 2008 Cancer Awareness Program
Mayor Leads Community Awareness Program: Increasing Number of Residents Who Got Screening Tests
Five Star Investor Award
Upcoming Events
CANCER HAPPENS.....HAPPEN BACK
What is Breast Cancer?
How Many Women Get Breast Cancer?
What Causes Breast Cancer?
Prostate Cancer
Risk of Prostate Cancer
Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer
Links
2008 Cancer Awareness Program
January Featured Article: Cervical Cancer Awareness
Look for articles in coming months including:
- March - Colorectal Cancer Awareness
- April - Minority Cancer Awareness
- May - Skin Cancer Detection Month
- June - Men's Cancer Awareness
- September - Prostate, Ovarian, & Childhood Cancer Awareness
- October - Breast Cancer Awareness
- November - Family Caregivers Month
Mayor Leads Community Awareness Program: Increasing Number of Residents Who Got Screening Tests
Michigan City received a Five Star Investor Award from the American Cancer Society in 2003. These awards are for worksites active in fighting cancer on multiple fronts through the American Cancer Society At Work program.
Mayor Chuck Oberlie said, “The City of Michigan City is honored to be recognized as a “Five Star Investor” by the American Cancer Society, an organization that offers hope to so many people. We have joined with communities across the nation and the U.S. Conference of Mayors in promoting a broad community-wide awareness campaign under the direction of the American Cancer Society to address breast and prostate cancer concerns.”
“The goals of this campaign,” said Mayor Oberlie, “are to increase awareness and knowledge regarding breast and prostate cancer, early detection, risk factor reduction and early treatment intervention. Among other projects, we will work with the American Cancer Society and local healthcare providers to notify the community about resources for low-income women and men which provide them with access to mammogram's and prostate cancer screening. It is important that healthcare providers, non-profit organizations and other community members network to provide outreach into the community regarding cancer awareness and intervention.”
Mayor Oberlie, one of only 300 U.S. mayors registered as participating in the U.S. Conference of Mayors' cancer campaign, said, “Creating awareness of the importance of early cancer detection techniques offers a unique opportunity for mayors to inspire individual and community action by providing essential information and resources. The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer includes many projects that involve the entire community, fostering the delivery of pertinent information.”
The actions taken by the City of Michigan City which lead to the city receiving a Five Star Investor Award include:
- Providing access to cancer information by promoting the American Cancer Society’s toll-free phone number and website
- Offering insurance coverage and/or reimbursement to employees for cancer-related screenings
- Participating in the Relay For Life
- Promoting a smoke-free workplace
- Participating in the Tell-A-Friend program
- Providing a minimum of 100-volunteer-hours to the American Cancer Society in one year.
The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer includes many events beyond those which resulted in the City of Michigan City receiving the Five Star Investor Award from the American Cancer Society. The campaign addresses breast, prostate and lung cancer and holds special events designed to bring information to high-risk demographic groups.
The goals of this campaign are to increase awareness and knowledge regarding cancer because of the disease’s staggering statistics. More than 32,000 Hoosiers will be diagnosed with cancer in 2004 according to the American Cancer Society. The probability of developing cancer as we grow older increases exponentially – regardless of where we live. From birth to death, males have a 1 in 2 and females a 1 in 3 risk of developing cancer.
The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer urges women to take responsibility for their breast health and promotes October 15 as National Mammography Day. Mammogram's are the best available method to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage – an average of one to three years before a woman can feel a lump. Mammography also locates cancers too small to be felt during a clinical breast examination. Nationally, close to 216,000 women will learn they have the disease in 2004, and over 40,000 women will lose their lives to it. African-American and Hispanic women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer deaths.
“Breast cancer is not just a woman’s disease,” Mayor Oberlie noted, “because men are also diagnosed with breast cancer and entire families are devastated when breast cancer takes a loved one.”
The first project sponsored by the Michigan City Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer was “Community Project in Pink” during which more than 100 children and adults wore pink and made history by forming a living breast cancer awareness pin. The photograph of the result became the logo for our Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer. The participants in this project received anti-smoking literature, pencils, t-shirts and other materials in an effort to reduce the number of smokers in our community.
During the first annual Plunge For The Cure, 75 people came to the lakefront and made donations to the Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer; more than 30 of those (including Mayor Oberlie) plunged into the 55-degree waters of Lake Michigan in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those who lost the fight. The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer donated $2300 to the American Cancer Society; local merchants and service providers donated more than $1600 in prizes to the annual event; the participants received the prizes during drawings following the Plunge events.
Local physicians videotaped panel discussions about breast and prostate cancer detection screenings and treatment options. The discussions were aired repeatedly on local access television stations. Mayor Oberlie recorded public service announcements about breast and prostate cancer which are aired daily on the local radio station.
Michigan City firefighters donated their time to a fundraising event entitled “Baggin’ Cancer” during which they collected donations in bags at a large outlet mall. The funds were donated to the American Cancer Society.
Cruisin’ For A Cure is an annual event in the campaign, bringing together the two largest cities in LaPorte County for a fundraiser. The car cruise, a 27-mile excursion for any vehicle for only a $10 donation, is followed by a sock hop. The first event included more than 300 cars, trucks and motorcycles and raised over $1800 in donations.
Relay For Life is another component of the Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer. In 2004, the event’s 9th year in LaPorte County, Indiana, more than 2000 people walked the track for 18 hours. Two hundred survivors brought their messages of hope, and 2252 luminaria bags were lit in honor of survivors and in memory of those who have lost the battle with cancer. A total of $169,454.40 was raised at the 2004 event. Subsequent years have included more survivors, more teams, and more money donated to the American Cancer Society for use in providing services in LaPorte County.
A special event was held in the Victorian gardens at the historic Barker Mansion for local religious leaders. Pink lemonade and sugar cookies iced with pink breast cancer pins were served while a representative of the Mayor’s Office spoke about the importance of getting cancer awareness information to high-risk minority groups. Packets of information about early detection and treatment options – as well as county-wide locations where screening tests were available at low or no cost – were provided to religious leaders throughout the community along with a request that they observe Pink Ribbon Sunday with their congregations.
The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer has improved the quality of life in our community. In 2003 alone:
- 400 men and women received self-exam cards, teaching them how to detect breast and prostate cancer
- An average of 4800 local access television viewers in Michigan City and LaPorte County watched local health care professionals describe detection, prevention and treatment options during three different panel discussions, each of which aired 8 times during the last quarter of 2003. Over 115,000 individual viewing's were estimated.
- Over 1400 people reviewed cancer information on the city’s website, www.emichigancity.com
- Low-income residents learned of new opportunities to receive screenings and treatment at reduced costs or no cost.
- Local hospital realized 9% increase in the number of people who came in for screenings as compared to the previous year.
These statistics have increased annually. A new task force has been created in LaPorte County by the American Cancer Society, which will lead to a continuing increase in the number of residents who have received screenings and information about prevention, detection and treatment of various cancers. Visit this site for regular updates on the Task Force and its mission.
Mayor Oberlie said, “There may be no family in our community which has not been touched in some way by this disease. While each of us want to help our family, friends and neighbors to fight this disease, by working together we are able to gather strength from one another and make great things happen.”
The Mayor's Campaign Against Cancer received in 2004 two Honorable Mention Awards: the 'City Livability Award' from the U. S. Conference of Mayors and the 'Make A Difference Day Awards' from USA Weekender.
The Mayor’s Campaign Against Cancer program includes the following upcoming events:
- September - 5K Charity Walk To Fight Female Cancer
Click here for complete event details.
- October—Community In Pink. Stores, offices and homes along Franklin Street are requested by Mayor Oberlie to put pink lights and ribbons in their windows to help bring awareness to Breast Cancer Month.
- November - Great American Smoke Out. Details to be announced.
- December - Chili Cook-off at Washington Park. Support the Mayor’s challenge for charity. 4-7 p.m. CST. Come for the chili...stay for the opening of the award-winning Festival of Lights! 5-7 p.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides. Hot chocolate. Beautiful sunset. All with holiday music in the background. Don't miss this!
- May - Cruisin' For A Cure. Join the 27-mile cruise to raise funds for the Mayor's Campaign Against Cancer. Any vehicle can join this cruise, helping to bring awareness of cancer prevention, detection and treatment to our community. Cruise begins at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds on Hwy. 2 West in LaPorte, Indiana. Cruise down beautiful county roads to Michigan City and then to the southern shores of Lake Michigan where you'll find a sock hop with live music, food, beverages, prizes and more! For more details, contact Laura New at (219)873-1506 or via email at lnew@michigancityparks.com.
- June - Relay For Life. First team captain meeting to be held January 2008 at the Coolspring Volunteer Fire Department Team Captain meetings are the second Tuesday of each month. For further information on Relay For Life 2005, please contact Laura New at (219) 873-1506 or the LaPorte County Chapter of the American Cancer Society at (866) 522-2111
CANCER HAPPENS.....HAPPEN BACK
It can come at any time...the moment you become a part of a community you barely knew existed. No matter when it happens, no matter who you are, the American Cancer Society can help.
Whether you know what you need—a definition for a strange word, a place to buy a wig, more information on a loved one’s treatment option—or you’re not even sure where to start...begin with the American Cancer Society (ACS).
The ACS connects you with information you can trust—when you need it most. Accurate information empowers you to make personal, sometimes hard, decisions.
Specially trained cancer information specialists help thousands of callers find answers in both English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Visit www.cancer.org for the latest cancer news, links to community resources and events, a community of fellow patients, survivors and caregivers who understand and inspire, and an online bookstore where you can order a variety of books and brochures.
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast. The disease occurs mostly in women, but men can get breast cancer as well. The information here refers only to breast cancer in women.
The breast itself is made up of lobules, ducts, fatty and connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymph (limf) vessels. Lymph vessels are like veins, except that they carry lymph fluid instead of blood. Inside the breasts are glands that produce and release milk after a woman has a baby. The glands that make the milk are called lobules and the tubes that connect them to the nipple are called ducts.
Lymph is a clear fluid that contains immune system cells and tissue waste products. The fluid is carried in lymph vessels that lead to small, pea-sized collections of tissue called lymph nodes. Most lymphatic vessels of the breast lead to lymph nodes under the arm. These are called auxiliary nodes.
When breast cancer cells reach the underarm lymph nodes and continue to grow, they cause the nodes to swell. Once cancer cells have reached these nodes they are more likely to spread to other organs of the body as well.
There are several types of breast tumors. Most are benign; that is, they are not cancer. Benign breast tumors are abnormal growths, but they do not spread outside of the breast and they are not life threatening.
Some lumps aren’t really tumors at all. These lumps are often caused by fibrocystic changes. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs. Fibrosis refers to the formation of connective tissue or scar tissue. Such changes can cause breast swelling and pain. The breasts may feel lumpy and sometimes there is a clear or slightly cloudy nipple discharge. The American Cancer Society has a separate document on "Benign Breast
Conditions" available through their website, www.cancer.org or their toll-free phone line, 1/866/522-2111.
Understanding the medical language as it relates to breast cancer can be challenging. Here are some terms that describe the most common types of breast cancer:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS): This is the most common type of noninvasive breast cancer. Noninvasive means that the cancer is confined to the ducts. It has not spread through the walls of the ducts into the fatty tissue of the breast. Nearly all women with cancer at this stage can be cured. The best way to find DCIS early is with a mammogram.
- Infiltrating (invasive) ductal carcinoma (IDC): This cancer starts in a milk passage or duct, breaks through the wall of the duct, and invades the fatty tissue of the breast. From there it can spread to other parts of the body. IDC is the most common type of breast cancer. It accounts for about 80% of invasive breast cancer.
- Infiltrating(invasive) lobular carcinoma (ILC): This cancer starts in the milk glands or lobules. It can spread to other parts of the body. About one in ten cases of invasive breast cancers is of this type.
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS): A tumor that hasn't spread beyond the area where it began is called in situ. Although not a true cancer, LCIS increases a woman's risk of developing cancer later. For this reason, it's important that women with LCIS have a physical exam two or three times a year, as well as a mammogram every year.
There are also several other less common types of breast cancer. You can get information about these through the website or the toll-free phone number: www.cancer.org or 1/866-522-2111.
How Many Women Get Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, after lung cancer.
About 211,300 women in the United States will be found to have invasive breast cancer in 2003. About 39,800 women will die from the disease.
Breast cancer death rates declined significantly from 1992 to 1996, with the largest decrease in younger women-- both white and black. This decline is probably the result of earlier detection and improved treatment.
What Causes Breast Cancer? (This information is from the American Cancer Society.)
We do not yet know exactly what causes breast cancer, but we do know that certain risk factors are linked to the disease. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking, can be controlled. Others, like a person's age or family history, can't be changed. But having a risk factor, or even several, doesn’t mean that a person will get the disease.
Some women who have one or more risk factors never get breast cancer. And most women who do get breast cancer don’t have any risk factors. While all women are at risk for breast cancer, the factors listed below can increase a woman’s chances of having the disease.
Gender: Simply being a woman is the main risk factor for breast cancer.
Age: The chance of getting breast cancer goes up as a woman gets older.
Genetic risk: About 1 case of breast cancer in 10 is linked to changes (mutations) in certain genes. Studies show that some breast cancers are linked to changes of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.
If a woman has inherited a changed gene from either parent, she is more likely to get breast cancer. About 5 to 8 women out of 10 with these gene changes will get breast cancer during their lifetime.
Family history: Breast cancer risk is higher among women whose close blood relatives have this disease. The relatives can be from either the mother’s or father’s side of the family. Having a mother, sister, or daughter with breast cancer about doubles a woman’s risk.
Personal history of breast cancer: A woman with cancer in one breast has a greater chance of getting a new cancer in the other breast or in another part of the same breast. This is different from the first cancer coming back (recurrence).
Race: White women are slightly more likely to get breast cancer than are African-American women. But African-Americans are more likely to die of this cancer. Asian, Hispanic, and American Indian women have a lower risk of getting breast cancer.
Earlier breast biopsy: Certain types of abnormal biopsy results can be linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer.
Earlier radiation treatment: Women who have had chest area radiation treatment earlier have a greatly increased risk of breast cancer.
Menstrual periods: Women who began having periods early (before 12 years of age) or who went through the change of life (menopause) after the age of 50 have a small increased risk of breast cancer. The same is true for women who have not had children, or who had their first child after they were 30 years old.
Birth control pills: It is still not clear what part birth control pills might play in breast cancer risk. Studies have found that women now using birth control pills have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer. Women who stopped using the pill more than ten years ago do not seem to have any increased risk. It’s a good idea to discuss the risks and benefits of birth control pills with your doctor.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Most studies suggest that long-term use (5 years or more) of HRT (especially estrogens together with progesterone) for relief of menopause symptoms may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer. Five years after stopping HRT, the risk appears to drop back.
But there are other factors to think about. You should talk with your doctor about the pros and cons of using HRT.
Breast feeding: Many studies have shown that breastfeeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if the breast feeding lasts 1/12 to 2 years. This could be because breast feeding lowers a woman’s total number of menstrual periods.
Alcohol: Use of alcohol is clearly linked to an increased risk of getting breast cancer. Women who have one drink a day have a very small increased risk. Those who have 2 to 5 drinks daily have about 1 ½ times the risk of women who drink no alcohol. We suggest limiting the amount you drink, if you drink at all.
Diet: Being overweight is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially for women after change of life and if the weight gain took place during adulthood. Also, the risk seems to be higher if the extra fat is in the waist area. But the link between weight and breast cancer risk is complex and studies of fat in the diet as it relates to breast cancer risk have often given conflicting results. Since diet and weight have been shown to affect the risk of getting several other types of cancer and heart disease, the ACS says it’s best to stay at a healthy weight and limit your use of red meats, especially those high in fat or processed.
Exercise: Exercise and cancer is a fairly new area of research. Some studies suggest that exercise in youth might give life-long protection against breast cancer. Even a small amount of physical activity as an adult could lower breast cancer risk. More research is being done to confirm these findings.
While a direct link between smoking and breast cancer has not been found, smoking affects your overall health and increases the risk for many other cancers, as well as heart disease. If you smoke, you should make every attempt to quit.
Recent internet e-mail rumors have suggested that underarm antiperspirants or underwire bras can cause breast cancer. There is no evidence to support this idea.
A large, recent study indicated that induced abortions do not increase the risk of breast cancer. Also, most studies show no direct link between miscarriages and breast cancer.
Silicone breast implants can cause scar tissue to form in the breast. But several studies have found that this does not increase breast cancer risk. If you have breast implants, you might need a special x-ray picture during mammography.
Right now, research does not clearly show a link between breast cancer risk and pollutants such as pesticides. A great deal of research has been reported and more is going on in this area. Most experts believe that if there is a link, it accounts for a very small number of breast cancer cases.
Copyright 2003 © American Cancer Society, Inc.
Three tests are commonly used to screen for breast cancer:
Breast self-exam - Breast self-exam (BSE) is checking your own breasts for lumps or other abnormalities.
Clinical breast exam - A clinical breast exam (CBE) is an exam of the breast by a doctor or other health professional. CBE may be done during a routine physical exam. The doctor will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or other abnormalities.
Mammogram - A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. This test may find tumors that are too small to feel. The ability of this test to find breast cancer may depend on the size of the tumor, the density of the breast tissue, and the skill of the radiologist.
If a lump or other abnormality is found using one of these 3 tests, ultrasound may be used to learn more. It is not used by itself as a screening test for breast cancer. Ultrasound is a procedure in which high-energy sound waves (ultrasound) are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echoes form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram.
Other screening tests are being studied in clinical trials. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet and radio waves to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are made by a computer. MRI does not use any x-rays. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI).
MRI tests are used to make decisions about breast masses that have been found by a clinical breast exam or a breast self-exam. MRI's also help show the difference between cancer and scar tissue. Scientists are studying MRI to find out how helpful it is in screening for breast cancer.
Screening clinical trials are taking place in many parts of the country. Information about ongoing clinical trials is available from www.cancer.gov.
Visit www.cancer.org for more information on screenings, local events related to cancer awareness, and more.
Copyright 2003 © American Cancer Society, Inc.
If you are between the ages of 50 and 64, do not have HMO coverage or Medicare Part A & B coverage, and meet the income requirements designated by the American Cancer Society, you may be eligible for a free mammogram. Call 574/257-9789 to determine if you are eligible.
Prostate Cancer
In American men, prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. The prostate gland is walnut-sized and is located in front of the rectum, behind the penis, and under the bladder. It contains gland cells that produce seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells or semen. Most prostate cancers grow very slowly, but when they spread, they can do so quickly.
Most early cases of prostate cancer cause no symptoms, but some early signs may be frequent urination, especially at night; difficulty starting urination or inability to urinate; and weak or painful urination, although these symptoms may be signs of other conditions. Whether or not symptoms are present, the American Cancer Society recommends that, beginning at age 50, men be aware of their risk of developing prostate cancer and consider being screened annually for the disease.
Risk of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 220,900 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in the year 2003. About 28,900 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer. While 1 man in 6 will get prostate cancer during his lifetime, only 1 man in 32 will die of this disease. The death rate for prostate cancer is going down. And the disease is being found earlier as well.
African-American men are more likely to have prostate cancer and to die of it than are white or Asian men. The reasons for this are still not known. Anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease is called a risk factor. Some of these risk factors for prostate cancer are as follows:
Age: Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men younger than 50 years old. The chance of developing prostate cancer increases as men get older.
Race: Black males are more likely to develop prostate cancer than white males. Black males are also more likely to die of prostate cancer than white males.
Family History of Prostate Cancer: A man whose father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer has a higher-than-average risk of developing prostate cancer.
Other potential risk factors include alcohol consumption, vitamin or mineral interactions, and other dietary habits.
Prevention: Although the causes of prostate cancer are not yet completely understood, researchers have found several factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. Many risk factors such as a man’s age, race and family history are beyond his control, but since high-fat diets have been linked to prostate cancer, eating a diet that is low in fat—and especially low in saturated fat—may help reduce a man’s risk for developing the disease. Saturated fat is found in sources such as butter, whole milk, tropical oils and red meat. A diet that is high in fruits and vegetables may also help prevent prostate cancer, but this has not been proven.
Detection: Early detection may offer men with prostate cancer the greatest opportunity for full recovery. Beginning at age 50, all men should talk to their doctors about having a digital rectal exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test every year. Men who are at high risk for prostate cancer (African-Americans or men with a first-degree relative, such as a father or brother, diagnosed with prostate cancer at a young age) should begin testing at age 45.
Treatment: If cancer is detected early, is slow growing, and is not causing symptoms, “watchful waiting” may be chosen initially, especially for older men. Active treatment will be started later if the cancer begins to grow more quickly or symptoms appear, or it may be done with curative intent, especially in younger men in otherwise good health. Examples of active treatments for prostate cancer include surgery as well as treatments such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Radical prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) is the most commonly chosen surgical treatment for prostate cancer. Each of the surgical and non-surgical treatments has side effects that are explained to the patient and should be considered when deciding how to proceed.
Statistics:
2002 Estimates
- 5-year localized survival rate: 100%
- 5-year overall survival rate: 96%
The 5-year survival rates represent persons who are living five years after diagnosis, whether disease-free, in remission, or under treatment. They do not imply that five-year survivors have been permanently cured of cancer. Localized cancer represents cancer that, at the time of diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer is detected and diagnosed, the more successful the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.
With annual screening, prostate cancer can be detected before it spreads. The five-year survival rate for early prostate cancer is very high with or without treatment (near 100%). If the cancer has spread by the time it is detected, it is less likely to be curable (about 34%).
Screening tests for prostate cancer
Digital Rectal Examination: A digital rectal examination (DRE) is performed by a doctor during a regular office visit. For this examination, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland through the rectal wall to check for bumps or abnormal areas. Although this test has been used for many years, whether DRE is effective in decreasing the number of deaths from prostate cancer has not been determined.
Transrectal Ultrasonography: During this examination, high-frequency sound waves are sent out by a probe about the size of the index finger, which is inserted into the rectum. The waves bounce off the prostate gland and produce echoes that a computer uses to create a picture called a sonogram. Doctors examine the sonogram for echoes that might represent abnormal areas. Whether ultrasonography is effective in decreasing mortality from prostate cancer has not been determined.
PSA: For this test, a blood sample is drawn and the amount of prostate- specific antigen (PSA) present is determined in a laboratory. PSA is a marker that, if present in higher than average amounts, may indicate prostate cancer cells. However, PSA levels may also be higher in men who have non-cancerous prostate conditions. Scientists are studying ways to improve the reliability of the PSA test.
Because unnecessary treatment due to false screening results could be harmful, research is being done to determine the most reliable method for prostate cancer screening. For example, scientists at the National Cancer Institute are studying the value of early detection by DRE and PSA on reducing the number of deaths caused by prostate cancer.
Warning signs of prostate problems are:
- Need to urinate frequently, especially at night
- Difficulty in starting or stopping urination
- Painful or burning urination
- Weak or intermittent urine flow
- Constant pain in lower back, hips, or upper thighs
The American Cancer Society recommends men 50 years and older should have a yearly rectal exam and a blood test, called a PSA, to screen for prostate cancer. African American or Hispanic men or men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin this screening process at the age of 40.
Visit the following links for more information:
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
The Breast Cancer Site - Visit this daily and "click" to help fund free mammograms!
http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CTDSites
Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
www.komen.org
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
http://www.nbcam.org/
Lung Cancer
http://www.lungcancer.org/
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
http://www.fightprostatecancer.org/site/PageServer
Science Daily - your source for the latest research on cancer
http://sciencedaily.healthology.com/focus_index.asp?f=cancer
The Lung Cancer Alliance
http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal/
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
http://www.ovarian.org/
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
http://www.nccc-online.org/
Melanoma & Skin Cancer Awareness
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/
National Cancer Institute - all types of cancer
http://www.cancer.gov/
National Childhood Cancer Foundation
http://www.curesearch.org/
Oral Cancer Foundation
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/
National Children's Cancer Society
http://www.nationalchildrenscancersociety.org
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
http://www.pancan.org/
The Kidney Cancer Association
www.curekidneycancer.org
Cancer Survivors Online
http://www.cancersurvivors.org/
Cancer Survivor Network
http://www.acscsn.org/
National Cancer Survivors Day
http://www.ncsdf.org/
Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
http://www.in.gov/isdh/programs/bccp/eligibility.htm
Call the Indiana Family Help line at 1-800-433-0746 (V/TDD available)
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