RELAY FOR LIFE
By: Joe M. Lee, M.D.
The “Relay for Life” Walkathon takes place each June at the Grayson County High School track and football field. For me, the walkathon takes on a special meaning because I am a survivor. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the fall of 1999, had surgery in December, and now have a greater than 90% chance of long term survival because of early detection. Early detection is the key to improving our cancer survival rates and decreasing the morbidity associated with cancer.
The American Cancer Society reports that the incidence of cancer and cancer death rates have steadily decreased since 1991. This is a result of improving lifestyles, better education, and increasing awareness of cancer’s warning signs. Awareness and utilization of early detection tests have greatly improved the outcome of cancer. However, there are still too many people who don’t take advantage of the available technology. Sometimes people are unaware of what is available, but often they postpone tests or visits to the doctor because of fear. This results in not receiving the best care available and many times in bad outcomes.
There are some things you can do to improve your chances in preventing cancer and to detect cancer at the earliest possible stage.
1. Stop smoking! The single largest cause of cancer is smoking. There are a number of aids to use to help you stop smoking. Ask your doctor for help.
2. Eat healthily. Increasing fruits and vegetables and decreasing the amount of red meat is associated with lower risks of cancer.
3. Use sunscreen and don’t go to the tanning bed. Be sure to use sunscreen on your children. Early and prolonged exposure to sun in childhood increases the risk of all types of skin cancer, especially melanoma.
4. See your physician yearly and have the tests done that he or she recommends.
5. Women over 18 should have a Pap smear and breast exam done yearly. Cervical cancer is the most curable cancer when caught early.
6. Starting at age 40, women should have an annual mammogram. This should be done at an earlier age if there is a close relative with breast cancer. All women should do breast self-examination each month.
7. All men over age 50 should have a digital rectal exam done and their PSA level checked to detect early signs of prostate cancer. If your father or brother had prostate cancer, these tests should be done at age 40.
8. Colon cancer screening should be done at the time of your yearly exam according to your doctor’s recommendations. Rectal bleeding should be thoroughly investigated to rule out colon cancer.
9. All men starting at age 18 should do monthly self-exams of their testicles. The most common cancer in young men is testicular cancer, and it is extremely treatable if detected early.
We have a long way to do to defeat cancer. But we do have a lot of weapons to prevent and detect cancer early. The “Relay for Life” Walkathon is a powerful demonstration of the community’s support for these efforts to fight cancer. If you know someone who is walking please call him or her and donate to their team. Do your part to defeat cancer.