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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-03-29, Page 24Page 12 ThePaptest... • from page 6 pensive examination. This examination, known as the Pap test, can find uterine cancer in its earliest, most curable stages. The examination, which involves the microscopic examination of cells collected from the vagina, was developed chiefly by the late Dr. George N. Papanicolaou, and is named for him. The Pap test can be done in a doctor's office or a clinic, where a sample of vaginal fluid is taken, and later examined under a microscope. The test detects not only early cancers, but precan- cerous conditions - that is, it signals the dangers before the disease starts. If every woman had the test every ,. year, most uterine cancer could be discovered in time for a cure.- Fortunately, in some very early cases, a cure can be obtained without impairing the woman's ability to have children. The reason the Pap test works is that the body constantly sheds dead cells and replaces them with living ones. The cells shed by the uterus (womb) are found in vaginal fluid and examining it under a microscope, such ab- normal cells can be identified. If this examination uncovers suspicious cells, the next step in a physician's diagnosis is the removal of bias of tissue for further examination. This process is known as a biopsy. It is the only certain method of diagnosing cancer. TREATMENT Once uterine cancer is diagnosed, it is treated by surgery or radiation, or by a combination of the two. Treatment varies for each individual patient. Factors such as the tumor's size, location and extent of spread, as well as the general condition of the patient, must be considered in each in- dividual case. In surgery the goal is to remove all of the can- cerous tissue. It may be a relatively minor operation, for very early cancer; or for advanced cancer, an extensive operation. The two principal ways of using radiation to treat uterine cancer. Radiation may be beamed to the cancerous tissue from a source outside the body, such as an X-ray or cobalt therapy machine, or it may be placed directly in; the body, in the form of radium. Often radium is en- closed in a capsule which is inserted through the vagina to the cancerous site. No matter how radiation is used for therapy,, however, the objective is always the same: to deliver a dose powerful enough to Patient services Wise use of money Through its services to gifts; offering advice patients, the Canadian from a cured patient to Cancer Society helps to one who has recently soften the impact of undergone an operation, cancer for patients and such as a breast cancer their families, These patient or one who has services vary from had a colostomy. province to province,/ During the Society's being related to the needs last fiscal year, ex - of patients in each penditures on some of the province and the status of patient services were as provincial programs for follows: diagnosis and treatment. $189,958 on cancer They range from dressings; $321,201 on essential services such as colostomy equipment; driving patients to $55,690 on 1$ain ki)ling clinics, to small comforts drugs; $47,350 on such as coffee and tea in rehabilitation services; clinics and flowers at the $368,285 on transportation bedside. of patients to and from Basically, patient treatment centres. services are intended not In total the Society only for rehabilitation but spent $2,956,292 to help to inspire a more hopeful more than 28,000 patients. attitude in patients. This At least 50,000 volunteers mission is carried out were involved in largely by volunteers. providing these services. The following list in- In addition, the Society dicates the range of has provided $4,671,833 in services: transportation capital funds to purchase of patients to clinics; property and to build and visits to patients in equip facilities for am - hospital, sometimes bu,la tory patients involving playing with requiring overnight child patients; visits to accommodation during patients at home; making treatment at clinics. and delivering cancer These institutions, .vk dressings; teaching called boarding homes or patients various skills lodges, are located in and hobbies; providing Hamilton, Toronto, wheelchairs and other London, Thunder Bay, physical aids; delivering Ottawa and Kingston. destroy the cancer, but not so great as to seriously damage normal tissue. Fortunately, most malignant cells are more sensitive to X-ray than normal cells. Intensive research is being carried on throughout the world on all aspects of the cancer problem in an effort to solve the riddle of this disease. One method involves gathering and analyzing case histories on the incidence of cancer among persons of dif- ferent races, customs, habits and occupations. Many such studies have been conducted to find out the circumstances underwhich cancer of the uterus occurs. Such research has shown for example, that uterine cancer occurs more frequently among married than single women and among -- women who have borne children. It has been observed that uterine cancer oc- curs more frequently among women who have not had adequate medical care during and after childbirth. These ob- servations have led doctors or urge women to have all childbirth in- juries repaired. Get ready to give to the Canadian Cancer Society, Huron Unit The front window of the Huron Unit's office in Clinton proclaims the upcoming fund drive and daffodil sale, along with the Daffodil Tea planned for Wesley -Willis Church on Friday March 30 from 2 to 4: 30. (News -Record photo) you love life, sure the love affairlasts.`� You have to work at it. It's your job to help prevent cancer. That's right. Prevent cancer. It's up to you to take it easy with the sun and help prevent skin cancer. If you work out-of-doors, cover up. Use your head before you fry your hide. It's up to every woman to have a pap test and help prevent cervical cancer. The test is simple and quick and will detect any abnormality that could lead to cancer. It's up to.you to help prevent lung cancer and you know how. Cancer can be beaten. But you have to work at preventing it. Enjoy the good life. ou can help prevent lung cancer' -•-- cancer and cervicafcancer. CANADN CANCER SOCIETY It's up to you.