Care through the cancer continuum: from prevention to treatment to survivorship, organizations offer help each step of the way.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: HEALTH & MEDICINE

Nobody likes to get screened for cancer. Whether it's a mammogram or a colonoscopy, the fact is, it's not fun. But the good news is that with early detection and proper treatment, those who have been diagnosed with the disease are living longer than ever before.

"In Alaska, approximately 2,860 people are diagnosed with cancer each year and 880 die of the disease," explained Sarah Robinson, district executive director, American Cancer Society (ACS). "But more people are surviving than ever before--in 1971, there were 3 million cancer survivors in the U.S; today, there are 12 million."

There are more than 200 different types of cancers, with prostate cancer being the most common cause in men, and breast cancer the most common in women. The leading cause of death in both genders is lung cancer. "The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat," said Robinson. "Unfortunately, there is no screening test for lung cancer, which is why it's more difficult to diagnose."

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Alaska Natives have a higher rate of colon cancer than do other racial groups, and it is the leading cause of death among that population. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among other Native populations nationwide.

"If you catch colon cancer at stage 1, there is a 90 percent chance of survival. At stages 3 or 4, there is only a 10 percent chance of survival," said Robinson. "Unfortunately, colon cancer is screened through a fecal occult blood test, which sometimes shows a false positive in Alaska Natives, or through a colonoscopy, which is not always practical in small villages.

"In order to have a colonoscopy, patients have to do prep work 24 hours in advance," she continued. "If a doctor is flying out to a remote community and gets weathered out, all of that prep is lost and patients can't be screened."

"People in rural areas have a challenge getting the proper screenings as well as accessing care," agreed Wanda Katinszky, director, Oncology Service Line, Providence Alaska Medical Center. "Colorectal cancer, which has the highest rates in Alaska Natives, requires more sophisticated detection than they are capable of having in villages served by a health aide. While there is a mobile mammogram to detect breast cancer, it doesn't travel everywhere."

RISK FACTORS FOR CANCER

According to Robinson, one-third of all cancer deaths are tobacco related, and one-third are linked to obesity. "We tell everyone, if you smoke...