Cancer

By Edward S. Pratt, M.D., M.B.A.

Cancer is one of the big killers of the aging population. After heart disease it is the biggest. Metastatic cancer from the breast, lung, kidney, prostate, and colon all frequent our friend the back. Multiple myeloma, a cancer of blood cells also commonly affects the spine. Any progressive increase in back pain, pain that is worse at night, pain associated with numbness, weakness or tingling in the legs, weight loss or loss of appetite, changes in bowel or bladder function all are danger signs that should take us immediately to our family physician for urgent evaluation and treatment.

Although we cannot prevent cancer we can minimize its effects in two important ways. First, we can steer clear of environmental agents we know cause cancer, such as tobacco, and excess sunlight. We can also eat healthy foods high in anti-oxidants, and use sun screen when outdoors which can help prevent many forms of cancer. Second, we can detect cancer early, greatly increasing the chance for cure. Regular physicals and prostate exams with PSA blood testing, colonoscopy in men over 50 year of age, as well as regular breast exams, mammography, and Papst smears in women are just a few steps we can all take to minimize our risks.