A Voice from the Eastern Door

Cancer Prevention Day observed at health clinic

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness month and on May 6 the IHS Outreach Department held a Cancer Prevention Day at the St. Regis Mohawk Health Services (SRMHS) atrium.

“Its National Skin Cancer Awareness month,” said Lynette Phillips, Immunization Coordinator and organizer of the event. “We decided to do other screenings also because we haven’t done them and its really important. There are lots of people in the community who have cancer and we need to prevent it.”

In addition to skin cancer information, community members were invited to learn more about oral, breast, lung, prostate and colon cancers. Although it may be difficult at this time to determine cancer rates in Akwesasne, there is no denying that it is present and more preventative measures can be taken.

“With Cancer Prevention Day we are trying to promote wellness,” said Theresa Gardner, Family Nurse Coordinator. “And we want to do new screenings in the community.”

In honor of the approaching Mother’s Day, women who opted to have a breast exam received a rose for their efforts. There were also other great giveaways being offered by the outreach department to encourage more people to live healthy and receive cancer screenings, including: a sun safety kit and men and women’s health baskets.

Also on hand was the Healthy Heart Project to take blood pressure and blood sugar checks for interested people and Diane King of Lifestyle Smoothies introducing several new smoothie recipes, including cancer fighting Super Citrus and the Alkalizer and overall health smoothies blueberry Surprise, Purple Sky and Berry Bliss.

If you are a woman over the age of 40 it is recommended that you start scheduling an annual breast exam, and to start sooner if there is a family history. At age 50 and over women should also consider an annual colonoscopy. Men over 50 should be getting annual prostate and colonoscopy screenings. Early detection of cancer can greatly increase one’s survival rate.

For questions, or to make an appointment you can call the SRMHS at (518) 358 - 3141.

Photo by Mary La France

 

Reader Comments(0)