Cancer Prevention & Early Detection

by Carla Jolley, ARNP, MN, AOCN

Cancer develops when a single cell runs amuck in its programming. This process is called carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis is complicated and more is learned about this multi-step process daily. Exposure to carcinogens, i.e., chemicals, physical agents, or viruses causes cancer. Avoiding exposure to all carcinogens would prevent cancer. Living in a modern society makes this nearly impossible. Modifications in life-style and environment can, however, reduce some of the risk factors.

Seventy-five to eighty percent of risk factors for cancer are life-style related. All cancers caused by smoking are preventable. In the year 2000, 171,000 cancer deaths were due to tobacco use and 19,000 to alcohol use. For some of us, life-style changes require only a bit more diligence. For others, changes are more difficult and include dropping some not so healthy habits. When we look at the statistics, our lifetime risk for cancer for all sites is one in two for males, and one in three for women. You can reduce your risk at any time by following these guidelines:

Healthy Diet
The Dietary\ Recommendations from the American Cancer Society are simple:
Choose most of your foods from plant sources
Eat five or more servings of fruits & vegetables daily
Limit high fat foods
Plants contain protective mechanisms such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fiber. Obesity itself is a risk factor of several cancers and maintaining a healthy weight is important.

Physical Activity
The  Surgeon General recommends engaging in 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. Moderate activity is any activity that causes your body to work harder than normal. This means your heartbeats faster, your muscles contract, and your body temperature rises. Those thirty minutes can be broken up into 10 minutes three times a day. If you do not currently exercise it is best to talk to your health care provider regarding the best way for you to get started and stay active. Choose an activity you are comfortable with. Many people choose walking because it is cheap, easy, and easy to work up to the thirty minutes at a comfortable pace. But gardening, dance classes, playing catch with the kids works too. Just do it!

Limiting Consumption of Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is not recommended. If consumed at all, men should limit themselves to less than two drinks a day, and women one drink. There is convincing evidence that alcohol increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, and liver. This risk is multiplied for drinkers who also smoke.

Avoidance of Tobacco
Tobacco is the single major cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Tobacco use in all forms is deadly. About 87% of lung cancer and 30% of all cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking. Smoking weakens the immune system, irritates the lining of the lungs, and interferes with breathing. It is the major cause of chronic lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. If you have tried to quit and failed, you are not alone. Without support, about one third of quitters relapse within 24 hours of quitting and by 48 hours, two thirds have resumed smoking. The sheer physical discomfort caused by nicotine withdrawal can overwhelm even the most determined individual. There are new treatments to assist in quitting smoking. After a few days, the nicotine is out of the system, and the hardest part of quitting is the habit of smoking, not the addiction to the tobacco. Find support and try again!

Sun Protection
Skin cancer is epidemic. Guidelines for protection are:
• Minimize exposure
• Wear protective clothing
• Apply sunscreen
• Beware of reflective surfaces
• Avoid tanning parlors
• Teach children sun protection early

Early Detection & Screening Tests
Detecting cancer early saves lives and allows for a better chance of a lifetime cure. Screening tests exist for the more commonly occurring cancers of the breast, prostate, and colon. Unfortunately there is not yet a test to screen for lung cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths.

The following screening guidelines are updated yearly from the American Cancer Society. Due to life-style choices, habits or family history, some individuals may need more frequent monitoring. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, please make an appointment to see your health care provider immediately.

Change in bowel or bladder habits
A sore that does not heal
Unusual bleeding or discharge
Thickening or lump in breast or elsewhere
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
Obvious change in wart or mole
Nagging cough or hoarseness

To learn more about modifying your risk factors, come to our Health Education Class