Free Prostate Screening--Bella Vista--Monday, September 16th

What you need to know about prostate cancer.

Between 2004 and 2008, prostate cancer was diagnosed 11,217 times in Arkansas. That made it the number one most diagnosed cancer in men in the state during that time period. Nationally, it is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. In 2012, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 241,740 new cases of prostate cancer in the country, with the highest numbers occurring in African American men.

Now that we have your attention, we'll share some good news...

Since the early 1990s, death rates have been decreasing in men of all ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the increased prevalence of screenings using the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Since 2004, incidence rates have decreased by 2.7% per year in men over 65, and have remained stable in men younger than 65.

What exactly does the prostate gland do? Here's a video that will tell you all about it.

Any swelling of the prostate gland affects the urinary function of the penis, which is not a topic most men want to discuss, even with their doctor. But with early diagnosis, the 5-year survival rates are high. And, due in part to the screenings available, most diagnoses are made early. In an effort to keep that trend going, here are the things you need to know, courtesy of the American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures 2012 report:

Symptoms:
Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. But when the disease is in more advanced stages, a tumor increases the size of the prostate gland (which sits just below the bladder). At that time, men may experience weak or interrupted urine flow; inability to urinate or difficulty starting or stopping urine flow; the need to urinate frequently, especially at night; blood in the urine; or pain or burning with urination.

Risk Factors: 
The only well-established risk factors for prostate cancer are increasing age, African ancestry, and a family history of the disease. About 60% of all prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men 65 years of age and older, and 97% occur in men 50 and older. Recent studies suggest that a diet high in processed meat or diary foods may be a risk factor, and obesity appears to increase risk of aggressive prostate cancer. There is some evidence that risk is elevated in firefighters as well. Here's a study that's currently looking into that.

Early detection: 
At this time, there are insufficient data to recommend for or against routine testing for early prostate cancer detection with the PSA test. The ACS recommends that beginning at age 50, men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and have a life expectancy of at least 10 years receive information about benefits and limitations associated with testing.

If you live in Northwest Arkansas, you might be interested in a free prostate screening scheduled for October 1st, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Allen's Grocery Store parking lot (60 Sugar Creek Center) in Bella Vista. To schedule a time, call Cara Harris at 1-800-338-1383.

Remember, regular visits to a physician are vital in the prevention of any kind of cancer. Know your risks and the symptoms, and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 

Cancer Screenings for Everyone!

We know you'd probably rather have ice cream for everyone. Or, a half-day off on Fridays. But today we're going to tell you how important it is to do the work on your end to prevent cancer, or at least detect it in early stages. The earlier it's diagnosed, the better the chance for survival.

For people having periodic health examinations, a cancer related checkup, beginning at age 20, should include health counseling and, depending on a person's age, might include examinations for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, and ovaries or testes as well as for some non-malignant diseases. Cancer Screening Guidelines are recommended by the American Cancer Society as outlined:

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should use one of the screening tests below. The tests that are designed to find both early cancer and polyps are preferred if these tests are available to you. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Double contrast barium enema every 5 years*
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year*,**
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year*,**
• Stool DNA test (sDNA) interval uncertain*

*Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive.
**For FOBT or FIT used as a screening test, the take-home multiple sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening.

Breast Cancer Screening

Age 20-39:
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) by a healthcare professional every three years.
Breast Self-Exam (BSE) monthly. 

Age 40 and Over:
Yearly Mammogram and Clinical Breast Examination (CBE) by a healthcare professional, near the time of the mammogram.
Report any breast changes to your doctor or nurse.

Women at High Risk:
Talk with your doctor about starting earlier, and about the possible benefit of breast MRI or ultrasound in addition to mammograms and CBE.

Cervical Cancer Screening:

Yearly PAP test to begin about 3 years after you first have sex, or by age 21, whichever is earlier.
PAP test should be done annually.

Skin Cancer Screening:
Become familiar with any moles, freckles or other spots on your skin. Use mirrors or have a family member or close friend look at areas you can't see (ears, scalp, lower back).
Check on skin changes once a month.
Show any suspicious or changing areas to your doctor.
Have a healthcare professional perform a skin cancer screening every three years for ages 20-39 and every year for ages 40 and over.

Prostate Cancer Screening:
Men with an average risk of prostate cancer should be offered prostate screening tests - the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE) - beginning at age 50.
    For men with a higher than average risk of prostate cancer, screening is recommended starting at age 45. This includes African-American men and men with at least one first-degree relative with prostate cancer that was diganosed before age 65. (First-degree relatives include fathers, brothers, and sons.)
    For men with markedly higher risk of prostate cancer, screening is recommended starting at age 40. "Markedly higher risk" means that several first-degree relatives were diagnosed with prostate cancer early in life.

These cancer screening guildelines are recommended by the American Cancer Society for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.

For more information, call Sandy Prince, Certified Health Education Specialist, at 479-361-5847.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

If you were asked how you're going to "celebrate" Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, chances are you would not enthusiastically shout out "I believe I'll schedule a prostate screening!!"

Just thinking of having a prostate screening may make you shift uncomfortably in your seat. Even if you're female. But what if a recent study showed that a screening improves your survival odds by 50% ? And what if the screening was absolutely free? Would that make a difference?  Well, it has, and it is. So now you have no excuse.

Where, you ask, would you find such a fantastic deal? Why, right here at Hope Cancer Resources!  We are offering free prostrate screenings September 21st with four of the area's finest urologists, and you are invited to participate.  Screenings will begin at 6p.m.

A screening consists of a brief visit with a doctor, then a quick draw of blood for some lab work, and you're out the door.  It would take you more time to stand in line at Starbucks for a Vente Caffe Macchiato. And those won't save your life. Except, perhaps, on certain Monday mornings...

So man up, give us a call, and get a time scheduled. What's a little discomfort, compared to a long and healthy life? For more info and to schedule a screening, call us at 479-361-5847.

September

September is a big month in terms of the number of different kinds of cancer being recognized, remembered, and discussed in the media to help raise awareness. At Hope Cancer Resources, no one cancer diagnosis is more important than another... they all cause the fear, stress and physical, emotional and financial needs that we have made it our mission to address. But if we let the month go by without bringing the following to your attention, we are not doing our job.


National Ovarian Cancer Month - Each year in the United States, more than 21,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,000 women die of the disease. That's a 70% mortality rate, folks.

According to the data, the mortality rates for ovarian cancer have not improved in thirty years since the “War on Cancer” was declared. While other cancers have shown a marked reduction in mortality due to the availability of early detection tests and improved treatments, this is not the case with ovarian cancer, which is still the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers.

Childhood Cancer Month - In the United States, more than 12,500 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. That is roughly the equivalent of two average size classrooms (35-46 kids) diagnosed each school day. Over 40,000 children and adolescents currently are being treated for childhood cancers, and cancer is the #1 cause of death by disease in children, cutting short the lives of more children under the age of 20 than any other disease. Most heartbreaking, 1 child out of 5 who is diagnosed with cancer dies.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month - An estimated 137,260 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2010. New cases of leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma will account for 9.0 percent of the 1,529,560 new cancer cases diagnosed in the United States this year.

Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will cause the deaths of an estimated 54,020 people in the United States this year. In fact, every ten minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents nearly 148 people each day, or more than six people every hour. 

Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month - Any woman is at risk for developing a gynecologic cancer. There are five main types:

• Cervical cancer - In 2006,* 11,982 women in the United States were told they had cervical cancer.
• Ovarian cancer - In 2006,* 19,994 women in the United States were told that they have ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other gynecologic cancer, but it accounts for only about 3 percent of all cancers in women.
• Uterine cancer - In 2006,* 38,535 women in the United States were told that they had uterine cancer.
• Vaginal & Vulvar Cancer - In 2006,* 1,102 women in the United States were told that they had vaginal cancer and 3,807 women learned they had vulvar cancer.

* The last year for which statistics are available.

Each year, approximately 82,550 women in the United States are diagnosed with cancers affecting the reproductive organs. In 2006, 27,848 women died from a gynecologic cancer. 

National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week - Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased in incidence rates over recent years. It occurs in all age groups from children through seniors. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 37,200 new cases of thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2009. Of these new cases, about 27,200 will occur in women and about 10,000 will occur in men. About 1,630 people (940 women and 690 men) were expected to die of thyroid cancer in 2009.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - Prostate cancer is diagnosed every two minutes and fifteen seconds, and more than 217,730 new cases are expected in 2010. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in America among men. An estimated 32,050 American men will lose their lives to prostate cancer this year. One in six American men is at lifetime risk of prostate cancer and in the next 24 hours, prostate cancer will claim the lives of 83 American men.

Part of the vision we have at Hope Cancer Resources is to reduce the number of cancer incidences in Northwest Arkansas. To make that happen, we have to educate our friends and neighbors about prevention, symptoms, and screenings. Until we have done away with cancer, we will continue to provide that education in our communities, and assistance to those struggling with the disease, whatever form it takes.

Join us! Contact us, share your own stories, and let us know how you'd like to help support our mission to provide compassionate, professional cancer support and education in the Northwest Arkansas region today and tomorrow.