5871 University Avenue, Suite #334
San Diego, CA 92115
Ph: 619-582-2360; Fax: 619-582-2297;
E-mail: btran.aphc@sbcglobal.net
Breast & Colorectal Cancer Prevention Outreach, Oct. 26, 2008
The Asian Pacific Health Center held its latest outreach for the Breast Cancer Month at the Mira Mesa Recreation Center on October 26, 2008 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Attendees of the weekly Tai Chi session stayed after the morning class to listen to the presentations made by the staff at Asian Pacific Health Center.
Binh Nhung Tran spoke on Breast cancer early detection and the Cancer Detection free Program for eligible persons. When mentioning the Komen for the Cure grant, there was a question on the use of the apparently plentiful funds to alleviate cancer. The answer was that studies are being done, and new therapies being researched continuously, before results are tangible.
Mrs. Hien Ngo commented on the article in the Parade magazine on Oct 19, 2008: After the Diagnosis. This was a difficult case with too many options. Upon learning that her mammogram looked suspicious, and required other tests, a woman feared mastectomy, and asked the advice of four doctors. The patient had non-invasive intraductal cancer in situ (DCIS), and ended up having lumpectomies. On her birthday, she received the best news of all: she was cancer-free. So, even if one hears the dreaded diagnosis, there are options that are possible. In the same magazine, there was another special report: Taking the mystery out of breast cancer screening that shed light on the four methods of detection: clinical breast exam, basic mammogram, digital mammogram, and self-examination.
Dr. Ton Tran presented on Colon Cancer in the Asian population, reminding all persons above 50 to get tests for colon cancer. Each of the 4 tests has its benefits and inconveniences:
1. Yearly Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT),
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
2. Double contrast barium enema every 5 years. (uncomfortable feeling during the pumping of barium and air). If the procedure reveals polyps, the person has to undergo colonoscopy to remove them.
3. Colonoscopy
4. Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonoscopy) is more expensive. The guidelines for use are not finalized yet.
Is cancer hereditary? The person may have the gene predisposing to cancer. If a close family member has cancer, one can do genetic screening for breast cancer for example. Anemia can be a manifestation of cancer, in a person who experiences blood loss.
The session was ended at 2:00 PM. Mrs. Hien Ngo expressed her thanks to the Asian Pacific Health Center for bringing the information and knowledge on the breast and colon cancers occurring at a high rate in the Asian population.
As with the previous outreach, lunch was composed of delicious vegetarian fare ending this time with refreshing dragon fruit from Mr. Hien’s garden.
Reported by
Binh N. Tran, PharmD
Executive Director
Asian Pacific Health Center
