Clinton News-Record, 1984-03-28, Page 42HOPE Page 18
Wil Mick%, campaign chairman with the Exeter Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, Wendy .'rre!neer,.,secretary for.theHt_u_'on County Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society, and
and Doris McCall, rural campaign chairman with the Wingham Branch, discuss the Jim Remington, campaign chairman for the Unit, work closely together to co-ordinate fund
upcoming fund-raising campaigns iwtheir towns. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) raising activities throughout the county. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan)
•
COMMON SENSE ABOUT CANCER
Time. There's never enough of it. But one
way of stretching time is to listen to what
your body tells you. That way you are more
likely to stay healthy and live longer. So,
keep in shape. And if something does feel
wrong, don't shrug it off. Get it checked out
by your doctor. Usually, if a disease is
diagnosed in its early stages, it can be
cured. That goes for many .types of cancer. _
It's also "common sense -to have regular
medical examinations. Fortunately, studies
show that in women cancer occurs most
frequently in parts of the body that are
easily examined by a doctor. The most
common cancer in women is breast cancer,
followed by skin, intestinal and rectal, lung
and uterine cancer, in that order. Most of
these potential cancer sites, if found and
treated early, respond well.
Following are descriptions of the Most
common cancers in women, telling you chow
to spot a potential problem and, in some
cases, how to avoid the risk altogether.
There are certain steps every woman
should take:
Diwi th our family doctor how
SCUMscuy
often you should have a gynecological
examination and a Pap test — and make
sure you keep the appointments.
Check out promptly with your doctor
any unusual bleeding, discharge, swelling,
lump or discomfort of any kind, or changes
in your normal body functions such as
prolonged diarrhea or constipation.
Don't take home-made remedies for
.indigestion which occurs. every day. This
_symptoM, a eci after age _ -40, _ is
important enough that you ifibuld see your'
doctor.
BREASTS:
Examine your breasts every month. A
good time to do' this is a few days after the
end of your period.
If you've already reached your
menopause, pick a day you'll remember
such as the first of the month, each and
every month. Watch for any changes in your
breasts such as puckered or dimpled skin, or
bleeding or discharge from the nipples.
If you are not sure how to examine your
breasts, ask your doctor to show you or ask
your local Unit of the Canadian Cancer
Seven Steps to health:
Society for information on breast self-
examination. Since you can check yourself
every month, you are the best person to find
changes.
Even if you do find a lump in your breast,
you probably do not have cancer: Over 85
percent of °lumps found in the breast are
benign, or not cancerous. But it's common
sense to have your doctor check any
suspicious signs — many women are alive
and well today because their breast.. cancer
was selected and treated early: -
COLORECTAL AREA:
The term "colorectal refers to two parts
of the large intestine. The colon is the lower
5 to 6 feet of intestine, sometimes called the
large bowel. The rectum is the last 5 to 6
inches at the end of the colon, leading to the
outside of the body.
The causes of this type off cancer have not
all been determined. But a balanced, low-fat
diet is a recommended sensible precaution.
Eating adequate amounts of green and
yellow vegetables every day, especially
cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli or brussel
sprouts, and lots of foods containing vitamin
1. Have a medical and dental check-up
2. Watch for any change in your normal state of health.
3. Find out about any lump or sore that does not heal.
4. Protect yourself against too much sunlight.
5. Do not smoke.
6. Have a Pap test
7. Do a monthly breast self-examination.
C and E may help protect you against
cancer in this area.
Signs To Watch For: Many signs of
colorectal cancer are similar to those
caused by other intestinal conditions. For
example, bleeding from the rectum,
persistent indigestion, a change in bowel
habits (persistent constipation or diarrhea),
vague, dull,' or annoying abdominal pains
may or may not be due to cancer. Therefore,
it's common sense to report any of these
signs promptly -to . oiir _doctor. -If jou are
over 50, you should an annual digital
exam, where the doctor carefully examines
your rectum with agloved finger..
LUNGS:
Lung cancer is largely preventable.
Practically all cases are caused by cigarette
smoking. Don't think that lung cancer is an
exclusively finale disease; it is increasing in
women at a frightening rate. If you smoke,
the remedy is simple: quit. Now! It's never
too late. Research has shown that after two
to three years, most of the damage to the ex-
smoker's
xsmoker's lungs has been repaired naturally;
after 10 to .15 years, your lungs will be
almost as ood as new. As more women
work in jobs traditionally done by men, they
should be aware of the hazards of certain
workplaces. Employees exposed to
asbestos, chrome, nickel refining, coal tar
products and radioactive uranium have all
been found liable to an above average risk of
contracting lung cancer. Smoking increases
the risk.
Signs To Watch For: Often the first
symptom noticed is a chronic cough, which
may cause blood to appear in the sputum.
Increasing amounts of mucus may develop
and occasionally, fever and chest pains may
also occur. Success in treating lung cancer
depends on the type of tumor, and the stage
at which it is first diagnosed. However, lung
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