2 reast a healthy lifestyle can help prevent...

2 2009 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS OCTOBER 24, 2009

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(NewsUSA) — Women who eat right and exercise might cite smaller waistlines asmotivation, but healthy lifestyles can also cut cancer risk.

While hereditary factors contribute to breast cancer, and women cannot control theirgenes or age, studies show that lifestyle changes can help even at-risk women preventdisease.

To reduce their cancer risk, women can take the following actions:• Eat well-balanced meals. A diet filled with a variety of foods including fruits, veg-

etables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and protein can help women maintain a healthyweight.

• Limit dietary fat. While studies suggest that low-fat diets only modestly reducewomen’s cancer chances, low-fat diets improve cardiovascular health. Fat produces ex-tra estrogen, which can also lead to cancer.

• Avoid alcohol. Some studies suggest that two or more alcoholic drinks a day canraise breast cancer risk by as much as 40 percent. Even one glass of wine a day can in-crease risk, so women should skip alcohol or save it for special occasions.

• Exercise. At least thirty minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day helps boost overallhealth. Women should include bone-strengthening activities, like walking or weight lift-ing, in their weekly routines.

Apart from directly reducing cancer risk, the following tips can help women improvetheir quality of life:

• Stay positive. The right frame of mind can mean the difference between success andfailure in any endeavor. By focusing on solutions and taking action, rather than dwellingon problems, obstacles can be overcome more easily.

• Get involved. Giving back to one’s community through individual and group activi-ties is another way to improve your quality of life. Many charities and corporations haveteamed up in the fight against cancer by selling special-edition products to raise fundsfor cancer research. From makeup and designer T-shirts to exclusive cars, many itemsare sold in an effort to raise money.

• Treat yourself. Whether it is going shopping with friends, taking extra time out ofyour day for a stroll in the park or cooking with family, treating yourself can help boostyour mental attitude and overall health.

A healthy lifestyle can help prevent cancer

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The fi ve-year relative survival rate for women with localized breast cancer is more than 95

percent.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer site among American women and is second only to

lung cancer in cancer deaths.

One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes, and one woman will

die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all ages. The most proven

and signifi cant risk factors are being female and getting older.

Only fi ve to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women

with breast cancer have no known signifi cant family history or other known risk factors.

A woman’s chance of developing breast cancer increases with age. In the United

States, a woman has about a 13 percent lifetime risk of developing breast cancer.

Approximately 80 percent of all breast cancers occur in women 50 years of age and

older.

African Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer of any racial/ethnic

group in the United States.

In the United States today, there are more than two million breast cancer survivors.

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(NewsUSA) — We’ve all heard about the fightagainst breast cancer — but did you know that breastcancer fights back?

Breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancerdeaths in women, is found in 1.3 million womenthroughout the world each year. Early detection andimproved treatments have decreased death rates, butthe American Cancer Society predicts that 40,910Americans will die of breast cancer in 2009.

What makes breast cancer difficult to treat? Typical-ly, doctors treat breast cancer through surgery to re-move the tumor, followed by chemotherapy and radia-tion. But some cancers prove difficult to remove, oth-ers come back. And some tumors stop responding tochemotherapy drugs. When this happens, the cancer issaid to have developed drug resistance.

Some cancer cells become drug resistant when theydevelop the ability to pump out drugs from their bod-ies. Other chemotherapy drugs target specific proteinswithin the cancer cell. In response, the cancer cells pro-duce more of that protein. Chemotherapy drugs can de-stroy healthy tissue, so doctors are limited in thedosages that they can administer. The cancer cells pro-

duce more proteins than the chemotherapy drugs cantarget, allowing the cancer cells to overwhelm the bodydespite chemotherapy treatments.

But breaking-edge companies are developing newdrugs that can treat resistant cancers and give patientsnew hope. For example, Cellceutix Corporation, a can-cer and anti-inflammatory drug developer, has discov-ered a unique technology called Kevetrin that targetsgrowth signals in tumor cells as opposed to being toxicto all cells, which is the traditional chemotherapy treat-ment.

In the experiments, mice were implanted with hu-man tumor cells known to be drug resistant. Kevetrinreduced tumor volume by 68 percent and delayed tu-mor growth by more than 62 percent, compared to con-trols.

“Kevetrin continues to demonstrate consistent suc-cess in fighting drug resistant cancers, the leadingcause of chemotherapy failure,” says Mr. GeorgeEvans, chief executive officer of Cellceutix. “We areoptimistic that Kevetrin will continue to progress onthe developmental pathway as a treatment for thesevery difficult cancers, providing hope to its patients.”

When breast cancer fights back

(NewsUSA) — A diagnosis of cancer brings a varietyof unwelcome struggles and emotional pitfalls. Through-out a patient’s treatment journey, oncology nurses areconsistently on the front lines, readily available to be theimportant link between patients and their team of medicalprofessionals.

CURE magazine’s 2009 Extraordinary Healer Awardfor Oncology Nursing, sponsored by Centocor OrthoBiotech Inc., showcases the differences that nurses havemade in the lives of cancer patients. The award providesspecial recognition to nurses for their unwavering expert-ise and dedication.

More than 150 cancer patients and caregivers submit-ted essays nominating oncology nurses who exemplifythese characteristics.

This year’s winner, Christine Wilson, RN, NationwideChildren’s Hospitalof Columbus, Ohio, was presentedwith this award by mistress of ceremonies Peggy Flem-ing, a former ice skater, Olympic gold medalist and breastcancer survivor, during a reception at the Oncology Nurs-ing Society’s 34th Annual Congress.

Wilson was recognized by her former patient, DelaneyDiggs, who was six years old at the time of treatment, andDigg’s mother, Renée La Forest. Wilson was described inthe essay as “inspirational” with “boundless energy andenthusiasm” who “remained a consummate professionalwhile bringing a positive spirit of hope and encourage-ment.”

In addition, the two finalists, Nadeen Robinson, RN,BSN, OCN, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/ColumbiaUniversity Medical Center of New York, and MarianneSacks, RN, CCM, Aetna Patient Management of BlueBell, Pa., were recognized at the ceremony.

“The Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nurs-ing provides patients the opportunity to thank their nursesfor their devotion and exemplary work, and for making adifference in their lives,” said Kathy LaTour, editor-at-large, CURE magazine. “It is heartwarming to see somany patients recognize the commitment of their nurses.”

An excerpt from the winning essay demonstrates thedifference that these nurses make in a patient’s journey to

healing, and how much cancer patients value their nurses’extraordinary skills and caring attitude:

“Chrissy embodies all that an oncology nurse shouldbe .... The care that she provided exceeded the bounds ofwhat is required by a health professional. My daughter,Delaney, talks of her to this day, and I believe Chrissy’sfootprint on both our hearts will never be forgotten. Shereminded us about the positive, of what there is to live foramidst all we endured, and she instilled a spirit in mydaughter that pushed her through treatment — on to thenext wonderful thing she could find that would remindher of life outside the hospital.” — Essayist Renée LaForest, mother of Delaney Diggs, describing Nurse Chris-tine Wilson, Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“We are pleased to continue our support of such aunique program to honor well-deserving oncology nurs-es,” said Kim Taylor, president, Centocor Ortho BiotechInc. “Centocor Ortho Biotech is committed to helping pa-tients throughout their cancer journey and is proud tosponsor an award that recognizes the meaningful impactthat oncology nurses have on their patients.”


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JOHN PETERSEDITOR

Breast cancer patients — all cancer pa-tients — no doubt hear it all the time.

“We’ve made great advances ... thereare so many effective treatment options ...we’ve had good success in recent years.”

Those words, sometimes expressed byphysicians, relatives, or well-meaningfriends, are often among the first words aperson hears after learning she has cancer.The words are true. Treatment optionshave advanced significantly in recentyears and there is great hope for even bet-ter treatment options on the horizon.

But oftentimes what a cancer patientneeds most is simply someone to talk to,someone with whom to commiserate.Someone who understands. Someone whohas gone through the same thing.

That’s where the Surry Cancer Aware-ness Team comes in.

Susan Overby helps run the group, atask she took on about a half dozen yearsago when its founder, Wilma Musser, died.

For Overby the cancer treatments werea life saver, but the help she received fromthe group was an emotional life saver.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer inMay of 1998,” she said. “It was before Iknew the group existed, I didn’t knowanyone I could call and talk to. I didn’tknow anyone who had ever experiencedanything like this.” All the fears and ques-tions she had, no one was there to answer.She said she felt alone.

A few months later she learned of thegroup’s existence.

“Once I got into the group I found outthere were many women in this area whohave experienced breast cancer. They be-came a support for me, to help me throughall my treatments. It was just a real goodthing to know there were people out thereI could relate to.”

Being part of the group, going to meet-ings, hearing what others said and sharingher own experiences were a godsend, shesaid.

“It gave me peace of mind, but it wasalso support as far as lifting my spirits, sothat I didn’t think I was the only person inthat position. It was just a real strong bondof women who had gone throughchemotherapy and radiation and knewwhat it was all about.”

Overby beat her cancer, and a secondbout with the disease.

“I have been cancer free for about

nine and a half years,” she said.Six years ago Musser, who started the

group after she was diagnosed with cancermany years earlier, died. Overby said shecould not let the group founder, so shetook the reins.

“Because I felt that camaraderie withall those women who had experienced it(cancer) before, I wanted to see that therewas some form of support here in MountAiry when other women were diagnosed,so they could come to us and get that sametype of support, to make decisions to gothrough chemotherapy and radiation.”

The reasons people come to the groupvary, she said.

“Sometimes, people are coming be-cause they want some kind of support sothey don’t feel left out or feel alone. Andsometimes they come because a friend hasinvited them ... maybe their friend has al-ready been a survivor ... and they hear wehave such a good time they want to comeand be part of the group.”

She said there is no need to call aheadof time, someone suffering with cancerand needing support can just show up.

“Usually, when they (a first-time visi-tor) come, we talk, we try to introduceourselves, have them introduce them-

selves and tell us about them. We almostalways have a program ... we try to makethose people feel welcome and at home,and we always invite them back.”

In addition to lifting up one another insupport, she said cancer patients and sur-vivors often build a special bond that oth-ers don’t fully appreciate.

“Because we have an understanding ofhow tender life is,” she said. “You need tolive every day to its fullest, because thismight be your last one. You rejoice everymorning when you awaken, and you thankGod for getting you through the day everynight.”

She said she has advice for anyone suf-fering from cancer.

“There are people out there who willsupport you, will help you, all you have todo is seek us out. We would invite any andall cancer survivors in the area to attend.We try to have fun, we want them to real-ize there is life after cancer.”

The Surry Cancer Awareness Teammeets monthly, on the first Monday, from 7to 9 p.m. at Grace Moravian Church inMount Airy. The only exceptions are Mayand September and November, when thegroup moves its meetings to the secondMonday of those months. For more infor-mation, attend a meeting or call 789-9779.

Group offers supportto cancer

patients, survivors

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Others from Surry County who attended the meeting in Winston-Salem includedCassie Snow, Annie Laurie Smith and Carolyn Largen.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Breast Cancer survivors in Winston-Salem joined Cancer Services and other breast cancer survivors earlier this month at the eighthannual Breast Cancer Conference Pink Ribbon Talks. Among those in attendance were Kammie Garris, Bella Gilpatrick, Joann Agnew,Vina Johnson, Bonnie Nash, Helen Mitchell and Tammy Pearson, all from the Mount Airy and Surry County community.


Breast cancer screening means check-ing a woman’s breasts for cancer beforethere are signs or symptoms of the dis-ease. Three main tests are used to screenthe breasts for cancer. Talk to your doctorabout which tests are right for you, andwhen you should have them.

• Mammogram: The most effectivemeans to detecting breast cancer, a mam-mogram is an X-ray of the breast. Mam-mograms can detect breast cancer early,when it is easier to treat and before it isbig enough to feel or cause symptoms.Having regular mammograms can lowerthe risk of dying from breast cancer. If youare age 40 years or older, be sure to have ascreening mammogram every one to twoyears.

• Clinical breast exam: A clinical breastexam is an examination by a doctor or

nurse, who uses his or her hands to feel forlumps or other changes.

• Breast self-exam: A breast self-examis when you check your own breasts forlumps, changes in size or shape of thebreast, or any other changes in the breastsor underarm.

Having a clinical breast exam or abreast self-exam does not decrease risk ofdying from breast cancer. If you choose tohave clinical breast exams and to performbreast self-exams, be sure you also getregular mammograms.

Breast cancer screenings are typicallyavailable at clinics, the local hospital or adoctor’s office. If you want to be screenedfor breast cancer, call your doctor’s office.They can help you schedule an appoint-ment. Most health insurance companies payfor the cost of breast cancer screening tests.

Screenings crucial inbreast cancer detection

(NewsUSA) — In 2009, doctors will diagnose an estimated 192,370cases of breast cancer. But the chances of survival have never been better,especially for women with advanced cancer.

What makes breast cancer “advanced?” Simply put, advanced breastcancer has spread beyond the breasts and their lymph nodes. In metastaticbreast cancer, the most advanced form, cancer cells spread to other parts ofthe body, like the organs, bones, lungs or liver, where they continue to re-produce.

Though difficult to treat in the past, medical advances are helping doc-tors treat advanced breast cancer. For example, Cancer Treatment Centersof America (CTCA) provides each patient with a personalized cancer treat-ment plan, which may include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, surgeryand radiation integrated with complementary medicine like mind-bodymedicine, naturopathy and nutrition.

In response to studies indicating that low levels of vitamin D have beenassociated with higher tumor grade and shorter disease-free survival,CTCA employs nutritionists to actively monitor and document vitamin Din all breast cancer patients. While exposure to sunlight and foods, like for-tified milk products, can provide some vitamin D, few people meet theirdaily requirements. For this reason, CTCA recommends supplements.

Of course, treating patients isn’t just about fighting cancer, but alsoabout maintaining quality of life. Women who need surgery can now optfor oncoplastic surgery, which removes the tumor and reconstructs thebreast in one procedure. Fewer surgeries mean less stress on patients.

“Personalizedcancer medicine isbecoming verymuch a modern con-cept,” says DennisCitrin, MD, a med-ical oncologist atCTCA. “Breast can-cer is a heteroge-neous disease. It’snot a single diseasewhere one treatmentfits all,” he adds.

Additionally, ge-netic technology canhelp protect cancerpatients’ families.Two genes, BRCA1and BRCA2, causemost hereditarybreast and ovariancancer. If a cancerpatient finds out thatshe has a gene thatcauses cancer, shecan tell her familymembers to get test-ed. Although pa-tients with advancedcancer have betterchances today thanever before, survivalrates are still highestfor those who detectbreast cancer in itsearly stages.

EARLY DETECTION, BETTER

TREATMENTS LEAD ADVANCED

BREAST CANCER FIGHT

(NewsUSA) — “You’ve got cancer.” Just the thought of hearing that phrase evokes fear in most of us.For those receiving the diagnosis, the initial reaction is fear, followed by an intense de-

sire to start treatment right away. But rushing to treatment, rather than getting a second or athird opinion, means patients often miss out on other treatments that might be newer or bet-ter for their cancer and lifestyle.

“After learning they have cancer, many patients are afraid to wait even a few days tostart treatment for fear that any delay will prevent a cure. But studies have shown that tak-ing a little time to learn about all of the available treatment options can give patients a bet-ter opportunity to make a well-informed choice,” said Dr. K. Kian Ang, a radiation oncolo-gist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

A study published in the journal “Cancer” in 2006 found that half of all breast cancer pa-tients who sought a second opinion from a multidisciplinary tumor board found at theirtreatment center received a change in their recommended treatment plan.

A tumor board is a group of physicians that reviews a patient’s records to help the pa-tient choose the best treatment. The board is usually made up of several cancer specialists,including a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a surgeon, a pathologist and a diag-nostic radiologist.

The study found that the reason for the change in treatment plans was that initial optionspresented to patients often do not include new techniques. Plus, during the second opinion,the doctors usually reviewed patients’ imaging scans again, often resulting in a change intreatment plan.

Ang, who is on the board of directors for the American Society of Therapeutic Radiolo-gy and Oncology, encourages patients with cancer to speak with several specialists beforesettling on a course of treatment.


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screenings are a woman’s best chance for detecting breast cancer early.

Cancer patients benefit from second opinion


Every 2 minutes, a woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer. In fact, breast cancer is the leading cancer among women. Mammography screenings are a woman’s best chance for detecting breast cancer early, so get yours today. You can help support breast cancer research by raising awareness in your community.

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(NewsUSA) — Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. This year, 213,000women and 1,700 men will learn they have the disease. If caught early, breast cancer can be readilytreated and often cured.

Years ago the only treatment for breast cancer was surgical removal of the entire breast, a proce-dure called a mastectomy. Now, doctors can allow most women with early-stage cancer to keeptheir breasts by performing a lumpectomy (surgical removal of the tumor) and following up with ra-diation therapy and sometimes chemotherapy. Studies have shown that breast-conserving surgeryplus radiation therapy is just as good as a mastectomy and may be preferred by many women.

After a lumpectomy, most patients will undergo external beam radiation therapy, which involvesa series of daily outpatient treatments to accurately deliver radiation to the entire breast. Each treat-ment lasts less than 30 minutes; treatments are given five days a week for five to seven weeks.

In a few parts of the country doctors are testing ways to deliver radiation to only the part of thebreast where the tumor was removed. Breast brachytherapy involves placing flexible plasticcatheters or a balloon into the breast. Over the course of five days, the catheters or balloons are con-nected to a machine that briefly delivers high doses of radiation to the affected area of the breast.

Radiation oncologists also are testing ways to deliver external beam radiation to only part of thebreast or to give radiation during surgery.

These new treatments are still being studied and are not recommended for everyone. Talk to yourradiation oncologist for more information or to see how you can take part in a clinical trial studyingthese techniques.

Patients often experience little or no side effects from radiation therapy and are able to continuenormal routines. Possible side effects can include skin irritation, similar to a sunburn, breastswelling and fatigue.

New radiationtherapies developed

Mammography continues to be the most effective method of breast cancer screening and can lead to early detection.

The American Cancer Society recommends women over 40 have a screening every 1-2 years and annually for woman over age 50.

Northern Hospital of Surry County offers screening mammography services at two locations in Mount Airy; the main hospital and at the Breast Imaging Center located in the Mount Airy OB-GYN offi ce on S. South St.

NHSC Mammography services offer the assistance of the ImageChecker® Computer Aided Detection (CAD) System. This system assists our specially trained radiologist in the reading of your mammogram by pointing out areas of inter-est that may otherwise go undetected.

In addition to traditional screening mammography services, Northern Hospital of Surry County offers the latest in breast MR Scans and breast ultrasounds which are linked to the same ImageChecker® CAD System. NHSC also offers Stereotactic and ultrasound guided breast biopsies.

For more information contact the Imaging Center at 719-7135.

830 Rockford Street, Mt. Airy, NC

The Best Protectionis Early Detection



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450 Price Street

Mount Airy, NC 27030786-1955

(NewsUSA) — In spite of widespreadmammographic screening for more than20 years, the likelihood of dying frombreast cancer has been reduced onlyslightly.

More than 200,000 women will be di-agnosed with invasive breast cancer thisyear, and nearly 60,000 additional womenwill be diagnosed with in situ (early) can-cer. But for the 45,000 women who dieevery year from this disease, mammo-graphic screening as a public health policyhas been a failure, say medical experts atPower3 Medical Products, a biotechnolo-gy company specializing in the early de-tection, monitoring and targeting of dis-eases through the analysis of proteins.

National statistics show less than halfof eligible women get mammograms regu-larly, some never do, and some women are“too young” to start screening accordingto current guidelines but not too young todevelop breast cancer. However, even ifall women followed guidelines exactly, themortality rate of breast cancer would onlybe cut by one-third, at best. While thiswould far surpass any benefit seen duringthe past two decades, 30,000 breast cancerpatients would still die each year.

Two basic flaws keep mammography

from being the ultimate answer, accordingto Power3 Medical Products. First, mam-mograms miss cancers far more often thanis generally appreciated; secondly, evenwhen diagnosed by mammography, somecancers have already spread, such that so-called “early diagnosis” is not earlyenough.

While mammograms are billed as find-ing 90 percent of cancers before they canbe felt, this is not true in women who havehigh-density background tissue, wherestudies show the detection rate for canceris below 50 percent. A recent study in theNew England Journal of Medicine showedbreast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)to be vastly superior to mammography in

the detection of cancer, adding to numer-ous studies in the past with similar results.However, MRI is expensive, often leads toother testing because of false positives andis not covered by most insurers for asymp-tomatic screening.

Thus, a great need exists for a noninva-sive screening test that will not only iden-tify cancers currently being missed bymammography, but will also offer earlierdetection. The good news is that a new testbased on proteomics — the study andanalysis of multiple proteins — may beable to show whether a patient has breastcancer years prior to mammography.

Power3 Medical Products and the Uni-versity of Texas M.D. Anderson CancerCenter in Houston have developed theNAFTest (nipple aspirate fluid test). Inthis test, which is in clinical validation tri-als, a drop of fluid from the nipple is ana-lyzed to detect the presence of specificbreast cancer proteins.

The company says these protein bio-markers may be used in the future to seehow breast cancer develops, to predict aperson’s susceptibility to the disease, tomonitor its progression, and to determinethe proper drug for an individual patient ata given stage of disease or treatment.

New test may find what mammograms miss

(NewsUSA) — Whether used alone or with surgery orchemotherapy, radiation therapy remains a common can-cer treatment. But today’s cutting-edge radiation tech-niques treat more cancers more effectively than any oftheir predecessors.

Radiation oncologists must target cancer cells whileavoiding as much healthy tissue as possible. New tech-nologies allow doctors to target specific areas with higherdoses of radiation while minimizing damage to other ar-eas. As a result, radiation treatments fight cancer more ef-fectively while causing fewer side effects.

“At Cancer Treatment Centers of America, our in-tegrated care model is designed to customize treat-ment plans for each individual patient so that theycan maintain strength and their quality of lifethroughout treatment,” said Pablo Lavagnini, MD,

radiation oncologist. “That individualized approach,along with a wide array of new technology, is makinga difference in the lives of patients.”

One new linear accelerator, Varian Trilogy, is thefirst in a new generation of radiation technologiesoffering precise, versatile and efficient treatmenttailored to help different types of cancer patients.

For example, with RapidArc radiotherapy, radiation on-cologists can conform radiation to a tumor’s exact size andshape. RapidArc uses 2D or 3D imaging to deliver moreaccurate treatment in higher doses — the tumor gets a highdose of radiation, the healthy cells surrounding the tumorget less. For patients, this means shorter treatment timesand fewer side effects.

Trilogy also allows for respiratory gating, a techniquein which radiation is delivered at a single point in the

breathing cycle. As a woman with breast cancer breathes,her tumor moves. If the radiation does not accommodateher breathing cycle, it risks hurting healthy tissue. Respi-ratory gating ensures that the radiation treats targets at asingle point.

Patients with a rare lymphoma called Mycosis Fun-goides benefit from a procedure called Total Skin Elec-tron Therapy, which uses electrons to treat lymphomawithout penetrating far into the body, thereby reducingside effects.

“New technologies allow us to tailor the treatment tothe individual patient and individual tumor. One of theclear patient benefits we are seeing with the advanced ra-diation therapies of today is the speed of treatment,” saidLavagnini. “For patients who may be experiencing painor discomfort, this is a huge quality-of-life benefit.”


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John Jackson134 S. Renfro St.Mount Airy, NC786-8406

Touchstone Energy®

Surry

Yadkin

Electric

510 S. Main Street

Dobson, NC

336.386.8241

Does Your Car Look Like It’s Been On The Race Track?Does Your Car Look Like It’s Been On The Race Track?

FRANK’S BODY SHOP FRANK’S BODY SHOP & COLLISION CENTER& COLLISION CENTER

DIRECT REPAIR WITH MOST MAJOR INSURANCE COMPANIES

FREEESTIMATES! FRANK FLEMING, OWNER FRANK FLEMING, OWNER

2162 Springs Rd., Mt. Airy, NC 2162 Springs Rd., Mt. Airy, NC 786-9244786-9244

• Collision Repair• Collision Repair • All Over Painting • All Over Painting • Frame Work • Frame Work

• Heavy Truck Repair • Heavy Truck Repair • Classic Restorations• Classic Restorations & Much More. & Much More.

1948 Rockford St. • Mt. Airy336-789-4891

mountairysawandmower.com

October October is National is National

Breast Cancer Breast Cancer Awareness MonthAwareness Month

The MythFinding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer.The TruthIf you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes

in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician im-mediately. However, eight out of 10 breast lumps are benign, ornot cancerous. Sometimes women stay away from medical carebecause they fear what they might find. Take charge of yourhealth by performing routine breast self-exams, establishing on-going communication with your doctor, and scheduling regularmammograms.

The MythMen do not get breast cancer.The TruthQuite the contrary. Each year it is estimated that approximate-

ly 1,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 450 willdie. While this percentage is still small, men should also givethemselves regular breast self-exams and note any changes totheir physicians.

The MythA mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread.The TruthA mammogram, or X-ray of the breast, is one of the best tools

available for the early detection of breast cancer. It cannot causecancer to spread, nor can the pressure put on the breast from themammogram. Do not let tales of other people’s experiences keepyou from having a mammogram. Base your decision on yourphysician's recommendation and be sure to discuss any questionsor concerns with your doctor.

The Myth

Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get it.The TruthWhile women who have a family history of breast cancer are

in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer haveno family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grand-mother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogramfive years before the age of their diagnosis, or starting at age 35.

The MythBreast cancer is contagious.The TruthYou cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else’s

body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth inyour own body.However, you can protect yourself by beingaware of the risk factors and following an early detection plan.

The MythKnowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene

can help you prevent breast cancer.The TruthWhile alterations in these genes in men and women can pre-

dispose an individual to an increased risk of breast cancer, only 5percent to 10 precent of patients actually have this mutation. Thisis not an absolute correlation. Like your age or having a familyhistory of breast cancer, it's a factor you just can’t control. Butyou can let your physician know, perform regular breast self-ex-ams, and focus on the fact your chances of not having this diseaseare greater than 90 percent.

Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.

Common breast cancer myths


(NewsUSA) — It is often said thatthe best offense is a good defense. For-tunately, we live in an age in which de-fending our health is getting easier,thanks to breakthroughs in genetic test-ing.

In many ways, genetic tests are nodifferent from traditional medical tests.They evaluate a patient’s blood samplesor tissue taken from inside a patient’scheek. But unlike traditional tests, theylook inside the human cell, at each pa-tient’s genes and DNA, where diseasestarts. By looking at an individual pa-tient’s unique DNA, doctors can bettertreat that individual’s unique condition.

Every year, breast cancer takes thelives of some 40,000 women in theUnited States. Genetic tests can nowidentify variations in the BRCA1 and

BRCA2 genes that increase a patient’slifetime risk of breast cancer to as muchas 85 percent and of ovarian cancer toas much as 60 percent. With this infor-mation, physicians can now prescribeearly preventive measures, such as clos-er monitoring or preventive surgery, toreduce such risks. For patients who al-ready have breast cancer, another genet-ic test measures the HER2 protein,which prompts excessive growth ofbreast cancer cells. Doctors can pre-scribe a gene-based treatment that re-duces the risk of death for these patientsby 33 percent and the risk of recurrenceby 52 percent.

Genetic testing is also working onreducing deaths from cardiovasculardisease, the cause of about one in threedeaths in the United States. Tests can

now identify gene variations that in-crease susceptibility to heart diseaseand heart attack. For these patients,physicians can increase the dosage ofstatin drugs, thus reducing their riskssignificantly. Other genetic tests aidphysicians in more precisely prescrib-ing dosages of a blood-thinning drugused widely by cardiovascular patients.Broad use of this test could reducestrokes by 17,000, bleeding episodes by85,000, and costs by $1 billion annual-ly, according to estimates from a 2006study.

Experts say much work remains inrealizing the full potential of genetictesting. But for now, such tests are help-ing provide a much-needed defense formany patients facing the onslaught ofdamaging disease.

GENETIC TESTING OFFERS HOPE

IN DEFENSE AGAINST CANCER


Mount Airy OB-GYN Center, Inc.“Serving The Region For Over 45 Years”

• Kenneth D. Gitt, M.D. • James Arnold, M.D. • Druery R. DeVore, M.D. • Natalie Hall, WHNP-BC • Molly Easter, FNP-BC

New Patients Welcome

786-4522510 S. South Street • Mount Airy, NC 27030

BreastCancer

Awareness

Early Detection Early Detection Saves Lives.Saves Lives.

• On-Site Mammography• Cancer Screening• Gynecology• HPV Vaccine• Obstetrics• 3D Ultrasound• Bone Density/Osteoporosis Screening• Incontinence Treatment

M t Ai OB GYN C t I

We Accept & File Most InsuranceWe Accept & File Most Insurance

STEPHEN V. BUTTON, DCBUTTONWOOD CHIROPRACTIC

& ACUPUNCTURE CENTER

1243 WEST LEBANON STREET

MT. AIRY, NC 27030

TEL 336.786.6095

FAX 336.786.1003

HWY. 601, MOUNT AIRY, NC • 336-789-2000

Lower your risk for breast cancer by:• Scheduling an annual mammogram• Performing a monthly self-exam

• Starting to exercise regularly• Quit smoking

Older Women for Free Breast

Cancer Check-UpsThe older you get, the

greater your chances of developing breast cancer.

That’s why it’s so important that women over age 50 have a mammogram and breast cancer check-up

every year.To qualify for the FREE check-up, you must: •Be 40 years-old or older • Meet income limits

For more information, contact the

Surry County Health & Nutrition Center

at 401-8445.

Can physical activity reduce the risk of breast cancer?Exercise pumps up the immune system and lowers estrogen levels. With as little as

four hours of exercise per week, a woman can begin to lower her risk of breast cancer.

Can a healthy diet help prevent breast cancer?A nutritious, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk

of developing breast cancer. A high-fat diet increases the risk because fat triggers estro-gen production that can fuel tumor growth.

Does smoking cause breast cancer?At this point in time there is no conclusive link between smoking and breast cancer.

However, due to the number of health risks associated with smoking, quitting can signif-icantly increase survival rates.

Can drinking alcohol increase the risk of breast cancer?One or two drinks a day has been shown to slightly increase the risk of breast cancer.

The greater the levels consumed, the higher the risk.

Is there a link between oral contraceptives and breast cancer?There is an increased risk of breast cancer for women under 35 who have been using

birth control pills for more than ten years.

How often should I do a breast self-exam?Give yourself a breast self-exam at least once a month. Look for any changes in

breast tissue, such as changes in size, a lump, dimpling or puckering of the breast, or a

discharge from the nipple. If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or anychanges in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. How-ever, eight out of 10 lumps are benign, or not cancerous.

Are Mammograms Painful?Mammography does compress the breasts and can sometimes cause slight discomfort

for a very brief period of time. Patients who are sensitive should schedule their mammo-grams a week after their menstrual cycle so that the breasts are less tender.

How does menstrual and reproductive history affect breast cancer risks?Women who began their menstrual cycles before age 12, have no children, or had

their first child at 30 or older, or began menopause after 55 are at a higher risk.

How Often Should I Go To My Doctor For A Checkup?You should have a physical every year. If any unusual symptoms or changes in your

breasts occur before your scheduled visit, do not hesitate to see the doctor immediately.

What Kind Of Impact Does Stress Have On Breast Cancer?Although some studies have shown that factors such as traumatic events and losses

can alter immune system functions, these studies have not provided any evidence of adirect cause-and-effect relationship between stress and breast cancer. An area currentlybeing studied is whether or not stress reduction can improve immune response and slowprogression in women diagnosed with breast cancer.

FFAAQQ’’ss

PRESIDENT’SAWARD

2007

Not Just Here For The Sale But Here For

A Lifetime!

SCENIC FORD LINCOLN MERCURYPRESIDENT’S

AWARD

2008 HIGHWAY 601, MOUNT AIRYHIGHWAY 601, MOUNT AIRYwww.scenicmotors.comwww.scenicmotors.com

1-888-559-05391-888-559-0539

789-9591789-9591Not Just Here For

The Sale But Here For A Lifetime!

We are your We are your One Stop Dealership. One Stop Dealership. Sales, Service, Parts, Sales, Service, Parts, Rental & Body Shop.Rental & Body Shop.

THE RACE CONTINUES AT SCENIC FORD LINCOLN MERCURY.In times like these, giving back to the community is more important than ever. So when you test-drive a Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle between April 21, 2009 and December 31, 2009, Ford will donate $20 on your behalf to Susan G. Komen

for the Cure® - up to a total of $1 million. Come in today and be a part of Ford’s ongoing commitment to the fi ght against breast cancer.

Ford Motor Company is a 15-year partner of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and has dedicated more than $100 million to the breast cancer cause.

Produced in a limited edition of 1,000 units, the Mustang with Warriors in Pink package was designed exclusively in support of Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure.

New upgrades for the 2009 package are featured on the Ford display at the New York International Auto Show.Available on the Mustang V-6 Premium Coupe and Convertible models, the Warriors in Pink package includes a unique grille and will add a pink ribbon and pony fender badge, pink Mustang rocker tape striping, charcoal leather seats with pink stitching, aluminum-spoke steering wheel with pink stitching and charcoal fl oormats with pink ribbon and contrast stitching. Coupes also can be ordered with the all-new glass roof option. Three body colors will be available: Black, Brilliant Silver and Performance White.


800-597-3597www.t-n-tcarports.comMOUNT AIRY STOCKYARDS

and Equipment Sales

Livestock Sale Every Tuesday

I-77 South at Exit 100(336) 786-8129


2 reast a healthy lifestyle can help prevent...

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