Comprehensive cancer control is a collaborative process through which the West Park Hospital Prevention and Wellness Department and its partners pool resources to reduce the burden of cancer.  Specifically, this project supports cancer prevention including exercise, nutrition, and sun-safety, screening resources especially among disparate populations, patients navigation through various community resources, and education for physicians, providers, patients, and community members.  Based on West Park Hospital's success at this program, the Wyoming Department of Health has expanded the department's scope of the project from one to five counties in the Northwest region of Wyoming.

Check your Status & Reduce Cancer Risk Breast Cancer All women, beginning at age 40 should consider having a mammogram every 1-2 years Each woman should talk with her healthcare provider to determine her personal risk of breast cancer, what the potential harms and benefits of screening are, and what screening schedule is best for her All women are encouraged to visit their healthcare provider about clinical and self-breast examinations. Cervical Cancer Beginning at age 21, all women should initiate cervical cancer screening and continue every 2-3 years or as recommended by their healthcare provider Prostate Cancer PSA test for well-informed men who wish to pursue early diagnosis The decision to use PSA for the early detection of prostate cancer should be individualized A baseline PSA along with a digital rectal examination (DRE) should be done beginning at age 40 Colorectal Cancer Colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50 Immunochemical testing done annually beginning at age 50 Re screening more frequently than every 10 years is recommended based on results of first colonoscopy Individuals are encouraged to talk with their provider about screening before age 50 if they have a family history of colon cancer African-Americans should begin screening at age 45

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Diabetes Risk Factors: do you know yours?

About one out of four people with diabetes have the disease and don't even know it.  That's nearly seven million Americans.  Another estimated 79 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition where blood glucose (blood sugar) levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes.  If left undiagnosed or untreated, diabetes can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, and even death. 

Many people who get type 2 diabetes have one or more family members with the disease.  If you have a family history of diabetes, the good news is you can take small steps to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by losing just 5 to 7 percent of your weight, which means 10 to 14 pounds for a person weighing 200 pounds.  Two keys to success:

1. Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, at least 5 days a week.
2. Eat a variety of foods that are low in fat and reduce the number of calories you eat each day.

To learn if you are at risk of diabetes, take the National Diabetes Education Program's Diabetes Risk Test:   www.YourDiabetesInfo.org

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Good Nutrition starts with MyPlate

Choose MyPlate.gov Web Link

Fruits

For their fiber, choose whole or cut-up fruits more often than fruit juice. When purchasing frozen and canned fruits, make sure they are not packed in syrup.

Vegetables

Throughout the week, eat a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green, orange, and red ones.  If buying frozen or canned veggies, look for those with no salt added.

Grains

Replace refined-grain foods with whole-grain foods.  At least half of your grains should be whole.  To know if a food is whole grain, see if a whole grain, such as whole wheat, whole oats, or brown rice is the first item in the ingredients list.

Protein

Get your protein from a variety of foods.  Good sources of protein include lean meats and poultry, seafood, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.  Trim the fat off of meat and remove the skin from poultry.  Eat at least 8 ounces of seafood a week for its heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.  Seafood includes fish and shellfish.  Avoid breading and frying it.

Dairy

Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk and other dairy products. They contain as much calcium as whole-milk versions but have less saturated fat.  Aim for three cups of dairy per day.  One cup of dairy equals one cup of milk, one cup of yogurt, one and a half ounces of natural cheese, or two ounces of processed cheese.

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Skin Cancer - did you know... In 2009, more than 1 million people were diagnosed with skin cancer, making it the most common of all cancers.  About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. One American dies of melanoma almost every hour Melanoma is the second most common form of cancer for adolescents and young adults (15-29 years old). For people born in 2006, 1 in 53 will be diagnosed with melanoma - nearly 30 times the rate for people born in 1930.

prevention steps... Do Not Burn - Overexposure to the sun is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Avoid Sun Tanning and Tanning Beds - UV light from tanning beds and the sun causes skin cancer and wrinkling. Use Sunscreen - Generously apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.  Reapply at least every two hours, and after swimming or sweating. Cover Up - Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, when possible. Seek Shade - Seek shade when the sun's UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Watch for the UV Index - Pay attention to the UV Index when planning outdoor activities to prevent over exposure to the sun.

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For more information about FREE screenings, risk factors, or general cancer information, contact

Val Walsh-Haines, Wyoming Cancer Resource Services 877.437.2702; 307.578-2702; vwalsh-haines@wphcody.org or

Karen Johnston, Cancer Outreach Specialist 307.578.2624; kjohnston@wphcody.org

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Valuable Links:

National Diabetics Education Program Web Link

 

just the facts: Skin Cancer in Wyoming Web Link

 

Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Web Link

 

Wyoming Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program Web Link

Wyoming Colorectal Cancer Screening Program Web Link