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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News-Record, 1984-03-28, Page 36HOPE Page 12 Breast cancer is curable .. from page 11 desirability and suitability of breast breast to the lymph nodes in the armpit (ax- reconstruction should breast removal be re- illa), five-year survival rates are reduced to quired. a out _p nf. itir wide .spreading,the it -F. RE PROG � idently.. outlook is. less hopeful. However, ,it should �'-;'lige tome- lie that statistics appy only to identify .we causes o€ state-oancnfi a tly dor — - -- -- ge groups of peo�e ani can never -Predict the outcome in any individual., With modern and more information is being acquired treatment programs, amazing responses about risk factors, including the influence of are sometimes. obtained, justifying the our diet and our environment. We are now maintenance of hope even do the face of ape able to cautiously suggest wise health prac- patently incurable disease.tires as protective . and preventive measures. These will doubtless be clarified RETURNING TO A NORMAL LIFE and defined with increasing precision in the Since the breast sits on thesurface of the future. Progress is also anticipated in the _bod3_direct1y _under, the:skin>-.the_ _risks of.ehr y detection v.antdiagn9sis of breast breast surgery are minimi compared with cancer, and adequate treatment may give those associated with operations on most in- every chance of permanent cure. Mean- ternal organs. In fact, if it has not been while, the importance of using early detect necessary to interfere with the muscles of tion methods such as ' breast self - the chest wall and the tissue in the armpit, examination cannot be stressed enough. the individual should be able to return to Although prevention and availability of normal activity within a few weeks. Then techniques for even earlier diagnosis must the woman's energy will be' focused on the be the main object of our search, it is worth emotional aspects of adjusting to a nat studies to clarify the place of less diagnosis of cancer and the loss of a portion disfiguring types of surgery for breast of her body that has very important cancer. are underway, as are studies' to psychological implication. The Canadian Cancer Society has perfect the reconstruction of the breast ' developed a nationwide support service call- through the surgical placement of breastforms (prostheses). ed the Mastectomy Visiting Program for women who have had surgery for breast THE ESSENTIAL POINTS Exeter volunteers active in the work of the Exeter Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society cancer. Volunteers who have had master TO REMEMBER are, front row, left to right, Leone Brock, president and Audrey Bentley, vice-president; and tomies are specially trained to make visits 1. Cancer of the breast is the most corn - back row; -left to right; a Bogart; secretary; liisrjorie Delierialge, patieu't aerviees to -people who -have been -recently treated -foams —mon- cer-oecurring-in-woanen-in-Canada--- chairman; Jean McKee, member; and Laurie Shapton, PD&N. Absent for photo were:, Joyee Black, secretary; Bill Mickle, campaign chairman; Carfrey Cann, special events chairman; Maida Bayaham and Betty Coates, commemoration; Loretta Siegner and. Mrs. Fred Simmons, education; Dr. D.A. Ecker, medical advisor; Melva Ecker, patient services vice-chairman; William Batten, publieity; and Velma Huff, Olive Harvey and Eileen Frayne, transportation. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) Society's stand on . heroin use misinterpreted.n artcies_. :_ -_-_ .-_._-. During the past year or more, a great many articles have appeared in the press about the use of heroin for the relief of pain in cancer patients. Many of these articles have either misinterpreted or misunderstood the role of the Canadian Cancer Society. The Canadian Cancer Society is basically a body of lay volunteers dedicated to the cause of assisting cancer patients, educating the public about cancer and raising funds for cancer research. The Society is not involved in the practice of medicine. The Society is dedicated to assisting physicians to provide the best possible medical care for cancer patients. To this end, the Ontario Division of the Society spent more than $4,366,715 in 1983 to provide services for._ cancer patients. These expenditures included substantial financial assistance to provide pain relieving drugs for cancer patients. However, these, drugs must be prescribed by physicians and they must be legally available by approval of the Federal Government. "If heroin is legalized by the Federal Government and its use for cancer patients is recommended by the medical profession, the Ontario Division of the Canadian Cancer Society would add it to the list . of pain relieving drugs for which the Division provides financial assistance to needy patients," says the Ontario Division President, David Hill. Cancer Society not affiliated with Quebec -based. organization The Canadian Cancer Society . is not affiliated with, or connected in any way to the Cancer Research Society Inc.,.which -is-a Quebec -based organization. Prior to 1981, Cancer Research Society Inc.'s fund raising efforts were confined to the province of Quebec. But since that time they have solicited funds all across Canada, although most of their research grants are confined to Quebec. The main concentration of cancer -research..in Canada is done through the National Cancer Institute of Canada, with about 98 per cent of their funding provided by the Canadian Cancer Society. As far as the C.C.S. has been able to ascertain, the N.C.I.C. has never received any, funding from the Cancer Research Society Inc. breast cancer. Talking to someone who has shared the same experience and has ad- justed.to a new life can provide meaningful support. With a physician's approval, the volunteer Mastectomy Visitor can also offer advice as to simple exercises that will speed the recovery of full arm function. The visitor also- provides information on ar- tificial breast forms and their use. She leaves, as a gift, a mastectomy visitor's bag which contains an instruction booklet, a temporary breast form and various devices to assist with arm exercise. . Perhaps --the _most .important . service..aro- vided by the volunteer is to reassure the in- dividual that she is the same woman as before and that her fears of losing er feminity are without foundati '$ soon realize that a breastaa1y .,rgan which is essential to life.eller feminity, her ability to love, her intellect and her value as an important person are qualities which re- main with each woman after an experience with breast cancer. A WORD ABOUT BREAST RECONSTRUCTION Although many women who have had mastectomies are satisfied with the physical and psychological benefits of exter- nal prostheses, increasing numbers are undergoing reconstructive mammoplasty (breast reconstruction) to replace their missing breasts. The trend towards earlier breast cancer detection, the performance of less radical breast surgery where ap- propriate, p-prop:iate, recent developments in plastic surgery, and growing public acceptance of other types of cosmetic surgery are making breast reconstruction more available and more cosmetically acceptable. Increasing numbers of articles about breast cancer, and particularly about reconstructive mammoplasty, are appear- engin newspapers and popular magazines. This has resulted in women taking a more active role in their medical care. You should not hesitate to take up with your doctor any questions of concern to you about the management of your disease or about the and, in spite of the fact that high cure rates are achievable through early diagnosis, it is still the most common cause of cancer death in women. 2. Since early diagnosis is of critical im- portance, a lifetime habit of monthly breast self-examination (BSE) may lead to early detection which increases chances for suc- cessful treatment. Your physician, or your local Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, can provide you with instructions and fur- ther information. 3. If you are at .high risk of developing breast cancer, as- outlined "in this article, you should see your doctor and establish an - effective program , of .. breast.__. cancer surveillance -7 - . - � . . 4. If you discover a lump, mass, or any other change in your breast, see your doctor immediately. 5. Remember, if you should require treat- ment for breast cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society has a number of support ser- vices (including the volunteer Mastectomy Visiting Program) that can assist you in your early return to a full and normal life. For further information, contact your local Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. 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