Cancer is the second-most leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 600,000 cases a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There are several different types of cancer, with some of the most prevalent being colon, lung and breast cancer.
In Enid, there are two hospitals that provide cancer treatment: St Mary’s Regional Medical Center and Integris Bass Baptist Health Center. They are the only two hospitals in the Enid region that provide comprehensive cancer treatment, which heightens the importance of having such treatment available in the Enid area.
Weslie White is director of oncology at St. Mary’s, which has a staff of four oncologists in its cancer center, who are doctors who treat and diagnose tumors: James K. Feisal, MD; Sanjaykumar Hapani, MD; Todd M. Kliewer, MD; and David W. Lam, MD.
White said St. Mary’s tries to help with all different aspects of cancer treatment. With so many avenues to navigate, she said it is important to provide as much support as possible.
“If you’re battling cancer, then you’ll have trouble with nutrition; we have a wig room if you lose your hair; any side effect that we know cancer can affect that aspect of your life, then we try to provide the resources to handle that,” White said.
St. Mary’s also takes care of hematology, or blood disorders, and provides support to help navigate those diagnoses. Once a patient has received treatment, White said there is a strong support system in place to make sure people are getting proper nutrition or need a ride, as well as various other services.
“It’s very practical things that we do to try to help people,” White said. “Because we know that you’re not just a person out there just battling one thing … you’re still living your life. We really just want to do what’s best to help them battle cancer.”
White said staff works with patients to make sure all needs are met, including situations when insurance may not cover a treatment or type of medicine. She said they work with people’s individual situations and help them through that path.
The center at St. Mary’s sees about 170 patients in a
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s Cancer Center includes Minka Betchan, RN; Morgan Skinner, admission; Christy Meek, RN; Terra Morrison, RN; Weslie Whire, RN; and Cece Sanchez, financial specialist. (Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle)
month. They see about 18-20 new patients in a month, as some people come in for weekly chemo and others come in once every six months. St. Mary’s helps treat a lot of colon cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer and lymphomas.
She said one of her favorite things about the physicians is if somebody needs treatment at a larger facility, then St. Mary’s can take care of patients there and work hand in hand with the larger center. If somebody needed to see a specialist in a field at M.D. Anderson, but people don’t want to travel there for each visit, St. Mary’s helps in between. They can see somebody at a higher institution, but also can be managed close to home.
“I really like the fact that you don’t have to decide,” White said. “You could see somebody at M.D. Anderson, but also be followed by an oncologist here and benefit from that.”
White said St. Mary’s being one of the hospitals in Enid that provides cancer treatment is imperative so people can be in a more comfortable situation from the time they receive their diagnosis to the time they complete their treatment.
“I feel like there are a lot of people that would opt to just not treat their cancer if they had to drive every week,” White said. “I feel like it’s really important for the community to be able to offer this here. I hear that all the time, that we have a really family feel here. People feel like their coming home, that they know people by name. And that makes them feel better. And I feel that you lose that if all of your treatment had to be done in Houston.
“I feel like it’s really important for our community that we have such high quality physicians here and that we can do such cutting edge, targeted therapy.
Anything that’s available, if it’s an approved treatment, we can accomplish it here. If it’s a trial treatment, you have to go somewhere else but can still be managed here. We just want to be there for people … hold their hand in a scary and rough time in their lives. If we can communicate that we’re here and that we’re trying to help, that that’s the most important thing to communicate to people. They don’t have to go through that journey by themselves.”
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is located at 305 S. 5th in Enid. The Cancer Center is located at 330 S. 5th on the fifth floor in the Parkview Medical Center.
The Cancer Institute at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center provides radiation and chemotherapy in one location. Miranda Martinez, manager of nursing, said she is in charge of multiple floors, including oncology. She said she doesn’t administer chemo, but manages the caregivers who do.
“I provide them with the tools that they need to provide safe care,” Martinez said. “Whether that is to facilitate education, or any new products that they need, I help with all that.”
Martinez said the path a patient takes at Integris is dependent on their individual situation and diagnosis. She said all the right scans are needed, and that biopsies need to have been returned in order for Dr. Sumal Nabi, MD, to do her part. A treatment plan is established, then a date is set for patients to start their treatment with chemo. Sometimes they will require radiation oncology as well, and so they collaborate with the radiation oncology team and get them started there as well.
Martinez said the Cancer Institute has grown a lot since she started in January 2020.
“Whereas they started seeing around 120 patients a month, we’re well over 300 a month,” Martinez said. “Some of those statistics are repeated, meaning the patient may come in multiple times a week. But unfortunately it is a growing diagnosis.”
Weslie White Kabra Hope, RN; Brandy Gallagher, RN; Sandy Gordon, RN; and Shelby Soles, RN BSN, (from left) are part of Integris Cancer Institute Enid. (Billy Hefton / Enid News
Martinez said catching cancer at the earliest possible stage is an important factor in getting the proper treatment that is needed.
“It’s very important to seek treatment if you notice any kind of change within your body,” Martinez said. “The first recommendation is going to see your primary care and confirming that it is truly a change or something is off so that they can begin diagnostics to find out what’s going on. We offer all-in-one care, so you can get radiation and chemo in one location.
So it’s very important to find a provider that you trust, somewhere that works with your schedule too, and we’re very good at that.”
Martinez said since Integris is nonprofit, there is help offered with financials. It plays a role in being
able to work with people on a payment plan or those without insurance.
Integris offers the cash price discount as a facility.
With them offering so much, not only in evidence-based safe care, they also help the community with financials.
Nabi, the oncologist at Integris, said she is the physician who sees all new patients with a recent cancer diagnosis. She will go over their medical history and come up with a plan for their treatment and how their cancer diagnosis should be managed.
Nabi said the most common forms of cancer seen at Integris are breast and lung cancer, as well as head and neck cancer, and colon cancer. She said the hospital’s most important factor is availability and accessibility to the population of Enid. She said it is important in the fact that Integris doesn’t send patients to another hospital and that all the approved treatments for any type of cancer are offered at Bass.
“I think it’s a very significant role that Integris Cancer Institute plays in Enid,” Nabi said. “Our practice is the only full-time oncology practice in this area. Really the closest places are then Tulsa and Oklahoma City. So we have a very comprehensive cancer center here. We do chemotherapy, radiation as well, so pretty much any standard of care or treatment that they would be
offered in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, we can do here in Enid locally and keep all these people from Enid and all other towns that feed into Enid, we can keep them local, which is very important. So it’s very important we can offer them treatment here so they don’t have to forgo some of the treatment that they might not have
the means to get to. So I feel like it’s a very important role we are playing here.”
Integris Bass Baptist Health Center is located at 600 S. Monroe in Enid. The Cancer Institute is on the same campus as the rest of the hospital.
Despitethe fact that it claims millions of lives every year, cancer is often preventable. Estimates from the World Health Organization indicate that between 30 and 50 percent of all cancer cases are preventable, and cancer prevention strategies are often rooted in taking simple, daily steps to safeguard overall health.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center notes that no cancer is 100 percent preventable. So even individuals who do everything possible to reduce their risk for cancer may still develop the disease. However, making the right lifestyle choices can reduce cancer risk by a significant percentage.
It’s worth noting that many of these foods also offer additional health benefits. For example, strawberries are a good source of potassium, which the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes has been proven to help lower blood
pressure and potentially reduce risk of stroke.
It makes sense that if certain foods and beverages can help people reduce their risk for cancer, there’s also others they should avoid. The AICR says it’s best to limit consumption of certain foods and beverages. Though these items don’t necessarily need to be avoided entirely (unless a doctor advises doing so), moderation is essential with the following foods and beverages:
• Alcohol
• Processed meats, such as sausage, ham, bacon, hot dogs, and salami
• Red meat, which includes pork
• Sugary beverages, including sports drinks and sodas
The AICR notes that plant-based diets have become popular in recent years, but warns individuals that it’s difficult to separate evidence from opinion in regard to these diets and their effects on cancer risk. Anyone considering a plant-based diet is urged to speak with their physician before making any changes.
A high percentage of cancer
diagnoses are preventable. Certain foods and beverages can be great allies to individuals focused on reducing their cancer risk.
Food is one potential weapon in the fight against cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research reports that numerous studies have found that many individual minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals demonstrate anticancer effects. Those minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals can be found in a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans, including:
•
• Apples
• Asparagus
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cherries
• Coffee
• Flaxseed
•
•
• Grapes
• Kale
• Oranges
• Pulses, such as dry beans, peas and lentils (legumes)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Whole grains
Rio Weaver, APRN; Cassandra Dyer, radiation therapist; Emilee jackson, radiation therapist; and Jaden Arnold, radiation therapist, (from left) work in Integris Bass Baptist Health Center’s Radiation Oncology. (Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle) Cassandra Dyer, radiation therapist, works in Integris Bass Baptist Health Center’s Radiation Oncology. (Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle) Dr. Sumal Nabi, MDWhen you require cancer services, you need physical, emotional and spiritual care. St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center offers individualized services, from cancer prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery. You don’t have to do this alone.
At St. Mary’s Cancer Center, we offer personalized treatment plans for many types of cancers and:
• A compassionate, multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Diagnosis and consultation
• Medical oncology/ hematology services
• Outpatient oncology therapy
• Infusion
• Transfusion
• Chemotherapy
• Bone marrow biopsy
Our Outpatient Infusion Center is a comfortable, calming and open environment that offers a healing environment for patients. Amenities include a resource center, cancer boutique with wigs and light refreshments during therapy.
September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society® (ACS), approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
An annual digital rectal exam and a
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test are the best ways to detect the disease early. The PSA is a simple blood test that takes just minutes and it can save lives.
Men with no family history of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 50. Those with a family history should begin earlier at age 40. Annual rectal exams and PSA tests are the best way to get screened.
as well as automated breast ultrasound (ABUS).
St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center has been named in the top 5 percent on Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals 2022. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista, Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.
The St. Mary’s Cancer Center offers PSA tests year-round. Talk to your doctor about when a test is right for you.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the ACS, approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
To find breast cancer early, regular self-exams and an annual screening mammogram are recommended. Women should begin breast self-exams by the age of 20 and they should perform the exams monthly. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) to learn when self-exams are right for you.
Starting between the ages of 40 and 50, women should be screened annually for breast cancer. St. Mary’s Women’s Imaging offers 2D and 3-D Mammography,
Learn more at stmarysregional.com/ cancercenter
SOURCE: American Cancer Society®
Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
certain cancers are more prevalent than others.
intestinal conditions, obesity, age, and diabetes.
Canceris a word no one wants to hear, whether it’s spoken by a doctor in an exam room or from a friend or family member who has come home from routine testing. But it’s a word far too many individuals hear every day.
The World Health Organization says cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, having accounted for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or roughly one out of six deaths. The World Cancer Research Fund estimates there were 18 million cancer cases around the world in 2020, and
Breast cancer and lung cancer are two of the most common cancers across the globe. Some sources indicate breast cancer is the most common cancer globally, while others cite lung cancer as the most common. Regardless of which form of the disease has earned that dubious distinction, there’s no denying both cancers are prevalent. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research reports that breast and lung cancers contributed to 12.5 percent and 12.2 percent, respectively, of all new diagnoses in 2020.
Cancers that impact the rectum and colon are prolific worldwide. According to the WHO, these cancers caused 916,000 deaths in 2020. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include inflammatory
Prostate cancer is exclusive to men because the prostate is a small gland found only in men that sits just below the bladder in front of the rectum. The health organization Let’s Get Checked says the risk of prostate cancer tends to increase as men age. While prostate cancer is slow-growing and tends to be highly treatable, it also is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. The WHO says prostate cancer numbers in 2020 hovered around 1.4 million cases.
Skin cancer (non-melanoma) is the next most prevalent cancer worldwide. Unlike melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer does not typically cause high numbers of fatalities. Exposure to UV radiation through natural sunlight and tanning beds is the highest risk factor for skin cancer.
At just over 1 million cases in 2020, stomach cancer is another global cancer threat. Stomach cancer represents around 6 percent of all cancers and also is relatively high on the list of cancers that are most fatal, according to the WCRF.
While these are the most common cancers across the globe, the WHO reports that lung cancer causes the most cancer deaths worldwide.
Any cancer is much more manageable if detected early, which underscores the importance of routine physical exams and maintaining a dialogue with doctors if any symptom seems out of the ordinary. Many cancers also can be avoided if people refrain from common risk factors, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diets, and sedentary lifestyles.
None of us know how much time we have on this earth, but Jennifer Petree is acutely aware that her time may be limited. She has stage four metastatic cancer.
Though it may sound grim, Jennifer views her situation as a blessing, because it has given her an attitude of gratitude. She has hard days of course, but chooses to focus on her blessings.
At just 46 years old, Jennifer already has a long history of fighting a rare and difficult-to-treat form of cancer, known as sarcoma. She was first diagnosed in 2006, right before her 30th birthday. “I had a growth on my left gluteus maximus, and for a while, I ignored it,” she said.
Jennifer could feel the growth getting larger and decided to have it looked at, nearly two years after she first discovered the lump.
“I found out that it was sarcoma, and my entire gluteus maximus muscle was removed in an effort to get all of the cancer.” Jennifer’s initial diagnosis was sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF), a very rare type of cancer that grows in soft tissue and bones throughout the body.
“The diagnosis came as a shock,” she said. “Sarcoma is rare, and what causes it is unknown. It is not genetic or hereditary. I was far too young to have cancer.”
Jennifer felt a lump growing on her right collar bone. It was determined that it was also SEF. After another surgery, she again went through radiation treatment at INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute in Oklahoma City, under the supervision of oncologist Kiran Prabhu, M.D.
The following year, the cancer returned on her right collar bone, and she was referred to MD Anderson in Houston. “I received a new diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma, which again is extremely rare. This sub-type of sarcoma is a soft tissue tumor that sometimes starts in the bone.”
“My family has been so supportive through all of this,” Jennifer said. “My husband, Chad, not only works hard but has also been my rock and the person I can depend on. I don’t know how I could have gotten through everything without him.”
The couple recently celebrated 23 years of marriage, through the good times and the bad.
She followed up surgery with radiation therapy. “I traveled to Elk City every weekday for more than a month for 35 radiation treatments. I thought things were rough then, but I had no idea what was to come.”
The first surgery and therapy were successful, and after five years of follow-ups and scans, Jennifer was given the ‘allclear’.
Then, in 2017, a decade after her initial diagnosis,
While she was at MD Anderson, scans revealed an additional tumor in her left lower lung. She underwent surgery to remove a portion of her right collar bone, as well as part of her lower left lung. They used a flap of skin from her inner thigh to cover the area removed from her collar bone. Additional scans revealed a tumor growing inside of her heart.
In 2019 she underwent open heart surgery to remove the tumor, which was again identified as a type of sarcoma. From the time of her initial
diagnosis in 2006, there had been significant advancements in the understanding of sarcoma. Jennifer’s newest diagnosis was ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OMFT), which again is a rare subtype of sarcoma with unknown origins.
The new diagnosis actually gave Jennifer hope, as it showed that science and medicine were making strides in sarcoma research, diagnosis and treatment.
The following year, COVID-19 brought the world to a stand-still and halted Jennifer’s treatments. “Things were uncertain in early 2020, and we didn’t know when I would be able to resume treatments.”
When she was able to go back to Houston, they found a recurrence of her cancer in her
Jennifer Petree before she began chemotherapy. Sunflowers are a symbol of sarcoma awareness. Jennifer with her husband, Chad; daughter, MaKayla; and son, Robbie.collar bone, left thigh and right lower lung lobe.
In April 2020, she had surgery to remove her entire collar bone. But things were different this time, because of COVID. “My husband had been with me through all of my other operations,” Jennifer said. “This time, I was alone. I could not have anyone there with me, and not having that family support made things a lot more difficult to bear.”
Despite the surgeries and radiation, the cancer continued to return and progress. New tumors were located on her sternum, ribs and spine.
In January of 2021, she began what would be five long, hard months of aggressive chemotherapy, Doxoruicin, sometimes referred to as “red devil” because of its bright red color and harsh side effects.
“I stayed at an Airbnb for my chemo treatments. Members of my family rotated coming down and staying with me. I was very sick and weak during this time, but so thankful that I had family there with me. I felt blessed, despite how difficult it was.”
It was during chemo treatments that Jennifer began to lose her hair. “I had been through a lot at this point, but having my hair fall out was really hard to accept. I finally had my sister take scissors to it, and then my daughter eventually shaved my head. We tried to have fun with it and keep a sense of humor, but it was very emotional.”
She was able to return home to Shattuck in May of 2021 to let her body rest and recuperate from the treatments.
In January of this year, Jennifer chose to continue her care and treatment with palliative chemotherapy closer to home. “We decided to continue my treatment at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute in Enid. I have a friend who had been seeing Dr. Sumbal Nabi and spoke very highly of her. I had always been very pleased with the care I received at INTEGRIS Health Cancer Institute in Oklahoma City, so I felt confident about choosing to continue my care with INTEGRIS Health.”
In March, Jennifer took a break from treatment to spend time with her family and friends.
“Chad and I went on our first cruise together with close friends, and I was able to help several friends plan weddings and graduation celebrations for their kids. I spent time with my family and just enjoyed life.”
Jennifer began another cycle of chemotherapy last month at INTGERIS Cancer Institute Enid with Dr. Nabi and her team. “INTEGRIS Health has been a blessing to me during treatment. The staff is amazing. I love Dr. Nabi and her team, especially (oncology nurse) Sandy (Gordon). She is such a special person.”
Chad and Jennifer drive two hours from Shattuck to Enid every other week for Jennifer’s
chemotherapy. While radiation and surgery are no longer options, Jennifer is hopeful that an experimental treatment may become available. For now, Jennifer is taking things one day at a time and counting the many blessings in her life, like Chad and her two grown children, Robbie, 27, and MaKayla, 22.
Though her journey has been long and arduous, Jennifer remains steadfast in her will to continue fighting. “I want to tell my story so that maybe I can help someone else. I want to connect with other survivors and show the world that I am not a victim, but a warrior and a survivor.”
Jennifer ringing the bell after completing treatment at INTEGRIS Health Cancer Center in 2017.
Thehuman toll cancer takes is significant, both on the lives it claims and on the friends and family of those victims. Estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer indicated 10 million individuals across the globe lost their lives to cancer (excluding nonmelanoma skin cancer) in 2020. New research indicates those numbers could be on the rise.
A study published in the journal The Lancet in 2020 found that deaths from cancer are now more common in some high- and middle-income countries than deaths from cardiovascular disease.
Authors of the study, which examined incidences of cancer among adults between the ages of 35 and 70 in 21 countries across five continents, concluded that cancer is like to become the leading cause of death in middle-age.
Though cancer is a formidable disease, many cases of cancer are preventable. In fact, the things people do every day can go a long way toward lowering their cancer risk by a significant margin. Certain behaviors, like avoiding smoking,
are widely known to reduce cancer risk. But some lesser known actions also can help individuals lower their risk.
Quit when you hear the click at the gas station. The Air Pollution Control District of Santa Barbara County in California notes that gasoline vapors include a variety of toxic substances, including benzene. Benzene is an air pollutant that adversely affects the central nervous system, the respiratory tract and the immune system. Modern automobiles now click when the gas tank is full and it’s vital that drivers avoid adding any more gas after they hear that click. Drivers may be accustomed to topping off after the click, but doing so can affect the vapor recovery system in a car. That system is designed to keep toxic chemicals like benzene out of the air. Topping off can needlessly expose drivers and their passengers to benzene, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers a carcinogen, or cancer-causing chemical.
Grill wisely. Millions of people
anxiously await the return of warm weather so they can once again fire up their backyard grills. Various studies have suggested there’s a link between welldone grilled meat and cancer. One study conducted by researchers at Vanderbilt University found that high intake of well-done meat increases exposure to heterocyclic amines (HCAs), a type of carcinogen that forms in cooked red meat. That doesn’t mean individuals should put away their grills, but a change in grilling habits could help lower cancer risk. For example, one study from researchers at Kansas State University found that adding antioxidant-rich spices such as rosemary and thyme to marinade and soaking meat for at least an hour before cooking can reduce HCAs by as much as 87 percent. Drink more fluids. Drinking more fluids is one of the easier things people can do every day to reduce their cancer risk. The American Cancer Society recommends individuals consume eight cups of water per day, but millions likely fall far short of that amount. That’s unfortunate, as research presented at
the American Association for Cancer Research International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research in 2011 found that high fluid intake was associated with a 24 percent reduced bladder cancer risk among men. In addition, a separate study funded by the Strauss Institute and published in 2020 in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that women with breast cancer consumed less water and total fluids than women who did not have breast cancer. The researchers concluded more investigation into the link between drinking more water and reducing breast cancer risk is necessary, but noted that drinking water is harmless, convenient and beneficial to many aspects of health.
Though cancer could soon become the leading cause of death in various parts of the globe, many of those deaths can be prevented. And even the simplest measures can make a difference in cancer risk.
WARD AND TREATMENT WITH THE HOPE THAT SOMEDAY SOON
THERE WILL BE A CURE.
might have been different for their parents, but many adults now in middleage and those younger than them grew up cognizant of the dangers of smoking tobacco. Educational campaigns and efforts on the part of lawmakers to curb smoking have proven effective, and the numbers don’t lie. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services indicates that smoking declined considerably between 2005, when roughly 21 percent of adults smoked, and 2020, when the number dipped to 12.5 percent.
Avoiding tobacco is a key component of a healthy lifestyle, as cigarettes, chew, cigars, and other tobacco products have long been linked to a higher risk for cancer. Though many adults were taught the dangers of smoking since they were young children, tobacco use is not the only environmental risk factor associated with a higher cancer risk. In addition to avoiding tobacco, individuals can learn about some additional environmental risk factors that can increase their chances of being diagnosed with cancer.
The Cancer Treatment Centers of America notes that regular consumption of alcohol over time increases a person’s risk for cancer. In fact, the
DHHS includes alcoholic beverages on its list of known carcinogens. According to the National Cancer Institute, the more alcohol a person drinks regularly over time, the higher his or her risk of developing an alcohol-associated cancer becomes. One study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2013 estimated that 3.5 percent of cancer deaths in the United States were alcohol-related.
Obesity is another environmental risk factor that increases a person’s risk for various cancers, including colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, esophageal cancer, and kidney cancer, among others. Unfortunately, the link between obesity and cancer is not as widely recognized as the link between tobacco use and cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research noted in its 2015 Cancer Risk Awareness Survey that just 52 percent of respondents were aware that overweight/obesity was a significant risk factor for cancer. By contrast, 94 percent of respondents were aware of the link between tobacco and cancer.
The CTCA reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, affecting more than 3.5 million Americans every year. And those numbers are on the rise. Scientists believe that ultraviolet rays from the sun, sunlamps and/or tanning beds may cause damage to cell DNA that leads to melanoma and other forms of skin cancer.
Education about the dangers of tobacco use and its link to cancer have done wonders in terms of raising awareness about the importance of avoiding smoking. Further education about additional risk factors could prove equally effective in the years to come.
To date there is no definitive cure for cancer, nor any one preventative treatment. But individuals should not resign themselves to the fact that cancer is inevitable. There are plenty of lifestyle modifications that can go a long way toward reducing cancer risk.
Here’s a deeper look at some of the more effective.
Not only does smoking cause between 80 and 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it also contributes to many other forms of the disease, including cancers of the pancreas, liver, bladder, and cervix. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke can reduce cancer risk.
Physical activity can lower estrogen levels, reduce levels of insulin in the blood, help a person lose weight, and reduce inflammation — all factors that contribute to the formation of cancer. Experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise a week.
The American Institute for Cancer Research indicates certain minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals can produce anti-cancer effects. Many foods, namely fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can boost health and contribute to lower cancer risk.
Drinking alcohol regularly increases the risk of cancers to the mouth, voice box and throat, according to the CDC. Furthermore, alcohol consumption is a primary risk factor for liver cancer. By limiting alcohol consumption, individuals can reduce their cancer risk.
Individuals should avoid behaviors that put them at risk of contracting hepatitis C, which causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C can be contracted by receiving a piercing or tattoo in an unsanitary environment, through injecting or inhaling illicit drugs, through unsafe sex, or if you are a healthcare worker exposed to infected blood through an accidental needle prick.
dults who feel good, eat right and exercise regularly may feel as though annual wellness visits are unnecessary, but nothing could be further from the truth. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that, for most cancers, one- and five-year survival rates are significantly higher if the cancer is detected early. But many cancers do not exhibit symptoms in their early stages, or if they do, produce only mild symptoms that do not compel adults to visit their physicians. As a result, annual wellness visits may serve as the only opportunity for physicians to uncover cancers before they reach advanced stages, where survival rates tend to be much lower. During annual physicals, women may receive routine pelvic exams and pap tests, while men may be tested for colon cancer and prostate cancer. Skipping these visits allows cancers more time to spread, thus complicating treatment plans and potentially reducing survival rates. Annual physicals also may uncover certain factors, such as an unhealthy weight or skin issues like moles, that could be risk factors for cancer or initial warning signs that the disease is present.
Protect the skin from exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and tanning beds, as skin cancer is the most common form of the disease in the United States. Simply reducing exposure can help prevent skin cancers and other damage. This includes wearing wide-brimmed hats, applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wearing sunprotective clothing. Tanning beds are not safer for the skin than being out in the sun, so they should be avoided.
The importance of sleep to overall health is easily overlooked. Lancaster General Health says, while there is no specific data for sleep on cancer prevention, sleep deprivation can lead to harmful behaviors, such as overeating, drinking too much alcohol or being too tired to exercise, each of which increases cancer risk.
Relatively easy lifestyle changes can go a long way toward reducing cancer risk. lifestyle choices to reduce cancer risk
M. Craig Bozeman, General Surgeon
James
Todd
Direct exposure to carcinogens, which are substances that cause cancer, greatly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer. While there are many different carcinogens in the environment, cigarettes expose smokers and those around them to a wide variety of carcinogens that can cause severe illness.
Tobacco smoke has more than 7,000 toxic chemicals, including arsenic, radioactive polonium-20 and mercury. The American Cancer Society indicates smoking causes about 20 percent of all cancers and roughly 30 percent of all cancer deaths in the United States. Lung cancers are the most notable of all cancers attributed to tobacco use — with 80 percent of such cancers traced back to smoking. But smoking is linked to other cancers as well. The U.S. Surgeon General has identified smoking as a cause of 12 cancers, including:
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It is important to note that cancer can come from using smokeless tobacco products as well. These include chewing tobacco and dip. Furthermore, exposure to someone
else’s cigarette smoke can cause cancer in a person who doesn’t smoke. WebMD says bystanders exposed to secondhand smoke are up to 30 percent more likely to get lung cancer than others who are not exposed.
Tobacco can cause cancer in two ways. The first is that carcinogens damage DNA and cause cells to grow and divide abnormally. The other happens when toxins from smoking weaken the body’s immune system, which may make it harder for the body to fight off illnesses like cancer.
The National Cancer Society warns there is no safe level of tobacco use. Anyone using tobacco should aim to quit immediately
Smoking is a dangerous habit that is a leading risk factor in cancer formation. Getting the facts may inspire more people to quit using tobacco for good.
Cancer often delivers an immediate one-two punch.
First there is the shock of receiving a cancer diagnosis that can leave a person scared about the future. Next is the topic of treatment, which is likely to disrupt daily life for many weeks.
Deciding on a cancer treatment plan is a major undertaking. The Mayo Clinic says doctors want patients to be partners in guiding their treatments. However, it is much more involved than simply checking a box and getting started. Individuals can lower anxiety about outcomes and have a greater handle on steering their treatments with some planning and preparation.
Cancer treatments are likely to take a toll on the body. In order to prepare for the fight, it is helpful to start with the healthiest version of you. That often means modifying your diet to include immune system-boosting foods, like plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains and healthy legumes. Starting out on strong nutritional footing may help the body ride out side effects that could make it difficult to eat and function later on.
Furthermore, The American Cancer Society suggests stocking the pantry, refrigerator and freezer with favorite foods now so that you won’t have to make frequent trips to the store during treatment when you may be feeling unwell.
Don’t make snap decisions regarding treatment. While it is essential to begin treatment early for optimal results, waiting a few days to mull over your options and conduct further research can help you feel more comfortable over time. The Mayo Clinic suggests bringing a friend or family member along to treatment decision appointments to help remember what is discussed and potentially to help you with decision-making.
Many people opt to travel significant distances from home in order to
get the best cancer treatments at renowned medical facilities. Traveling for treatment can add additional stress to an already overwhelming situation. Ahead of any treatment appointments, research how you will get there and what accommodations you may need. Cancer.net says some hotels offer discounted lodging to cancer patients. There also are other assistance resources available. For example, Friends of the Clinical Center is a support program through the National Institutes of Health.
Cancer treatments may take up several hours during the day over a significant period of time. Being comfortable and having favorite items and diversions around can make these sessions more tolerable. Stock up on books or download movies and TV shows to a tablet so you can stay occupied. Invest in comfortable, loosefitting clothing to wear. Download calming music or some favorite podcasts. If you will be allowed to eat and drink, bring along favorite snacks. Having a friend or loved one along also can help the time pass. Make a list of volunteers who are willing to sit with you during treatment and lend support.
Preparing for cancer treatments can ensure patients are as comfortable as possible as they battle their disease.
