One of EHI's initiatives involves the provision of education and awareness about the many forms of cancer. EHI is currently focused on prostate, lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.

What is Cancer?
When we think of cancer we often think of a single disease that can appear in different parts of the body. In fact, cancer is really more than 100 diseases that all share one feature -- cancer begins when a normal cell is damaged and loses its ability to control its growth.

Usually, the body's own self-defense system, the immune system, eliminates these cells. But sometimes a damaged cell will begin to divide wildly, forming a mass of cells called a tumor. This tumor can invade healthy tissues nearby and interfere with their functioning. Sometimes cells from the tumor can break free and spread, or "metastasize", to cause tumors in other parts of the body.

Several factors can increase your risk of cancer. Some types of cancer are caused by external factors which you can often avoid. Most lung cancers, for example, are caused by cigarette smoke. What you eat or don't eat can raise or lower your risk of colon cancer. And being overweight can increase a woman's risk of breast cancer. But cancers can also be caused by internal factors that aren't well understood. Some cancers run in families. For example, if you're a woman and your mother or sister had breast cancer, you are also at a higher risk for getting breast cancer.

Who Gets Cancer?
Anyone of any age can get cancer, but some people are more at risk than others. If you know your risks, you can prevent cancer or catch it early so it can be treated.

Prostate Cancer -- A man's risk increases as he gets older. Most cases of prostate cancer occur in men over 50 years of age, and more than 80% in men over 65 years. It's the most common type of cancer among African-American men, who have a much higher risk than men of other races (66% higher risk than Caucasians). Prostate cancer runs in families. If a man's father or brother has or had prostate cancer, he also has a higher risk. Diet may also play a role: some studies suggest that a high-fat diet raises a man's risk.

Click here to find out about taking part in a Prostate Cancer Research Study to find out if there is a connection between prostate cancer and the foods we eat.

Breast Cancer -- In California, breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American, Latino, Asian/Pacific Island, and Caucasian women. Breast cancer rates increase with age. A woman who has never had children or had her first child after age 30 is at higher risk than other women. Drinking alcohol, lack of physical activity, and a high-fat diet may also raise a woman's risk. Caucasian women have a higher risk than women of other races.

Lung Cancer -- If you smoke, you have a much higher risk of getting lung cancer than people who don't smoke. In fact, about 87% of all lung cancers are caused by cigarettes. That's one reason why certain groups who have higher smoking rates, such as African-American men and women, or Southeast Asian men, have a higher risk of lung cancer.

Colorectal Cancer -- Most colorectal cancer begins as polyps that can be detected and removed. People who have such polyps have a higher risk than others. Men and women who eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet also have a higher risk, as do those who don't get much physical activity.


Reduce Your Risk
There is a lot you can do to lower your risk for many types of cancer. Regular cancer screenings can help you and your doctor detect cancer early, when it is easier to treat. And there are several new, more effective treatments, which means many cancers can be cured, especially when they are detected and treated early.

Watch for signs and symptoms. Since there are many types of cancer, each cancer has its own warning signs. Unfortunately, some cancers such as breast or colon cancer don't have symptoms that are easy to spot until the cancer is well advanced. If you have any questions, be sure to let your doctor know right away.

Where Can I Get Help?
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center's Health Match Program is a free community service that can refer you to the physicians and services you need. Call 510-869-6777.

Ethnic Health Institutes sponsors special events such as Prostate Cancer Screenings and Breast Exam Classes. Contact EHI for a current list of events.

General:
Cancer Information Service (CIS)
Call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), TTY: 1-800-332-8615
Web site: www.nci.nih.gov

American Cancer Society (ACS)
Call 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345)
American Cancer Society East Bay Metropolitan Unit Call (510) 832-7012

Breast Cancer:
Alameda County Breast Cancer Early Detection Program
Call 1-800-500-4497

National Women's health Information Center (NWHIC)
Call 1-800-994-WOMAN (1-800-994-9662)

Prostate Cancer:
National Institute on Aging Information Center
Call 1-800-222-2225

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Call 301-654-4415

Lung Cancer:
American Lung Association
Call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
Web site: www.lungusa.org



Email: grayj@sutterhealth.org
Telephone:(510) 869-8219