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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-04-01, Page 34page 4 Mastectomy visiting service proves successful here BY JOANNE BUCHANAN... In Huron County, the mastectomy visiting service offered by the Canadian Cancer Society has proven very successful. This service is designed to meet the emotional needs of mastectomy patients. Volulnteers who have had a mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast) are carefully selected and trained to visit patients in the hospital or as soon as possible after the patients have gone home, when the need tor emotional support is most critical. In Huron there are two volunteers who do visiting. They are Mrs. Phyllis Pit- blado and Mrs. Phyllis McConnell. Five years ago, these two women took a mastectomy visitor training course in Toronto. Both women had undergone mastectomy operations themselves at least three years prior to " taking thiks course. When they returned from the course, they began promoting the visiting service in Huron County but it has rea lly only been within the last two years that it has been extensively utilized. Mrs. Pitblado says the local doctors have been most co- operative in making referals (orders must be signed by the doctors before visits can Last year's,,bike-a-thou for cancer to Goderich attracted 146 riders who April 26 beginning at Suncoast Mall again and following the same 20 - raised more than $5,000 for research. This year's bike-a-thon will be held kilometer route as last year. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) Cancer Society promotes education in schools The Canadian Cancer Society has prepared beautiful and effective classroom material that en- courages decision making for good health for children from kindergarten to high school. If you have free time during the day, .there is a great need for your help in promoting these educational kits to teachers and school boards. People we see and hear in the media, such as an- nouncers, actors, reporters, athletes and others, are needed as speakers for the. Canadian Cancer Society's Public Education program. As Lou Turco said in the film, "...a lot of people are dying needlessly from cancer...through education we can help." Did you know that there are approximate- ly 9,000 new cases of cancer of the colon and rectum in Canada in a given year? The Canadian Cancer Society en- courages men and women to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, such as bleeding, persistent cramps, constipation and diarrhea. Community events can also be used to promote cancer education. Local baseball, hockey and basket- ball games attract crowds. In cities and towns, , these events are being used by Public Education volunteers , to make their neighbours aware of the facts about cancer. One of the facts that all women should know is the importance of practising monthly breast self- examination because early detection can save lives. If you are already involved in community affairs, or would like to become i_nnvoly- ed, contact your local office of the Canadian Cancer Society. There are many Public Education volunteers with the Canadian Cancer Society who are comfortable as public speakers. They come from all walks of life and willingly give their time to promote cancer education on television or radio or as lun- cheon speakers. If you have skills in this area, join us — we need you. When you believe you have something important to say that can truly affect the health of people's lives, then it's important that the message gets delivered. The messagethe same for men and women: Cancer Can Be Beaten. For example, cancer of the cervix is preventable when early cell changes are detected through the Pap test and ef- fectively treated. Many thousands of lives have been saved by this test as women become more aware of the health benefits of having this test as often as their doctors suggest: Yet there is still a great need for more educa- tion when we consider that approximately 500 women die in Canada each year from cancer of the cervix. One of the Seven Steps to Health is: "Have a Pap Test". Public Education volunteers with the Cana- dian Cancer Society are busy, active people. This scientist and his planning committee of professors and teachers (whom you saw in the film) are all volunteers in the cause of cancer educa- tion. If you are in a specializ- ed profession, you'll find be- ing a part of our education program a particularly rewarding and challenging job. As a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer, your life will become that much richer, not only from the good feelings you will enjoy from helping others, but also from the many new friends and contacts you will make. Canadian Cancer Society volunteers are enthusiastic about life; they want it to last for themselves and others without needless suf- fering. They are warm and friendly people serving an unselfish cause. How much of your time you give to the Canadian Cancer Society's Public Education program is really up to you. But as with most things that are ' important, it does take time and effort. Public Education commit- tees meet regularly year round. They are entirely composed of volunteers. It is up to these committees to en- sure that the Ca'nadian Cancer Society's Public Education programs are functioning at all levels of the community. These com- mittees also ensure that all Public Education volunteers are informed of new materials and how they can best be used. Although the Canadian Cancer Society was formed in 1938 at the request of the Canadian Medical Associa- tion for the express purpose of educating the public about cancer, it has since taken on other responsibilities as well in its pursuit to eradicate this disease from society. Millions of dollars have been raised by volunteer Canadian Cancer Society - canvassers for the support of Public Education, Service to Patients and cancer resear- ch. Other volunteers are engaged in publicizing the Society's aims and goals through the mass media, while thousands more are actively working to provide services to cancer patients throughout Canada. Whatever volunteer activi- ty in the Canadian Cancer Society you would like to be a part of — there is room. Call us Lend us a hand. We need you!, be made) and Mrs. McConnell, who is a pubic health nurse, also receives referals from the Huron County Health Unit and the VONs. Both women are willing to travel to patients anywhere in the county. The role of the mastec- tomy visitor is to help the patient help herself back to recovery. The visitor .presents the patient with a special kit, free of charge, containing a booklet with general in- formation . including a description of exercises to be done only with the doctor's approval; suggestions about brassiere comfort and clothing; a temporary prosthesis (or breast form and extra fiberfill; a list where a permanent prosthesis may be obtained and the approximate cost; a rubber hall and a length of rope for carrying out the exercises suggested, in the booklet; and apattern for a prosthesis if a patient wishes to make her own. The visitor must follow certain rules: 1. She does not • offer medical opinions or advice. 2. She does not make personal comparisons. 3. She keeps any in- formation offered by the ,patient confidential. 4.. She does not discuss case histories. 5. She does not stay long enough to tire the patient. The visitor will ac- company the patient when she, purchases . her per- manent prosthesis if the patient wishes her to do 'so. ' She will also,accompany the. patient to the treatment centre on the first- day if further treatment is needed. Mrs. Pitblado and Mrs. McConnell are happy to make more than one visit per patient if asked.to do so..Mrs. Pitblado feels that the visits provide the patients with understanding, en- couragement and practical help. If any woman in Huron County requires the mastectomy visiting service, please. call Mrs. Pitblado at 524-6608 or contact any member of the Huron Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. Know the signs When it conies to cancer, know the signs. Signs advise and protect you. If you discover . a breast lump, a change in a mole or have prolonged indigestion you should see your doctor.`The sooner you recognize these signs, the sooner you can take action,according to the Canadian Cancer Society. This informative publication Is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the fallowing the eoberich SIGNAL -STAR Alexander, Banter & MacEwen INSURANCE AGENCY LTD. 10 THE SQUARE, GODERICH, 524-2177 GODERICH PUBLIC UT1Lfl'IES COMMISSION