Take Charge of Your Cancer Risk

There’s a lot you can do to protect yourself from cancer.

Prostate and breast cancer are two of the most common cancers in the United States. Together, they cause more deaths than any other type of cancer, except that of the lung.

Protecting your prostate
Experts aren’t sure what causes this cancer. “So, it can be difficult to advise men what to do,” says William “Bud” Pierce, M.D., Ph.D., Hematology Oncology of Salem. What we do know is that some men have a higher risk, including:

• Those older than age 50
• African-American men
• The brothers, fathers and sons of men who’ve had prostate cancer

Should you be tested?
There are no clear-cut guidelines for routine testing of all men. “So, have a discussion with your doctor about your risk and whether you should be tested,” says Dr. Pierce.

Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly, so if it develops later in life, it may not progress enough to pose major problems. However, when it occurs at a younger age, but isn’t caught early, it may be more likely to shorten a man’s life span.

William "Bud" Pierce, M.D., Ph.D.

One way to detect prostate cancer is with a blood test that checks the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). But, doctors rely on more than just one test result. They look at your PSA level over time. Another test is a digital rectal exam. A doctor checks the prostate by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum. Both tests may find prostate cancers early. But, sometimes they may not detect a tumor, or they may indicate a problem when there isn’t one.

Is prevention possible?
“No cause-and-effect relationship has been proven. But, healthy living may provide some benefits,” says Dr. Pierce. Here are some suggestions:

• Avoid animal fat. “A high-fat diet has been linked with the disease,” says Dr. Pierce.
• Consume more lycopene. This antioxidant has shown promise in some studies. It’s found in red plant foods, such as pink grapefruit and watermelon. Cooked tomatoes are an especially good source.
• Be careful with dietary supplements. “Large trials are looking into nutritional supplements, such as vitamin E and the mineral selenium,” Dr. Pierce says. “But, results won’t be available for another 15 years or so.” Therefore, before taking any type of supplement, talk with your doctor. He or she can help you weigh all the risks and benefi ts and should conduct a complete exam first.
• Keep an eye on research. Check with your physician or the Salem Hospital Web site (www.salemhospital.org) for links to trusted information. The Salem Hospital Community Health Library also can provide professional research assistance. The medical librarian can be reached at 503-561-5559.

On guard against breast cancer
As with prostate cancer, experts aren’t sure why some women develop breast cancer while others don’t. But, studies have identified several factors that may increase a woman’s risk. They include:

• Aging—which is the largest risk factor and affects us all
• Inherited gene mutations
• A family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative

Because so many of the risk factors for breast cancer are beyond your control, screenings may offer you the best protection.

Kathleen Scanlan, M.D.

What about screenings?
“Mammograms are the single best tool for early detection of breast cancer,” says Kathleen Scanlan, M.D., radiologist and regional expert in breast-cancer detection. This special X-ray of the breast, along with yearly clinical breast exams by a doctor, detects about 90 percent of breast cancers. It is no secret that with cancer, the earlier the detection, the better the outcome. That is why Salem Hospital recommends early screening through such techniques as mammography with computer aided detection (CAD), and when indicated, breast ultrasound and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

At age 40, women should begin having a mammogram once a year. If you’re more likely to develop breast cancer because of other risk factors, it may be wise to start earlier.

“Talk with your doctor about these screening tests,” says Dr. Scanlan. “Mammography, supplemented with ultrasound when clinically indicated, remains the single-most effective method for breast-cancer screening, with signifi cant reductions in mortality for women ages 40 and older.”

Any pointers on prevention?
“Any positive changes that you make, either alone or in consultation with your doctor, have the power to improve your chance for a healthy future,” says Dr. Scanlan.

Along with the tips on the right, try to:

• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese as an adult raises the risk of developing breast cancer. Carrying the extra pounds around your waist also increases the risk.
• Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that walking briskly for 75 minutes to two-and-a-half hours a week may reduce risk by nearly 20 percent.
• Limit alcohol use. There’s a clear link between alcohol and breast cancer.