Frederick Health Hospital says the emphasis will be on prevention.
Frederick, Md (KM) The emphasis will be on “prevention” during National Cancer Prevention Month in February.. That’s according to Heidi Winkler, Oncology Marketing Specialist with Frederick Health Hospital. “We are doing a variety of different events. But the main thing is just talking to people in the community that they can actually be proactive about preventing cancer,” she says.
Winkler that would include some life style changes. “They say that more than 40% of cancer diagnosed in the US can be associated with preventable causes, including smoking, obesity, minimal physical activity and more,” she says
Getting screened to help detect cancer in its early stages so patients can get into treatment can help prevent the spread of cancer, says Winkler. “What we’ve found is through research and just different available options whether treatment programs, or diagnostic tools we can provide, we can actually use some of these programs to prevent and decrease the risk factors and eventually decrease diagnosis of cancer,” she says,.
Earlier this month, the American Cancer Society announced that cancer deaths had dropped 2.2% between 2016-2017, which is the most recent data available. The Society says cancer deaths usually decline by 1.5% annually, but this is the largest ever one-year decrease in national cancer statistics which go back to 1930. The organization says this drop was mostly due to a decline in the number of people who smoke.
While giving up or never starting smoke helps reduce the risk cancer, Winkler says identifying genetic factors can also help determine a person’s risk for cancer. “We have a genetic counselor on staff that talks to families knowing their risk. That starts with your own health history, not just for yourself, but for your family, your spouse, your children. And that’s been a huge factor in finding early stages of cancer,” she says.
Frederick Health Hospital has also produced some on line tool kits on breast, colorectal, prostate and lung cancer. “These are different tool kits that information of Frederick County statistics. Are you at high risk? What are the signs and symptoms? How you can decease this; how you can prevent. And also some of the test and screen tools that are available to you,” says Winkler.
The tool kits can be located at:
Breast Cancer Toolkit: frederickhealth.org/breasthealth
Colorectal Cancer Toolkit: frederickhealth.org/colorectalscreening
Lung Cancer Toolkit: frederickhealth.org/lungcancer
Prostate Cancer Toolkit: frederickhealth.org/prostatehealth
Some activities taking place in February for National Cancer Prevention Month:
Daytime and Evening Grief Support Groups
Feb. 4 and 18, 2-3:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 and 24, 5-6:30 p.m.
Frederick Health Hospice
516 Trail Ave., Frederick
Grief support groups are designed to support individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one, including those who lost their fight to cancer. Participants can share their stories, express their grief, and find similar experiences from others. Each group is free to attend, and no registration is required.
Medical Weight Loss Orientation
Feb. 7, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Feb. 17, 5-6 p.m.
Frederick Health Crestwood
7211 Bank Court, Suite 240, Frederick
Research shows that excess body weight increases the risk of several cancers, including colorectal, breast, kidney, and pancreatic cancers. Learn how to lower the risk with nutrition and weight management. Join Frederick Health at one of their free weight loss orientation programs to learn about three different weight loss options. Register online.
By Kevin McManus