cancer - UNCAS Health District

Cancer Prevention Month: Taking Action to Reduce Your Risk

January 30, 2025 by Uncas Health District

Every February, Cancer Prevention Month serves as a reminder that while cancer remains a formidable health challenge, many cases are preventable through lifestyle choices and proactive health measures. With an estimated 2 million Americans diagnosed with cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in 2024 and more than 600,000 cancer-related deaths, the urgency for awareness and prevention has never been greater.

The Preventable Nature of Cancer

Research indicates that more than 40% of cancer cases and nearly half of cancer-related deaths stem from preventable causes. These include smoking, excessive body weight, physical inactivity, and overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This means that by making informed choices, individuals can significantly lower their cancer risk.

Proactive Steps to Lower Cancer Risk

Quit Smoking (or Never Start) Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer. Smoking is directly linked to lung, throat, mouth, pancreas, and several other cancers. If you smoke, quitting is one of the most impactful steps you can take for your health. If you don’t smoke, avoiding secondhand smoke is equally important.
Maintain a Healthy Weight Obesity is associated with increased risks of several cancers, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer. A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains, coupled with portion control, can help maintain a healthy weight.
Stay Physically Active Regular exercise not only helps control weight but also reduces inflammation, regulates hormone levels, and boosts the immune system—all factors that can lower cancer risk. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun Skin cancer, including melanoma, is largely preventable. Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wear protective clothing, and avoid indoor tanning. Limiting direct sun exposure, especially during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), is also key.
Get Vaccinated Certain cancers are caused by infections. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can prevent cervical, throat, and other cancers, while the hepatitis B vaccine reduces the risk of liver cancer.
Limit Alcohol Consumption Excessive alcohol intake is linked to an increased risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. Moderation is key—guidelines recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two for men.
Get Regular Screenings and Checkups Early detection saves lives. Routine screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and Pap smears can detect cancer at an early, more treatable stage. Consult your doctor about recommended screenings based on your age, family history, and lifestyle.

The Bigger Cancer Prevention Picture

Many diagnosed cancers in the U.S. are considered preventable. While not all can be avoided, taking proactive steps can dramatically reduce risk and improve overall health. This Cancer Prevention Month, commit to small, meaningful changes that can lead to a longer, healthier life.

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month — What You Need to Know

January 5, 2024 by Patrick McCormack

January marks National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimated there will have been about 13,960 new cases of invasive cancer diagnosed, and about 4,310 women will have died from cervical cancer in 2023. The 2020 CDC data for Connecticut shows there were 96 cases reported, equaling a cervical cancer rate of 4.8 per 100,000 women.

Anyone with a cervix is at risk for cervical cancer, increasing in people over the age of 30. Certain types of HPV are the main cause of cervical cancer. Screening tests and the HPV vaccine can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Click here to see more information about cervical cancer risk.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer starts in the cells lining the cervix — the lower part of the uterus (womb).

The cervix connects the body of the uterus (the upper part where a fetus grows) to the vagina (birth canal). Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control.

The cervix is made of two parts and is covered with two different types of cells.

The endocervix is the opening of the cervix that leads into the uterus. It is covered with glandular cells.
The exocervix (or ectocervix) is the outer part of the cervix that can be seen by the doctor during a speculum exam. It is covered in squamous cells.

The place where these two cell types meet in the cervix is called the transformation zone. The exact location of the transformation zone changes as you get older and if you give birth. Most cervical cancers begin in the cells in the transformation zone.

Cervical Cancer Symptoms

Cervical cancer may not present with signs or symptoms in its early stages. Advanced cervical can cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal for you. The best way to reduce risk is to see your doctor regularly, comply with screening recommendations, and report anything to your doctor that is not normal for you. See the attached documents for more detailed information.

Types of Treatment

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer, you will be referred to a gynecologic oncologist to develop a treatment plan. Cervical cancer is treated in several ways. It depends on the kind of cervical cancer and how far it has spread. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Surgery: Doctors remove cancer tissue in an operation.
Chemotherapy: Using special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
Radiation: Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to kill the cancer.

Insurance and Income: For those who are concerned they cannot afford care

Screening and treatment are covered under most insurance policies. But what if you, or someone you know, is uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford care? In Connecticut, the DPH has the Connecticut Early Detection & Prevention Program (CEDPP).

The CEDPP is an integrated program that brings breast and cervical cancer screening together with the WISEWOMAN, Colorectal Cancer, and Comprehensive Cancer programs, which helps promote healthy lifestyles for Connecticut Residents in order to decrease breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, heart disease, hypertension, and other avoidable diseases. If you, or someone you know, needs to receive screening but cannot afford it, please go to the Early Detection and Prevention Program website to determine eligibility.

Cervical Cancer Facts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: the importance of screening and early detection

October 23, 2023September 30, 2023 by Patrick McCormack

Breast cancer is among the most common cancers among women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States in 2023, and 43,700 women will die from the disease.

While breast cancer can be a devastating disease, it is important to remember that early detection is key. When breast cancer is found early and treated promptly, the 5-year survival rate is nearly 100%. That’s why it’s so important to get regular breast cancer screenings.

Why is getting screened important?

Breast cancer screening tests can help find breast cancer early when it is most treatable. When breast cancer is found early, it is often smaller and less likely to have spread to other parts of the body. This means that treatment is often more effective and less invasive.

Who should get screened?

The ACS recommends that all women at average risk of breast cancer begin getting annual mammograms at age 40. Women at higher risk of breast cancer, such as those with a family history of the disease, may need to start screening earlier.

How often should I get screened?

The ACS recommends that most women get a mammogram every year. However, some women may need to get screened more often, depending on their individual risk factors.

If I find a lump in my breast, what should I do?

If you find a lump in your breast, it is important to see a doctor right away. Most breast lumps are not cancer, but it is important to have them checked out by a doctor to be sure.

How can I support Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

There are many ways to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here are a few ideas:

Get screened for breast cancer.
Talk to your friends and family about the importance of getting screened.
Donate to a breast cancer charity.
Volunteer your time to help people affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a serious disease, but it is one that is often treatable when found early. That’s why it’s so important to get regular breast cancer screenings. If you are 40 or older, talk to your doctor about your risk of breast cancer and whether you should start getting screened.