BCHS physician to speak on cancer screening
In 2008, an estimated 1.4 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer, and about 550,000 will die of it. Estimates of the premature deaths that could have been avoided through screening vary from 3% to 35%, depending on a variety of factors.
Beyond the potential for avoiding death, screening may reduce cancer morbidity since treatment for earlier-stage cancers is often less aggressive than that for more advanced-stage cancers.
Dr. Wendy French, board certified medical oncologist at The Cancer Care Center and member of the Battle Creek Health System medical staff, will talk about the important factors in cancer screening and the recommended guidelines on Wednesday, September 10, at the Burnham Brook Center.
Senior Health Partners in coordination with Battle Creek Health System presents the program as part of its ongoing 'Aging Well' series, which is free to the public. A light luncheon will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr. French's presentation at noon. Seating is limited. For reservations call toll free 1-877-GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).
Cancer screening guidelines are recommended for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms. "People who are at increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age or being screened more often," says Dr. French. "Those with symptoms that could be related to cancer should see their physician right away."
For people aged 20 or older having periodic health exams, a cancer-related checkup should include health counseling, and depending on a person's age and gender, might include exams for cancers of the thyroid, oral cavity, skin, lymph nodes, testes, and ovaries, as well as for some non-malignant (non-cancerous) diseases.
Dr. French will review the screening studies that are related to certain cancer sites such as breast, colon-rectal, cervical, endometrial (uterine) cancer, and prostate cancer. In addition to knowing and practicing these guidelines there are many other preventative measures one can take to reduce risk.
"Daily habits like diet and exercise affect our risk for cancer certainly much more than you might think," says Dr. French. "There is increasingly more and more evidence that poor diets and sedentary lifestyles are among the most important contributors to cancer risk."
Fortunately, these are things we can control. In addition to quitting smoking, the best way to cut your risk of cancer is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, to be physically active on a regular basis, and to make healthy food choices.
The evidence for this is strong in supporting health and lifestyle changes. Of the nearly 550,000 Americans who die of cancer annually, one-third of these deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity, and carrying excess weight.
Senior Health Partners, a collaboration of Battle Creek Health System, Burnham Brook Center, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun and surrounding counties. For more information about senior programs, visit http://www.seniorhealthpartners.com, or call (269) 441-0948.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic health system in the U.S. with 12 hospitals, 9 nursing homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle Creek Health System as a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm). HealthGrades is a leading health care information company that provides objective 'report card' ratings nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the community and promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
About the Presenter:
Wendy French, D.O., Medical Oncology & Hematology
The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health System
A graduate of Hope College, Dr. French earned her medical degree at Des Moines University. She completed her internship at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino, California and residency in internal medicine from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She also received a hematology/oncology fellowship at the Medical College of Virginia through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Dr. French has published her research under the titles of 'Management of Dyspnea,' Journal of Supportive Oncology, and a Placebo-controlled trial: 'Nebulized Fentanyl vs. Placebo for Relief of Cancer-related Dyspnea.' She is active in clinical research through the Grand Rapids Clinical Oncology Program for clinical trials.
Dr. French is a board certified in medical oncology and in internal medicine. She is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Osteopathic Association.
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