From Comments by Randolph Drosick, MD, medical oncologist with OHC and Ajit Gubbi, DO, gynecologic oncology specialist with OHC. Original article by Marygrace Taylor, Parade Magazine. Additional reporting by Lambeth Hochwald
February 6, 2018
Randolph Drosick, MD
Medical Oncologist with OHC
Last month, OHC shared the good news that the death rate from cancer in the U.S. dropped 26 percent since 1991. Even better news: Improved prevention and screening tactics could help bring those numbers down even more. Here’s what’s making a difference—and what you can do to protect your health.
Eat Mediterranean.
There’s one more reason to load up on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts and beans, olive oil and lean protein like fish. A Mediterranean-style eating plan has been shown to protect against several types of cancer, including colon, prostate, stomach, esophageal, liver and endometrial cancers, according to a recent Current Nutrition Reports review. And in postmenopausal women, a Dutch study found that it could slash the risk for certain breast cancers by up to 40 percent
The cancer-fighting effect might be thanks to what’s not on the diet as well as what’s on it, says Jennifer McDaniel, RD, co-author of Prevention Mediterranean Table. Eating fewer processed grains, like white bread and rice, and less red meat and full-fat dairy could support a healthy body weight and lower inflammation levels, which can also help prevent some cancers, she says.
Ajit Gubbi, DO
Gynecologic Oncology Specialist with OHC
Smarter Screening.
“Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the most important things we can do for our health,” said Randolph Drosick, MD, medical oncologist with OHC. “Screenings find diseases early, before you have symptoms, when they’re easier to treat. The tests you need are based on your age and risk factors.”
Because these tests are considered preventive, many insurance plans cover them. But while they’re vital for your health, they can also be costly, so check with your insurance company before making appointments. You can also check to see if any organizations offer any of these tests for free.
“The best thing to do is to talk with your doctor to determine which screenings you should have and how often,” Dr. Drosick added. Here are some of the most common screenings:
Women
- Pap Smears – Beginning at age 21 and until age 65, you should have a Pap smear every three years, says the United States Preventive Services Task Force. A Pap smear tests for cell changes that may lead to cervical cancer. If you’re 30 or older, you can have the test every five years if you combine it with a screen for HPV, which can lead to cervical cancer.
- Mammograms – The most recent guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommend that starting at age 50 women should have a mammogram every two years to detect breast cancer. The American Cancer Society, however, says that women should start annual screenings at age 45, and can then switch to a biannual mammogram at age 55.
Men
- Prostate Cancer Screening – Prostate cancer screening has been the subject of controversy recently, but many experts say men should still be tested. The primary method of screening is a PSA (prostate specific antigen) test to measure the level of PSA in your blood.
- Testicular Cancer – The American Cancer Society recommends that all men have a testicular exam when they see a doctor during their routine physical.
Women and Men
- Colon Cancer Screening – The majority of colon cancers slowly develop from colon polyps: growths on the inner surface of the colon. After cancer develops, it can invade or spread to other parts of the body. The way to prevent colon cancer is to find and remove polyps before they turn cancerous. Colon cancer screenings should start at age 50, according to the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
- Skin Cancer – The American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend regular skin self-exams to check for any changes in marks on your skin including shape, color, and size. A skin exam by a dermatologist or other health professional should be part of a routine checkup. Regular skin checks by a doctor are important for people who have already had skin cancer. If you are checking your skin and find a worrisome change, tell your doctor.
HPV Vaccination.
The HPV vaccine is for protection from most of the cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. CDC now recommends 11 to 12 year olds get two doses of HPV vaccine—rather than the previously recommended three doses—to protect against cancers caused by HPV. The second dose should be given 6-12 months after the first dose.
“HPV is a very common virus,” said Ajit Gubbi, DO, a gynecologic oncology specialist with OHC. “Approximately 14 million people become infected with HPV each year. It can cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men, and anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital warts in both men and women. So, it’s important to talk with your doctor about vaccinating your children. It could save their lives in the future”
Know Your Genes.
Tracking your family health history can help you develop a more effective cancer prevention plan. “We always suggest talking about your history when your family gathers,” says Charis Eng, M.D., chair of Cleveland Clinic’s Genomic Medicine Institute and director of the Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare. “You can write it down or draw a picture of the family tree, and if a relative isn’t sure about a particular relative, you can follow up.
“The most important things are what’s the diagnosis, age when diagnosed, family history and familial clustering of a disease,” she says. “Or sometimes it’s the way in which the cancer presents. For example, if a family member has been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, we think there might be BRCA1 or BRCA2 in the family.” The more you and your doctor know, the better equipped you will be to live a healthy preventive lifestyle and to decide if further gene testing is needed.
Today, tests are available that will find some cancer related genes in the human body. Gene testing can determine if you have or do not have a disease related gene condition that may put you at higher risk of getting cancer before any symptoms appear.
“Although genetic testing cannot predict whether or not you will actually develop cancer, understanding your risk of developing the disease can be an important step. You might decide to make lifestyle decisions that can help prevent cancer or about getting regular screenings that can detect cancer early, when it is most treatable,” explained Dr. Drosick.
The Facebook Effect.
Can social media be a tool for fighting cancer? What happened after 27-year-old Tawny Dzierzek’s Facebook post went viral in 2015 suggests so. The Kentucky nurse, a frequent tanning bed user, was diagnosed with skin cancer six times. The gruesome selfie she posted after one of her treatments racked up more than 50,000 shares in a month and was picked up by such news outlets as CNN.
That’s not all. Internet searches for skin cancer reached near-record levels when news of Dzierzek’s post was at its peak. The findings show that compelling personal stories and graphic photos highlighting the scary realities of cancer grab the public’s attention, says University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher Seth M. Noar, Ph.D., who studied the post’s impact. In the future, “it could be something that health communicators try to replicate or build on in a campaign,” he says.
It’s Up To You.
Surveys show most Americans don’t realize that lifestyle factors can play a big role in raising – or lowering – cancer risk.
“It’s actually pretty simple,” said Dr. Drosick. “Don’t use tobacco products. Exercise or get some type of physical activity for 30 minutes each day. Eat a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Avoid processed meats, red meat, alcohol and sugar.”
“I think most people are aware of these factors, such as avoiding red meat for cardiovascular health. I think the issue is they don’t realize there’s also a connection with cancer,” he added.
