Show CANCER CANOE Answer line American Cancer Society A k reg regular r f feature prepared by the American Cancer Society to help save your life from cancer A homeowner writes I am planning to spackle my walls before a paint job I would like to know if spackle contains contains contains con con- asbestos which I understand understand understand under under- stand has been linked to cancer When buying spackle or dry wall taping compounds check the label for asbestos in the contents or chrysotile which will wili show that asbestos is present Try to buy spackle that does not contain asbestos While using spackle with asbestos it is wise to cover your nose and mouth with a handkerchief ef ori orr surgical face mask which can be bought at a pharmacy This is a useful precaution because because because be be- cause it is the asbestos fibers that circulate in the air as a result of mixing sanding or sweeping paint job debris that are dangerous to inhale While term long inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to the development of two forms of cancer the careful careful careful care care- ful home use of spackle on occasion would expose you to asbestos fibers for a very brief time and should present no problem A woman in her writes I 1 have a large bosom and while I 1 have been trying to do breast self-examination self for cancer I dont don't believe that I 1 Iam Iam am thorough enough Should I have mammography x-rays x of the breast should be taken at a physicians physician's discretion discretion discretion dis dis- dis- dis for women in your age group depending on whether or not there is an indication of higher than normal risk factors While large breasts are certainly not risk factors they may indeed be bt difficult to examine for lumps and for that reason yo your p physician ian may P order A teenager explains l I 1 smoke cigarettes because everyone else does I think I would feel like a freak if I quit Isn't social popularity important important important tant too loo It may amaze you to learn that most teenagers teenagers teenagers teen teen- agers across the country do donot donot not lIot smoke but because of our pervasive smoking environment environment environment en en- the fact that parents smoke cigarette advertising being so alluring and the fact that some schools even set aside special smoking rooms for students students students stu stu- stu- stu dents most teenagers think of their own generation as smokers too A study done in 1975 for the American Cancer Society clearly shows that your friends who smoke are a minority Why not ask the ACS for a free copy of Cigarette Smoking Among Teen-agers Teen and Young Women which will give you the facts The ACS will be beable beable beable able to point out some very good reasons why you should belong to the most popular group of all all the smoking non-smoking generation of teenagers A high school student asks What is the most common form of cancer in this country Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U. U S. S with more than new cases expected to be diagnosed this year Fortunately because it itis itis itis is easily seen skin cancer is usually treated in an early stage and is therefore highly curable Most skin cancer can be prevented by avoiding overexposure to the sun This can best be done by staying out of strong sunlight from 10 AM A.M. to 2 PM IM when the skin-damaging skin rays are strongest and ami through the use of protective clothing hats and skin lotions |