Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 30, 1992, edition 1 / Page 15
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Blacks at higher risk of getting cancer By YVETTE N. FREEMAN Community Newt Editor Did you know that cancer is among the leading causes of death among African-Americans? According to The 1991 Community Diagnosis compiled by the Forsyth County Health Department, between the years of 1986 and 1990, nearly 400 minority men and women per 100,000 people in the Forsyth County population died from cancer, compared to nearly 300 white men and women. The main forms of cancer deaths in Forsyth County were TVa chea, Bronchus, Lung, and Breast Cancer. Those deaths ranked second to deaths caused by heart disease. However, according to officials at the Forsyth County Health Depart ment, getting the African-American community to understand the importance of preventing the devel opment of cancer by living a healthy life has not been easy. Jan Hinton, an adult health edu cator at the Health Department, says many times she has encountered people who have the attitude that since they're going to die anyway, they may as well die from some thing. "And the good news is there's so many things that can be done about cancer; early detection-wise especially. "In some of the programs that we have done, when you ask health concerns that people have and someone mentions cancer, you get this whole attitude of defeated," she said. "'Yoirneed to just accept it, and that's just a part of life because you're going to die from it.' And there are so many options available today with early detection being one of the main things." The numbers of African-Amer icans that develop and die from the various types of cancer is steadily increasing, although in Forsyth County, the death rate pretty much follows the state and national trends. Hinton says that it is impor tant for everyone, especially African-Americans, to realize the significance of those numbers. "If we can create some awareness, (we can let people know) that it is seri ous. There are some things you can do like pay attention to your body. If there are any changes, that should send up a little red flag. [The following information is provided by the National Cancer Institute.) LUNG CANCER Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States, and is most often caused by cigarette smoking. Smoking has been consistently higher among African -American men than white men. According to 1987 statistics, 41% of black men smoke, com pared to 31% of white men. Over 15,000 African- Americans are expected to die from lung cancer "Thisyear, However, although African ; American men smoke less cigarettes per day, they are more ? likely to use cigarettes that contain ia higher tar and nicotine content. - This, according to experts, is why ? black men develop lung cancer and other smoking-relating diseases, at . a much higher rate than their white counterparts. As for African-American women, lung cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death, fol lowing breast cancer. And because The number of women who have quit smoking has not decreased at a substantial rate, it is believed that \ eventually, the number of women smokers will surpass that of men. People who do not smoke, however, are also at risk of develop ing lung cancer, especially those who have spouses that smoke. Non- jj smokers who have spouses that smoke are twice as likely to develop j lung cancer than individuals who do not smoke and have spouses who also do not smoke. So what's the best way to pre vent lung cancer? Don't smoke, or stop smoking immediately. The risks of developing lung cancer gradually decrease once a person stops smoking. If you need help to quit smoking, ask your doctor or pharmacist. BF1EAST CANCER Between 1986 and 1990, the number of African-American women who died from breast can cer in Forsyth County was 27.4 per 100,000 population, according to the Forsyth County Health Depart ment During the same period, the number among white women was 20.1. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for African j American women, although all > women are at risk of developing ftf* disease, including those who WS9& no family history of it Eighty per cent of women who develop breast cancer have no family history of the disease. The most common warning signs of breast cancer are a lump or thickening in the breast, a change in the shape or size of the breast, dis charge from- the nipple, or a change in the color or texture of the skin of the breast or the skin around the nipple. Many times, however, there are no specific signs of breast can cer until the disease has reached its advanced stages. The most effective way to deled breast cancer before it react)! k -eaT the advanced stages is by under* going mammography, a special x ray technique. Mammography can detect a lump up to two years before it can be felt But very few African-American women are mographies. According to statistics, only 58% of black women age 40 and older have ever had a mammo gram to detect breast cancer, com pared to 65% of all white women in the same age group. Just what is mammography? During mammography, two pictures are taken of each breast ? one from the side, the other from the top. The breasts are placed between plastic plates and slightly flattened to ensure a clear picture. The proce dure is not painful, although it may be a little uncomfortable. The National Cancer Institute and other leading medical organiza tions recommend that as soon as _ women turn 40, they should have a mammogram every one to two_ years, and an annual breast exam by, a doctor. Beginning at age 50, women should have mammograms yearly, along with the annual breast exams. Women are also encouraged to learn how to do monthly breast self-examinations. Nearly 90% of women whose breast cancer is found and treated early, survive. And often times, the breast itself can be saved if the lump is detected early. I : CERVICAL CANCER African-American women are ; about three times more likely to ; develop cervical cancer than their ; white counterparts, and twice as ; likely to die from it. All women ? aged 18 and up are at risk of devel ? oping the disease, especially those ? who are sexually active. The best form of early detec tion is by having a Pap test done, i also called a Pap Smear. It can ! show whether or not an infection, 1 inflammation, abnormal cells, or ! cancer in the cervix is present. Cer ; vical cancer deaths can be prevent 1 ed if the disease is detected early. Women should get a Pap test I done every year, especially older ; women. "As women get older and ; they think Well I'm not going to ; have anymore children,' then they ; stop having pap smears, and they're ~ ; just as susceptible to cervical can ; cer," said Hinton. - During a Pap test, a doctor or J nurse takes some cells from a wom T an's cervix with a cotton swab.; Those cells are then examined, and f if there are any abnormalities, your doctor informs you and suggests ^ follow-up procedures. DIET AND NUTRmON t, A number of studies have shown that there is a connection ^ between certain foods and the risk ? of developing certain cancers. In ^fact* some experts bebeve that what >we eat may be related to 35% of * * cancer Eating foods with a high fat I c content may increase the risk of ; developing breast, colon, and r prostate cancers. Not eating enough r foods with fiber can increase the ! ? risk of colon cancer. To prevent developing those ; types of cancers, a healthy diet I be incorporated into the nor ?J mal daily routine. A healthy diet ? 'consists of tesn cuts of meat, low t fat dairy products, more seafood, : less fried foods, and more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The The Likelihood of Black American Women Dying from Cervical Cancer Black American women are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer as white women: National Cancer Institute recom mends that individuals, especially African-Americans, eat at least five or more servings of fruits and veg etables a day. Only about one in 10 Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables daily, and African Americans eat less fruits and veg etables than white Americans. Also, many traditional African American dishes protect against some cancers. Foods such as col lard i, mustarcTgreens, kale and spinach are all recommended for a healthy diet The way in which food is cooked also plays an important part in healthy eating. For example, instead of using fatback to season vegetables, low-fat meats such as turkey parts can be used. When eat ing chicken, remove the skin and broil or bake it, instead of frying. Broiling or baking fish is also rec ommended instead of frying. By broiling and baking foods, instead of frying, the amount of fat in one's diet is greatly reduced, as well as the risk of developing breast, colon and prostate cancers. Hinton stated that people should also be careful when eating out. "A lot of people say, 'Well I'll just go to Wendy's and get a salad, * or ril just get a baked potato.' The baked potato itself is great. There are a lot of vitamins in there. But when you go and put that sour cream on top of it and the butter, and everything else, you might as well have ordered a single, for what you're getting, which is a lot of fat," she explained. For more information, call the National Cancer Institute's toll-free number atl -800-4-CANCER. fnut suuiri. Winston-Salem's liest Answering Service! 24 Hour, 7 Days A Week Service ? Courteous, professional service Prompt notification of calls - m. No connect r It's just like having your own personal secretary /" BEEPERS AVAILABLE! 723-8400 1215 Link Road Winston-Salem, NC INNOVATIVE CREATIVE LEADERSHIP Ralph Campbell, Jr. Candidate For State Auditor - Raleigh City Council Since 1985 - N.C. Department Of Revenue, Field Auditor 1977-86 -N.C. State Health Plan, Plan Auditor 1986-90 - N.C. Department of Insurance, Administrative Officer 1990-92 NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS ? HE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! (\impbvH FOR STATE AUDITOR' State Campaign Headquarters, 112 East Hargett Street, Suite 101 Raleigh, North Carolina 27601 (919)832-8348 Paid for by the Committee to Elect Ralph Campbell, Jr., Treasurer, J. Mills Holloway MICKEY MICHAUX THE NEW 12TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT A Vote for MICHAUX is a Vote for Experience h \ ' I 1 ? Seven Term Legislator ? United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina ? Chief Assistant District Attorney for Durham County ? Ranked as the 9th most effective legislator (out of 120) ? Successful Businessman ? Served as Chairman of Several Major Committees in the Legislature ? Strong Proponent of Education and Equal Opportunity ? Authored Legislation Providing for the Election of More Minority Superior Court Judges ? Co-Authored Legislation Providing for Minority Economic Development ? U.S. Army Veteran ? Steward Board - St. Joseph's A.M.E. Church Capable ? Able ? Effective Paid for and Authorized by the Michauxfor Congress Committee ? P.O. Box 248 ? D urh/
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 30, 1992, edition 1
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