Five area women came away with a better understanding of cancer following a workshop Wednesday at the Shawano County Courthouse.
“Cancer, Clear and Simple” was presented by the Shawano County University of Wisconsin-Extension. Topics included early detection of cancer, diagnoses, risk factors and methods of reducing risks.
“By the end of the session, you will be able to get a better understanding of how cancer is diagnosed … and understand the stages, along with early detection,” said Nancy Schultz, UW-Extension family living educator and facilitator of the program.
Schultz explained more common cancers, including colon, breast, cervix and skin cancers. She also indicated men are not immune to breast cancer.
“Ten percent of men can get breast cancer,” Schultz said.
Cancer is caused by a single cell, which can grow abnormally within the body, leading to further complications.
The abnormal growth results in a tumor, either benign or malignant. A benign tumor is not deemed a threat to someone’s life, but malignant tumors reproduce without order and can spread.
A cancer diagnosis is made through a biopsy under a microscope.
Preventive measures, including early direction, and lifestyle changes can reduce cancer risks, Schultz said.
Early detection includes monthly self-exams, recommended screenings and recognizing warning signs, but not all cancers can be detected at its earliest stages in a routine screening.
“It is not just one disease; there are over 200 diseases,” Schultz said. “If you don’t catch it in the early stages, it will grow larger.”
Cancer can be caused by a variety of elements, including environmental factors, lifestyle, genetics, age, gender and viruses.
The leading causes of cancer are improper diet and physical inactivity, Schultz said.
“I did not know that exercise could actually lower cancer risks,” said Bonnie Harrison, of Marion.
Harrison said she attended the event as a refresher course after overcoming skin cancer three times, and has been in remission for three years.
“My family has been touched by cancer, I have been touched with cancer myself, so the more education that we have, the more beneficial it could be for all of us,” Harrison said.
Like Harrison, Carol Sybeldon, of Tilleda, said she will share the information with her family, which has been touched with cancer, including her husband, who was diagnosed in 1992 but has been in remission.
“So many people are affected by cancer and I came to find out more, learn as much, to share with my family,” Sybeldon said.
Categories
