03_11_2018 Bulletin

Hope United Methodist Church Cancer Support Ministry
Prevention and Early
Detection Can Improve
Your Quality of Life
March is Colorectal and Kidney Cancer Awareness Month
Join us Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the Library
Our Guest Speaker is:
Sarah Kim, Cancer Programs, Karmanos
WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER? Cancer that starts in either the colon (large intestine) or
rectum (last several inches of the colon) and together are often referred to as colorectal
cancers. Cancer is the second leading cause of death for African Americans. According to
the American Cancer Society, incidence rates are 20% higher and mortality rates are about
45% higher than those in Whites.
SYMPTOMS: Bleeding from the rectum, blood in the stool or toilet after a bowel movement,
cramping pain in the lower stomach, a feeling of discomfort or an urge to have a bowel
movement, new onset of constipation or diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days,
unintentional weight loss.
RISK FACTORS: Older age, being African American, a personal or family history of colorectal
cancer or polyps, inflammatory intestinal conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s
disease, low fiber-high fat diet, sedentary life style, diabetes, obesity, smoking and heavy use
of alcohol, radiation therapy for cancer treatment directed at the abdomen to treat previous
cancers.
HELP YOURSELF AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS: Talk with your doctor to see what is best for
your situation and get screened regularly like having your preventative colonoscopy and
adopt a healthy lifestyle.
KIDNEY CANCER
WHAT IS KIDNEY CANCER? Cancer that originates in the kidneys which are two bean-shaped
organs, each about the size of your fist, located behind your abdominal organs.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death for African Americans however, Kidney cancer is
not considered one of the leading cancers for African Americans.
SYMPTOMS in early stages (usually no symptoms in later stages) may include: Blood in urine,
back pain below the ribs that does not go away, weight loss, fatigue, and intermittent fever.
RISK FACTORS: Older age, being male, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, chemicals in
your environment, people who receive long term dialysis, hereditary papillary renal cell
carcinoma.
HELP YOURSELF AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS: Quit Smoking, eat more fruits and vegetables,
maintain a healthy weight, control blood pressure, reduce or avoid your exposure to
environmental toxins.
Talk with your doctor about what specific blood and urine tests or imaging tests you may
need to further diagnose your symptoms.
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Eric and Gloria Hardy – Chairs, Cancer Support Ministry