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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1989-01-04, Page 7Call for cancer information TORONTO - The Cancer Infor- mation Service is a toll-free tele- phone inquiry service that supplies factual, up-to-date information about cancer and cancer -related re- kources to the genecal,pttblic, cancer patients and their families, to health professionals and the media. Specific information about cancer prevention, causes, rfskTactors; par- ticular cancer sites, methods of di- agnosis, treatment and rehabilita- . tion is available. As well, information about local resources. for cancer patients and families treatment facilities, home care pro- grams, volunteer and self-help pro- grams -. is available. Information given by telephone is often supple- mental by written material mailed. to the caller at no charge. The Cancer Information• Service is staffed. by trained personnel who respond to calls with specific indi- - vidualized information in layman's language, and provide the opportu- nity . for the caller to discuss his concerns fully. The Cancer Informa- tion Service should not be confused with telephone libraries -that play taped messages on specific topics. The assurance of confidentiality or anonymity .provided by the Ser- vice often proves to be an asset. Callers can ask very basic or per- sonal questions without fear or em- barrassment. Callers arc not required to give their names or other infor- mation about themselves. • One of the major aims of a Can- ccr Information Service is to reduce the widespread fear and confusion surrounding cancer, by providing a currcnt, factual, readily available source of information. This will as- sist the public in understanding and; coping with the disease in family, friends and associates: Above all, we hope to promote.'prevention, early diagnosis and screening, and earlier treatment. Much of the information -current- ly reaching the public comes through the mass media, e.g. televi- sion, radio, newspapers, journals. In addition, the media provide a • high level of support for cancer control efforts. Therefore, this group need ready access to cancer information: Most of the media do riot have a readily available and reliable source through which to verify the latest cancer "information" picked up from wire services, or publicla- tions officers for drug companies and other institutions. As a result, .the "information" may be dissemi- nated with little or no verification, since reporters have only two or three hours to meet their deadlines. The resources of the Cancer Infor- mation Service can provide a rapid and accurate check of the latest in- formation, thereby reducing the amount of inaccurate or incomplete material reaching the public." The need for a professionally supported Canccr Information Ser- vice is based on several considera- tions. Cancer is not one disease entity, but a name given to a group of approximately one hun- dred diseases, each with different risks, causes, methods of diagnosis and treatment and prognosis. The body of knowlcdgc concerning these diseases is so rapidly grow- ing that there arc large gaps emerg- ing between the body of knowlcdgc and health cart providers, the can- cer patient and family and the pub- lic at large. These gaps reduce the effectiveness of health care provid- and generate tear and contusion in the mind of the public. There is an increasing nccd to bridge that gap, by informing the public of what can be done to re- duce the chances of developing can- ccr, to optimize treatment and reha- bilitation options and to describe the results of cancer research. The nccd has become urgent in light of, recent knowledge that 80 percent of canccrs can be prevented if the pub- lic had and utilized existing knowl- cdgc appropriately." The relationship between smok- ing and lung cancer is well docu- mented. itcceta fintli111;; ir;ai: ire that dietary changes may influence the incidence of breast and bowel- canceds In addition, patients do not always reap all the benefits of ad - 'Agriculture in the classroom' workshops begin TORONTO - Workshops on ag- riculture and the food system will be held across the province for teachers, principals, librarians and education consultants. The 11 frcc "Ag Aware, Why Care?" work- shops arc sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's agriculture in the classroom pro- gram. 1/4, • Workshop_s_�will cover where ag- -riditalFi-`-r`Ti1fnto the curriculum, why students should know about agriculture and what teaching re- sources arc available. They will also include an intro- duction to the new "Many Nations, Many Farms" kit produced by the ministry, which features multicul- turalism in Ontario agriculture. For further details, please call 519-767-3522 or 519-767-3546. Enrollment is limited. The work- shop for this arca will be held htn- uary 31 in London. vances in treatment o#' cancer, be- cause of Zack of understanding. Thus, a more knowledgeable public is more able to undertake preventative measures and will also produce a more knowledgeable pa- tient who can actively participate in his own 4teattnent and care, based on an.undcrstanding of his disease. Furthermore, the knowl- edgeable patient will demand and receive the highest standard of'med- ical care, whether he is receiving that carc at a canccr centre or a small community hospital. Health care providers also need access to current information. This is available to heal th professionals in varying degrees depending on their type of practice, their geo- graphic location, and access to a cancer or university centre. Lack of access is evidence4 by the current misunderstandings surround- ing palliative care issues, methods of control of pain' and othcr'symp- toms, and the role of heroin. It is essential that all practition- ers have access to this continually growing body of knowledge, espe- cially the emerging awareness that the common cancers which are dif- ficult to treat may be preventable. In Ontario, the Cancer Informa- tion Service is funded jointly by the Canadian Cancer Soct, y . On- tario Division and the Ontario Can- cer Treatment and Research Founda- tion. Administration is through the Hamilton Regional Cancer Centre. The toll frcc number of 800-263- 6750. Times -Advocate, January 4, 1989 Page 7 A Lucan winner - One of the three prizes in the Lucan Optimist Club best decorated home con- test was won by Mr. and Mrs. Merton Culbert at 125 Francis Street. - ae 1 1 'N. • swing REDUCED v :r z ti'• �fiyt •',r '•'� +r J 1r • '•} Yf r rfj rr. r •} r'� fir' l t r±. �1�-h t•� �.••.�{:Y .•L�.� • 'V �'J'�..tj�yr�...... ,....,•_y 'ables, Lamps, Sofas, Chairs • Bedding, UCcc13i u,<< i .. Chtai rF, Bedroom mites Diningroom Suites, ;a` 4 fa Beds, Entertainment Units, Carpet i --'.......:..•.:� ;�' a�AndrS�SwV�r.Xi* yl. Flooring Sewing Machines, a• chi• nes, Etc. . f :'f,• ..,:• ..,.....• A..?•:;•'•'S .• ^ . :i : 'sKti x..•!:* ::;i.'::. < v. �u -Buy tuic Floorin .l 6 ti w• • 235-0173