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From the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service
Ask the CIS - October 2005
Q: How can Hurricane Katrina survivors get cancer care?
A: If you are a cancer patient who has been displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) can provide referrals to health care and support services by telephone or on the Internet.
By telephone: Patients can call the NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1-800-4-CANCER for a list of cancer practices accepting displaced patients. The practices are in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas. The list was compiled by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Patients who are taking part in an NCI cancer clinical trial (research study with people) can get help by calling (301) 496-5725 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. After hours and on weekends, leave a message, and an NCI employee will respond within an hour. The NCI can help by:
- Sending investigational drugs for displaced cancer patients to medical sites that are providing emergency care but were not part of the clinical trial previously.
- Assisting with sharing of cancer drugs.
- Helping with regulatory issues.
- Providing information on specific trials to doctors caring for participants on an emergency basis.
By Internet:
The NCI Web site at www.cancer.gov/katrina provides vital information for cancer patients, their families, and doctors who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Resources include a link to ASCO's list of practices accepting displaced cancer patients and the Hurricane Katrina Message Board. The board allows displaced patients and doctors to communicate with other doctors.
Q: I'm over 50. At my age, is there any point in quitting smoking?
A: Yes. No matter what your age or smoking history, you will notice an improvement in your general health if you quit. Perhaps even more important, you will have a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease than those who continue to smoke. How much your risk decreases depends on several factors, including how long you smoked and how much.
Smokers may have an abnormally high heart rate and blood pressure. Almost immediately after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure will return to normal. Within a few days of quitting, your sense of taste and smell improves, breathing becomes easier as your lungs clear up, and your energy increases.
What's more, you'll have less coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Your circulation will improve, and you'll find walking easier as your lungs become stronger.
For free one-on-one help with quitting, call the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Quitline at 1-877-448-7878. Specially trained cessation counselors can provide suggestions and support and send you free materials about quitting.
Q: When should women begin having screening mammograms?
A: A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. Screening mammograms often can find cancer before it causes symptoms. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women in their 40s and older have screening mammograms every one to two years. Doctors may advise women who are at higher-than-average risk of breast cancer to have mammograms before age 40.
The best way to find breast cancer early is with a mammogram and a breast exam performed by a health care professional. When breast cancer is found and treated early, the chance of dying from the disease is reduced. Also, the quality of life for survivors is improved.
Since 1990, breast cancer deaths have declined each year, partly because more cases are being found early. Mammograms help save lives.
Some government and employer health programs provide free or low-cost mammograms. For more information on screening mammograms or breast cancer risk, talk with your health care provider or call the NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Q: What increases a woman's risk for breast cancer?
A: The risk of developing breast cancer increases as a woman gets older. However, the risk is not the same for all women. Research has shown that the following factors increase a woman's chance of developing the disease:
- A personal or family history (mother, sister or daughter) of breast cancer.
- A diagnosis of atypical hyperplasia (breast cells that are abnormal and increased in number) or lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells in the lobules of the breast).
- Certain gene changes, such as an altered BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene.
- Certain reproductive and menstrual factors. These include starting menstruation at age 11 or younger, never having a child or having a first child at an older age, going through menopause after age 55, and taking menopausal hormone therapy for a long time.
- Having dense breast tissue as an older woman.
It is important to keep in mind that most women who have known risk factors do not get breast cancer. Also, except for growing older, most women with breast cancer have no clear risk factors.
If you think you may be at risk for breast cancer, talk with your doctor. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce your risk and can plan a schedule for checkups.
The National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service (CIS) is one of the country’s most trusted resources. Ask the CIS is distributed by the Mid South CIS, which serves Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Call the CIS toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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