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newsletter from MSBAInsure-
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Squaring off ... with
Cancer You could be young or old. A man or a woman. Of any race. Have a lifestyle or family history that puts you at risk-or you could live "by the book" and still be diagnosed. Cancer is an indiscriminate illness-which makes it all the more frightening. The National Cancer Institute estimates that one in three people will get cancer in their lifetime. Those odds are enough to scare anyone. Yet, the news is not all bad. People diagnosed with cancer today have a far greater chance of beating it than ever before. Advancements in treatment and technology, though costly, offer hope to more people each year. More people are taking the initiative in their own health care, becoming better informed and performing self-examinations that help physicians diagnose cancer in its earliest-and most treatable-stages. And, because studies have also shown that 80% of cancer cases are related to the way a person lives, eats, and works, it's true you can make changes in your lifestyle that significantly improve your chances of surviving a fight against cancer.1 Cancer will certainly touch someone you know. So what can be done to alleviate the uncertainties and fear? The first line of defense Information is the first line of defense. Knowing what you're up against and making changes where you can is a positive step. For persons 50 and older, certain cancers are a bigger concern. Here's an overview of five major cancer groups: Prostate-An estimated 350,000 men in the United
States are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually.2 Persons of the
highest risk are males older than 50 and those with a family history
of prostate cancer. A higher incidence also is seen among African-American
men. Lung-An estimated 164,100 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 2000, and more men and women die of lung cancer than of any other type. 3 The incidence rate had been increasing steadily among men and women for several decades; the rate for men has begun to decline but continues to climb among women. By far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. Other substances, such as exposure to asbestos, chemicals, and air pollution may also be factors. Symptoms include a persistent cough, sputum streaked with blood, chest pain, and recurring bronchial ailments. Early detection is difficult because symptoms don't often appear until the disease is advanced. Chest x-rays, analysis of the sputum, and fiber optic examination of the bronchial passages are tools the physician uses to make a diagnosis. Breast-The breast is the most frequent site for cancer in women. Approximately 180,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women every year. One in every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and the risk increases with age.4 Women play a critical role in monitoring their health; many tumors are detected by women by accident or during a monthly self-exam. In addition to lumps on the breasts or under the arms, symptoms include changes in breast size, shape, or color, as well as discharge or tenderness. Women at high risk are those with a family history of breast cancer, who have never given birth or had their first child after age 30, those who eat a diet high in fat, or who are overweight. Physicians recommend that women begin breast self-examinations between ages 18 and 20 and have professional breast exams every one to three years until age 40, and annually thereafter. In addition, the American Cancer Society recommends that women ages 35 to 39 have a baseline mammogram; women 40 to 49 have a mammogram every one to two years; and women age 50 and older have a mammogram annually. In addition, women can reduce the risk of tumors developing by decreasing fat consumption in the diet while greatly increasing fiber and fruits and vegetables. Colon and Rectal-There is some encouraging news in the area of colon and rectal cancer. The incidence rates of developing these cancers have dropped substantially in recent years, due largely to early detection and patient awareness. Symptoms of these illnesses include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, stomach discomfort and gas, weight loss, and a change in bowel habits. Persons with family histories of these cancers, polyps, or bowel disease, may be at higher risk. An inactive lifestyle or a diet high in fat may also contribute to a higher risk. The American Cancer Society recommends that patients change their eating habits to cut down on fatty foods while increasing fiber, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in the diet. In addition, it recommends that digital rectal exams be performed annually after age 40, stool blood tests be performed annually after age 50, and visual inspection by a sigmoidoscope (hollow lighted tube) be performed every 3 to 5 years after age 50. Skin-Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will have skin cancer at least once.5 The three most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer, the most frequently diagnosed and slowest-growing; squamous cell cancer, a more aggressive cancer that can spread to other parts of the body; and malignant melanoma, the least common but most serious form of skin cancer. Persons at risk have had excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a severe blistering sunburn early in life, have fair skin or light/blue eyes, freckles or moles, and a family history of skin cancer. Physicians recommend that people spend about 15 minutes each month performing a self-exam and have an exam by a professional each year. During these exams, the person or physician should look at moles for asymmetry, irregular edges, uneven coloring, and enlarged size and elevation. People can reduce their risk of developing skin cancer by wearing sunscreen and lip screen of SPF-15 or higher, wearing sunglasses that block UV light, and wearing a hat. The MSBA Option Much has been said in the media about the emotional and physical toll cancer takes on a person, yet the financial drain can be almost unbearable. Cancer is unsettling and unpredictable, no matter what your circumstances. If you are interested in the MSBA-sponsored Group Insurance Plans, including Term Life and Medical, call toll-free, 1-800-501-5776 for more free information. 1Comprehensive Cancer Institute. <www.compcancerinst.org/risk.html>.
Viewed 3/13/02. - Last Updated 9/28/03 -
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