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CANCER CAN BE such a frightening disease that it’s easy to understand why there’s a lot of misinforma-tion out there, particularly on the Internet, about what causes it.

For instance, take the claims that using deodorants or talking on cell phones raises your risk of cancer. Accord-ing to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there is no frm evidence to back up either of these persistent myths. So what does—and doesn’t—increase your risk? Here is the lowdown, based on scientifc studies, on what is known about cancer risks.

To learn more about cancer and strategies that can help you stay well, visit www.SAHealth.com .

CANCER GET TO KNOW THE FACTS

WHAT DOES CAUSE IT Te clear cause of many can-cers—accounting for around 30 percent of all cancer deaths—is tobacco. Smoking cigarettes or cigars or using chewing tobacco is shown to cause cancer. If you use tobacco in any form, quitting is the best way to lower your risk.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and tanning beds can also cause cancer. Wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher, covering up when you’re outside and avoiding tanning beds are strategies that can help you sidestep the disease.

According to the ACS, 1 out of 20 cancer cases is deter-mined by genetics. Genetic testing is available to detect whether you’re at increased risk for certain types of the disease, such as breast cancer.

Finally, research shows that you also strongly increase your risk for cancer if you: ● Drink alcohol. ● Are over-weight. ● Don’t exercise. ● Eat a diet high in cured, processed or red meat.

WHAT DOESN’T CAUSE IT Many studies have been done to determine whether there is a connection between stress and cancer. But regardless of the efect of stress on the immune system, there is no scientifc evidence link-ing a stressful life to an increased risk of cancer. Furthermore, it’s important to know that you cannot catch cancer from other people. Your risk of getting some types of cancer may be higher when you’ve been infected with certain viruses or bacteria, but cancer itself is not contagious.

Finally, cancer cannot be caused by an injury. Even though an examination of a bump or bruise by a doctor may unexpectedly reveal that someone has cancer, it won’t be due to the injury.

Cancer affects millions of Americans each y below are the top fve most common cancer cancer killers for both men and women.

The numbers behind cancer

Men Women Most common

1 Prostate Breast

2 Lung and bronchus Lung and bro

3 Colon and rectum Colon and re

4 Bladder Uterine

5 Skin (melanoma) Thyroid

Most life-threatening

1 Lung and bronchus Lung and bro

2 Prostate Breast

3 Colon and rectum Colon and re

4 Pancreas Pancreas

5

Liver and intrahepatic bile duct

Ovary

Source: American Cancer Society

Methodist Children’s

Hospital, Methodist Heart

Hospital, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, Metropolitan Methodist Hospital Northeast Methodist

Hospital and Methodist Texsan

Hospital are campuses of Methodist Hospital. The Texas Transplant

Institute is a department of Methodist Hospital.

✣ ✣✣✣ KEEPING WELL is

published as a community service for the friends and patrons of METHODIST HEALTHCARE, 8109 Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, TX 78229, telephone 210-575-0355,

website www.SAHealth.com.

Jaime Wesolowski

President and CEO

Palmira Arellano

Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations

JoAnn King

Director of Public Relations

Information in KEEPING WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specifc content that may affect your health, please contact your health care

provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

Copyright © 2011 Coffey Communications, Inc.

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SUMMER 2011

Call-A-Nurse for life’s little emergencies Call-A-Nurse for life’s little emergencies

Your son falls and hurts his arm playing on a Saturday after-noon. Is it broken? How can you tell? Your baby won’t stop crying in the middle of the night. Is she sick or just fussy? Call-A-Nurse for Children from Methodist Children’s Hospi-tal is available evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays for professional advice on life’s big and little emergencies. When your doctor’s offce is closed, our team of specially trained nurses will be available by phone Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., and around the clock on weekends (Friday from 5 p.m. through Monday 8 a.m.) and on major holidays. By calling 22-NURSE (226-8773)—or from outside San Antonio, toll-free at 877-MHS-7440 (877-647-7440)—during these hours, you can speak with an experienced registered nurse who can evaluate your child’s health problem and make appropriate suggestions.

For life’s little emergencies, 22-NURSE is the number to call for a friendly and helpful voice and the peace of mind that comes as a result.

M e t h o d i s t H e a l t h c a r e