Thermography A good tool to detect disease in early stages
OCTOBER 2012 | A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE
COMOX VALLEY RECORD
Knowledge is Power … learn more about what you eat
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
CANCER AWARENESS
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Cancer prevention: Knowledge is power Learning more about what we eat is crucial to living a healthy lifestyle, writes cancer survivor Sharon Urdahl. Sharon Urdahl Special to the Record
Traditionally, October has been the month designated to breast and ovarian cancer awareness but every month of every year, thousands of people, babies to adults are diagnosed with cancer. Many are cured or live in remission but sadly, others are not as fortunate. With increases in cancer diagnosis especially in young people, the need for information and awareness year round is paramount. In the past five years, cancer awareness campaigns, especially those of the Canadian Cancer Society (the most influential voice of advice on cancer in this country) have taken great strides to focus more on cancer prevention and less on to finding a cure in an attempt to reduce the number of cancers diagnosed. Healthy lifestyle important With obesity becoming one of the leading causes of death not only by cancer but
also heart and stoke, diabetes and other disorders, the pros and cons of choosing a healthy lifestyle, eating organic, being aware of the environmental hazards and reading labels become obvious. With so many man-made risk factors polluting our environment, making sure products are safe for consumption or use is vital for those choosing a healthy lifestyle for self and family. New products like foods, drugs and chemicals need to be studied and regulated to determine it a “cause or cure.” Groups and individuals who lobby for changes in these areas and issues often question the validity of these tests. Side-effects Concerns about negative side-effects on women using Hormone Replacement Therapy were raised and ignored more than 10 years before it was re-accessed in 2002. Study results have since seen it prescribed in a much more controlled manner.
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Women taking birth control pills need to understand risks of long-term use, especially on young adolescent girls who are still developing breast tissue. Some find it difficult to trust Canada’s Food and Drug Authority. The guidelines are lax and often policy seems not in the best interest of Canadians. Many are not aware that pesticides banned in Canada are sent to Third World countries, used on food-producing farms. The product is eaten by those who grow it and also shipped back to Canada for consumption. It has become the responsibility of individuals rather than the government to be aware of risks surrounding environment and food safely. Cancer support groups The Canadian Cancer Society no longer funds cancer support groups for newly diagnosed people. They turned it over to dedicated volunteers (trained by CCS before the shift to preven-
truth of where your donated money goes and how and where it is used. Cancer awareness is more than scientific facts, statistics or pink ribbons on running shoes; it’s also about questioning, seeking and finding answers and being interested enough in the health of self and family to use the information to then form your own opinion. A wonderful world What a wonderful world it would be if cancer really could be prevented or at the very least controlled. Perhaps we can also dream or hope for better tools for diagnoses and treatments and shorter wait times for the same, because six months to over a year to wait for a scan
or specialist appointment is unacceptable. After all this is said, it is most important to remember, amidst all the negative aspects of the disease and its journey, cancer awareness is very much about looking for positive outcomes and maintaining hope and trust even when it seems the odds are stacked against you. It is learning to live each day in as healthy and meaningful way as possible, and sometimes that is the best we can do. Sharon Urdahl is a freelance writer, breast cancer survivor and advocate for cancer awareness and Comox Valley Breast Health Group-Breast Self-Examination Clinic public relations chairperson.
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tion) who now continue to facilitate groups in their homes. With knowledge that people will continue to be diagnosed with cancer, there is genuine need to encourage knowledge of the importance of early detection, early treatments and peer support once diagnosed. These methods are proven to be the best chance for cure or remission. For those where cure or remission is not optional, support is vital. Though funding and support for BSE has stopped, volunteers still hold free clinics and volunteer-facilitated cancer support groups still happen. Politics of cancer Cancer awareness is also about the politics of cancer, ethics of policy-makers, the
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COMOX VALLEY RECORD • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012
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Help needed for relay Relay For Life is a 12- to 24-hour fundraising event that takes place in more than 50 communities in B.C. and Yukon. Teams of 10 to 15 people relay to help the society fund vital cancer research, support Canadians living with cancer and advocate for public policies to improve the health of Canadians. “Volunteers are at the heart and soul of Relay For Life,” says Christy Sampson, director, community giving, Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon. “Without the dedicated team of volunteers in each community, the Canadian Cancer Society would not be able to provide the Relay experience that celebrates those living with cancer, those we’ve lost to cancer and those who
are fighting to eradicate cancer.” The society needs volunteers to assist on organizing committees across B.C. and Yukon in key leadership roles such as event chairs, team recruitment and event operations. In addition to the 1,000 volunteers needed immediately, the society will also require another 2,000 volunteers to manage the event days. The time commitment to volunteer with the relay is six to 10 hours per month, depending on the volunteer’s role, from now until June 2013. The society is looking for passionate and committed individuals
who are engaged with their community. In 2012, approximately 2,500 volunteers helped make relay events across BC and Yukon a success. These volunteers helped plan the events and assisted day-of. To sign up to be a volunteer, e-mail volunteer@bc.cancer. ca, contact the Comox Valley office of the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-338-5454 or phone Sheila Dong at 1-604675-7365. When you want to know more about cancer, visit www. cancer.ca or call the Cancer Information Service toll-free at 1-888-939-3333. — Canadian Cancer society
Many dedicated volunteers make scenes like this possible at the annual Relay For Life. Photo by Erin Haluschak
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
CANCER AWARENESS
Physiotherapy: A helpful process in breast cancer surgery recovery Shannon Lawrence Special to the Record
Breast cancer is a disease which impacts many women and families in B.C. In my own family, I have two aunties who have successfully fought breast cancer. As a young physiotherapist in the mid ‘90s, I was intrigued by a course offering specific treatments for breast cancer patients. It just made sense to me that physiotherapists (the rehabilitation health professionals) could provide expertise in this area — both with
hands-on treatment and direction into daily and recreational physical activity. Since that time, I have continued to make breast cancer recovery a focus of my physiotherapist practice and have had the opportunity to assist hundreds of women on their own journeys. Breast cancer patients arrive at the clinic through a number of pathways — general practitioners, general surgeons, oncologists, nurses, hospital physiotherapists and the breast cancer support group
— all refer women in need of treatment. Ideally, I have an opportunity to first assess women seven to 10 days after surgery, after the surgical drain has been removed and their incisions are well on their way to healing. Most women are anxious to get back to normal function but are fearful of causing more pain, overdoing activity or of having a long-term problem with their arm. A percentage of women will experience at least one arm symptom and loss of motion post-surgery. Studies in medical literature have shown that physiotherapy did provide greater improvements in regaining range of motion and an earlier return to pre-operative function. Fortunately, as surgical techniques become more
specific and less extensive, recovery is quicker and less problematic. Some of the common physical concerns that women express to me are: • Pain in the chest wall, axilla (armpit) and shoulder; • Decreased motion in the shoulder on the side of the surgery;
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ment are: • Loss of range of motion on the operated side — usually upward motion of the shoulder. Sometimes the cervical spine or the elbow can be limited. • A protective posture — hunching and rounding the shoulder on the operated side which can bother the mid-back and neck as well.
Breast cancer diagnosis is a very over❝ whelming experience and many women seem to appreciate having another professional to speak to, ask questions of, cry with and have as a cheerleader on their team.
❞
— SHANNON LAWRENCE • Swelling in the axilla, chest wall and upper arm; • Loss of strength, decreased activity tolerance; • Scarring adhesions and tethering of scar tissue in the axilla or between the axilla and the breast incisions. The most common issues that I find during my assess-
• Abnormally tight pectoral muscles on the side of the surgery. • Scar tissue adhesions or tethering between the surgical incision and the lymphatic vessels in the axilla — sometimes this tethering can extend down the arm to the elbow or further.
• Swelling in the chest wall and axilla. • Decreased sensation in the chest wall, axilla and the inside of the upper arm. • Rarely, swelling of the whole upper extremity from lymph fluid not draining properly (lymphedema). Breast cancer diagnosis is a very overwhelming experience and many women seem to appreciate having another professional to speak to, ask questions of, cry with and have as a cheerleader on their team. I also provide manual therapy (hands-on treatment) to increase their range of motion and decrease scar tissue and tethering. Shannon Lawrence graduated as a physiotherapist from Queen’s University in 1994. She has worked at the Comox Physiotherapist Clinic for the past 14 years. She has specialized education in the area of breast cancer recovery and rehabilitation.
CANCER AWARENESS
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Recognizing the symptoms and risks for colorectal cancer As men and women know full well, cancer does not discriminate. Few and far between are the men and women whose lives have not been touched by cancer in one form or another. Be it a personal battle with the disease or a connection via a friend, family member, coworker, or other acquaintance, nearly everyone can cite someone in their life who has battled a form of cancer.
was expected to claim the lives of nearly 9,000 Canadians in 2011.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 50,000 men and women in 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available. In Canada, a country with roughly one-tenth the population of the United States, the Canadian Cancer Society reported that colorectal cancer
What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum, which make up the large intestine. Often referred to as colon cancer, colorectal cancer can begin anywhere in the large intestine and the majority of colorectal cancers begin as abnormal growths called polyps that develop inside the colon or rectum and become cancers over a long period of time.
Such figures illustrate the importance men and women must place on educating themselves about colorectal cancer and its symptoms and potential risk factors. First, however, it helps to understand just what colorectal cancer is and why it is so deadly.
COMOX VALLEY RECORD • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012
Who gets colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer does not discriminate. In fact, of the roughly 53,000 cases of colorectal cancers reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2007, there was a nearly equal split of cases between men and women, with men accounting slightly less than 800 more cases than women over that time.
Are there known causes of colorectal cancer? Despite its prevalence, colorectal cancer can rarely be traced to a specific cause. According to the CDC, roughly 75 percent of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors. However, the following may increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer: • A personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer • Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease In a very small percentage of colorectal cancer cases, the cause is linked to
a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, also known as Lynch syndrome.
Are there symptoms of colorectal cancer? Both colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms. This is especially true initially, when people could be living with polyps or cancer and not even know it. Such is the reason screenings for colorectal cancer, which should occur regularly when men and women reach age 50 are so important. But in some cases, the following symptoms may appear: • Blood in or on your stool • Persistent stomach pain or aches • Inexplicable weight loss Though causes of colorectal cancer aren’t always known, studies have shown exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can decrease risk. More information is available at www.cdc.gov/can cer/colorectal.
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HOPE Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than Despair. Jack Layton, 2011
To Canadians who are on journeys to defeat cancer and to live their lives, I say this: Please don’t be discouraged that my own journey hasn’t gone as well as I had hoped. You must not lose your own hope. Treatments and therapies have never been better in the face of this disease. You have every reason to be optimistic, determined and focused on the future. Cherish every moment with those you love at every stage of your journey.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
CANCER AWARENESS
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Breast cancer: It can begin and evolve in various ways Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast. Each breast is made of glands, ducts (thin tubes) and fatty tissue. Lobules are groups of glands that can produce milk. Milk flows from the lobules through a network
of ducts to the nipple. The nipple is in the centre of a darker area of skin called the areola. Fatty tissue fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts and protects them. A woman’s breasts may feel different at different times
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of her menstrual cycle, sometimes becoming lumpy just before her period. Breast tissue also changes with age. Breast tissue in younger women is mostly made of glands and milk ducts, but older women’s breasts are made up mostly of fatty tissue. The breasts also contain lymph vessels and lymph nodes, which are part of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps fight infections. Lymph vessels move lymph fluid to the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes trap bacteria, cancer cells and other
Breast self-examination is a good way to detect cancer in its early stages. harmful substances. There are groups of lymph nodes near the breast under the arm, near the collarbone and in the chest behind the breastbone. Cancer cells may start within the ducts (this is called ductal carcinoma) or in the
lobules (lobular carcinoma). Ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer. Other types of cancer such as inflammatory breast cancer and Paget’s disease, behave differently and may need
different treatment. Inflammatory breast cancer is an uncommon type of breast cancer that can grow and spread quickly even at a relatively early stage of the disease. This type of cancer can develop when breast cancer cells block the lymph vessels that remove fluids, bacteria and other waste products from breast tissue. As a result, the breasts can become inflamed. For more information about breast cancer, call 1-888-939-3333 or email info@cis.cancer.ca. — Canadian Cancer society
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Ask about the Curves Complete FREE WEEK Special Comox 250-339-6643 201-1761 Comox Avenue Free breast self exam kit valued at $24.95 given when new guest completes a fitness assessment. Minimum donation of $25 at signing to benefit cancer charity as determined by club or proof of mammogram within 12 months required. Discount applies to initial service fee. Minimum 12 mo. c.d./e.f.t program. Not valid with any other offer. © 2012 Curves International, Inc.
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Remember, lumps in the breast are very common, especially just before your period. Most lumps are not breast cancer.
It’s not fair, but drinking alcohol can slightly increase your risk of breast cancer. breast cancer. You may be at slightly higher risk if you: • are obese (especially after menopause); • drink alcohol; • take hormonal contraception (e.g. birth control pills). Some women develop breast cancer without having any of these risk factors. Most women with breast cancer do not have a family history of the disease. — Canadian Cancer Society
Most often breast cancer is first noticed as a painless lump in the breast or armpit. You or your partner may discover the lump, or your doctor may find it during a routine physical exam or screening mammogram. Other signs might include: • lump or swelling in the armpit; • changes in breast size or shape; • dimpling or puckering of the skin – thickening and dimpling skin is sometimes called orange peel; • redness, swelling and increased warmth in the affected breast; • inverted nipple — nipple turns inwards; • crusting or scaling on the nipple. Often, these symptoms are not caused by cancer. Other health problems can cause them.
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Testing is necessary to make a diagnosis. Know your body Whatever your age, you should know what is normal for your breasts. Many women are alive and well today because their breast cancer was detected and treated early. It’s important to know that no screening test for cancer is 100 per cent accurate. For example, a screening test can sometimes show cancer when there isn’t, or not show cancer when there is. But overall, screening mammography is the most reliable method of finding breast cancer. Your doctor may also do a physical examination of your breasts (a clinical breast examination). For more information, visit http://www. cancer.ca. — Canadian Cancer Society
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Breast cancer symptoms:
Be aware of risk factors Most women who develop breast cancer have no risk factors other than simply being a woman and getting older (especially being over 50). Talk to your doctor about your risk. Other risk factors for breast cancer include: • having had breast cancer before; • family history of breast cancer (especially in a mother, sister or daughter diagnosed before menopause or if mutations on BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are present); • family history of ovarian cancer; • dense breast tissue (as shown on a mammogram) • a history of breast biopsies showing certain breast changes, such as an increased number of abnormal cells that are not cancerous (atypical hyperplasia) • radiation treatment to the chest area (for example, to treat Hodgkin lymphoma), especially before age 30; • an above-average exposure to the hormone estrogen, which your body naturally produces, perhaps because you: — have never given birth or gave birth for the first time after age 30; — began menstruating at a young age; — reached menopause later than average; — have taken hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin). Some factors slightly increase your risk of
COMOX VALLEY RECORD • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012
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HOPE AFLOAT Dragon Boat Team encourages women cancer survivors to join us for fun, friendship, support and a healthier lifestyle.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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Alchohol and cancer: Understanding your risk Overconsumption of alcohol can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Studies have shown moderate alcohol consumption can reduce a person’s risk of developing certain diseases, including diabetes and coronary artery disease. Though the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption might be widely known, the link between cancer and alcohol consumption does not garner as much attention. While many people consume alcohol without ever getting cancer, that does not mean their risk isn’t increasing. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drinking too much alcohol weakens the immune system, making the body a much easier target for
disease, including cancer. And these effects are immediate. Drinking a lot on just a single occasion makes it hard for the body to fight infection for up to 24 hours after consumption. The NIAAA also reports that drinking too much alcohol increases a person’s risk of developing certain
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cancers, including cancers of the mouth, esophagus, throat, liver, and breast. In addition, the American Cancer Society notes that alcohol consumption may also increase a person’s risk of developing cancer of the pancreas. That’s because alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances which can eventually lead to pancreatitis, an inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that can prevent proper digestion. The reasons alcohol raises the risk of developing cancer can vary depending on the type of cancer. For example, heavy alcohol use can damage the liver, potentially causing inflammation that can increase the risk of developing liver cancer. In addition, a woman who consumes just a few drinks per week might be unknowingly increasing her risk of developing breast cancer, as alcohol can affect estrogen levels in the body. When examining the link between alcohol consumption and cancer, it’s important to note that the type of drink consumed is not the most
important factor to consider. That’s because ethanol is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic drinks, and the standard size drinks — 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80proof liquor — contain the same amount of ethanol. So more so than the type of drink that’s consumed, it’s the amount of the drink consumed over time that can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Men and women who want to cut down on their alcohol consumption, and likely reduce their risk of developing cancer, can consider the following tips, courtesy of the Canadian Cancer Society. Avoid salty snacks while consuming alcohol. While those peanuts or pretzels might make a perfect complement to a glass of beer, their salt content will only make you more thirsty, increasing the chance that you will drink more than is healthy. Do more than just drink when going out. If you’re going out for a night on the town, be sure drinking
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isn’t the focal point of the night. Do something other than drink, whether it’s dancing, playing pool or throwing darts, to slow down your drinking. The more preoccupied you are with another activity, the less likely you are to overconsume. Don’t relieve stress with a drink. Alcohol should not be used as a means to relieve stress, as alcohol’s physical effects on your body will only exacerbate the effects of stress. Relieve stress in more positive ways, whether through exercise or another
activity that has a calming effect. Keep track of your drinking habits. Monitoring your drinking habits can give you a better picture of how much alcohol you consume on a regular basis. Knowing how much you’re consuming and the potentially dangerous side effects of overconsumption can be a motivating factor to cut back. More information on alcohol and its link to cancer is available at www.niaaa.nih. org.
Join the fight against cancer.
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These viruses have been linked to cancer Though it’s difficult to determine a specific cause of cancer, the American Cancer Society notes that some forms of cancer are found more often in people who have been infected with certain viruses. Infection with the following viruses does not necessarily mean a person has cancer, but there does seem to be a connection between these viruses and cancer. Human papillomavirus: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. There are more than 40 types of HPV, and they can affect both men and women, though many people who have HPV do not know they have it. HPV has been linked to many different types of cancer, most notably cervical cancer. HPV has also been linked to cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis, and anus, and new research has suggested that HPV may be linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, head, and neck.
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• Epstein-Barr virus: Often referred to as EBV, EpsteinBarr virus is a type of herpes virus and is one of the most common human viruses across the globe. EBV infection does not typically occur during childhood in developed countries, but children are not immune to the virus. Research has shown a link between EBV and nose and throat cancer, lymphoma of the stomach, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Burkitt’s lymphoma. Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus: The Hepatitis B virus, known as HBV, causes Hepatitis B, an infectious and inflammatory illness of the liver. The Hepatitis C virus, or HPC, causes Hepatitis C, an infectious disease that can cause scarring of the liver and potentially cirrhosis. Both viruses have been linked to long-term liver infections, which can increase a person’s risk of developing liver cancer.
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Human herpes virus type 8: Human herpes virus type 8, commonly referred to as HHV-8, is also known as Kaposi’s sarcoma herpes virus. How the virus is contracted is not well understood, and infected individuals who are otherwise healthy may show no signs or symptoms of the virus. A healthy immune system can keep the virus in check, but those with suppressed immune systems are at high risk of infection. HHV-8 is linked with a type of cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma, though the majority of people with HHV-8 do not develop Kaposi’s sarcoma unless they are also HIV-positive. When coupled with HHV-8 medications that weaken the immune system, such as those that may be prescribed after an organ transplant, may increase a person’s risk of getting Kaposi’s sarcoma.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
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Is heavy tea consumption linked to prostate cancer? After water, tea is the second most popular beverage in the world. However, new evidence suggests that men who tend to be prolific tea drinkers may be at a higher risk for developing prostate cancer than those who are not. A Scottish study led by Dr. Kashif Shafique of the Institute of Health & Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow points out that, among the 6,016 Scottish men ages 21 to 75 who participated in the 37-year study, heavy tea drinkers, defined as those who had more than seven cups of tea a day, were at 50 percent higher risk of developing prostate cancer than men who drank less tea. Of the men who were reported to have consumed the most tea on a daily basis, 6.4 percent developed prostate cancer while the study was being conducted. Though the study did not take into consideration a host of factors, including family history or any additional dietary choices beyond tea, coffee and alcohol intake, the doctor believes heavy tea drinking can increase prostate cancer risk. But Dr. Shafique indicates that he doesn’t know whether the tea itself is a risk factor or it is simply that people who drink tea, which is high in antioxidants, are more likely to live longer lives. That’s an important distinction, as a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer increases dramatically as he ages. The study does not show a direct link between tea consumption and prostate cancer, so it is not wise for individuals to quit their tea habits — particularly because tea has so many potentially positive side effects. Previous studies have shown that drinking tea may help reduce cholesterol levels and even help fight cancer. But the study does suggest that perhaps moderate tea consumption is best. Until more information is discovered
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A new study shows a potential connection between tea and prostate cancer risk. about tea’s connection to prostate cancer, men can continue to enjoy their favorite varieties, but it might be prudent to err on the side of moderation.
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Lighting up a cigarette may not just hurt yourself and the people around you. Your pet may be paying the price for your habit, too. Veterinarians say that secondhand smoke is a threat to dogs and cats as well as humans. Secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke, or ETS, is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette or cigar and the smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. Research indicates that secondhand smoke contains more than 5,000 substances, many of which are known to cause cancer in humans and other animals. A number of studies have found that nonsmokers who regularly breathe the tobacco smoke from others are at a higher risk for developing heart disease or certain cancers, like lung cancer. There also have been numerous scientific papers that report the pronounced health threat secondhand smoke poses to pets. Some veterinarians have linked tobacco smoke to lung and nasal cancer in dogs, lung cancer in birds and oral cancer and lymphoma in cats. Indeed, according to a study by Colorado State University, pets that live with smokers have a higher risk of developing particular types of cancer, including twice the risk of developing lung cancer. Long-nosed canines, such as collies, may be susceptible to nasal cancers because carcinogens from cigarette smoke lodge in the large surface area of the nasal cavity and sinuses, says a study published in the American
Journal of Epidemiology. However, short- and medium-nosed breeds are more susceptible to lung cancer because the nose doesn’t trap the carcinogens as easily, allowing them to quickly travel to the lungs, where they take root. Bird owners may already be familiar with avians’ susceptibility to respiratory illnesses from in-air contaminants. Birds’ respiratory systems are very sensitive to air pollutants, including cigarette smoke. Pets are also affected by something known as “third-hand smoke.” This is the residue that collects in areas where smokers frequent. It is found on interior surfaces of the home and even on people and pets themselves. Cats, which are notably self-groomers, tend to develop oral maladies because they are licking harmful chemicals, including thirdhand smoke, from their bodies on a daily basis. Tufts College of Veterinary Medicine conducted a study that showed that the number of cats living with mouth cancer was higher for those living in homes with smokers than those cats living in smoke-free homes. There is also evidence that cats living with a smoker are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma. Third-hand smoke may also provoke skin allergies and irritation. When individuals think of smoking-related complications, they tend to think solely of fellow human beings. However, pets are susceptible to cancer as well, and secondhand smoke can be just as deadly to your fourlegged friends as it can be to your family.
CANCER AWARENESS
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Thermography A good tool to detect disease in early stages With statistics being one in eight for women developing breast cancer in their lifetime, it seems that an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure. “Thermography is a vital assessment for early detection and the best chance for pre-
ventive action against breast cancer,” says Glenda Neufeld, the owner and technician of Thermography Clinic Vancouver Island, who brings her high-tech equipment to the Comox Valley on a regular basis. Medical Infrared Ther-
mography uses an infrared camera that is similar to military heat-seeking technology. It can see patterns of heat and blood activity that may reveal the earliest indications of disease while they are still in the formative stages. Thermography is noninvasive and radiation-free. It’s safe for all women and men and is especially useful for those who have had inconclusive mammograms, have implants, have dense breasts, or are younger than the age recommended for mammography screening.
Thermography is approved by the FDA and widely used in Europe as an adjunct to other screening and diagnostic modalities like: mammogram, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy. Here in B.C., thermography is not covered by the province, so patients who take a proactive approach to their health pay for the scans themselves. The next mobile clinic dates in the Valley are at naturopathic physician Dr. Deidre Macdonald’s clinic, the Macdonald Centre for Natural Medicine, on Nov. 20
COMOX VALLEY RECORD • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012
Medical infrared thermography can see patterns of heat and blood activity that might reveal the earliest indications of disease. and 21. Contact 250-947-5424 to make an appointment or visit www.thermographyvan-
We’re currently building a new, bigger Ronald McDonald House® BC next to BC Children’s Hospital. Once completed, the House will keep thousands more families together as their children receive treatment at the hospital. This House is our chance to surround more sick children with the love and support of their parents and siblings.
Find out how you can help at rmhbc.ca
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couverisland.com for more information. — Thermography Clinic Vancouver Island
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2012 • COMOX VALLEY RECORD
We celebrate the memory of
EDMUND KAUPE
July 7, 1986 – August 10, 2012
CANCER AWARENESS
Ed’s Story has been shared worldwide. ◗
AUGUST 10, 2012 The physical world lost a golden heart. In memory of my husband and my best friend, Edmund Kaupe, I will miss you, never forget you, and know you’re always here with me. I love you forever and always. During his final weeks and days Edmund was surrounded by family and friends that he had touched in much more than a small way.
This is the story of Edmund Kaupe – also called Eddy’s Story. Eddy was supposed to tell this story to the world himself. I promised him that if he lost his battle, I would tell the story for him. This promise, to tell his story, I am keeping. The story begins with Eddy telling me about his mother Linda’s death. Eddy said that when he lost his mom, he lost his family. After Linda’s death, there was only him and his sister. Eddy was taken in a by a family who were not blood-related and already had a family of their own. Others, who Eddy believed to be his family, came around with negative intentions. As Eddy watched this go on, he lost his beliefs. The belief in faith, in being united as a family and the belief in love, became nonexistent to him. All he started to see was greed and hatred. This made him very ill. He was lucky to find a loving family that took him in and gave him the love and the support he needed. This was Mim and Jim (Lisa & Jim). After the death of his mother, Eddy said that this was his new family. Mim and Jim, as everyone knows them, already had a family of their own. Yet they took him in, despite not having the room or the financial means to support another person. They showed Eddy what family means, shared a home, meals and many laughs together. A little while later he found a young woman, Saskia, who gave him love and another family that welcomed him with a big heart and arms wide-open. This was our family. It was a shock to us when he told us about his mother passing away and how the people that were his family treated him so poorly. Lastly he told us that he had stage-4 terminal cancer. Understandably, Eddy lost his focus and his faith again. Through unconditional love and help from the love of his life, his wife Saskia and her family, he regained his focus and beliefs and started to fight his battle strongly. A few weeks before he went home to be in the arms of his loving mother, Eddy asked me for help and answers. Eddy asked: “Why is my family, my actual family, not here with me? Why don’t they come to help like the others? Why do only those people care who gave
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me a new life? And why don’t those people that call themselves my aunts, uncles and my sister care? Why do I need to go just now? Why do I need to go?” At the same time Eddy said “Saskia is the love of my life. Saskia’s mother Vera is my mother too. Saskia’s father Detlef, is my father too. And I have a new sister, Nadja”. It was difficult to listen to a person like Eddy. He was crying and asked me why he had to leave and explaining that he hadn’t accomplished anything in this life yet. Eddy said he had only just learned to forgive those who had done him wrong after his mom had passed. I am 52 years old and needed to take a deep breath when listing to a young person speak like this. This is what I told Eddy: “Ed, you made it this far. From what I hear from you, you do not see what you have learned in the last 4 years in our home. You are not dead. You are still with us. You still show that you have energy and that you are fighting the cancer. You came into our home with hate in your heart. Then you learned to forgive those you hated. You found many shoulders you could lean on, by those who love you and will always love you. I am a person born with clairvoyance, and a long time ago I gave up my beliefs too. I believed that I could not find people with “pure hearts”. Most of the people I have seen have been people with greed and hate or those who love money more than themselves. I moved to Canada with the hope that it would be a better world. Well, it is. Here I have found more people with hearts. But still not what I was looking for. I stopped searching here too. There are only a few people that tell me interesting stories about myself. I have never, ever found a person like you. Today, I know that I was your mentor. But I found a teacher. This teacher was you Ed. You taught me and showed me that I had found the person I had been looking for... I found that person in you! There is no greed, no hate, just pure love for your wife, your family and the family you found. We all started by teaching you, but in the end you showed us your real face. You showed us that you were a pure-hearted, honest and loving person. You would do anything for your wife and your family. You gave me back my beliefs by being a son with a pure heart and love. I feel honored. You actually gave the world what most people have lost a long time ago – a heart, love and honesty. The sense of being human! Today, have a look what people actually are doing. A loving couple is walking side-by-side down the road and all they do is text side-by-side. If you go into a restaurant, you see people, young and old, that do not talk to each other. They are texting, not talking. People do not go to the forest anymore. They have lost the purpose of their spirituality. All you can see around you are people who love power, money and computers. People believe and think that they “know it all” but all they care about is money and greed. Spirituality and humanity are being lost. But there are people who are asking the same questions as I did 30 years ago. There are people searching for what you accomplished and what you learned. You Ed, you are the true teacher of this. You were pure at heart and found a way of being still human
VERA-DE WINDOWS
in an inhuman world. The credit is yours Edmund Kaupe. This is the real you, who you were and are. This is Eddy. Please tell this story to the world and tell it to others so they can learn from it too. They can learn to find the same things you found – true love, a pure heart, honesty, humanity and most importantly: the sense of belonging, family and the real meaning of love.” When I finished, Eddy looked at me and asked if this was true? He did not take a break, but spoke: “It is only now that I see and understand”. This same day he also asked me if he was to lose his battle and die, would I tell his story for him? I told him that I would finish his work by telling the world the great story of Edmund “Eddy” Kaupe so that others could learn from his life. This was my promise to him. Edmund Kaupe left us unexpectedly on Friday, August 10th, 2012. He was 26 years young. In our hearts Eddy will always be with us. His accomplishments will be sent around the world. People ask what happened with Edmund Kaupe. If you do not understand it, read Eddy’s story again and again and again until you do understand it. To get you there faster, the faster way to spirituality. We have all lost our way. There are only a few people left in this world that can teach you to find your way back to spirituality. It will help you to leave cell phones, TVs and computers turned off at home. Do something with your family, even tell Eddy’s story. It’s a good start. Every father, every mother, every child, every animal and every bird has a story to tell. This is what Eddy taught me. This is what he learned with a simple family helping him to find his way.
Edmund said: “Thank you to my loving wife Saskia. My dogs Boo and Lucky. Thank you Vera, Detlef and Nadja. Thank you Lisa, Jim, James and Carley Thank you to Anja and Michael Thank you to Doctor Guenter Klein” True friends came to his side when he needed them, even just to say hello: Andrew, Terry, Claudia, Jennifer & Kyle, Simon, Libby & Chris, Karen & Andy. Also a thank you goes to Sanchatu, Felix, Anna, Papa Sanchatu, Benji and Leo. Eddy also told me that he had forgiven his family, the family he never really had, and hoped that they will reunite as a family again. He also asked the medical system to listen and to open up to those that can teach spirituality and those that can heal with spirituality, reiki.
This is the story of Edmund Kaupe. He would have loved to tell the world his story himself. Thank you, on behalf of Eddy and the promise I made to tell this story.
Thank you, Detlef Recktenwald Eddy is survived by his loving wife Saskia, his parents Vera & Detlef Recktenwald, Lisa & Jim Rice, his siblings Nadja Recktenwald and James & Carley Rice, and special friends Andrew, Terry, Claudia, Jennifer & Kyle, Simon, Libby & Chris and Karen & Andy.
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