Sioux City Journal

Fighting cancer: A 24/7 job

Posted: Tuesday, November 04, 2008

DES MOINES -- October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, has come to a close. However, as the leaves fall and the temperatures drop, we cannot relax against this terrible opponent we face. In 2008, nearly 2,000 Iowa women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die from this disease. It is vital that women remember these five crucial things about breast cancer:

1. All women are at risk for breast cancer, even those who have no family history of the disease. 2. The two greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older. 3. Survival rates are high for women diagnosed with an early stage breast cancer, when the cancer is small and has not spread. Get regular mammograms beginning at age 40, and start clinical breast exams by a health professional at age 20. Monthly breast self-examinations are also recommended, but do not let them take the place of mammography and clinical exams. 4. Smart strategies to reduce your risk of breast cancer include regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake. 5. As women are becoming more educated about breast cancer, death rates for the disease are dropping.

Fighting cancer is a 24/7, 365-days-a-year job. Cancer takes no days off, and we must not either. For the latest information on breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org. -- Charles Reed, media relations coordinator, American Cancer Society

Story Comments

Jeremy wrote on Nov 8, 2008 11:37 PM:

" God bless you Observer, and your wife ConcernedToo. May he keep you both cancer free forever. "

No chemo thanks wrote on Nov 5, 2008 10:00 PM:

" The lucky ones have heart attacks. "

Wheres the Money wrote on Nov 5, 2008 2:12 PM:

" Why is it that orginization such as the Cancer Society call upon people to prevent a disease, or help those so stricken. They elicate millions of dollars from those who want to help, and then caharge those in need billions to take advantage of the reseach and resources the well meaning public has paid for?

To put it simply: 'Why do you victimize both the healthy and the ill, while lining the pockets of hospitals, doctors, and the administration of your organizations? "

ConcernedToo wrote on Nov 4, 2008 10:11 AM:

" Nothing controversial about this.
Been there done that. 25 years ago with my wife. "

Observer wrote on Nov 4, 2008 5:52 AM:

" Informative and well written, Mr. Reed. May I add a thought or two? Four years ago this month, I was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, and was initially given 48 hours to a week, to live. I underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy for six months, and up to now, I am, thank God and the local Cancer Center, cancer free. Everyone should be on the lookout for signs of cancer of different types. And don't think it always happens to the other guy. I thought so, until I turned out to be the "other guy". Cancer awareness month should be EVERY month for EVERYONE. "