April 2, 2008
Did you know...?
April is Cancer Control Month
Cancer Control Month is an opportunity to educate all Americans about cancer, to raise awareness about treatments, and to renew our commitment to fighting this deadly disease.
People of all ages get cancer, but nearly all types are more common in middle-aged and elderly people than in young people. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer for both men and women. The next most common type among men is prostate cancer; among women, it is breast cancer. Lung cancer, however, is the leading cause of death from cancer for both men and women in the United States. Brain cancer and leukemia are the most common cancers in children and young adults.
Based on data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. More than 557,000 people – more than 1,500 people a day – die of cancer in the United States each year and the number of new cases of cancer in the United States is increasing each year.
The more we can learn about what causes cancer, the more likely we are to find ways to prevent it.
Many cancer deaths can be prevented: for example, all deaths related to cigarette smoking could be prevented. Many cancer deaths could be prevented by adopting a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and increasing physical activity, reducing heavy drinking, and other changes in lifestyle.
Cancers related to exposure to infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can be prevented through vaccines or behavior change, including avoiding unsafe sex practice.
Preventable risk factors for skin cancer include excessive exposure to UV radiation. Sunlight is the primary source of UV radiation. (Sunlamps and tanning beds are other sources.) People with high levels of exposure to UV radiation are at greater risk for skin cancer. Based on Healthy People 2010, one of the goals is to increase to 75% the proportion of people who use at least one of the following protective measures that may reduce the risk of skin cancer: avoid the sun between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., wear sun-protective clothing when exposed to the sun, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher, and avoid artificial sources of UV light.
Currently, the best way to find breast cancer is with a mammogram. Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early when it is easier to treat.
The Pap test can find abnormal cells in the cervix which may turn into cancer. Pap tests can also find cervical cancer early, when the chance of being cured is very high. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for aged 9-26 to prevent cervical cancer. However, the HPV vaccine does not substitute for routine cancer screening (Pap tests).
Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find pre-cancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.
By scheduling regular physicals, getting preventive health screenings, and being aware of family history, individuals who do develop cancer can increase the likelihood that it will be discovered at an earlier and more treatable stage.
To learn more about cancer prevention and treatment visit the American Cancer Society's website at: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp.
This month's article has been provided by Dr. Doris Zhong, M.D. Dr. Zhong is Board Certified in Occupational and Preventive Medicine and also holds a Master's Degree in Public Health. Dr. Zhong is the Facility Medical Manager at OHS-COMPCARE's Grandview Clinical Facility.
To learn more about services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 (option 1) or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
|
Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
|
801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
|
Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
|
816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
|
|
After Hours Available |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
|
1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
|
Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
|
816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |