Beacon of HOPE Wellness Committee: Cancer – be informed
In the 20th century, medical science made tremendous advances in the control of, and in some cases, eradication of many diseases that had injured and killed untold generations of men, women and children. An understanding of the causes of diseases, the development of modern medicines, antibiotics and vaccines, and improvements in public health services have saved countless lives. Typhoid fever, cholera, pneumonia and “scarlet fever,” except in a few cases, have either disappeared or been controlled. Vaccines have led to the control of small pox, polio and a host of childhood contagious diseases. Organ transplantation, once thought impossible, now saves thousands of lives every year.
Yet, in spite of some significant advances in detection and treatment, cancer continues to be the second most common cause of death in the United States. Some significant success has been achieved in children’s blood cancers leukemia. Survival times have been improved for many other types of cancers, but people are still dying of the disease.
As part of its continuing educational commitment to the community, the Beacon of HOPE will be presenting a two-part program about cancer. The presenter will be myself, Robert Schlesinger, MD. The first program will be Friday, Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. at the Beacon. We will address issues of cancers of the reproductive systems in women uterine, ovarian and cervical cancer, in men prostate and genitals. Since bladder cancer is a problem for both men and women, this will be discussed as well. The need for cancer screenings and early diagnosis will be stressed. The earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances for successful treatment. The second talk in January, date to be determined, will address cancers of the stomach, colon and pancreas.
Come and learn about cancer. Thomas Jefferson said “the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
For more information, call the Beacon of HOPE at 239-283-5123. The Beacon of HOPE is located at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City.