The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-03-29, Page 46Page 12
ThePap test .. .
• 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
ti without impairing, tike
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 bitsof
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 file body, in
the form of radium.
Often radium is en-
closed ina 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
sari e: to deliver a dose
powerful enough to
Patient services
•
ise use
of money
Through its services to
patients, the Canadian
Cancer Society helps to•
soften the impact of
cancer for patients and
their families. These .
services vary from
province to province/
being related to the needs
of patients in •each
province and the status'of
provincial programs for
diagnosis and treatment.
They range .from
essential services such as
driving patients to
clinics, to small comforts
such as coffee and tea in
chinics and flowers- at the
bedside.
Basically, patient
services are intended not
only for rehabilitation but
to inspire a more hopeful
attitude in patients. This
mission is carried out
largely by volunteers.
The following list --in-
dicates the range of
services: transportation
of, patients to clinics;
'visits to patientsin
hospital, sometimes
involving playing with
child patients; visits • to
- atierrts ho'm'e ; -nT ktrig-
and
r g -and delivering cancer
dressings; teaching
patients various skills
and hobbies; providing
wheelchairs and other
physicalaids; delivering
gifts; offering advice
from a cured patient to
one who has r^eeen'tly
undergone an operation,
such as a breast cancer'
patient or one who has
had a colostomy.
During the Society's
last fiscal year, • ex-
penditures on some of the
patient services were as
follows:,
on cancer
dressings; $321,201 on
colostomy equipment;
$55,690 on pain killing
drugs; $47,350 on
rehabilitation services;
$368,285.. on transportation
of patients to and from
treatment centres.
In total the Society
spent $2,956,292 to help
more than 28,000 patients.
At least 50,000 volunteers
were involved in
providing these services.
In addition, the Society
has provided $4,671,833 in
capital funds to purchase
property and to build and
equip facilities for am-
bulatory patients
requiring overnight
accommodation during
`treatrrretrati aliiiics:
These institutions,
called boarding homes or
lodges, are located in
Hamilton, Toronto,
London, Thunder Bay,
Ottawa and Kingston.
destroy the cancer, but
nd't 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
under which cancer of the
uterus occurs.
Such research has
shown for example, that
uterine cancer occurs
more frequently amgng
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)
love
you sure the'
,lasts
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
bun and help prevent skin cancer
'If you workout -of -doors, cover up.
Use your head before you fry.
your hide.
It's up to every woman to havea pcfp •
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 ha_ve..
to work at preventing it.
Enjoy the good life. •
I
roucan help prevent 1uii cancer,skin cancer and cervicai cancer.
It's up toyou..