June 17th, 2009 - 2009 North Dakota Cancer Coalition Cancer Summit

The North Dakota Cancer Coalition is a collaborative effort between organizations, businesses, health care providers and individuals to not only fight cancer in our state but look for ways to wipe it out completely. Each year members and anyone who would like to attend are invited to the Cancer Coalition Summit. This year the main focus was on preventing cancer with work site wellness. Ideas were shared by speakers on how to take charge against the cost of health care by making a program to improve the health of employees. The belief is it's in the best interest of companies to help employees achieve the goal of good health thus decreasing not only costs in the future but also disease and illness. Ever hear of the Cancer Gold Standard? It's a workplace accreditation program that recognizes employers' efforts to meet an exceptionally high standard of cancer prevention, screening and care guidelines for their employees and family members. Organizations of all sizes can participate in this great initiative to help reverse negative, unhealthy lifestyles and instead create hope in the fight against cancer. By working together across work sites, we can make it easier for North Dakota's workers to be healthy while at work.

Here are some interesting cancer facts and information I'd like to share with my followers:

Most people know of the genetic mutation for breast cancer as BRCA 1/BRCA2 - this can be found by doing genetic testing. A genetic mutation is a mutation you are born with. Women who carry this marker have a great risk of getting breast cancer in their life. What you may not know is there is also a genetic mutation that has been found for colorectal cancer and gynecological cancers such as endometrial cancer. This mutation MLH1/MLH2/MSH6 has a 50/50 chance of being passed onto offspring from either the mother or the father. "Red Flags" for this mutation include colorectal or endometrial cancer before age 50. If an individual tests positive for the mutation screenings for colorectal cancer with colonoscopies will be done more often to hopefully catch cancer early. Colorectal cancer is almost 100% preventable when caught early!

Breast Cancer - 178,000 new cases in US each year and 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths - PREVENTION PREVENTION PREVENTION!!!!!
Cervical Cancer - 10,000 new cases - primary risk factor is HPV -get regular screenings!!!
Endometrial Cancer - 1 in 38 lifetime risk - having abnormal bleeding - get checked!
Ovarian Cancer - 1 in 68 lifetime risk - highly fatal because no real symptoms...causing late diagnosis - 90% of ovarian cancer patients are positive for BRCA mutation.
Skin Cancer - Spouse finds a suspicious lesion - Don't ignore! Early detection is key and SPF 35!
Colorectal Cancer - 1 in 19...106,000 new cases....49,000 deaths - one word...COLONOSCOPY!
Prostate Cancer - 192,000 cases....27,000 deaths - PSA and exam together is best defense.
Testicular Cancer - Young man's cancer - age 24 to 54 - know your testicles to know abnormal.
Lung Cancer - 25% are found on routine x-ray...90% are caused by smoking....one word..QUIT!

Bonus tip: How many fruits and vegetables are we supposed to get a day now? NINE! How? Have grapefruit (fresh or from a jar) and a banana for breakfast, for snack have mixed berries or an orange or an apple or a handful of grapes, mixed vegis for lunch (2 servings), fruit again for snack, munch on fruit and raw vegis before dinner, fruit or mixed vegis for supper. There ya go! But don't forget to eat the rest of the meals too - this is just the fruit and vegi choices for the day. You need protein too! One things for sure....you'll never go hungry - and your body will be fighting cancer!