|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The C.R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital provides a wide array of cancer screenings at locations across the region:
Breast Cancer ScreeningGlens Falls Hospital Screening Programs Glens Falls Hospital provides breast screening aboard our mobile mammography coach. This comprehensive program provides a mammogram performed by a certified radiology technologist, a clinical breast exam by a nurse and instruction in breast self-examination. Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health program that provides free breast and cervical screenings to women who do not have health insurance coverage. For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121. Breast Cancer Facts Excluding cancers of the skin, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Despite our best efforts, breast cancer will continue to strike one of every eight American women in their lifetimes. Thanks to early detection and treatment programs, dramatic changes have occurred in the quality and length of life of women who have been diagnosed. With early detection, a 97-percent cure rate has been achieved. Through extensive study, physicians have also identified certain groups that seem to be at higher risk for breast cancer, including:
Early Detection Recommendations The American Cancer Society recommends a combination of the following three tools for the early detection of breast cancer:
Cervical Cancer ScreeningGlens Falls Hospital Screening Programs Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health program that provides cervical and breast cancer screenings to women who do not have health insurance coverage. For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121. Cervical Cancer Facts Approximately 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year and about 7,000 women die from this disease annually. Although the five-year survival rate is about 90% for persons with localized cervical cancer, it is considerably lower (about 40%) for persons with advanced disease. The incidence of invasive cervical cancer has decreased significantly over the past 40 years, due in large part to early detection programs. Several factors have been associated with an increased risk of developing cervical cancer and precancerous conditions. These include sexual activity at an early age and with many different partners, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus, which can be transmitted during sexual contact, is known to cause genital warts that then increase the risk of cervical cancer. Extensive use of the Pap test by women who do not have symptoms has greatly reduced the death rate from cervical cancer by discovering very early cancers and precancerous changes. Early Detection Recommendations
Prostate Cancer Awareness ProgramProstate Cancer Facts Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men. One out of every 11 American men will develop prostate cancer sometime during his life. The risk increases with age. Seldom does prostate cancer occur before the age of 50. The high rate of mortality results because prostate cancer rarely has symptoms in its earliest stages and, at this time, there is no cure for more advanced forms of the disease. In more than half of the prostate cancer cases, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body by the time it is discovered. The key to surviving prostate cancer is early detection through routine screening. Early Detection Recommendations The American Cancer Society and The American Urological Association recommend that men 50 years of age and older be screened yearly for prostate cancer. This screening should include:
Skin Cancer Awareness ProgramSkin Cancer Facts Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. Nearly one million cases of skin cancer occur in this country each year, most often among older fair-skinned people. Most skin cancers are either the basal cell or squamous cell type. These types of cancer tend to grow slowly, spread little, and may be cured. Malignant melanoma is a much more serious form of skin cancer and is more likely to spread to other parts of the body. It was once rare in this country, but its rate is increasing faster than any other type of cancer — 4% every year. If melanoma is detected in its early stages, before it has spread, it is almost 100% curable. The main cause of skin cancer is overexposure to sunlight. Fair-skinned people, especially those with red or blond hair, are at greatest risk. People who work outdoors, such as farmers and construction workers, and those who go boating often, participate in many outdoor sports, or sunbathe, are also increased risk. Children or teenagers who suffer severe, blistering sunburns are more likely to develop melanoma later in life. The presence of certain moles also make it more likely that a person will develop melanoma. One type of mole, the dysplastic nevus, has varying shades of brown, black, and pink within a single mole, and irregular or uneven borders, with the coloring fading into the skin around the mole. The best hope for the future lies in the prevention and early detection of skin cancers. Most skin cancers can be prevented by avoiding unprotected exposure to the sun. Any unusual spots on the skin, especially any that change in size or color, should be checked by a physician. Early Detection Recommendations The American Cancer Society recommends the following measures to help guard against skin cancer:
Colorectal Cancer ScreeningGlens Falls Hospital Screening Programs Glens Falls Hospital administers a New York State Department of Health grant to provide colorectal cancer screening test to people who do not have health insurance coverage. For more information, please call 1-800-882-0121. Colorectal Cancer Facts Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. There are approximately 150,000 new cases and 60,000 deaths in the United States each year. The disease affects males and females equally. Colorectal cancer is exceeded only by lung and breast cancer in women and lung and prostate cancer in men. With early detection and treatment while in the localized stage, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90%, and approximately 80% for rectal cancer. Colorectal cancers are believed to develop in part from precancerous polyps. 93% of colorectal cancers develop from adenomatous polyps; on average it will take a 1 centimeter adenoma 7 years to progress to invasive cancer. 94% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people over age 50. A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease, have been associated with increased colorectal cancer risk. Other possible risk factors include physical inactivity, high-fat and/or low-fiber diet, as well as inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables. Ideally, screening procedures will result in detection and removal of precancerous or early malignant lesions before they develop into invasive cancers. Early detection is the key to long term survival. Talk to your physician about screening for colon cancer. Early Detection Recommendations The American Cancer Society recommends the following early detection program:
|
|
|
C.R. Wood
Cancer Center |
Glens Falls Hospital |
