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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1984-03-28, Page 31Goderich volunteers active in the work of the Canadian Cancer Society are, front row,. left to right, Gay De Groot¢- Branch. education committee and telephone committee; Lois McGill, Branch education chairman; and Mary Lou Aubin, Branch mastectomy visiting vice.chairman;.: and back row, left to right, Mel Farnsworth, Huron County Unit president and rural campaign chairman.for Goderich Branch; Ken Scott, Branch rural campaign vice-chairman; Jim Remington, Unit campaign chairman; Fordyce 'Clark, Branch transportation chairman; Ross McDaniel, Unit past president; and Angus MacLennan, Branch president and delegate to district council: Branch members absent for photo were: Bob McCall, vice-president; Gail Bettger, secretary; Eugene Bender, treasurer; Zella Crawford, commemoration; Hazel McCreath, publicity; Phyllis McConnell, mastectomy visiting chairman; Joyce Pinkney, transportation vice-chairman; Kathy McDonald, eudcation committee; Dr. B. Thomson, medical advisor; Olive Knisley and Chris Gautreau, patient services; Roy Mugford, urban campaign chairman; Fran Fisher, urban campaign vice-chairman and telephone committee; and Marion Shaw, telephone committee. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) Facts about skin cancer... • from page 6 condition such as a sore that does not heal, and have it checked by a physician. Only the doctor can determine whether an abnormal growth is benign, precancerous or malig- nant. In many cases, he will have to arrange a biopsy in order to make a firm diagnosis. A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a small piece of tissue is removed from the suspected area and examined under "a microscope. If the suspected area is small enough, it may be totally removed for biop- sy. This is the only way to determine if cancer cells are present. A biopsy of a benign tumor does not change it into a cancer. Neither is there an increased danger of spreading a cancer to otherparts Of the body. • • TREATMENT Ifthe biopsy shows the growth to be cancerous, or even precancerous, the doctor will decide the best treatment for the . par- ticulartype of.abnormalcells. - ° _ -- There are four main methods of treatment - radiation (destroying cancers with rays. that produce only minimal damage to sur- rounding normal tissues), surgery, electro desiccation (tissue destruction by heat), or cryosurgery (tissue destruction by freez- ing). The extent of the growth and its loca- tion will determine the method used, but all methods are equally effective with a 95 per- cent cure rate. In some cases, a.combination of therapies may be employed. One treatment may be sufficient; other times repeated treatments are needed. Over the last few years, ap- plication of drugs in the form of ointments or lotions, especially the drug 5 - Fluorouracil, has also been effective in treating pre -cancerous skin conditions. Each person must be considered in- dividually. Success in treating skin cancer depends on the extent, stage and kind of cancer, and how the abnormality responds to treatment. For basal cell and squamous cell cancers, cure is virtually assured with early detection and treatment. MALIGNANT MELANOMA Malignant melanoma, although relatively urreommon;; occurs -in -a -younger age group than the other types of skin cancer and may spread to other organs. A melanoma. is usually distinguished by a dark brown col- ouration mixed with areas of white, pink, blue or grey. It starts as a small mole -like. HOPE Page 7 i-ntr-. -is_ a snI1.1?'_r_M- °draped organ in a Woman's pelvis It has tAf o parts; the uterus itself, and the neck of the uterus, .orthe cervix. 'The test for changes in the cervix or neck > of ; t'he_ womb which can tell if a pre, cancerous or cancerous condition exists is known as the 'Pap test' of the 'Pap smear.' ills now part of the,standard gynecological ,exam.; This simpler—Ayevery Painless and can,be carried out inyour doc- tor's office in a matter of minutes. If you are sexually active or are over 18 years of age, discuss with your doctor how often you should have the test, since this may vary ac- cording to age and certain other risk fac- tors. However, it should be done regularly. HOW IS IT DONE? Cells are gently taken from the surface of the cervixand placed on a glass slide which is sent to a laboratory. The cells are then ex- amined under a . microscope. In most women, these cells are absolutely normal. In a very few - about 6 out of every thousand - the cells do not look normal. When. this 'oc- curs the test is repeated and, if necessary, further examinations made. THEN WHAT? " Evenif fitrtherinvestigatiori ortreatment is required, the Pap test enables doctors to discoveicancer, or pre -cancerous changes, early sothat the chances for a complete cure are greatly increased. If any abnor- mality is found, some additional procedures may be done by your doctor. A very common diagnostic procedure is a biopsy, where a small piece of tissue is removed and examined under a Turn to page 8 • growth which may increase in size or change colour or shape. It may become it- chy, and occasionally a minor injury may cause it to bleed. Any change in a mole or the development of a new mole over 1 cm in size should be checked out with a doctor right away. As with the other types of skin. cancer, the doctor may arrange to have a biopsy done to assure a correct diagnosis. If melanoma is discovered, the most common treatment is surgery, but the other forms of treatment may be used as -.well (see Treatment). Malignant melanoma may require more extensive surgery than other types of skin cancer. However, advances in cosmetic surgery aid in the treatment of people with skin cancer, particularly when facial and neck areas are involved. If the melanoma is discovered and treated at an early stage there is an excellent chance for cure. If, however, the melanoma has become raised and has formed nodules, the tumor mayspread to other organs. _Despite_ this, the fiye;y_ear survival rate for patients with this disease is • 63., percent which is relatively good. FUTURE PROGRESS The real hope for the future is in both prevention and . early detection. Cancer s• s all over the world are improving • dia ostic techniques, learning more about the nature of early or minimal cancer and developing more effective combinations of treatments. The Canadian public and the medical pro- fession must be alerted to the need for earlier detection by better identification of those at risk of developing skin cancer. Recognition of the danger of overexposure to the sun will prevent many cases of skin cancer from developing. HOW TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST SKIN CANCER •Avoid repeated over-exposure to the sun especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. , •Wear protective clothing, such as long- sleeved shirts and wide -brimmed hats. •Use a sunscreen containing PABA to ab- sorb ultraviolet rays. These sunscreens are rated in strength, and the . higher the number, the greater the protection; or Use a sun block preparation containing zinc oxide - -.or titanium dioxide that. will - deflect ultraviolet rays. •The key to saving lives from skin cancer is first prevention and then the early detec- tion and prompt treatment of any skin ab- normality. This information is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following: THE CANDLELIGHT RESTAURANT & TAVERN GODERICH PHONE 524-7711 ALVIN'S TV 162 Mary St. 524-9089 rich WHOLESALE PLUMBING SUPPLIER HUCKINS ST. (INDUSTRIAL PARK) GODERICH Christopher Borgal Architect King Street West P.O. Box 422 Blyth, Ontario NOM 1 HO Tel. 523-9205 THE. GODERICH PRINT *SHOP* 36 NEWGATE ST. Quality Job Printing Phone 524-7862 OFFSET and LETTERPRESS STILES FUNERAL HOME 77 MONTREAL ST. GODERICH Rick Pao, Director