Franciscan Alliance seeks volunteers for American Cancer Society study

Franciscan Alliance has intensified its war on cancer by becoming a local promotional sponsor of a national program aimed at curing the disease.

Franciscan Alliance's Northern Indiana Region has joined with the American Cancer Society's Department of Epidemiology and Surveillance Research, which is recruiting 300,000 adults nationwide, at least 400 of them locally, to volunteer for its Cancer Prevention Study-3.

"Because our current study population (of CPS-2) is aging, we must recruit a new study population for the next generation of research. This will pave the way to further advance our understanding of the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause and prevent cancer," the society says.

The first study began in 1959; the second in 1982. More than 2.5 million people have participated in the programs.
Some key findings of previous studies include:

• The effects of smoking and secondhand smoke, which led to the U.S. Surgeon General's warning labels on cigarettes, as well as numerous smoke-free legislation measures.
• The impact of obesity on the risk of cancer death.
• The link between aspirin use and lowering the risk of cancer death.
• The impact of air pollution on the heart and lungs, which led to stringent limitations on pollution proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
  
  

Volunteers interested in enrolling in the new study may register online at www.cancer.org/nwindianacps3, or at enrollment events scheduled:

• Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.:
  Merrillville Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
  Hidden Lake Park
  6335 Broadway
  Merrillville
   
• Oct. 16,  4 to 8 p.m.:
  Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness - Schererville
  221 U.S. 41, Suite A
  Schererville
  
  
• Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
  Woodland Cancer Care Center
  8955 W. 400 North
  Michigan City
  
  
• Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to noon:
  Franciscan Omni Health and Fitness - Chesterton
  810 Michael Drive
  Chesterton
  
  
• Oct. 18, 8 a.m. to noon:
  Southlake YMCA
  1450 S. Court St.
  Crown Point

• Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
  Valparaiso Family YMCA
  1201 Cumberland Crossing
  Valparaiso
  
  

Volunteers must be between the ages of 30 and 65; can never have been diagnosed with cancer (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer) and must be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which involves periodically completing follow-up surveys. Enrollment involves completing a lifestyle survey, signing a consent form, completing a brief written survey, providing a waist measurement and a blood sample.

Myths vs. Facts: What is true about cancer?

Different myths about cancer have existed as long as the illness itself. Different information from the internet, word of mouth, and other forms of media scares us into believing false claims about cancer and what causes it. Before worrying too much about your health, let’s take a closer look at some of the more popular cancer myths that exist.








Myth: Cancer is contagious.

Fact: You cannot “catch” cancer from someone who has it through any kind of physical contact. However, there are some contagious viruses that can affect the risk of developing cancer. Some of them include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).



Myth: Injuries can cause cancer later in one’s life.

Fact: This myth dates back to the 1920’s when doctors still had their suspicions about cancer being caused by trauma. The truth is, an injury is almost never the cause of cancer. Sometimes a tumor is discovered on a patient when they are visiting the doctor for an unrelated injury. But the injury itself did not cause the tumor. In a few rare cases, very severe injuries had increased cancer risk which is why this myth still circulates.



Myth: Deodorant and Antiperspirants can cause breast cancer.

Fact: According to the National Cancer Institute, there is no evidence proving that these products can cause cancer. Some have suggested that deodorant and antiperspirant contain harmful components that can be absorbed into your skin. Yet, these have not been proven to cause cancer. If you are concerned with this, you can choose products that do not contain these chemicals.




Myth: Pollution causes the greatest risk of lung cancer.

Fact: Although dirty air does contribute to lung cancer, the greatest risk of lung cancer is smoking. Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoking, your risk of getting cancer in life is higher than anyone living in a polluted area. It is estimated that 87% of people with lung cancer is a result of smoking or exposure to smoking.





Before you believe what you hear from peers or read on the internet, check with your doctor about the validity to rumors about cancer. It is important to know your risks and further your knowledge about cancer, however believing everyday misconceptions can cause unnecessary worry about your health.

Should you or a loved one require oncology or hematology services, The Franciscan Oncology Center provides relief not only through personal understanding, but through the timely ability to see patients. The Franciscan Oncology Center is here to understand and care for patient’s individual needs and answer any questions that you may have. For more information call 219-922-4081.

Franciscan Physicians Hospital House Supervisor Pays it Forward

Susan Goodman, whose later name became Susan Komen, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. Three years later, she lost the battle to her illness. Susan’s younger sister, Nancy, made a promise to increase awareness about cancer and its treatment in hopes that future generations would have better outcomes.

TO DONATE, CLICK THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM!!

Today, the breast cancer awareness movement has grown to international levels, with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walk raising over $600 million dollars since 2003, according to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Taking part for her first time in this endeavor is cancer survivor Jessica Tancos. Tancos is a Nursing House Supervisor at Franciscan Physicians Hospital, who says her involvement is all about “paying it forward.”

American author and historian Edward Everett Hale once said this: “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Jessica is reflective of that ideology as she works to raise the $2,300 to walk in the Susan G Komen 3-Day for the Cure walk.

“The 3-Day for the Cure Walk is such a distinctive event. I’m working to raise the money not only for the benefit of those fighting breast cancer, but also so that I can come together with other survivors and do something that, at one point, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to do again. I’m getting more and more excited everyday, yet I always come back to thinking about those still suffering,” says Tancos.

The 3-Day for the Cure Walk pushes men and women to raise money for breast cancer research while pushing the boundaries of their own goals. Thousands of people take their commitment to end breast cancer and walk 60 miles over the course of three days.

These walks, reaching national proportions, will take place in Chicago, Boston, Atlanta, Arizona, Cleveland, Dallas, Michigan, and many other locations.

Raising the money to participate in this challenging endeavor is no easy feat, but Jessica has taken the stand to fight back against breast cancer. As a cancer survivor herself, Jessica’s endurance will be on par with many others who walk as a way of supporting the fight against cancer.

“I have two girls that I have to worry about now, and I’ve lost two very good friends to breast cancer, both under the age of 45,” says Tancos. “I just hope that we can continue to expand this event and soon end breast cancer for good.”

To donate to Jessica’s cause, click here. This donation page allows you to post comments, track Jessica's achievements, and more! Click here to reach the 3-Day for a Cure website, which provides links, donations, locations, and more about the 3-Day for the Cure Walk.

Colorectal Cancer - Early Detection Saves Lives!

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer screening can detect polyps and early cancers. Such screening can detect changes that can be treated before symptoms develop. Regular screenings may decrease deaths and prevent pain caused by colorectal cancer.

Several tools may be used, either alone or in combination, to screen for colon cancer:

1. The first method is stool tests that examine your bowel movements to check for blood. Polyps in the colon and smaller cancers often cause small amounts of bleeding that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The most common one used is the fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Newer stool tests are called the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool DNA test (sDNA).


2. The second method is a sigmoidoscopy exam. This test uses a flexible small scope to look at the lower part of your colon. Because it only looks at the last one-third of the large intestine (colon), it may miss some cancers. Most health care providers recommend that the stool test and sigmoidoscopy be used together.


3. The third method is a colonoscopy exam. A colonoscopy is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but it allows the entire colon to be viewed. You will usually be mildly sedated during a colonoscopy.

SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AVERAGE-RISK PEOPLE
There is not enough evidence to determine which screening method is best. Discuss with your doctor which test is most appropriate for you.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a screening test. Some health care providers recommend that African Americans begin screening at age 45.

Screening options for patients with an average risk for colon cancer:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years


• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years


• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year - if results are positive, a colonoscopy is needed


• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 - 10 years, usually with stool testing FOBT done every 1 - 3 years


• Virtual colonoscopy every 5 years

A test called capsule endoscopy (swallowing a small, pill-sized camera) is also being studied, but it is not yet recommended for standard screening at this time.

SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGHER-RISK PEOPLE
People with certain risk factors for colon cancer may need earlier (before age 50) or more frequent testing.

More common risk factors are:

• A family history of inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)


• A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. This usually means first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, or child) who developed these conditions younger than age 60.


• A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps


• A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (for example, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease)

Screening for these groups of people is more likely to be done using colonoscopy.

Recently there has been interest in several new screening tests for colon cancer, including checking DNA in stool samples and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

Source: ADAM Total Health