Cancer
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Yet it is estimated that at least 50 percent of cancer cases can be prevented by lifestyle choices. The following tips can help you take advantage of Vaden Health Center services to decrease your risk and improve detection. More detailed information can be found at the websites listed below.
- Stop smoking and decrease your exposure to environmental smoke. Tobacco accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths.
- Use sunscreen and lip balm in a factor of SPF 15 or greater. Do monthly skin checks.
- Learn the A-B-C-D rules to help determine
a normal mole from a melanoma.
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
- Border irregularity: The edges of the mole are ragged or notched.
- Color: The color of the mole is not the same all over. Shades of tan, brown, or black and sometimes patches of red, blue or white may be combined within the mole.
- Diameter: The mole is wider than about 1/4 inch (although providers are now finding more melanomas that are smaller).
- Follow the recommended nutritional guidelines regarding fat, fiber, fruit and vegetables.
- Get immunized against Hepatitis B and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). These infectious agents are linked to liver cancer as well as genital and anal cancers.
- Use condoms to help prevent transmission of HIV. This virus is linked to certain types of cancer including Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphomas, cervical and anal cancer.
- Follow recommendations regarding Pap tests, mammograms and colon cancer screening.
- See your dentist regularly.
- Decrease your alcohol intake.
- Learn how to do the Self Testicular
and Self Breast Exams.
- (Self Testicular Exam Link) (Previously under “Articles”)
- (Self Breast Exam Link)
Vaden Resources
Medical Services provides clinical examinations, screening, immunizations and education.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) offers group and individual counseling to patients dealing with cancer issues.
Wellness and Health Promotion Services (HPS) offers breast and testicular cancer seminars.
Useful Websites
American Cancer Society offers resources, information, free literature as well as publications on cancer, its prevention and treatment. www.cancer.org
Clinical Cancer Center at Stanford (Stanford University
Medical Center) offers resources for clinicians, researchers and
patients.
cancercenter.stanford.edu/resources.html
The Breast Cancer Fund is a national nonprofit organization
formed to support innovation and accelerate the response to breast cancer.
This site contains many other links.
www.breastcancerfund.org
Center for Science in the Public Interest publishes the Nutrition Action Healthletter and provides information on nutrition and food safety. http://www.cspinet.org/
Oncolink has comprehensive information on cancer for
patients.
www.oncolink.com