it, you when they are small and self - can do a breast . self- contained can increase examination in five minutes," survival rates and increase she adds. treatment options that are Selkirk recommends pre- less invasive. menopausal. women doing Selkirk says that Huron self -exams seven days after County women can get each menstrual period begins mammograms done at the and post -menopausal women hospital in Goderich. picking a special day each She adds that Alexandra month. Marine and General Hospital The self -exam involves in Goderich is in the process three steps. the first step of applying to join the including looking at yourself All five Catholic trustees acclaimed • -In the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board, allfive trustee positions will be filled by acclamation. Four of those trustees are returning: Ron Marcy (Stratford). Vincent McInnes (North Perth and Northeast Huron), Mike Miller (South and West Huron) and current chair Bernard Murray (South and West Perth). , . - The new face on the board will be Mary -Catherine McKeon. representing North and Central Huron. She'll replace Louise' Martin, who stepped down after 12 years of service. including stints as chair in 1993.294.'95 and '99. Central Huron has race in all three wards By Dan Etna Clinton News Record Editor There will be elections in all three wards for the new municipality of Central Huron in November, after six more candidates entered the race last week. The new municipality. comprised,of'Hullett and Goderich Townships and Clinton. will be split into three wards •for the election. A reeve and deputy -reeve will be chosen by electors across the municipality. In the race for reeve will be Carol Mitchell and Ron McKay. both of Clinton. Those seeking the position of deputy -reeve will be John Bezaire of Clinton. Bert Dykstra of Goderich Township and Bob Szusa of Hullett Township. With the closing of nominations last Friday, Oct. 13, one more name was added to the ballot for councillor in Ward 1 (Goderich Township), and therefore there will now be a race for the two seats. Laurie Cox was the final candidate to announce his intentions to seek a seat as a Ward 1 councillor, and he will be joining Eric Kirk and Alison Lobb in the race. In Ward 2 (Willett Township), two more names. those of Marg Anderson and Tom Duizer, were added to the ballot. Those two nominees will be joining Bruce Bergsma and Doug Hugill in the race for two seats as councillor for Ward 2. At the start of last week, Ward 3 (Clinton) had no candidates for the two positions of councillor. However, by week's end, three candidates had announced their intentions to seek a seat. Now in the running for a spot as councillor in Ward 3 are Bill Colquhoun, Lynda McKenna and Darren Stevenson. Charles Smith. as the only Central Huron candidate for the position of tntstee with the Avon Maitland District School Board. will claim the position by acclamation. Ontario Breast Screening • Program, a process that will take one and a halt' to two years to complete, The Ontario Breast Screening Program . recommends a three -pronged approach - monthly self- examinations, a yearly breast examination by a doctor and a mammogram every two years for women over 50. - However, Selkirk says -that • women may have to insist that their doctors perform the yearly examination. . "Most physicians don't take the time to do it and if they do it at alk they • generally do it very quickly. It's something we have to ask for as women." she says.: She says an alternative to • having exams from doctors is asking if an office nurse is trained to do it.. Once the Goderich hospital is accredited to -join the Ontario Breast Screening Program, women receiving mammograms will also receive a breast exam from a nurse -practitioner and' instruction about how to do self-examination at the same time. Symptoms of breast cancer include lumps. chartges'in the shape or color of a breast. puckering skin or dimpling that looks like orange peel or a discharge from the nipples., Selkirk says the higgest, risks factors of breast cancer is being a wornan one per cent of men get breast cancer - and Having a strong family history of the disease. Minor risks include an early onset of menstruation and late menopause and childbirth after age 30 or not at all. Breastfeeding .for a number of months or years can reduce the. risk. 1 Breast self-examination classes will he held at Clinton Public Hosptitalon. Oct. 1 2., at South .Huron. Hospital in Exeter on Oct. 16, at Alexandra Marind and General Hospitl in Goderich on Nov. 6 and at Wingham and District Hospital on Nov. 9- HURON EXP1 $ITOR. Oatobor 1S. 2000-3 Guam:Ilan Keatings's Pharmacy 67 Main St., Seaforth 527-1990 your invites you to a free 15 -minute consultation on Nutrition October 20, 2000 From 10 am to 2 pm Please confirm your attendance with your pharmacist. Live life. Well fit in. iiradenterket RochipplagnosticsCorpratlon. a new season. the best reason for a makeover! i v i Discover today's hottest hair look - a cut that's dense at the base and feathery on the ends. Style it smooth or airy. And of course, give it punch with SoColor' . haircolor. You'll love the look. And you'll love how we personalize it for you. 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