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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-03-30, Page 33Supplement to the Goderich Signal -Star, Clinton News -Record, Huron Expositor, Exeter Times Advocate and Wingham Advance -Times Wednesday, March 34, 1983 Best therapy is positive attitude Cancer won't run Casey's life BY MARGARET ARBUCKLE Uoyd "Casey" Casemore of Wingham won't let cancer run his life and he believes a positive attitude is the best kind of therapy. Ever since his cancer was diagnosed over two years ago, Casey has refused to slow down his whirlwind pace. For example, the month of March was crammed full, of Lodge and Lions meetings and curling. In fact, he admitted it would be virtually impossible for him to attend all the meetings each month that he is supposed to. Today, Casey says he feels better than he has in a long time, certainly better than two years ago when he was suffering from stomach pains and bouts of profuse sweating. Those symptoms went on for six months and Casey continued to feel worse and worse. After the local hospital staff could not determine his problem, he was referred to the specialists at University Hospital, Landon. The London doctors conducted a series of tests, as well as exploratory surgery. After extensive testing, they found him to have lymphoma, a type of cancer which attacks the body's lymph glands. These glands are responsible for the elimination of waste by- products from body organs. When the lymph glands are not working properly, those waste products cannot get away. Therefore, the build- up of poisons in his liver caused the stomach pain and the sweating, was caused by excess fluid in his lungs. His first reaction to the news was: Why,me? He was frightened, understandably, but after the initial shock, decided to accept the doc- tors' verdict and co-operate with them. The first step, after clearing up an infection Casey had developed, was to start him on chemotherapy treatments. Most people find these treatments extremely unpleasant with side effects like hair loss, vomiting and diarrhea. But Casey had ne choice, because without the treatments, his doctors gave him six months to five years to live. With his usual deter- mination and good humor, Casey started chemotherapy. The doctors kept close tabs on him to chart his progress on the drug and were amazed at what they found. Casey had no adverse reactions whatsover to chemotherapy! He attributes this to his Casey Casemore of Wingham refuses to let cancer rule his life. Ever since his cancer was diagnosed over two years ago, Casey has never let up his hectic pace. In addition to regular club activities and curling at home, Casey has been to Europe three times in the past two years and intends to leave again this month for a seven -week stay. Pictured with Casey is an honorary plaque he received for bravery during the Second World War. (Wingham Advance -Times Photo) own physiology partly and partly to his determination not to let anything stand in his way. The doctors at University Hospital were amazed and overjoyed with Casey's progress and he has become a symbol to them and others that some of the hard work and research into cancer has paid off. Casey added they always are happy to see him again for check-ups. Many people who are ill, are afraid to leave their doctor or hospital, just in case they take a turn for the worse, but not Casey. After his first round of treatments was complete, he decided to take a trip to Europe to visit friends he met when he was a soldier in the Second World War. His doctors encouraged him to make the trip, saying that travel can be very therapeutic. So, he went and has returned to Europe on two other occasions since, staying a little bit longer each time. In fact, he leaves again for Europe this month for an unprecedented seven - week stay. Casey never hides his_lit*ht under a basket; he -lets it shine. In doing,,so, he has made life_a little brighter for several other local cancer sufferers, with visits and pep talks. One woman said her husband always was buoyed up with new determination after a visit from Casey. His philosophy of life is: Live one day at a time and enjoy each day, Breast self-examination: For more information on cancer and breast self- examination, attend one of the following presentations: Tuesday, April 12, with Dr. Englert, Room 120, South Huron District High School, Exeter, 7:30 p.m.; Wed- nesday, April 13, with Dr. Thomson, Assessment Office, 46 Gloucester Terrace, Goderich, 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, April 19, with Dr. McKim, Portable, Wingham and District Hospital, Wingham, 7:30 p.m. County fun %.-raising objective is $"7Z April is a special month of hope across Canada for those who suffer from cancer. During this month, volun- teers across the country carry out a fund-raising campaign to support cancer research. That research offers the hope that, yes, someday, Cancer Can Be Beaten. Here in Huron County, the fund-raising objective " for 1983 has been set at $77,000. This is up from last year's objective of $71,000. Huron County Unit treasurer Steve Biskup gives the break down for each branch in the county as follows: Goderich-$20,500; Exeter -$19,000; Wingham- $16,500; Clinton -$14,500; and Seaforth-$6,500. This' money is raised in various ways, the main one being a door-to-door canvass conducted by ,volunteers in each branch across the county during the month of April. Daffodils have also become synonymous with fund-raising for cancer. At the end of March, 54,000 blooms were sold by volunteers across the county (17,000 in Goderich, 15,000 in Clinton, 12,000 in Exeter, 6,000 in Wingham and 4,000 in Seaforth). These blooms were sold in bunches of ten for $3 or two bunches for $5. Daffodil teas were held in Wingham (March 25) and Clinton (March29). 0 Treasurer Steve Biskup Goderich's annual daffodil tea will be held April 2 from 2-4:30 p.m. in St. George's Anglican Church hall. At each of these teas, a collection plate at the door yields funds for cancer research. The other major fund- raiser for the Huron County Unit is a bike-a-thon. This year's date has been set for Sunday, May 1st across all the branches. Please watch your local papers for further details about these bike-a- thons. What is cancer? Since cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, few of us will go through life without having cancer cross our paths in some way. Read on for a better understanding of this disease. Cancer starts when the growth pattern of one or more cells becomes unregulated and un- controlled. As these cells multiply, they give rise to billions of abnormal cells, which may clump together to form a swelling or lump. These cells continue to multiply beyond the replacement needs of the body and are no longer able to perform their usual function. Eventually, as they continue to grow and multiply, they can crowd out and interfere with the fun- ction of normal cells and organs. If clumps of cancer cells separate from the first tumour, they may travel through the lymph canals and blood vessels thereby spreading the cancer throughout the body. These secondary cancer growths areknown as "metastases", from the Greek word meaning "stopping in a later place". For successful cancer treatment, it is very important to discover and remove the cancer growth before this spread can take place. For this reason, early detection of a cancer growth is critical for successful treatment. It is estimated that ap- proximately 80 per cent of all cancers are preventable. This fact suggests that serious consideration should be given to the following positive actions for better health! Stop smoking! Death rates from lung cancer are significantly higher in smokers and increases in direct proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also jeopardizes the health of non-smokers who are ex- posed zposed to the chemicals in cigarette smoke through passive inhalation. Women should have regular pap smears and do regular breast self- examinations! Breast cancer and cancer of the cervix are the most prevalent types of cancer experienced by, women. If it were possible to convince every sexually active woman aged 18 to 60 that she should have a "pap smear" regularly, cancer of the cervix could be largely eliminated. As well, early detection of abnormal lumps in the breast through breast self-examination is critical if treatment is to be suc- cessful! Protect your skin from over-exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun! Skin cancer can be prevented by restricting direct exposure over long periods of time to the sun. Use a sun screen to protect your skin. Industrial work places should ensure an en- vironment that is free from cancer-causing chemical agents. A few of the well- known ones are asbestos, arsenic, vinyl chloride, benzidine and various metallic ores. Check your work site for the presence of any of these chemicals. Cancer is not inevitable or fatal in all cases! By practising positive health habits, you may help prevent cancer. (Adapted from pamphlets from the Canadian Cancer Society by Health Education Services, Huron County Health Unit.)