OCR Text |
Show Chances HALF OF ALL CANCERS ARE SUCCESSFULLY TREATEDAND... Kor Gure A re Good BY DR. ISADO “Treatment works best when canceris detected early. You should knowits RE ROSENFELD A SURVIVOR’S TALE warning symptoms.”’ In 1984,the actor Jack Klugman— best known for his TV role as Oscar opposite Tony Randall's Felix on The Odd Couple—was diagnosed with ANCER IS PROBABLY 100 or moredifferent dis- cancer of the larynx. An operation in 1989 left him with one vocal cord and virtually no voice. “I couldn’t even talk on the phone,” Klugman told a Los eases, The word “cancer” itself strikes terror in the hearts of most people. especially those who have Angeles Times reporter. A few years went by, during which Klugmanall but gave up on acting. After watching an seena lovedone suffer from it. Let meput the | problemin some perspective for you Althoughcancer is the secondlead ing cause of death after heart disease (nearly half a million Americans die fromit every year), the good news is that 80% of us will never get it And 50% of those who do will be success: fully treated or cured Canceris a disease of aging. It’s rel atively uncommon in children—but af —tsadore Rosenfeld, MD. ferently, taking medications or herbs that have constipatingorlaxative actions, and youhaven't been South ofthe Border) 4. A lumpor swollen glandthat persists for a couple of weeks orlonger, especi ally ifpainless. When lymphglandsare infected(like those in your neck when you have asore throat), they're apt to hurt. Cancerous lumpsusually are painless. 5. Any change inthesizeof the breast LC \\ Jack Klugman Cancer couldn't stop him trom acting. EARLY WARNING SIGNS ter age40, your chance of developing a Thelater a cancer is found, the more malignancy doubles with each decade. timeits cells havehadto spread. Treat Despiteall the hype about cancer pre ment is most effective whenthe tumoris vention, there’s no sure way to do it small andhas remained whereit originat But thereare things you can do to low ed. The organs most commonly struck are er your risk. The most important arelist the skin, lungs, breasts, ovaries, uterus, ed in the box below prostate, colon, rectum, pancreas, kidneys. HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK whether you really need that X-ray.Its anddimpling of its skin 6. A changein sizeor shapeof the testi cles. Menaren't warnedaboutthis often “The fact that I'm able to do a play— for three hours, I never shut my mouth —is a miracle,” says Klugman, now 76. bladder, lymphglandsandbone marrow Finding a cancerin time requires a team effort. You should knowandbeattuned mal as possible. Obesity is a risk factor. + People with certain viruses— genital sores, the herpes simplex virus, + Avoid alcohol to excess. It pre- ‘such as the papillomavirus that causes and hepatitis viruses B and C—are more likely to develop cancer. If you're infected, have regular checkups. These malignancies often can be cured if the virus is detected early enough. ing oritching, it may be cancerous. Most malignant molesare easily removedand or more. If there is no obvious explana cancer’s cardinal warning signs 1, Rapid weight loss. Almost everyone| know(including me) wants to loseweight, but if you're shedding lots of pounds rapid: blood that shouldn't be there—in theva: disposes you to cancer. + Keep out of the sun. its ultraviolet rays not only wrinkle and age your skin but also cause various skin cancers, Including the lethal melanoma. «Ask your doctor and dentist molehas gottenbig er, or started bleed: that is, without any symptoms. Hereare be sure you are carefully monitored. possibly testosterone, can provoke can- change in one you've always had. lt a those cancersthat are usually “silent” must plan a scheduleof tests to detect cer. If you are taking either of these, + Follow a diet that is rich in fruits and malignancy in men in their 20s and30s, 7. The suddenpresenceof a mole, or a cured. Any sore, ulcer orscab that hasn't healedfor three weeks is also suspect 8. Alow-gradefever lasting two weeks to its warning symptoms; your doctor ly without trying, and you haven't changed your eating habits and don't havean over: activethyroid, cancer is a real possibility 2. Blood. Theappearance anywhere of ee eu us aides enough. Testicular cancer is the leading ton,this also shouldraise the cancerflag 9. Chronic, unexplained fatigue. People feeltiredfor many reasons: lack ofsleep. depression, a medication, anemia. But inordinate fatigue may signal cancer 10. A cough, hoarseness ordifficulty ir swallowing. These may be due to sim gina, from anipple,in your urine, from ei plereflux of acidfromthe stomach—or a tumorof the vocal cord, foodpipeor lung. Have these symptoms checkedout ther end of your intestinal tract or in what you cough up—must not beignored. 3. Any change in bowel habits, See a doc tor know, Chances areit’s dueto ten tor if you haveconstipation or diarrhea or both—that persists for a couple of weeks or lor and for which you have no explanation(you're not eating dif if they last more than two or three weeks. 11.A persistent headache. Let your doc sionor a migraine, or you may neednew glasses. But brain tumors do occur 12. Any constant pain, especially in the abdomen. \t should be evaluated PAGE © JANUARY 31, 1990 PARADE MAGAZINE |