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Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity

An e-newsletter focused on raising cancer awareness and strengthening community health

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SEPTEMBER OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH   


We’re dedicating much of our September newsletter to raising awareness about prostate cancer and gynecologic cancers. We want men and women to know about unusual symptoms that shouldn’t be ignored. And we encourage everyone to talk with their doctor about screenings that help find cancer before symptoms appear. When cancer is found early, treatment has the best chance of succeeding. 

 

With the new school year in full swing, it’s a great time to establish family habits that offer lifelong health benefits, including lower cancer risks. We’ve got tips from our experts on how to pack a healthy lunch that your kids will eat and how to swap screen time for movement.

 

Finally, don’t miss our lineup of free cancer screenings and learning opportunities listed below under “Community Events.” We invite you to share this email with friends and family who might want to attend. 

PROSTATE CANCER: MAKE A SCREENING PLAN  


Prostate cancer is a disease caused when cells in a man’s prostate – the small gland that contributes fluid to semen – develop abnormally and grow out of control. Sometimes, prostate cancer cells grow rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. In many cases, however, the cancer grows slowly and can take a very long time to spread, or even to have noticeable symptoms. 


How common is prostate cancer?

Next to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. One out of 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. 


Prostate cancer can affect any man, and some transgender women, but age, race, and family cancer history put some people at higher risk than others. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet may also play a role in increasing risk.


  • Nearly 60% of prostate cancer cases occur in men age 65 and older
  • Black/African American men are 75% more likely than white men to develop prostate cancer.
  • Men who have a father, brother, uncle, or grandfather diagnosed with prostate cancer are at least two times more likely to develop the disease.


What are the symptoms?

Often, there are no signs or symptoms of prostate cancer. However, in some cases, particularly late-stage disease, prostate cancer can cause frequent, urgent, or painful urination; difficulty emptying the bladder; painful ejaculation; or blood in the urine or semen. It’s important to see a doctor when you have any of these symptoms. 


How do I know if I have prostate cancer?

The most common screening test for prostate cancer is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. An elevated, or high, level of PSA in the blood can be a warning sign for prostate cancer, but it can also be a symptom of other prostate conditions. Your doctor might want to repeat the PSA test or order additional tests, including a biopsy, to check the health of your prostate. 


While screening tests allow doctors to find and treat prostate cancers that have a high risk of spreading, they can also lead to:

  • Unnecessary testing, including biopsies, resulting from a high PSA score that isn’t related to prostate cancer
  • Diagnosis and treatment, with possible side effects, of a low-risk prostate cancer that would not have caused symptoms or death


At age 45, men should talk with their doctor about an individualized prostate cancer screening plan, based on their specific risk factors and overall health. African American men and men with a family history of prostate, breast, colon, ovarian or pancreatic cancer should start the discussion at age 40.

“Screening is a significant area of controversy due to concerns for overtreatment of lower-risk prostate cancer,” says Neil Desai, M.D., Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at UT Southwestern. “Nonetheless, of the approximately 270,000 men diagnosed in the U.S. each year with prostate cancer, about 25,000 die, making prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer death in men. The key is having the next step lined up after screening while recommending screening. In this regard, most urologic oncologists, including those in our own group, do recommend PSA screening to most men over age 45 and those with risk factors – including a history of prostate, ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and/or colon cancer in primary relatives – conditioned by a plan on how to approach an elevated result. This typically involves confirming an elevated value and pursuing secondary tests to increase the precision of any concern before going to options such as biopsy and further treatment. Conversely, for older men (over age 70) or those with major health conditions, the importance of an elevated PSA score or even a screening will be put in context. More data here is better, not worse.” 

Is prostate cancer treatable?

When prostate cancer is found early, treatment success rates are high. Learn more about prostate cancer and new treatments offered at UT Southwestern in this webinar hosted by experts from our prostate cancer team: 

Prostate Cancer Webinar


Where can I find local prostate cancer resources?

  • Simmons’ Moncrief Cancer Institute in Fort Worth offers free PSA blood tests to screen for prostate cancer every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Appointments for men who are uninsured and qualify are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For an appointment, call 817-288-9970 or go to Screening | Moncrief Cancer Institute.    
  • The North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition offers prostate cancer education and outreach across North Texas. Visit NTxPCC to learn more.
  • For prostate cancer information and services available at UT Southwestern, contact Simmons’ Cancer Answer Line at 833-722-6237 or CancerAnswerLine@utsouthwestern.edu.


SourcesProstate Cancer FoundationCDCAmerican Cancer Society

GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR


All women, and some transgender men, are at risk for gynecologic cancers. These are cancers that grow in female reproductive organs, including the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries.    


Symptoms of gynecologic cancers vary. The best protection is to know what’s normal for your body and report any unusual changes to your doctor. Warning signs can include periods that are longer or heavier than usual, bleeding between periods or after menopause, vaginal discharge, pelvic pain and bloating, or vulvar itching and burning.


It’s also important to get regular checkups, as recommended by your doctor. During these checkups, your doctor can do screening tests to look for cervical precancers, cancers, and/or presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer. When cervical cancer is found at an early stage, it can usually be treated successfully. 


At your checkups, talk to your doctor about:

  • Your family cancer history: This can help your doctor determine whether you are at higher risk for certain cancers and should be screened earlier than usual or receive genetic counseling
  • The benefits of HPV vaccination: The HPV vaccine protects against new infections with strains of the human papillomavirus that cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
  • Lifestyle changes that can lower your risks: If you need help quitting smoking or controlling your weight, ask about programs that can help.


To learn more about gynecologic cancers, their symptoms, who’s at risk, and how to protect yourself, check out this booklet from the Foundation for Women’s Cancer: Gynecologic Cancer Awareness


To find free or low-cost cervical cancer screening services locally, visit Breast & Cervical Cancer Services | Healthy Texas Women or Screening | Moncrief Cancer Institute. Or contact our Cancer Answer Line at 833-722-6237. We can also help you with programs to stop smoking or achieve a healthy weight.


Sources: CDC, Foundation for Women’s Cancer

GET A HEALTHY START TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR


Back-to-school time can be an exciting opportunity to kick off a new commitment to well-being and health, but parents can feel overwhelmed by all the messaging surrounding nutrition and exercise. Culinary dietitian nutritionist Milette Siler and cancer exercise trainer Lisa Ross want to uncomplicate the rules.

Six Tips for Packing a Healthy Lunchbox


1.  Involve kids in planning and preparing their food. Giving children a choice about what’s in their lunchbox gives them a sense of independence and sets them up for a healthy relationship with food for a lifetime. Cooking together strengthens family bonds and, over time, can reduce the caregiver’s workload.  


2. Take shortcuts. Use precut fruits and veggies or leftover pasta salad from the night before to make preparation easy.


3. Take a mindful approach to sugar. The American Heart Association recommends children ages 2-18 limit added sugar consumption to less than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) daily. Sugar-sweetened beverages such as flavored milks and sodas should be a “sometimes” treat. A 12-ounce can of Coke, for example, includes 39 grams of sugar. 


4. Color their world. Look for opportunities to add colorful fruits and veggies to kids’ meals. The more variety, the better. Many kids will eat cut-up veggies such as jicama, sliced cucumber, or baby carrots if they have a flavorful, creamy dip to pair them with. 


5. Remember: Every little bite helps! Kids need to be exposed to a food multiple times before they embrace it. Make the lunchbox a place where kids can explore new flavors and textures with little pressure.


6. Start small. Don’t let the impossible standard of “perfect” be the enemy of better! Experimenting with small changes that work with your family’s budget and your child’s preferences is a process. Little wins in the lunchbox can translate to food peace at the dinner table for the whole family. 

Kid-Friendly Dip Recipes 

Making Movement Fun


Physical activity benefits children in many ways. It helps them focus during school, helps reduce anxiety and depression, and improves overall health. 


Movement doesn't need to be complicated, though, and it doesn’t always have to be a structured sport. Jumping rope, riding a bike, or playing hopscotch all count as physical activity that builds healthy bodies. Help your kids find activities they love doing, and make time for “movement breaks” throughout the day. 


Moving and playing with your kids and teens is a great way to bond with them. You can walk the dog together or shoot hoops. Play tag or dance to music with your little ones. Go for a family swim at the city pool. 


As adults and parents, we need to model getting away from our phones and screens and enjoying physical activity. Teens can get very anxious about missing communications on their phones. So, encourage them to tell the significant people in their lives – parents and friends – that they’re taking a phone break for a 30-minute walk or another activity. This helps lessen the fear that they might miss out on something.


We are investing in our kids' health for a lifetime when we help them learn to love movement. See more ideas and guidelines on physical activity in this resource from the American College of Sports Medicine: 

Being Active With Your Young Child

You're Invited: Community Events

FREE Mammograms – Moncrief Mobile Screening

During September, Simmons’ Moncrief Cancer Institute will take its mobile screening clinic to the following locations to provide free mammograms for uninsured women who qualify. 

 

September 20, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

West Dallas Multipurpose Center

2828 Fish Trap Road

Dallas, TX 75212

Call 800-405-7739 to schedule an appointment.

 

September 23, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

2255 N. Bonnie Brae Street

Denton, TX 76207

Call 800-405-7739 to schedule an appointment.

 

September 27, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

1188 W. Broad Street

Mansfield, TX 76063

Call 817-288-9970 to schedule an appointment.

 

September 28, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Link Recreation Center

6750 Baker Boulevard

Richland Hills, TX 76118

Call 817-288-9970 to schedule an appointment.

 

National Comprehensive Cancer Network – Free Patient Webinar: Early-Stage Prostate Cancer – Thursday, September 22, 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. CDT

Learn more here. And register at Webinars for Patients (nccn.org)


UTSW Science Café – Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m.-8 p.m. – Zoom

Join Jaclyn Albin, M.D., CCMS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, and Melanie Hafford, M.D., Assistant Professor of Surgery, for a conversation about the science and medicine of healthy weight. Register here


“Screen to Save” Event – Saturday, October 8, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. – Moncrief Cancer Institute

  • Free mammograms and prostate cancer screenings are available for women and men who are uninsured and qualify.
  • Free breakfast or lunch is provided, depending on appointment time.
  • Free t-shirts and goody bags are also available for all who get screened.
  • Call 817-288-9970 or go to Screening | Moncrief Cancer Institute for more information and to schedule an appointment.
  • Location: Moncrief Cancer Institute, 400 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104

Visit the Office of Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity to learn more about our mission to reduce the cancer burden in North Texas and promote equity in cancer prevention, care, and outcomes through research, education, and engagement, particularly for racially and ethnically diverse, rural, and other underserved communities.

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For newsletter questions, comments, or suggestions, email Renee.Barber@UTSouthwestern.edu.