Cancer Screenings Scheduled

CANCER SCREENINGS SCHEDULED

Guest opinion submitted by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo

"It's cancer." Terrible words to hear from a doctor, most often coming days or a few weeks after a biopsy. The waiting is tense and frightening, as you and your family members rationalize that things are probably just fine, that it's only benign, that life will go on as before once the test results come back, surely negative. Then the sobering reality—you or your loved one has cancer. Questions arise about severity, treatment, prognosis and effects on family. Priorities shift to what you re-discover to be the truly important things in life: children, husband, wife, family, and friends. It is a confusing, scary time, and I speak from firsthand experience.

In January of 2000, I underwent prostate cancer surgery. Fortunately for me, the surgery was successful and I have been cancer-free for three years. Thanks to early detection, my surgeon was able to completely remove the cancer. Sadly, not everyone has the happy ending I experienced. The Mayo Clinic estimates that prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Their research indicates that by age 50, up to one in four men have some cancerous cells in the prostate gland. By age 80, the ratio increases to one in two. Overall, an American man has about a 30 percent chance of developing prostate cancer in his lifetime. If a close relative has prostate cancer, the risk of developing the disease more than doubles. Furthermore, African-American men suffer from the highest rates of prostate cancer as well as the highest mortality rates as a group from this type of cancer. The American Cancer Society has predicted that 28,900 men could die as a result of this disease in 2003.

But the scenario isn't all bleak. Early detection can save lives. This is why I have sponsored preventive health screening opportunities at fairs around the state for the last couple of years. At one of the first screenings in 2001, a Boise man discovered that he had prostate cancer. After undergoing surgery, he is now healthy and cancer-free. At these fair booths, screenings are also provided for breast cancer as well as cholesterol and blood pressure checks. I am pleased to sponsor the Mike Crapo Health Awareness Booths for another year in four fairs around the state. Please stop by the booth in the Agricultural Building at the Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot City from August 30 to September 6. It is through such early prevention and detection measures that you can safeguard your health and maintain a more healthy lifestyle.

Cancer is a tragic fact of our society. The good news is that science has made great strides toward finding a cure. In the meantime, it is important to take personal responsibility for your health by having regular check-ups and educating yourself about your own family history of cancer and about the disease itself. You can take preventive measures as well, such as following a regular exercise regimen and maintaining healthy eating habits. You and your loved ones will benefit now and years down the road.