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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-26, Page 41HOPE Page 12 Exeter volunteers active in the work of the Exeter Branch of the Canadian Cancer Society are, front row, left to right, Leone Brock, president and Audrey Bentley, vice-president; and back row, left to right, Elaine Bogart, secretary; Marjorie Delbridge, patient services chairman; Jean McKee, member; and Laurie Shapton, PD&N: Absent for photo were; Joyce Black, secretary; Bill Mickle, campaign chairman; Carfrey Cann, special events chairman; Maida Baynham and Betty Coates, commemoration; Loretta Stegner and Mrs. Fred Simmons, education; Dr. D.A. Ecker, medical advisor; Melva Ecker, patient services vice-chairman; William Batten, publicity; and Velma Huff, Olive Harvey and Efleen Frayne, transportation. (Photo by Joanne Buchanan) Society's stand on heroin use misinterpreted in articles During ttie past veal 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 misinterpretedor 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 ' Breast cancer is curable ... ® from page 11 breast to the lymph nodes in the armpit •( ax- illa), five-year survival rates are reduced to about 55 percent. With wide spreading, the outlook is less hopeful. However, it should be remembered that statistics apply only to large groups of people and can never predict the outcome in any individual. With modern treatment programs, amazing responses are sometimes obtained, justifying the maintenance of hope even in the face of ap- parently incurable disease. RETURNING TO A NORMAL LIFE Since the breast sits on the surface of the 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. body directly under the skin, the risks of breast surgery are minimal compared with those associated with operations on most in- ternal organs. In fact, if it has not been necessary to interfere with the muscles of the chest wall and the tissue in the armpit, the individual should be able to return to normal activity within a few weeks. Then the woman's energy will be focused on the emotional aspects of adjusting " to a diagnosis of cancer and the loss of a portion of her body that has very important psychological implications. The Canadian Cancer Society has developed a nationwide support service call- ed the Mastectomy Visiting Program for women who have had surgery for breast cancer. Volunteers who have had mastec- tomies are specially trained to make visits to people who have been recently treated for 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 fill 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 pro- vided -by the volunteer is to reassure the in- dividual that she is the same woman as before and that her fears of losing her feminity, are without foundation. Women soon realize that a breast is not an organ which is essential to life. Her 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. desirability and suitability of breast reconstruction should breast removal be re- quired. FUTURE PROGRESS While it is still not possible to confidently identify the causes of breast cancer, more and more information is being acquired about risk factors, including the influence of our diet and our environment. We are now able to cautiously suggest wise healthprac- tices as protective and preventive measures. These will doubtless be clarified and defined with increasing precision in the future. Progress is also anticipated in the 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, 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- ing in 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 early detection. and diagnosis of breast cancer, and adequate treatment may give every chance of permanent cure. Mean- while, the importance of using early detec- tion methods such as breast self- examination cannot be stressed enough. Although prevention and availability of techniques for even earlier diagnosis must be the main object of our search, it is worth noting that studies to clarify the place of less disfiguring types of surgery for breast cancer are underway, as are studies to perfect the reconstruction of the breast hrough the surgical placement of breast orms (prostheses). P THE ESSENTIAL,OINTS TO REMEMBER 1. Cancer of the breast is the most com- mon cancer occurring in women in Canada 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 hi hrais_ k of devel_ :ping breastancer, as outlined in this article, you should see your doctor and establish an effective program of breast cancer surveillance. 4. If you discover a .lamp, 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. Two and half million Canadians have quit 1. smoking. Are you one of them? Join the majority and become a non-smoker.. A one -pack -a=llay smoker spends about $15,000 on cigarettes in a lifetime! Of course the lifetime will be about 10 years shorter if you -are a heavy smoker. What better reason for breaking your habit now? Every cigarette shortens your life 14.4 minutes! What better reason for breaking your smoking habit now? Join the majority and become a non-smoker. This information is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following: 4 Blocks West of Firehall Ixeter Senn Service 544 Main St., Exeter 235-2244 O'h Auto -Ruud Toll Free Exeter 1-800-265-7034 235-1100 Pryde Monuments 293 Main St., Exeter Phone 235-0620 -.MATHERS MOTORS 136 MAIN Si'. N.. EXETER 235-1525 11111111111111111111111111111