help yourself to Health screening exams to prevent cancer or find changes early

help yourself to Health screening exams to prevent cancer or find changes early

pathways For Health include having screening exams when you are healthy to stay healthy. Talk with your health care provider to learn what screening exams are best for you, at what age to begin screening and how often. 1 Wellness choices include living in ways that support physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual wholeness.

celebrate Wellness Ways to live in Balance and Harmony Embrace your traditions. Learn, share, and love life to the best of your being physically, mentally, and spiritually. Audrey, from Huslia Share your wellness story. 2

Take care of your health. Jim, from Chickaloon u Have fun being active for 30 minutes every day. u Maintain a healthy body weight. u Enjoy eating traditional plants, berries, and greens. Fill half your plate with a variety of fruits and vegetables. u Choose not to drink alcohol. u Choose to be tobacco free and avoid secondhand smoke. u Protect your skin from the sun s harmful rays by using sunscreen or wearing protective clothing. 3 Have recommended screening exams to prevent cancer or find changes early that may be cancer.

we choose to live Tobacco Free Stopping tobacco use now is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of your family and community. It is never too late to stop! 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) 4

colorectal screening for Men and Women Why have colorectal screening? u Prevent cancer by finding and removing polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum) before they become cancer. u If there is already cancer, screening can find it early when it can best be treated. Colon screening... that s what it takes to save lives. That s how they do it. And there s no reason why you should be embarrassed... just go on and do it. George, colon cancer survivor from Metlakatla 5

did you know? Over 90% of men and women who get colorectal cancer are over the age of 50. If your mother, father, brother, sister or child had colorectal cancer, begin screening with colonoscopy at age 40 or younger. Alaska Native people should start screening at age 40. Talk with your doctor about which colorectal screening test is best for you. u Colonoscopy looks at all of the rectum and colon. Have a colonoscopy every 10 years to find and remove polyps before they turn into cancer. u Sigmoidoscopy looks at the rectum and one-half of the colon. Have a sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. If polyps are found a colonoscopy needs to be done. u Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) This yearly stool (fecal) test is done at home. If blood is found in the stool a colonoscopy needs to be done. 6

colon health Your colon is about 5-6 feet long. It removes water and gets rid of body waste. Your rectum is the lowest part of the colon. We re the expert about how we feel. If there s anything out of the ordinary, like pain, blood, whatever, knowing that is important. And then making sure you follow through by seeing a doctor or a nurse. If there s any kind of symptoms that you are not sure about, it s important to ask. Henry, colon cancer survivor from Nome 7 Important! Colorectal cancer may have no signs or symptoms!

colorectal exam A colorectal exam, either a colonoscopy or a sigmoidoscopy, looks inside a person s colon for small growths called polyps to remove them before they become cancer. Healthy Colon Colon with Polyp I was so amazed. I was able to see the inside of my colon on a little TV. I am very happy that I had my colonoscopy because they took out two polyps that could have turned to cancer. And I encourage everyone to have screenings. Rose, Community Health Practitioner and doll maker from Chevak 8

Women s Wellness As we share our stories of health with the women in our lives, we give them an important gift. We pass on the tradition of wellness. 9

screening Exams for Women HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) Vaccine: The HPV vaccine helps prevent cancer of the cervix, throat, and genitals. The vaccine is recommended for women and men ages 9 to 26. Pap Smear Test: Pap screening begins at age 21 and continues throughout a woman s life. Pap screening can find changes in a woman s cervix before they become cancer. Finding and treating changes early can prevent cancer of the cervix. Self Breast Awareness: Learn how your breasts normally look and feel. Report any changes to your provider. Clinical Breast Exam: Recommended every year for women 40 and older and every 3 years for women ages 20-39. Mammogram: Beginning at age 40, have a mammogram every year to find and treat breast cancer early. Colorectal Screening Exam: To decrease colorectal cancer, Alaska Native people begin screenings at age 40. For others, colorectal screenings begin at age 50. However, if there is a family history of cancer, all people should begin screening at age 40 or younger. Screening exams may begin at a younger age if you have a family history of cancer. 10

prevent Cervical Cancer 11 The HPV vaccine helps to prevent cervical cancer as well as cancers of the mouth, throat, vulva, vagina, anus, rectum, penis, and genital warts. The vaccine is most effective when given before the onset of sexual activity, but sexually active young men and women may also benefit. The HPV vaccine is especially recommended for girls and boys 11 and 12 years of age and approved for people ages 9 to 26.

cervical cancer Screening A woman should start getting Paps by age 21 and continue throughout her life. A Pap smear can find cell changes in the cervix before they become cancer. Talk with your health care provider about how often you should have a Pap smear. 12

just being a woman is the Biggest Risk Factor for developing breast cancer Three important ways to find breast changes early that may be breast cancer 1. Self Breast Awareness 2. Clinical Breast Exams 3. Mammograms 13 Men can also develop breast cancer.

breast Self Awareness Helps people know how their breasts normally look and feel to find and report changes early. Because I did a self exam, breast cancer was found and treated early. Kristin Holzinger K eit, breast cancer survivor In 2005, I found a lump in my left breast while taking a shower. After an ultrasound, mammogram, and breast biopsy, I learned I had breast cancer. Bear, male breast cancer survivor from Anchorage 14

clinical Breast Exam Discuss breast health with your provider. Ask questions and share concerns. You are a partner in your health care. Beginning at age 20, have a clinical breast exam. The health care provider looks at and feels the breast tissue for any changes or abnormalities. 15

mammogram Screening Women at age 40 begin having a screening mammogram every year. Celebrate wellness ways with family and friends. A yearly mammogram is one way a woman takes care of herself. 16

Men s Wellness Share your knowledge, skills, and stories to support wellness ways. Stay strong, stay healthy. You are important to your family and friends. 17

screening Exams for Men Testicular Awareness: Testicular cancer is rare, but it is the most common cancer in young men ages 15 to 35. u If men notice any changes in the way their testicles feel, they need to tell their provider. u Do a testicular self exam monthly. Prostate Screening: Beginning at age 50, talk with your health care provider about the benefits and limitations of screening. Prostate screening may include a yearly PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test and rectal exam to feel the prostate. Colorectal Screening Exam: To decrease the rate of colorectal cancer, Alaska Native people begin screening at age 40. For others, colorectal screening begins at age 50. However, if there is a family history of cancer, all people should begin screening at age 40 or younger. 18

testicular health Testicular cancer is rare, but it is the most common cancer in young men ages 15 to 35. Do a testicular self exam monthly. Therron, testicular cancer survivor from McGrath I found this lump while I was washing in the shower. After I freaked out, I went and got it checked. I didn t wait. If you find something, you d better get yourself checked. Don t wait. Yeah it is embarrassing, but it s your body and your health. Signs of testicular cancer may include: u A painless lump in either testicle. u A change in the size or shape of a testicle. u Swelling or feeling of heaviness in the testicle. u Pain or discomfort in the testicle. u Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen or groin. 19 Not all changes are testicular cancer, but it is important for men to see their health care provider for an exam and evaluation.

prostate health Beginning at age 50, talk with your health care provider about prostate screening to learn what is best for your health. Learn the pros and cons of prostate testing. John, a prostate cancer survivor John, prostate cancer survivor, and Carolyn celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Prostate screening may include a yearly PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test and rectal exam to feel the prostate. Rectum Anus (butt opening) Urethra Bladder Testis Prostate Penis 20

skin health Protect your skin by wearing a hat, long sleeves, and using sunscreen. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from cataracts and cancers of the eyes. Skin cancer can also be caused by using a tanning bed, booth, or sunlamp. Share wellness ways with family and friends. 21

Helpful Resources to Learn More: American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) www.aicr.org 1-800-843-8114 American Cancer Society (ACS) www.cancer.org 1-800-227-2345 National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service (CIS) www.cancer.gov 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) Native C.I.R.C.L.E. (Cancer Information Resource Center and Learning Exchange) http://www.nativeamericanprograms.org/index.html 1-877-372-1617 Prevent Cancer Foundation www.preventcancer.org 1-800-227-2732 Thank you to the many people who shared their pictures, stories, and wisdom to support wellness choices. CHAP Cancer Education Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 1-907-729-2427 mcueva@anthc.org 2011, 2012, 2014, 2017 Funded by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Colorectal Cancer Screening Health Communication Project CDC 5U58DP002061 American Cancer Society Mentored Research Scholar Award 22

Taking care of one s health is like taking care of one s family and community. Colleen Echohawk and family enjoy gardening together.