Victoria Demmert, Board Chair

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Presentation to the Grand Camp of the Alaska
Native Brotherhood Alaska Native Sisterhood
Victoria Demmert, Board Chair Roald Helgesen,
President/CEO
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About Cancer
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Cancer Briefing
ANB/ANS Grand Camp October 10, 2009 Janice
Sheufelt, MD Medical Director, Ethel Lund
Medical Center SEARHC
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Cancer Briefing

• Preview
• What is cancer?
• Why is there so much cancer?
• What is cancer screening?
• What can be done to prevent cancer?
• What is SEARHC doing about cancer?

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• What is Cancer?
• Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of
  cells have
• - uncontrolled growth (division beyond the
  normal limits)
• - invasion (grows into and destroys adjacent
  tissue)
• - and sometimes metastasis (spread to distant
  locations in the body).

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• What is Cancer?

Cancer results from errors that occur in the
normal process of cell division.
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• What Causes Cancer?
• For most cancers we do not know!
• Contributing factors include
• - Tobacco, tobacco, tobacco!
• - Lifestyle factors diet, weight, and
  exercise
• - Environmental exposures chemicals,
  sunlight, radiation
• - Infections
• - Overuse of alcohol
• - Genetics
• - Age

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• Cancer Epidemiology
• Alaska Natives

• The leading causes of death in Alaska Natives
  from 2004 through 2007 were
• Cancer 21
• Heart disease 14
• Unintentional injuries 13

The incidence of cancer increased 45 between
1969 and 2000.
Source Alaska Native Cancer Registry Alaska
Native Health Status Report Cancer
Surveillance System for Aboriginal Alaskans 30
Years of Data
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• Types of cancer most common for Alaska Natives

• Colon/rectum cancer (18 of cancer cases)
• Lung cancer (18 of cancer cases)

• Breast cancer (17 of
• cancer cases)

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Early Cancer Detection and Prevention
Cancer is not entirely preventable, but we can do
many things to decrease the risk of getting
cancer. These fall into two main categories

• Cancer screening
• Health behaviors which decrease the risk of
  getting cancer.

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Cancer Screening

• We can screen for many types of common cancers.
  Screening includes both physical examination and
  special testing. The goals of screening are to
• Find precancerous changes which can be treated
  before cancer develops
• Detect cancer early when treatment is more
  effective

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Cancer Screening

• Effective screening is available for several of
  the most common types of cancer. These include
• Breast cancer (mammogram)
• Cervical cancer (pap smear)
• Colorectal cancer
• (colonoscopy)

Unfortunately, there is no simple or effective
screening test for many types of cancer including
lung cancer.
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Breast Cancer Screening

• The SEARHC breast and cervical health program
  focuses on womens cancer screening. Activities
  include
• Mobile mammography in partnership with BRH
• Patient tracking and monitoring
• Patient education and outreach

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Cancer Symptoms

• Many cancers have minimal or no symptoms early in
  the course of the disease. The American Cancer
  Society suggests immediate attention to any of
  the following
• A change in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or discharge from any place
• A lump in the breast or other parts of the body
• Chronic indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
• Obvious changes in a wart or mole
• Persistent coughing or hoarseness

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Cancer Symptoms

• Other general symptoms sometimes associated with
  cancer include
• Unexplained fever
• Weakness or fatigue
• Persistent pain
• Weight loss
• Skin changes

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Primary Prevention Of Cancer
Three of the most significant health behaviors
involved in the primary prevention of cancer and
other chronic diseases are

• Avoidance of tobacco use
• Avoidance of excessive alcohol use
• Healthy diet and nutrition
• Regular exercise

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Cancer Prevention - Tobacco
Smoking damages nearly every organ in the human
body, is linked to at least 15 different cancers,
and accounts for some 30 of all cancer deaths
Source American Cancer Society website
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Cancer Prevention - Tobacco

• Targeted SEARHC efforts include
• Tobacco free campuses
• Primary care interventions
• Grant programs
• Tobacco Prevention and Control
• Tobacco Cessation in Healthcare Centers
• SEARHC Breath for Life
• Steps to a Healthier US
• WISEWOMAN

• Pharmacotherapy

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Cancer PreventionDiet, Nutrition, and Exercise

• Targeted SEARHC efforts include
• Nutrition services
• Primary care interventions
• Employee health

• Grant programs
• WISEWOMAN/ Wise Families
• Steps to a Healthier US
• Women, Infants, and Children
• Lifestyle Balance/Diabetes Prevention
• Traditional Foods

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What To Do Now Take Control!

• Know your cancer facts
• Talk to your provider
• Get screened for cancer

• Eat a healthy diet
• Be active
• Maintain your weight

• Be tobacco free
• Avoid overuse of alcohol

• Protect yourself from exposures known to be
  associated with cancer

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