How You Can Protect Yourself Against Cancer
Who is at risk for cancer?
Do you know someone who has cancer?
Do you have a relative who has cancer?
Everyone is at risk…
Lifetime Probability of Cancer
• All Cancers: • Prostate Cancer: • Breast Cancer: • Colon Cancer: 1 in 2.5 people 1 in 6 men 1 in 8 women 1 in 17 people
National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, http://seer.cancer.gov
What do these cancers have in common?
• Risk Factors…
Anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease
National Cancer Institute, http://cancer.gov/dictionary/
Risk factors include…
Substances… like alcohol Agents… like viruses Habits… like smoking
Genetic changes that are hereditary Conditions… like having ulcers for a long time
National Cancer Institute, http://cancer.gov/dictionary/
Breast Cancer Case Study
Evelyn Peters
– Caucasian female, age 56 – Mother and sister had breast cancer at ages 59 and 57 – Had children after age 30, did not breast-feed – Dislikes many vegetables – Drinks alcohol regularly – Slightly overweight – Finds it hard to be active
Jim Patterson
African American
Prostate Cancer Case Study
male, age 50 Father had an enlarged prostate Likes meat and potatoes Job has a lot of traveling
Colon Cancer Case Study
Caucasian female, age 64 Father and uncle died
Frances Brown
of colon cancer Has had uterine cancer Did not have children Gained weight at menopause Likes fast food
What risk factors appear in these case studies?
Cannot be Changed
Age Sex Race Family History Personal History
What risk factors appear in these case studies?
Diet Food Choices
Can be Changed!
Lifestyle Alcohol Exercise Weight
YOU
Activity Break!
What are ―cruciferous‖ vegetables?
Breast Cancer
Too much Fat
Too few Cruciferous Vegetables
& Diet
Prostate Cancer
& Diet Too much Fat Not enough Vitamin E or Selenium
Too few Cruciferous Vegetables / Tomato foods
Colon Cancer
& Diet
Too much Fat Not enough Fiber Too few Fruits and Vegetables Not enough Calcium Not enough Folate
Review Break!
What dietary factors do these cancers have in common?
Cancer and Your Lifestyle: Physical Activity
Lack of Exercise
Excess Weight Gain Higher Risk of Cancer
Cancer and Your Lifestyle: Alcohol
0 drinks/day
2+ drinks/day
Specific Factors that Increase Breast Cancer Risk
Genetics
Not Having Children
Menstrual History Use of HRT
Specific Factors that Increase Colon Cancer Risk
History of polyps
History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Smoking
Signs
If you have a family history of cancer, be alert for physical signs of the disease.
Please refer to your
FACT SHEETS
Screening
If you have a family history of cancer, screening tests should be done regularly.
Early detection is key!
Breast Cancer Screening
– Mammogram—every year starting at age 40 – Breast exam by doctor—every 3 years starting at age 20; every year after age 40 – Breast self-exam—every month starting at age 20
Model Break!
How do I perform a breast self-exam? What does a lump feel like?
Prostate Cancer Screening
– PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test every year starting at age 50 – Digital rectal exam every year starting at age 50
Colon Cancer Screening
• Beginning at age 50, follow one of these: – FOBT (fecal occult blood test) every year
– Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
– Colonoscopy every 10 years
Model Break!
What does the FOBT kit look like? What do I have to do to get ready for the test?
Breast Cancer Case Study
Evelyn Peters
– Caucasian female, age 56 – Mother and sister had breast cancer at ages 59 and 57 – Had children after age 30, did not breast-feed – Dislikes many vegetables – Drinks alcohol regularly – Slightly overweight – Finds it hard to be active
Suggestions for Evelyn Peters?
Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables
Do not drink alcohol Keep weight within guidelines Get more exercise
Get a mammogram and breast exam by a doctor each year
Do a breast self-exam each month
Jim Patterson
African American
Prostate Cancer Case Study
male, age 50 Father had an enlarged prostate Likes meat and potatoes Job has a lot of traveling
Get more exercise
Eat less meat
Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially tomato foods Get enough vitamin E and selenium Get a PSA test each year
Suggestions for Jim Patterson?
Colon Cancer Case Study
Caucasian female, age 64 Father and uncle died
Frances Brown
of colon cancer Has had uterine cancer Did not have children Gained weight at menopause Likes fast food
Suggestions for…
Get more exercise
Frances Brown?
Keep weight within guidelines Eat more fruits and vegetables
Get enough calcium and folate
Eat more fiber
Eat less fast foods
Get screened each year
What can YOU do?
• Diet:
– Eat 5+ servings of vegetables and fruits each day – Choose fish, poultry, and beans often
– Choose beef, pork, and lamb in moderation
– Choose foods low in calories and fat – Eat smaller portions
What can YOU do?
• Lifestyle:
– Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
– Engage in physical activity at least 30 minutes a day
– Maintain a healthy weight
Now you need to think about yourself…
… What is YOUR risk?
Credits
• American Cancer Society
– www.cancer.org
• National Cancer Institute
– www.nci.nih.gov