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vim&
WINTER 2010
Cracking the
Cancer Code
CANCER
SURVIVOR
GIVES THANKS
BY GIVING
BACK
How to Avoid
‘Catching’
Cancer
How golfer
MIKE WEIR
overcame injury
and is getting
back in the swing
PUTTING
THE
BRAKES ON
PROSTATE
CANCER
page 4
of the
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Changing the
Change
This isn’t your mother’s menopause. Relief from symptoms is
closer than ever. Talk to your doctor about your options.
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CONTENTS
SPECIAL
Groundbreaking News
Construction
is underway on
the BC Cancer
Agency’s sixth
regional cancer
centre.
6
DEPARTMENTS
2 For Openers
Reflecting on the
successes of the
past year.
3 Why I Give After two
bouts with cancer, a
couple is raising funds
and awareness.
4 Research Frontier
A BC Cancer Agency
scientist discovers
a new drug to stop
prostate cancer.
8 Spotlight B.C.’s
top DNA detectives
are cracking the
cancer code.
49 Screening
Understanding
an “abnormal”
screen result.
10
16
18
22
32
FEATURES
Smart Moves
Soreness is a natural result of exercising, but flexing a little knowledge can
minimize pain and prevent injury.
Feet First
Choosing the right pair of shoes is a
good strategy to help avoid physical
problems from the ground up.
Stroke Sense
A stroke can strike anyone at any time.
Protect your brain by filling it with
information that could save your life.
Gut Feelings
Digestive problems can interfere with
your daily life. Learn how to interpret
the motions in your midsection.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark
Step aside, bogeyman. Insomnia is the
real monster in the closet. Shine some
light on what’s keeping you from a
good night’s sleep.
38
40
44
56
A Natural Dilemma
“Organic” doesn’t always mean
“healthy.” Look beyond food labels
and consider the bigger picture.
17 Reasons to Work in Healthcare
Jump-start your job search by
exploring this diverse, flexible and
growing industry.
The Faces of Skin Cancer
Four skin cancer survivors share
their stories. Benefit from the
lessons they learned and get expert
advice on early detection.
Improving the Odds
BC Cancer Agency scientists discover
a key to predicting the success of
treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
COVER PHOTO BY NIGEL DICKSON
50 Prevention How
to avoid “catching”
cancer.
26
52 Planned Giving A
donor plants the seeds
of his wife’s legacy.
54 News A roundup
of Agency and
Foundation events
and notables.
ON THE COVER
Golfer Mike Weir is getting back in the swing.
He is triumphing over injury and adversity in his
quest to return to the top.
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for openers
Reflection &
Celebration
W
inter is a time when many of us
reflect back over the year, take
inventory and ponder the coming
season. Did we accomplish what we
set out to do? Did anything stand out?
As I look back over the past 12 months I find myself
filled with pride, hope and optimism. Why? Because our donors reached out and
engaged with us more than ever before. You continued to partner with us to support breakthrough research conducted right here in our own backyard—research
conducted by the BC Cancer Agency.
Through your generous support, the bar of
cancer knowledge has been raised to greater
heights this past year, with the announcements of many world-first research discoveries. These discoveries will have a direct
impact on improvements to cancer care for
patients in British Columbia.
Provincial Office:
We have made significant progress
1-888-906-2873
towards
our vision of a world free from [email protected]
cer and you are leading the way in helping us
advance our cause. For this I am grateful.
Abbotsford and
On behalf of the BC Cancer Foundation
Fraser Valley:
and the BC Cancer Agency I wish you and
Kate Ludlam
your family health, peace and joy.
1-866-232-9974
Contact the
BC Cancer
Foundation
[email protected]
Southern Interior:
Cynthia Waldek-Peters
1-866-230-9988
[email protected]
Vancouver Island:
Carla Funk
1-866-519-5550
[email protected]
Vancouver:
Sharon Kennedy
1-888-906-2873
[email protected]
2
The BC Cancer Foundation
Board of Directors 2010-2011
John Jennings, Chair
Pat Jacobsen, Past-Chair
Jess Ketchum, Vice-Chair
Robert Bennett
Wendy T. Chan
Manjit Claire
Sue Connaghan
Lynda Cranston
Monika Deol
Gordon Diamond
Dr. Connie Eaves
Brad Field
Michael Hungerford
Kevin Irvine
Joanna Kong
Dr. David Levy
Joy MacPhail
Joanne McLeod
Douglas Nelson
Anna Nyarady
Kirsten Tisdale
Lorne Wickerson
Dr. Frances Wong
President & CEO
Douglas Nelson
BC Cancer Foundation Editorial
Judy Hamill, Communications Specialist
Michelle Peters, Communications Coordinator
Photos: BC Cancer Agency Multimedia Department
production
Editorial
V.P./Strategic Content: Beth Tomkiw
Editor-in-Chief: Shelley Flannery
Editors: Sam Mittelsteadt, Matt Morgan, Amanda Myers,
Tom Weede, Julie Wlodychak
Copy Editor: Cindy Hutchinson
Design
Managing Art Director: Adele Mulford
Art Directors: Lisa Altomare, Maggie Conners, Monya Mollohan,
Kay Morrow, Tami Rodgers, Keith Whitney
Production
Senior Production Manager: Laura Marlowe
Ancillary Production Manager: Angela Liedtke
Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine
Prep Specialists: Julie Fong, Sonia Washington
Circulation
V.P./ Business Intelligence Group: Patrick Kehoe
Postal Affairs & Logistics Director: Joseph Abeyta
client services
V.P./Sales and Product Development: Chad Rose,
1-888-626-8779
Provincial Office
600 – 686 West Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 1G1
604-877-6040
1-888-906-2873 toll free
Charitable Business Number 11881 8434 RR0001
www.bccancerfoundation.com
About the BC Cancer Foundation
Douglas Nelson
President & CEO
BC Cancer Foundation
Established in 1935, the BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to
support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer
Agency throughout B.C.
Our vision: A world free from cancer
About the BC Cancer Agency
The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services
Authority, provides a province-wide, population-based cancer control
program for all B.C. and Yukon residents. Its mandate covers the
spectrum of cancer care and research, from prevention and screening
to diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative
care. The Agency’s mission is:
• to reduce the incidence of cancer
• to reduce the mortality rates of people with cancer
• to improve the quality of life of people with cancer
B.C. has the lowest cancer incidence and cancer mortality rates
in Canada.
Vim & Vigour,™ Winter 2010, Volume 26, Number 4, is ­published quarterly
by McMurry, McMurry Campus Center, 602-395-5850. Vim & Vigour™ is
published for the purpose of disseminating health-related information for the
well-being of the general public and its ­subscribers. The information contained
in Vim & Vigour™ is not intended for the purpose of diagnosing or prescribing.
Please consult your ­physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment and/or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
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Why I Give
Accentuate the Positive
A Nanaimo couple ‘pays it forward’
after overcoming two bouts
with cancer
Roger Ball and Therese Swettenham enjoy an Alaskan cruise just two
months after Roger’s radical surgery.
online
F
or Roger Ball and Therese Swettenham, there is
one very clear reason they donate to the BC Cancer
Foundation. “By donating to cancer research you
could end up saving the life of someone you love,
or even your own,” explains Roger, a two-time cancer survivor from Nanaimo.
Roger was first diagnosed with throat cancer in 2003
and considered himself lucky: he was offered a new type
of treatment called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in a clinical trial and walked away with very
little radiation burning and all of his taste buds and salivary glands intact.
Life was back to normal, and Roger cleared the fiveyear cancer-free hurdle. The couple, together for 27 years,
busied themselves with activities supporting the BC
Cancer Foundation.
They held fundraisers in several Vancouver Island
communities and spoke to service organizations and
patient groups, and they now volunteer on the BC Cancer
Foundation’s Vancouver Island Advisory Council.
“Someone raised the money that funded the IMRT
clinical trial research, so I felt the need to give back. I
wanted to help someone else,” explains Roger. “Therese
is ‘paying it forward.’ ”
A Time to Give
If you haven’t made your annual gift to the
BC Cancer Foundation, there is still time to make a
life-saving difference before the end of the tax year.
Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com and join
BC Cancer Foundation donors Roger and Therese
as our partners in discovery.
A Battle for His Life
But in the fall of 2009, Roger knew something was wrong.
His voice was strained and dry. Within two weeks, after
numerous visits to doctors, he learned why. His cancer
had returned with a vengeance.
The only option was extensive surgery. Surgeons
removed Roger’s tongue, voice box, salivary glands,
lymph nodes and part of his thyroid. They had to use his
abdominal muscles to rebuild his oral cavity. He would
no longer be able to talk, eat, smell or laugh out loud. Very
few people on Vancouver Island had gone through such a
drastic procedure.
“At 71 and still active, I felt I was not ready to leave this
planet and all of my friends and loved ones,” Roger says.
“The seven-and-a-half hour surgery was my only hope.”
Today, his prognosis is good and life is back to normal—“a new normal,” as Therese describes it.
Roger had to learn how to swallow again, and can only
eat pureed food. He uses a computer and iPod to speak.
But he is back to enjoying the things he loves, like fishing
and traveling. The two are planning a trip to South Africa
to reunite with Roger’s brother.
“Life is always a challenge, and you need to keep a positive attitude,” he says. “This process has been interesting,
amusing and frustrating. But at least I’m here to experience all these things!”
The couple continues to support the BC Cancer
Foundation, including speaking to service clubs and organizations, where Roger’s computer now does the talking.
“My treatment was exceptional,” he says. “We would
not be at this advanced stage in our knowledge of cancer
research and treatment in B.C. if it wasn’t for donations to
the BC Cancer Foundation.”
Therese couldn’t agree more. “We’ve come so far. I’m
not sure that 10 years ago, Roger would have survived.
We’re just so thankful.” Vim & Vigour • WI NTER 2010
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Research Frontier
The Way of
Inspired by the tragic loss of her sister,
a BC Cancer Agency scientist is a leader
in research of advanced prostate cancer
Innovation
M
arianne Sadar was 10 years old when she lost
her older sister to leukemia. “It completely
changed my life—it is what motivates me,”
she says.
As a child, she imagined herself as a scientist, using the
bathtub as her laboratory to create a life-saving elixir.
Marianne indeed grew up and became a scientist.
Today she is an internationally recognized cancer expert
and leads the prostate cancer research program at the
BC Cancer Agency. In 2008, she won the prestigious
Terry Fox Young Investigator Award for her outstanding
lab work in developing new prostate cancer therapies.
“When I was notified about the award, I was very
moved,” Dr. Sadar says. “Terry Fox was a heroic young
man who inspired a nation. He believed that with research
we can find cures for cancers. It was a great honour to
receive an award based on his legacy.”
She has dedicated her career to improving patient outcomes. “There was no cure for my sister at that time,”
she says, “but scientific research has led to significant
advances in reducing the suffering and extending the
lives of cancer patients today.”
Her research focuses on finding new treatments for
men with advanced prostate cancer. There is an urgent
need—on average, 20 per cent of patients with prostate
cancer have a second occurrence and there are no treatments that will cure it at that stage.
World-First achievement
Dr. Sadar’s first step was to find the biological “engine” of
the tumour’s molecule. This achievement was the basis of
her award from the Terry Fox Foundation.
Her latest breakthrough was announced earlier this
year and is a world-first innovation.
Building on her previous discoveries, Dr. Sadar and
her team have developed a unique experimental drug
that targets the tumour at its core and stops or prevents
it from growing. The drug can shrink prostate cancer
Dr. Marianne Sadar in her lab at the BC Cancer Agency.
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A Closer Look
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among Canadian men.
• One in seven Canadian men is affected.
•A
n estimated 3,100 men in B.C. will be
diagnosed with prostate cancer this year.
• It recurs in about 20 per cent of patients.
• The exact cause is unknown.
• The risk is twice as high among black men as
white men.
• Men over 70 are at increased risk.
• It is very unusual under the age of 50.
• To be curable, it has to be discovered before it
spreads outside the prostate.
photo by Alfred Meikelham
CALL
tumours in the lab, without any toxic side effects, and
even sometimes cure advanced stage prostate cancer.
It is unlike current drugs for advanced prostate cancer,
which can slow the growth of a tumour, but are unable to
stop or reverse it.
Her discovery has drawn attention from the international medical community, including the director of the
prostate cancer program at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Sadar’s commitment to prostate cancer research
has inspired many BC Cancer Foundation donors. Several
groups have organized large fundraising events year after
year to raise money specifically to support her work.
The next step is to take the drug from the lab into
patient clinical trials. It will likely be several more years
of study before the drug can become available, but it just
might be the equivalent of that magic elixir Dr. Sadar
dreamt of as a young girl. Dr. Marianne Sadar links up with BC Cancer Foundation donors at
their golf fundraiser.
“The Country Meadows Senior
Men’s golf team is thrilled about
Dr. Marianne Sadar’s achievements
in prostate cancer research. For
the last 10 years, every dollar we
have raised—over $400,000 in
total—has gone to purchase stateof-the-art equipment for her work.
Dr. Sadar’s success reflects well on
Get Organized!
To find out how you can organize a fundraising
benefit for the BC Cancer Foundation to support
breakthrough research in B.C., contact Sacha Lehto
at 604-675-8242 or [email protected]
or contact the Foundation representative in your
region (listed on page 2).
our hard-working members who are
very proud to be a small part of her
outstanding accomplishments.”
—Tim Enno, Chairman,
2010 Charity Golf Classic
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Groundbreaking
Construction begins
on BC Cancer Agency’s
new Centre for the North
Fast Facts
• Size: 54,000 square feet (5,000 square metres)
• Linear accelerators for radiation therapy: 2
• Computerized-tomography (CT) simulator: 1
• Completion date: September 2012
• Cost: $69.9 million.
News
C
onstruction shovels have officially broken ground on the
BC Cancer Agency’s sixth regional cancer centre—the
Centre for the North.
The Centre is part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy, a
joint initiative of the Provincial Health Services Authority, the BC
Cancer Agency and Northern Health. It aims to reduce the impact
of cancer on northern communities by providing medical and
support services tailored to the needs of patients.
Architectural rendering of
the BC Cancer Agency’s new
Centre for the North
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VIDEO
Spreading
the Word
Prevention initiatives underway in northern B.C.
Construction Site
Visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/RS/north/
default.htm and click “webcam view” to see
up-to-the-minute coverage of the construction of
the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the North.
The new cancer centre will be located in Prince George and
is set to open in September 2012. The 54,000-square-foot
facility will be built on the site of the University Hospital of
Northern BC (formerly Prince George Regional Hospital) and
will include a chemotherapy treatment unit, a computerizedtomography (CT) simulator, two linear accelerators for the
delivery of radiation therapy, a pharmacy, general outpatient
clinics as well as volunteer and supportive care services.
“We are very pleased to finally be moving ahead with construction plans for our new Centre for the North in Prince
George,” says Dr. David Levy, president of the BC Cancer
Agency. “This facility will not only bring new services to the
North, such as radiation therapy, but also provide coordination and support for the delivery of high-quality cancer care
and research across the entire region.”
As the Agency’s funding partner, the BC Cancer Foundation
will support the Agency’s new northern Centre, raising funds
for research and patient care.
Northern Facts
• By 2012, 1,200 northern residents will be diagnosed
with cancer annually.
• 11,000 will be living with a history of cancer.
• Survival rates for some cancers are lower in the
North than in other parts of B.C.
• Cervical cancer screening and mammography participation rates are lower compared with the rest of B.C.
The BC Cancer Agency’s Prevention Programs are
working on several key cancer prevention priorities
across the province, including the North.
One priority is a survivorship program that aims to
prevent secondary primary cancers. Improved cancer
treatment has helped many patients successfully beat
the disease, but survivors can often be at high risk for
developing other cancers. The Agency’s Prevention
Programs will help educate such patients on how to
reduce their risk for further cancer.
Prevention staff are also focused on enhancing
cancer screening awareness and participation in the
North, working closely with Northern Health and local
communities. Screening is available for various types
of cancers for which, when detected early, deaths can
be reduced. The BC Cancer Agency offers a number
of programs, including the Cervical Cancer Screening
Program, the Screening Mammography Program (for
breast cancer) and the Hereditary Cancer Program.
The unique prevention needs of Aboriginal communities, as well as other rural and remote populations, are
a further focus. BC Cancer Agency is partnering with
Northern Health to address cancer risk factors for various communities in the North.
“Our goal is to help people stay healthy and hopefully cancer free,” says Sonia Lamont, Provincial
Manager for Prevention Programs at the BC Cancer
Agency.
The BC Cancer Foundation provided some of the
funds for prevention program initiatives in various
parts of the province, recognizing the importance of
cancer prevention at the community level.
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Spotlight
Cracking the Cancer Code
Made-in-B.C. genomics research is unlocking
a ‘revolution of advances’
N
Dr. Marco Marra
A Revolution of Advances
online
Ten years ago, sifting through the human DNA code to
find individual genetic mutations was the proverbial hunt
for the needle in a haystack, on a colossal scale.
“Until about two years ago, we had no way to look
through the six metres of DNA in each of a person’s
10 [trillion] to 100 trillion cells,” Dr. Marra explains. “We
knew that the amount of individual characters that specify
Did You Know?
The BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre
was the first in the world to sequence the SARS virus.
Check out their impressive record of accomplishments and projects at www.bcgsc.ca.
Let’s Get Personal!
email
obel laureate and scientific pioneer Dr. Michael
Smith (1932-2000) had a dream to create
Canada’s first genomic research centre dedicated to the study of cancer, right here in B.C.
His dream came true in 1999 when far-sighted British
Columbians who shared his vision invested $24 million through the BC Cancer Foundation to establish
Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at the
BC Cancer Agency.
“The Genome Sciences Centre exists today because
donors banded together and decided that B.C. needed
this world-leading research facility. They made that happen,” says Dr. Marco Marra, the Centre’s Director.
Today, barely a decade later, the Centre has emerged
as a leader in gene research, with a global reputation for
the quality and quantity of its work. Five major research
breakthroughs at the BC Cancer Agency in the past year
alone attest to its success. Many more are on the horizon.
All were made possible by Genome Sciences Centre’s
next-generation computer sequencing technology, with
its gargantuan capacity to process and analyze torrents
of data at previously unimaginable rates and at a fraction
of the original cost.
Dr. Steven Jones
To join the BC Cancer Foundation as a
partner in discovery on the forefront of
personalized cancer research, please contact
Sharon Kennedy at 604-877-6160 or
[email protected].
your DNA was astronomical—and that’s all we could say.
Today we are at the beginning of a revolution of advances.”
The Genome Sciences Centre’s technology platform
provides BC Cancer Agency colleagues with very specific biological targets at which to aim new treatments to
improve their patients’ outcomes.
Now, personalized medicine—once a distant possibility—is within our grasp.
This was recently demonstrated when the Centre’s
team made a major breakthrough in cancer care for one
patient whose cancer was so rare and aggressive that no
treatment options existed.
After the team sequenced the patient’s normal genes
and then the cancer cells’ genes, they analyzed the differences until they found the genetic changes that were
driving the progress of the disease. Doctors used this
pathway to tailor a personal treatment for the patient’s
specific genetic makeup.
It worked—the cancer was halted for several precious
months. Without the genetic information, doctors would
have been left guessing which treatment to try.
“This was our dream when the Centre first opened,”
says Dr. Steven Jones, the Centre’s
Associate Director and co-author
of the research. “That someday a
patient would have their tumour
genome sequenced to provide
clinical benefit—and this will be
the first of many.” BC Cancer Agency Genome
Sciences Centre staff
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Step by
Step
Walking for 30 minutes a day can help reduce your risk
for heart disease and diabetes. What are you waiting for?
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KNOW Before You Go
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RADIUS IMAGES
bit of next-day soreness is to be expected,
but it’s more essential to avoid an even bigger pain: putting your health in danger.
It’s always best to see your doctor about underlying health conditions before you start working
out, especially if you’re a man over 45 or a woman
over 55, or you have cardiac problems, high blood
pressure or diabetes.
Once you have a green light from your physician, your next step is to talk to another professional—a fitness professional. Proper technique
is essential to avoid injury, so get some expert
advice about the appropriate weight and repetitions you should be using, and learn how to
properly use the equipment in your gym. “You
wouldn’t try to drive a car without learning how,”
says Pauline Becker, a certified exercise physiologist and spokeswoman for the Canadian Society
for Exercise Physiology. “If you don’t know about
the mechanics of exercise, hire someone who
does so you don’t train with poor technique.”
Before you put that first foot on a treadmill or
pick up your first dumbbell, it’s important to set
some expectations. Sure, exercise can be fun, but
they don’t call it a workout for nothing. Getting
in shape is work, and to build muscle, you have
to break it down first. “When you start training, you’re shocking the muscles and causing
microtears,” explains strength and conditioning
specialist Jim Massaro.
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The kicker is that while you’re running, biking or lifting,
you’ll probably feel great. It’s that next morning—or even
two mornings later—when you wake up and wonder why
everything hurts. That not-so-pleasant phenomenon is called
DOMS: delayed-onset muscle soreness, says Ben Greenfield,
a sports science and exercise physiologist and author of Run
with No Pain and several other training books. This type of
exercise-related muscle soreness, according to Greenfield,
usually sets in 24 to 48 hours after your workout, and will
start to feel better around the 72-hour mark. The microtears
you’re creating in your muscles lead to inflammation, and
that’s what brings on the DOMS-related tenderness, soreness
and tightness.
“When you’re new to exercise, the difference between good
sore and bad sore can be a muddy, grey area,” Becker says.
“DOMS is a normal part of post-exercise recovery. You’ve
traumatized the muscle tissue and now it’s growing and
repairing and getting stronger.”
w
While You Work Out
hile you can’t escape some post-workout soreness, there are strategies that will keep it to a
minimum and help you recover more quickly.
First things first: Start with a good warm-up. “Warm muscle has a greater degree of elasticity,” Greenfield explains. “It’s
just like a rubber band. If you try to stretch one when it’s cold,
it snaps much easier. Same with muscle; when it’s warm, it
tends to tear less.”
Post-workout pain is often the result of doing too much too
soon. Start slow and watch your level of intensity. Try using
the “talk test,” to keep tabs on how hard you work out. If
you’re aiming for a low- to moderate-intensity workout, you
should be able to carry on a conversation while exercising.
Massaro recommends starting with squats and other simple
body-weight movements, and focusing on your form, posture
and alignment by watching yourself in a mirror. For example,
watch to make sure you keep your hands evenly spaced on
weight-lifting machines and barbells. “Doing too much and
doing it wrong are two perfect ways to get hurt,” he says.
As a bookend to your workout, be sure to leave time for
a proper cool-down. “When you’re done working a specific
muscle group, be sure to stretch that muscle to elongate it,”
Massaro says.
photography by blend images
No Bones About It
While exercise can help you look good on the outside, on the inside it’s serving another essential purpose:
strengthening your bones. As you age, your bone density decreases. Weight-bearing and moderate- to
high-impact exercises such as running, walking, dancing and weight training put stress on your bones,
which helps them become stronger.
“Seniors need to incorporate weight-bearing and strengthening exercises to build their bone density
and help prevent osteoporosis,” says Pauline Becker, a certified exercise physiologist and spokeswoman
for the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. “But they also need to be mindful about high-impact
exercises, which could be dangerous.” Water workouts are a good lower-impact alternative.
Exercises that improve your balance also can be key to avoiding falls—and avoiding debilitating fractures. Becker recommends a routine that includes tai chi and stretching.
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NE art of
E
R
SO N, is p UT.
PAI RKING O
WO
The AFTEREFFECTS
f you do all the right steps and DOMS still rears its ugly
head, don’t worry. The soreness should be gone in a day
or two. And the good news is that with each workout,
you’ll feel it a little less. That’s because your muscles adapt to
the stress you put them under. If you decide to up your intensity, weight, duration or speed, however, expect DOMS again
as your muscles react to the new stimulus.
It may seem counterintuitive, but when soreness sets in,
one of the best things you can do is go out the next day and
have a light workout. “Light” being the key word.
Getting off the couch actually will reduce the soreness,
Becker explains. “The idea is to use the same muscles in a different way so that you can flush out the lactic acid that builds
up,” he says. Massage, hydrotherapy and alternating applications of heat and cold also can help.
When your pain goes beyond soreness, that’s the time to
take a step back and assess. Is the pain sharp or in a specific
area? Is there pain in a joint or a muscle? Did you hear a pop
during a workout? “DOMS is going to be broad, not point specific,” Becker explains. “It will literally be hard to ‘put a finger
on it.’ ”
For sharp pains, follow the RICE prescription: rest, ice,
compression and elevation. If you have swelling, try taking
a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, such as Advil. If you follow the RICE plan and the pain doesn’t go away in one to
three weeks, it’s time to see a doctor. Severe pain should be
treated immediately.
Remember, soreness, not pain, is part of working out. “You
don’t need to destroy your body to get results,” Greenfield
says. “You can get enormous benefits from a walk.”
14
When It’s
More Serious
If you have a nagging pain or injury, don’t just grin and
bear it or ignore it and hope it will go away. You could
end up doing more damage.
“After you run or work out on the elliptical trainer,
you’re going to feel it in parts,” says Pauline Becker, a
certified exercise physiologist. “But on a scale of 1 to
10, a 4 or 5 is OK. If it doesn’t go away in one to three
weeks, something is more irritated than you probably
realize.” That’s when it’s time to seek help.
Specifically, don’t ignore these signs:
• Joint pain
• Point-specific tenderness
• Swelling
• Numbness or tingling sensations
• Decreased range of motion
• Weakness on one side
Becker says that seeing your doctor early can help
avoid further injuries. “When your body compensates
for an injured or vulnerable spot, then you’re at risk for
other injuries,” she explains.
ONLINE
T
O
N
SS,
FREE Exercise
Guide
If you’re ready to get into shape, visit
www.paguide.com to download
“Canada’s Physical Activity Guide to
Healthy Active Living” or search for a
certified exercise physiologist in
your area at www.csep.ca.
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KEEPINGYOURBRAINACTIVE
9/23/10 3:46:05 PM
Feet
First
The right shoes
can prevent
physical
problems from
the ground up
16
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CHOOSE FUNCTION OVER FORM
For women, shoes with narrow toe boxes or high
heels are the biggest source of foot problems. Wearing
these kinds of shoes every day can lead to structural
deformities such as bunions, hammertoes and numbness or pain in the forefoot.
What’s more, if you have a shoe that distorts your
anatomy down at the level of the foot, it’s invariably
going to also cause distortions higher up at the knee,
hip and back. And those distortions can cause pain.
To prevent these problems, orthopedic specialists
suggest limiting high heels or shoes with narrow toe
boxes to special occasions. For daily wear:
• Look for shoes with toe boxes wide and long enough
to accommodate all the toes.
• Stick to shoes with a heel height of 2.5 centimetres
or less—and the wider the heel the better.
• Make sure your shoes provide adequate support to
your instep.
The most common problems men face are heel pain
and pain under the forefoot from prolonged standing.
To prevent these conditions, avoid shoes with thin
leather soles, opting instead for thicker, stiffer soles
with adequate cushioning.
ON THE FIELD, TRACK OR COURT
When buying athletic shoes, both men and women
should begin with an awareness of their foot anatomy,
such as flat feet or high arches. Rely on qualified shoe
fitters, who generally can be found at stores specializing in athletic equipment. Different sports require
different shoes, but they all should provide stability
Some people with structural imbalances in their feet can
be helped by orthotic inserts, which are placed inside shoes
to accommodate or correct the
imbalance. For example, a person
whose ankle or foot is tilted in one
direction would get an orthotic
that reverses the tilt to reduce
stress on the knees, hips or back.
But orthotic inserts can be expensive, and not everyone actually needs
them. It’s recommended that you
visit an orthopedic specialist who will
evaluate you in a variety of postures
and can determine whether an orthotic insert would relieve
the problems. If so, it’s best to use orthotic inserts that are
custom-made to fit your foot’s anatomy and address your
specific needs.
and cushioning, especially in the heel. Also check for
signs of wear in your athletic shoes, including worndown heels or insoles that no longer have spring.
Typically, athletic shoes should be replaced every
six to 12 months.
When in doubt, choose proper fit, support and
cushioning over fashion. There are plenty of options
today that are stylish and good for your feet. A lot of
problems can be prevented just by choosing the right
shoes.
ONLINE
I
f the shoe fits, wear it. This adage may be true,
but it’s only the first step in selecting proper
footwear.
Wearing the wrong types of shoes can cause pain—
even irreversible physical damage—from the feet all
the way to the back. Fortunately, choosing the right
footwear can resolve or prevent these problems.
PUT YOUR
BEST FOOT
FORWARD
Boost Your Shoe IQ
For quick tips on foot care from heel to toenails,
check out the British Columbia Association of
Podiatrists’ website at www.foothealth.ca
and click “Foot Care.”
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Str ke
By Lori K. Baker
ILLUSTRATIONS BY ELLEN WEINSTEIN
Sense
Test your
knowledge
when it comes
to brain
attacks and
learn what
you can do
to protect
yourself
18
True or false:
Stroke runs in the family,
like grandpa’s blue eyes and grandma’s wavy hair, and there’s really not
much you can do to avoid it.
Answer: False! In the past, a stroke was like a lightning bolt out of the
blue: unpredictable, unpreventable, untreatable and devastating. But
today, researchers know that many “brain attacks” can be prevented by
controlling certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It also spells trouble if you smoke cigarettes, pack
on too many pounds, drink too much and don’t exercise. Still, life can
deal out other risk factors like an unlucky card hand, with age, ethnicity
and heredity also playing a role in strokes.
Many of us are dangerously ignorant of the risk factors and warning
signs of stroke, which is the nation’s third leading cause of death (trailing heart disease and cancer) and leaves many survivors with lifelong
disabilities. Take this quiz to find out what health issues could be putting
you at risk and what you can do to protect yourself. Check each question
that applies to you. Then, read on to learn more.
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Stroke
Signals
 H as your doctor warned you that your
blood pressure is too high?
 Have you been diagnosed with diabetes?
 Do you have high cholesterol?
I
f you answered yes to all three questions, you’re at significant risk for stroke.
Doctors consider high blood pressure, known as a “silent killer,” to be the No. 1
risk factor for stroke, which occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst blood vessel. Not only is hypertension common
(an estimated one in three adults has it), but it’s treatable. The catch is, about one
in five adults suffers from high blood pressure and doesn’t know it, according to
one estimate.
Meanwhile, high cholesterol and diabetes also play havoc on veins and arteries
supplying blood and oxygen to the brain. “Diabetes isn’t just a disease of blood
sugar. What it really does is attack the blood vessels,” says Dr. Richard C. Senelick,
a neurologist and the author of Living with Stroke: A Guide for Families. He advises
people who suffer from one or all three conditions to follow the advice of their
physician and keep regularly scheduled follow-up appointments.
It has been called a “brain
attack.” Stroke strikes suddenly, often with these
warning signs:
• Numbness or weakness
of the face, arm or leg,
especially on one side of
the body
• Confusion, trouble
speaking or understanding
• Trouble seeing in one or
both eyes
• Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or
coordination
• Severe headache with
no known cause
If you notice one or
more of these signs, don’t
wait, even if they go away.
Immediately dial 911 so an
ambulance can be quickly
sent for you. Do the same
if you’re with someone
who may be having stroke
symptoms. Insist on taking
prompt action, and don’t
take no for an answer.
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 Do you smoke?
 Are you overweight?
 Is your favourite motto, “It’s
five o’clock somewhere”?
S
moking, overeating and excessive drinking
are the trifecta of risky health habits. Dr.
Michael D. Hill, a spokesman for the Heart
and Stroke Foundation of Canada, offers
this advice: Quit smoking, drink only in moderation,
exercise at least 30 minutes most days of the week,
and modify your diet so you’re getting the minimum
five servings per day of fruits and vegetables along
with whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein
such as skinless chicken breasts and fish. “Drinking
in moderation is one to two ounces of alcohol per
day,” Hill says. “You can’t save up your one drink per
day and have them all on the weekend, either. Binge
drinking is especially dangerous.”
 Do you have a parent, grandparent, sister or brother who had a stroke
before age 65?
 Have you had a prior stroke, TIA (transient ischemic attack) or heart attack?
 Are you 55 or older?
I
f you answered yes to any of or all the above questions, you have
what’s called non-modifiable risk factors for stroke, meaning
risk factors you can’t change. It’s always good to know your family’s health history, but be more concerned if you’ve had a prior
stroke, heart attack or TIA.
TIAs are called “warning strokes” because they produce strokelike
symptoms but no lasting damage. If you’ve had one or more TIAs,
you’re about five times more likely to have a stroke over the next two
years than the general population, according to the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada.
Aging also takes a toll on your arteries, increasing your chance of
having a stroke for each decade of life after 55, according to the foundation. “As you age, your arteries become more fragile,” Senelick says.
“They are less elastic and flexible. They become brittle. This hardening
of the arteries is called atherosclerosis. The more buildup of atherosclerosis, the more likely these arteries are to clog or close off. If this
occurs in the brain, it will result in stroke.”
If you have one or more risk factors for stroke that can’t be changed,
don’t panic, Senelick advises. Learn the warning signs of stroke and
don’t use rationalizations such as “I’ll feel better in the morning” if they
occur. Instead, immediately dial 911 and check the time. Your healthcare
team will ask, “When did the first warning sign or symptom start?”
20
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Help
for the
Caregiver
1
“The rehabilitation team is
trained to know what’s available in your community and when,”
says Dr. Richard C. Senelick, author
of Living with Stroke: A Guide for
Families. “They will be able to assist
you in finding educational materials,
transportation services, meal services, vocational referral services,
community get-togethers, stroke
clubs and more.”
2
A hospital social worker or
case manager can help you
through the maze of insurance,
home health agencies and medical
equipment companies.
3
The rehabilitation team can
do a home safety check and
teach you caregiving skills, such as
how to properly transfer or assist
your loved one. “This will help you
improve not only your caregiving
skills,” Senelick says, “but your confidence levels as well.”
 Do you have the warning signs of
stroke memorized?
 Do you keep a list of emergency rescue
service numbers next to the telephone
and in your pocket, wallet or purse?
 Do you know which hospitals are nearest
to your home and office as well as which
are primary stroke centres that have
24-hour emergency stroke care?
I
f you’ve answered yes to all the above questions, congratulations!
You’re prepared for a medical emergency, such as a stroke. “One caveat
is family members also need to be able to recognize the warning signs
of stroke,” says Hill, who advises family members to dial 911 even if
their loved one protests. “Of the patients we see, only about 50 per cent get
to the hospital in time, during the first 4½ hours after symptoms began.”
If a person is diagnosed with a stroke caused by a blood clot, doctors
can administer a clot-busting drug called t-PA that is available only at a
hospital, and only within those crucial hours after symptoms begin. CALL
Caregiving is a role in life you least
expect and yet carries the ultimate
responsibility: the well-being of
your loved one. But you don’t have
to go it alone. Your loved one’s
rehabilitation team is not only
here to help with stroke recovery
but also to provide an invaluable
resource for you as the caregiver.
Here’s how:
Are You at Risk for
High Blood Pressure?
Take a free online assessment by visiting the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Canada at www.heartandstroke.ca and
clicking “control blood pressure.”
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GUT FEELINGS
What is your ailing abdomen
trying to tell you?
BY JULIE WLODYCHAK
22
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D
o digestive problems cause you to plot out your
bathroom breaks? Have you ever carried with
you an extra pair of trousers—just in case? Do
you know where every restroom is in a threecounty radius? If so, you’re not alone. In fact,
about five million Canadians have symptoms
of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition characterized by abdominal pain and constipation or
diarrhea, or both.
“It’s pretty common for most people to experience digestive problems from
time to time,” says Dr. Susan Biali, a wellness expert and author of Live a Life You
Love. But more than 20 million Canadians suffer from digestive disorders each year
that affect their personal and professional lives, according to the Canadian Digestive
Health Foundation.
If uncomfortable digestive symptoms are disrupting your daily activities (or are just
a pain in the you-know-what), read on to learn what they may indicate and how you can
experience a tranquil digestive tract once and for all.
photography by photolibrary
Constipation
What it is: Infrequent or difficult-to-pass bowel
movements, often accompanied by the feeling of
a full and bloated abdomen.
What it could mean: Constipation has
many causes, including not eating enough fibre,
lack of exercise, certain medications, pregnancy,
dehydration, and certain diseases and conditions
such as stroke.
What you should do: “To have regular
bowel movements, it’s important to exercise regularly, drink enough water and eat a diet with
enough fibre,” Biali says. Gradually incorporate
more fibre into your diet by eating whole grains,
fruits and veggies, and amp up the exercise. Ask
your doctor if constipation could be a side effect
of medications you are taking. If you have fewer
than three bowel movements per week or discover
blood in your stool, see a physician immediately.
Gas and Bloating
What it is: Totally normal. “Most people experience a normal amount of gas and bloating that
doesn’t interfere with their lives,” Biali says.
When gas doesn’t pass through the system normally, it gets caught in the stomach and intestines
and causes bloating.
What it could mean: Gas often results from
eating certain foods, but smoking, stress, irritable
bowel syndrome, celiac disease (a gluten intolerance), lactose intolerance, and gastrointestinal
blockage or infection are also contributors.
What you should do: If you experience
regular discomfort, talk with your physician to
rule out lactose intolerance, food sensitivities or
celiac disease. Reduce or eliminate foods that
continually cause excess gas, such as beans, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, soda, cauliflower
and gum.
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DIARRHEA
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Soothe
Your
Symptoms
To minimize abdominal troubles,
follow these five simple tips from
Dr. Susan Biali, a wellness expert
and author of Live a Life You Love:
1. Relax. Stress is a major
culprit of digestive issues.
2. Get movin’. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise each day.
3. Stay hydrated. Drinking
six to eight glasses of water each
day helps food move through
your system.
4. Write it down. If you notice
changes in your digestive habits,
keep a journal of what you are eating to identify trigger foods.
5. Get screened. If you are
50 or older, or have risk factors
for colon cancer, schedule annual
colon cancer screenings.
Watch this video. You’ve talked to your physician about your
stomach symptoms. Now your doctor wants you to have a colonoscopy. Visit www.cdhf.ca and click “Tests I Might Need” to watch
a video or download fact sheets that help explain what happens
before, during and after this common diagnostic procedure.
)+
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOLIBRARY
Find Out What to Expect with
Your Colonoscopy
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8/23/10 12:03:05
9/22/10
11:26:29 PM
AM
Like Mother, Like Daughter
She walks like you, talks like you—wants to be you.
Give her a positive example to emulate, and you’ll set her up for
a lifetime of good health..
vim&
VV_ PSA_CAN_GoodHealth.indd 11
9/23/10 3:43:11 PM
After beating an injury that plagued him in recent years,
FdVVWI1000CAN_26-30_MikeWeir.indd 26
8/16/10 10:12:50 AM
M
rs,
Getting
BACK
in the
BY ALLISON THOMAS
F YOU WERE ASKED TO NAME THE MOST
famous athlete from Sarnia, Ontario, your inclination
might be to mentally run down the NHL rosters you’ve
committed to memory—but you’d be headed in the wrong
direction. The title belongs to 10-year PGA Tour veteran
and Canada’s most successful professional golfer, Mike
Weir. Weir was born and raised in this waterside hamlet on the southern shores of Lake Huron, and while he
dreamed of becoming a hockey player, his slight stature
made him better suited for 18 holes than three periods.
Still, an upbringing on the ice served to reinforce Weir’s
PHOTOGRAPH BY NIGEL DICKSON
drive to be the best. “I think my grit puts me over the
edge sometimes, and that comes from growing up playing
hockey, and having two older brothers,” Weir said in an
interview with Golf Magazine on Golf.com. “I was always
hanging out with them, and I was always the smallest
guy, trying to prove myself.”
Mike Weir fights doggedly to remain among golf’s elite
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8/16/10 10:20:10 AM
Doctors found problems with four of his seven
discs, which had led to intense pain so severe at
one point that his wife had to help tie his shoes.
Although that proof hasn’t come easily, it has
come. In the past 10 years, this athletic underdog
has flown largely under the radar while driving
and putting his way to several impressive victories. From his first PGA Tour win in 1999 at the
Air Canada Championship to taking the Masters
in 2003—as the first Canadian ever to win at
Augusta, and the first left-hander to win a major
in 40 years—Weir consistently has remained
among the top 100 golfers in the world. In 2009,
he was recognized for these achievements as a
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame inductee.
Into the
ROUGH
or all his successes, Weir, 40, has
faced obstacles, too. In 2004, he
hurt his back at the Canadian
Open, and to add irony to injury, the
pain came courtesy of a fan.
“He kind of grabbed me around
the neck and my right shoulder,”
Weir said in the www.golf.com interview. “I was slightly jogging down a
hill, and my momentum was going forward, and
he grabbed me by the neck and shoulder area and
pulled me back. I could feel it getting worse just
standing there.”
Weir understandably lost his focus and missed
a five-foot birdie, ultimately losing the event to
Vijay Singh. “The thing with the fan broke my
concentration more than anything. I learned
28
to be prepared for anything,” Weir said in
the interview.
While an incident with a fan may have
precipitated Weir’s troubles, golfers in general are well-acquainted with back injuries.
“Back injuries are extremely common
for both amateurs and professionals,” says
Diana Perez, a sport physiotherapist as well
as a board member of and spokeswoman for
the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
“It’s not surprising, with literally hundreds
of thousands of repetitive swings. Your spine
and lower back are the most common areas
of injury.”
This kind of repetition can cause serious
wear and tear, and although a single event
may spark an injury, “typically, the damage
is not just based on a one-time occurrence,”
Perez says. “There’s often some degeneration
that the individual was not aware of, but can
be seen on an X-ray.”
The SLOW
ROAD Back
adly, Weir’s journey back from
injury was anything but smooth.
Doctors found problems with
four of his seven discs, which had
led to pain so severe at one point
that his wife had to help tie his
shoes, he said in a 2005 recap on
www.mikeweir.com.
He also said that in looking back he should
have taken a few months off to get healthy, but he
refused to use his injury as a scapegoat. “I don’t
like to make excuses for my play. If I’m in a tournament, I like to play hard no matter what the
circumstances or how I’m feeling, and for that
reason, I never used my injuries as an explanation
for my poor results.”
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photograph by danny moloshok/rEuters/corbis
So, what does it really take to come back from
injury to this level of play? Perez says it largely
depends on how much maintenance was done
before the injury occurred.
“Typically, you’re physically prepped to do
sport at that level. But if the individual has
just been playing and not working out—doing
strength training, stretching and cardio—it will
be a rougher road,” she says.
For individuals who struggle with a back injury
that just won’t heal, surgery may be considered.
But Dr. William Stanish, an orthopedic surgeon
and a spokesman for the Canadian Orthopaedic
Association, cautions against rushing to the
operating room.
“People get very impatient. They think that
it’s going to take a week or two to heal and very
commonly it’s much longer than that. A surgical
procedure for any sports-related injury is the
very last resort,” Stanish says.
This conservative approach typically pays off,
because, most often, back injuries heal on their
own. For example, a ruptured disc will shrink
back to its former state with rest and activity
modification, Stanish says. But there are times
when surgery is necessary.
“If someone has a fragmented disc and it’s putting pressure on a nerve, in this circumstance
you’d likely have to go in and take that fragmented
disc out,” Stanish says. “But that constitutes a
small portion of people that have disc disease in
either their neck or lower back.”
Vim & Vigour • WI NTER 2010
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8/16/10 10:23:59 AM
Strengthen
Your Game
ONLINE
You don’t have to be a professional golfer to be concerned
about your game and preventing injury. You just need to
learn the best ways to protect yourself and reduce strain, says
Diana Perez, a sport physiotherapist and spokeswoman for
the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
Whether it’s lengthening your drive or preventing injury,
Perez puts a focus on core fitness—bolstering your abs and your
back. “Most people can’t do 10 crunches, and [they] wonder
why their lower back aches,” Perez says. “Imagine if your knee
muscles had the same lack of toning as your back. You wouldn’t
be able to walk.”
Perez also offers these pointers regarding equipment
ergonomics:
• Choose the right equipment, including clubs that are the
appropriate length.
• If you use a push golf cart, push it in front of you instead of
pulling it behind you.
• If you carry your clubs, slip your bag over both shoulders and
watch your posture. If you have a one-shoulder strap, switch
from side to side so you don’t overburden one or the other.
• Relax your grip: Hold your clubs loosely to avoid straining
your hands and forearms.
Avoid Injury
How can you prevent injury and protect your bones and joints? Visit the
Canadian Orthopaedic Association’s
website at canorth.org/en/
patientresources for the facts
to keep you in the swing of things!
30
For anyone, amateur or pro, recovery from
injury requires specific, targeted exercises plus
general fitness. “There’s a lot of balance, endurance and postural routine correction. It can be
quite involved,” Perez says.
After surgery, Stanish prescribes gentle aerobic activity—such as walking, swimming or riding
an exercise bike—for six to eight weeks before
returning to play.
“We know that the spine loves to be loaded and
unloaded, but it hates rotation,” Stanish says.
A Game CHANGER
erez notes that although injuries
are commonplace, golf finally is
being taken seriously as a sport,
and it’s evident in the training.
“In the past, golfing wasn’t
viewed as all that athletic. It was
a leisure thing you did on Sunday,” Perez says.
But this notion has changed at all levels of the
game. “Now you train for it like you would
any other sport,” she says.
What caused the shift? Perez credits the PGA
for helping to alter the way golf training and
preparation are approached. “A medical unit now
travels with the PGA Tour, and they have a gym,”
she says. Players also have altered their personal
training regimens.
“To prepare for play, many golfers used to just
golf. Now [some players] do yoga,” Perez says.
She requires all her patients to do likewise.
Weir’s own training efforts have paid off.
In 2009, he placed second in the AT&T Pebble
Beach National Pro-Am and finished among the
PGA’s top 30 golfers for the year. Weir’s desire
to persevere will help ensure that he remains
a contender for years to come, a fighter whose
struggles give him the resolve to face whatever
challenges he may encounter.
‘‘If you’re sitting still and resting on what
you’ve done in the past and are happy with that,
you’re obviously going to slip,’’ Weir told The
Associated Press in 2009. ‘‘I’ve never been that
type of guy, that type of player. I always want to
be better than I was before.’’
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8/24/10 4:16:29 PM
One size
fits all?
No way
Just like the men it affects, every case of prostate
cancer is different. And multiple treatments are available.
Ask your doctor about all of them before you decide which is best.
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When I was a kid, I couldn’t go to sleep
32
By Jill Schildhouse
photography by photolibrary
at night without a nightlight. Somehow, that tiny bulb
kept away the monsters in my closet and other scary
things lurking in the dark.
These days, I’m still afraid of the dark—but for a very
different reason: not being able to sleep. And this fear
seems perfectly rational considering how many mornings I pry my tired self out of bed and how many afternoons I spend yawning and rubbing my bleary eyes. And
judging from my friends’ Facebook status updates at all
hours of the night (or is it morning?), I’m not alone.
In fact, one in seven Canadians age 15 and older has
insomnia, the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, according to Statistics Canada. “But it’s probably more than
that, because many don’t report it,” says Eric Plasker,
a wellness expert and author of The 100 Year Lifestyle.
“Everyone has one sleepless night here and there. But if
you are wondering if you have a problem sleeping, then
you probably do.”
The good news is that many causes behind sleepless
nights are as easily eradicated as those fears of monsters
in the closet. You just need to shine a little light on them.
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Put your fea
rest—sleep b rs to
e
these simple tter with
steps
FdVVWI1000CAN_32-7_Sleep.indd 33
8/16/10 11:31:30 AM
“Don’t
bring
th
INTEN e
SITY
of life
into be
d. W
t
he new
s or ac atching
ti
shows
or read on-based
in
novel
before g a suspense
bed ca
tensio
uses
n and
g
e
ts your
heart
racing
.”
34
FdVVWI1000CAN_32-7_Sleep.indd 34
8/16/10 11:32:03 AM
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Jonesing for java
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: More than 63 per cent of
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Snuggling up with technology
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: How often do you bring
your laptop to bed to finish up a few last-minute slides
for tomorrow’s presentation? Do you find yourself checking your BlackBerry when you get up for a drink of water
at 3 a.m.? Are you in the habit of watching the local
news right before turning out the lights? If this sounds
familiar, technology is interfering with the sanctity of
your bedroom.
“The bedroom is a sleeping place, an escape,” Plasker
says. “Don’t bring the intensity of life into bed. Watching
the news or action-based shows or reading a suspense
novel before bed causes tension and gets your heart racing. And leave your BlackBerry in another room. Your
spam can wait.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOLIBRARY
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Travelling to new time zones
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: Whether you’re a casual
vacation-only traveller or a card-carrying member of
every airline’s frequent flier program, jet lag can really
challenge your sleep cycle.
According to the Canadian Sleep Society, the severity
of the symptoms depends on both the direction of flight
and the number of time zones crossed. Eastbound flights
may cause difficulty falling asleep, sleep disturbances in
the first half of the night, difficulty awakening and fatigue
in the morning and early afternoon. Westbound flights
are associated with poor sleep quality in the second half
of the night, early morning awakening and fatigue in the
late afternoon and evening. To help avoid this, try anticipating the time change for trips by getting up and going
to bed earlier several days prior to an eastward trip and
later for a westward trip.
Also, while you are away, try to get outside in the sunlight
whenever possible to help regulate your biological clock.
Canadians older than 18 drink coffee daily, making coffee
the No. 1 beverage choice of adult Canadians, according to
the Coffee Association of Canada. But at what cost?
While small amounts of caffeine are not usually a concern, Health Canada says overconsumption can cause
insomnia, headaches, irritability, dehydration and nervousness. Therefore, the agency advises healthy adults to
limit total daily caffeine intake to 400 milligrams, or the
equivalent of three 250-millilitre cups of coffee. So watch
your trips to the coffee pot—and the tea pot, soda machine
and candy machine, since caffeine in these items counts
toward your daily intake.
ZZZ First Steps
I’m used to not sleeping well. I’ve learned how to function
on little sleep. I’ll sleep when I’m dead. If you’ve ever uttered
these statements, then you’re ignoring a treatable condition.
“It’s important to take action toward getting a better
night’s sleep,” says Eric Plasker, a wellness expert and author
of The 100 Year Lifestyle. “Most sleep issues can be solved on
your own.” He offers the following tips:
• Try exercising in the morning, meditating, journaling
or getting massages. “These habits are good for you, even
if you aren’t having sleeping problems,” Plasker says. “But
in 80 per cent of cases, you will sleep better if you’re doing
these things.”
• Make sure your mattress and pillow are in good shape.
“Pillows are especially important,” he says. “They support
proper alignment, keep your airway open, relax muscles,
reduce pressure on nerves and support the curve of your
neck.”
• Only choose medication as a last resort. “Drug-free
solutions are always best,” Plasker says. “Even over-thecounter medications, such as melatonin, can be addicting.”
If you’ve tried the above steps for 30 to 60 days and you
aren’t sleeping any better, consult your physician, who may
schedule you for a sleep study.
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8/19/10 2:37:26 PM
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Excess weight
A Healthy Night’s
Sleep
QUIZ
While one sleepless night here or there can leave you groggy and
short on patience, chronic sleeplessness can be hazardous to your
health. According to the Better Sleep Council Canada, if you don’t
get enough sleep, you could suffer from the following:
• Weight gain. Inadequate amounts of sleep can cause hormonal and metabolic changes that cause weight gain.
• Lower immune system. Sleep deprivation lowers your
immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and the flu.
• Stress and anxiety. Lack of sleep can lead to feelings of
frustration, nervousness and anxiety, making it harder for you to
cope with day-to-day stress.
What’s Your
Sleep Deficit?
Sure, you’ve fallen short of
your 40 winks, but how short? Visit
the Better Sleep Council Canada at
www.bettersleep.ca and choose
“Sleep Test” under the “Trivia” tab
to find out.
36
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Succumbing to stress
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: Who isn’t stressed
these days? Between unemployment or a hectic
job, financial troubles, difficult relationships,
needy kids, aging parents and never-ending
household chores, you’re under a lot of pressure.
Even if you can find the time to sleep, that doesn’t
mean you can clear your head and actually catch
some ZZZs.
“If people don’t manage stress, it can affect their
sleep,” Plasker says. “It keeps them up at night or
wakes them up in the middle of the night.” To help
overcome stress, he suggests trying such bedtime
rituals as listening to relaxing music, focusing on
deep breathing (in for two counts and out for four)
to slow your heart rate and reduce muscle tension,
and keeping a journal by your bed to write down
thoughts that keep you up.
“There’s something about taking those
thoughts out of your head and putting them on
paper that helps rest your mind. You know the
thoughts will be there in the morning,” he says.
MONSTER IN THE CLOSET:
Sleeping in unsavoury
conditions
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: You’re hot. You’re
cold. Your mattress is too firm. Or is it too soft?
Your pillow needs fluffing. If trying to fall asleep
makes you feel like Goldilocks, then fine-tuning
your sleep hygiene with the following tips from
the Better Sleep Council Canada could make your
sleep environment just right.
First, transform your bedroom into a haven of
comfort that is dark, quiet and between 16 and 18
degrees Celsius. Next, make sure your mattress
meets your needs for both comfort and support.
Also, be sure to avoid alcohol and nicotine close
to bedtime, as they can lead to a bad night’s sleep.
Finally, create a bedtime routine that is relaxing,
such as reading a peaceful book or soaking in a
hot bath.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOLIBRARY
SHINE SOME LIGHT ON IT: While lugging
around extra pounds during the day is exhausting enough, trying to find a restful position at
night is equally arduous.
“Being overweight affects your breathing and
makes it hard to get comfortable,” says Plasker,
who recommends exercise to lose that extra heft
and also to sleep better. “Exercise not only helps
you burn calories, but it increases your metabolism and makes you tired. Working out in the
morning is best, but just doing it is important.”
So if your schedule is such that you have to exercise at night, that’s fine, but Plasker just recommends finishing two hours before bedtime.
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N ’T
O
D
E
OPL
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S,
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHOTOLIBRARY
UP
”
.
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AT
FdVVWI1000CAN_32-7_Sleep.indd 37
8/16/10 11:32:30 AM
Is g
o
righ ing org
you t for yo anic
r po
u
cket (and
boo
k)?
BY ALLISON THOMAS
A Natural
Dilemma
Organic living is coming of age. Just a few decades
back, it was a concept more closely associated with
communal hippies than mainstream culture. But in
the past few years, organic products of all kinds have
soared in popularity, finding their way from fledgling
farmers markets to the shelves of behemoth discount
stores such as Walmart and Costco.
While there are plenty of environmental arguments for switching to organic products—such as the
negative effects that pesticides can have on our water,
soil and wildlife—when it comes to choosing organics
for better health, recommendations vary widely from
one expert to another.
If you’ve considered making the switch to a more
organic lifestyle, here are a few tips to help clear up the
confusion—and maximize the benefits to your health.
CULTIVATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH
HEALTHY EATING
Experts may not see eye to eye on organics, but there’s
one fact they agree on: Few people are eating healthfully, organic or otherwise.
“We get so caught up in the details, but nine out
of 10 people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables,”
says Dawn Jackson Blatner, a dietitian and author of
The Flexitarian Diet. “If you can actually say that you
eat two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables every day, then you might want to entertain
the idea of organic.” If not, focus on boosting your
produce consumption—organic or not.
38
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the
Environment (CAPE) takes an even stronger stance
in favour of organic eating, citing health risks for
consumers and farm workers as well as weaker standards for pesticide residue allowed on Canadian produce than in Europe, Australia or the United States.
“Our view is that you should be eating organic
wherever possible,” says Gideon Forman, CAPE’s
executive director. “We realize in some cases it’s more
expensive, but there are some fruits and vegetables
that are of particular concern.”
GROW INTO ORGANIC FOODS
While “organic” doesn’t equal “healthy,” Blatner cites
a few studies that link pesticides in non-organic food
with birth defects and other reproductive health
issues and nervous system disorders. “There are also
surveys that suggest some organic foods may offer
superior flavor,” she says.
So, if you’re meeting your daily fruit and vegetable
needs—and have the budget for organic options—it
may be time to slip some into your diet. Look for
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Snacks Can Be Deceiving
Are those organic crackers you bought really your healthiest
option? Probably not, according to Dawn Jackson Blatner, a
dietitian and author of The Flexitarian Diet.
“It’s ironic because people are trying to go organic because
they think it will improve the quality of their diet,” she says. “But
organic is not a license to eat more cookies and chips and stuff.
They have a health halo that they don’t necessarily deserve.”
Organically speaking, what’s the smartest way to fend off a
snack attack? Say no thanks to all the processed stuff.
“You’ll get more nutritional bang
for your buck buying organic fruits
and vegetables and skipping out on
all the processed foods, organic or
conventional,” Blatner says.
DOWNLOAD
a
products labeled “organic” (or that include the
“Canadian Organic” logo). This denotes the item is
at least 95 per cent organic. Products with multiple
ingredients that contain 70 to 95 per cent organic
content may use the phrase: “contains X% organic
ingredients” but won’t have the logo or be labeled as
“organic.”
Forman suggests starting with the “Dirty Dozen,”
a list developed by the Environmental Working
Group that highlights fruits and vegetables that typically contain the most pesticides when grown conventionally. They are peaches, apples, bell pepper,
celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes, carrots and pears.
If you eat meat and poultry but have a limited
budget, Blatner suggests choosing organic beef first.
“Pigs and chickens are never allowed to be raised
with added hormones—organic or not—but cows can
be,” she says. “So if it comes down to only one animal
product to buy organic, go with the beef.”
FREE Wallet Guide
Find out which produce contains the most, and the
least, pesticides. Download the “Dirty Dozen” and
“Clean 15” lists, (in PDF format or as an iPhone app)
at www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php.
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39
8/16/10 11:02:58 AM
17
Reasons
to Work in
Healthcare
Why it’s an industry worth considering
2
Maybe you were sick on career day in high
Because of an aging population, demand is twofold for
healthcare workers: to care
for the country’s older adults, and to
fill positions being vacated by retiring
healthcare providers. About 3.8 million
jobs are expected to be freed because of
retirement in the next 10 years, according to the Canadian report.
school. Or maybe you pursued a field that
once interested you, but now you’re looking
to make a change. Whatever the situation,
you’re considering a career in healthcare.
Here are 17 reasons to go for it.
1
DEMAND IS GREAT.
3
THERE’S JOB
IT’S A GROWING INDUSTRY.
SECURITY.
In the next 10 years, 1.6 million jobs are expected
to be added to the service industry, including
healthcare, according to a Human Resources
and Social Development Canada report.
Because of the growing industry spurred
by the increasing demand, job security in
healthcare occupations is almost a given.
4
BENEFITS ABOUND.
Many hospitals and other healthcare settings offer excellent benefits beyond health
insurance, such as child care, wellness programs
and tuition assistance.
40
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8/16/10 11:09:45 AM
BY JODI BAFUNDO
5
IN A WORD, VARIETY.
Healthcare professionals are employed in
hospitals and doctors’ offices, of course,
but also schools, pharmacies, senior centres, major corporations and even cruise ships.
6
IN ANOTHER WORD, FLEXIBILITY.
Are you a night owl? Or do you need to work around the
kids’ calendar? Schedules can vary widely and accommodate most people’s needs.
7
YOU’LL HELP
THOSE IN NEED.
Providing care for people during
their vulnerable times of need
is a “noble cause,” that draws people with
passion and empathy into the industry,
says Pamela Fralick, president and CEO
of the Canadian Healthcare Association.
“There’s a tremendous amount to be said
for the calling.”
9
THERE’S MUCH TO TEACH.
Imparting knowledge comes with the
territory—whether for patients and colleagues
in the workplace, or for students in classrooms,
Fralick says.
10
PATIENTS’ NEEDS VARY.
STETHOSCOPE PHOTOGRAPHY BY DREAMSTIME
NEVER STOPS.
Healthcare workers are expected to
continue their education throughout their careers, keeping them
relevant every step of the way.
Maintaining competency-based
credentials, in both written and
practical areas, is important to
get into and stay in healthcare
fields, Fralick says.
YOU COULD
Holistic, independent care depends on putting the patient’s needs first. “If a
patient sprains his ankle, he doesn’t necessarily need a primary care doctor,”
Fralick says. Other specialists, such as physical therapists and assistants,
can take responsibility for patient care without needing a middle man.
11
IT’S NOT ALL BEDSIDE WORK.
Not all healthcare jobs involve direct patient
care. Administrators, receptionists, social workers, computer technicians, project managers and
more are needed to keep hospitals and other
healthcare workplaces running smoothly.
FdVVWI1000CAN_40-42_Healthcare.indd 41
8
THE LEARNING
TAKE TO THE
SKIES.
12
Do you like a bird’s-eye view? Helicopter flight
nurses and medics aid in urgent situations such
as rescues and critical medical transports.
13
YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE
IT MIGHT TAKE YOU.
Healthcare workers can sign up with
agencies that place them in temporary positions
around the provinces and often provide housing
and cover travel costs.
Vim & Vigour · WI NTER 2010
41
8/19/10 2:39:47 PM
video
Would Working in
Healthcare Work for You?
Find out if a career in healthcare is right for you.
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
offers sources in career focusing and skills assessment.
Visit www.hrsdc.gc.ca today.
Get Your
Dream Job!
(+
YOU WANT A KEY TO
THE EXECUTIVE WASHROOM.
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+)
So you’re convinced: You want to try a
career in healthcare. But where do you
begin? Whether you’re just entering
the job market or looking for a change
of career, the opportunities are endless. Here are some suggestions from
Pamela Fralick, president and CEO of
the Canadian Healthcare Association,
on how to get started.
• Research which local colleges and universities offer programs in the field that
interests you.
• Search job postings within the industry for opportunities that might allow
you to use your current experience.
• E-mail healthcare recruiters to ask
what qualifications employers are
seeking in successful candidates.
• Consider volunteering or accepting a
lower-level position that will give you
a foot in the door and an opportunity
to grow within the field.
• Research provincial/territorial and
federal programs that provide tuition
funding or reimbursement in exchange
for pledged service time in places with
staff shortages.
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2
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8/23/10 12:03:17
9/22/10
11:35:55 PM
AM
Bad to
the Bone?
Osteoporosis affects one in four women over the age of 50.
Are you one of them? Talk to your doctor today about a bone mineral density test.
vim&
VV_ PSA_CAN_Osteoporois_2010.indd 11
9/23/10 3:44:56 PM
Four people share their
experiences with the
disease
THE FACES OF
SKIN
CANCER
BY STEPHANIE CONNER
44
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8/16/10 11:12:07 AM
T
ake a look around. Do you think you could identify the
people most likely to get skin cancer? Year-round sunworshippers, older women who are always sporting a
golf tan and mature men tending to their gardens? Maybe.
Then again, spotting those at risk might not be so easy.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, according to Health Canada. Basal cell and
squamous cell carcinomas are the two most
common types, the Canadian Dermatology
Association reports, and cases of melanoma, the
most deadly form, are rising.
“In terms of basal cell, generally you remove
it and it’s gone. And that is usually the case for
squamous cell carcinoma as well,” says Dr.
Cheryl Rosen, a spokeswoman for the Canadian
Dermatology Association and the national director of the organization’s Sun Awareness Program.
“But with melanoma, unless you catch it early, it
can spread.”
“Once skin cancers get beyond their area of
local destruction, they get into the bloodstream
and lymph nodes,” adds Dr. Ellen Marmur, a dermatologist and author of Simple Skin Beauty.
Take it from these four skin cancer survivors—
and from the BC Cancer Agency—early detection
saves lives. And protecting yourself from overexposure to the sun is important year-round, not
just when you’re lounging in the backyard or at
the beach.
Judy Barlas, Age 61
Family history: No cancer in her immediate
family
Likely culprit: Severe sunburns as a child
Her story: When Barlas recalls her childhood, she remembers severe—even blistering—
sunburns. At the time, she says, people didn’t
understand the sun’s power.
“We didn’t have SPF 30 sunscreen back then,”
says the fair-skinned redhead. Plus, Barlas says
that she craves the sun because of seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that worsens
in dreary winter months.
In 1989, at a regular checkup with her family physician, Barlas pointed out a few spots on
her skin. Her concerns stemmed from a close
friend’s recent bout with skin cancer. The doctor
asked her to monitor the spots, and three months
later performed a biopsy, cutting out a sample
of tissue.
The results were surprising: melanoma on her
left knee.
“My doctor may have thought it was cancer,
but I don’t think she ever thought it would be
melanoma,” she says.
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9/22/10 11:59:11 AM
But Barlas was lucky: A follow-up surgery
shortly after showed the cancer had not spread.
More than 20 years later, Barlas remains cancer-free. She sees her dermatologist once a year
for screenings.
Lessons Learned: Today, Barlas keeps her
skin covered. “I’m pretty cautious. I don’t wear
shorts,” she says. “I’m totally covered up or I’m
not going out.”
And she reminds others to take advantage of
the information available today. “Do not let your
little children go outside without a hat on their
head or their arms and legs covered, especially
if they’re fair-skinned,” she says. “This is something that can kill you.”
Expert Advice: Do a self-check of your skin
every few months and schedule an annual check
with a dermatologist.
46
Kendra Stelzer, Age 24
Family history: Father had melanoma
Likely culprit: Overexposure to the sun, tanning beds
Her story: Stelzer wore low-SPF sunscreen to
get a little colour at the lake or pool, and for special events, she would head to a tanning bed.
Because of her family history of melanoma,
Stelzer’s family doctor recommended she go
to a dermatologist for regular screenings as a
teenager.
When Stelzer was 20, doctors removed a precancerous mole on her leg. Then, she knew what
to look for.
“You know your body best. That’s what they
told me,” she says. “Because of that, I really paid
attention to what was going on with my skin.”
A year later, in December 2008, she noticed
that a spot on her leg was getting darker. She
immediately went to her dermatologist and got
the news three days later: melanoma. Stelzer
then went to a specialist who surgically removed
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the cancerous tissue and performed a skin graft
to help the wound heal.
LESSONS LEARNED: Stelzer’s four-inch scar is
a reminder of her life-threatening experience.
“Girls spend so much time going to the tanning
salon,” she says. “The damage goes beyond your
skin. My scars are a constant reminder of the
damage it has caused my health.”
EXPERT ADVICE: There is no safe way to tan
indoors. Get a safe tan from a bottle of skin bronzer: don’t use tanning beds or sun lamps.
STEVE VALENTINE, AGE 50
FAMILY HISTORY: His father and brother have
had skin cancer
LIKELY CULPRIT: Years of overexposure to the sun
HIS STORY: In most ways, Valentine is a healthy
man. He’s fit, works out three times a week with
a personal trainer and eats well. But years of sun
exposure have taken a toll on his fair skin.
Valentine grew up near the beach. “We went
every Sunday,” he remembers. “We’d go out at 8
a.m. and stay until 3 p.m. And when we’d leave,
we’d have blisters on our shoulders and the tops
of our feet.”
Even when the family moved away from the
coast, the beach was an easy day trip. And in college, Valentine took beach vacations to Tahiti and
the Bahamas. “Now, I’m paying for it,” he says.
After turning 40, he noticed spots on his skin
and was diagnosed with basal cell and squamous
cell carcinoma.
Valentine has had five surgeries on his face in
three years. “It’s very traumatic and emotional,”
he says. “It never gets easier for me.”
LESSONS LEARNED: Valentine has changed many
habits. He wears sunscreen and long sleeves daily,
drives with the top down only at night and works
out indoors. “Enjoy the sun, but cautiously,”
Valentine says. “Really look at the amount of time
you’re spending outdoors and in direct sunlight.”
EXPERT ADVICE: Be physically active and enjoy
your outdoor activities but protect yourself as
much possible. Wear sunscreen with a minimum
SPF of 30, and remember to wear a broad-brimmed
hat and sunglasses. Seek shade when you can, and
do your activities later in the day or earlier in the
morning when the sun is less strong.
Vim & Vigour · WI NTER 2010
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9/22/10 12:01:30 PM
LILYVANIA MIKULSKI, AGE 30
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48
FAMILY HISTORY: No family history of skin
cancer
LIKELY CULPRIT: Excessive sun exposure and
tanning without protection
HER STORY: When Lilyvania Mikulski went to a
dermatologist in 2005, she wanted a mole on her
right arm removed. Her doctor suggested testing the mole for cancer.
Mikulski wasn’t worried. “I didn’t even think
about it,” she says.
Three weeks later, her doctor called: It was
melanoma. Mikulski returned to the doctor,
who removed the area around the mole to
learn if the cancer had spread.
Fortunately, it hadn’t.
Mikulski, who has olive skin and doesn’t
burn, was born in Nicaragua and grew up
in Miami. “We would always be at the
beach,” she says. And when she was in high
school, she played water polo and was on
the dance squad, activities that required
outdoor practices.
Yet, Mikulski didn’t always wear sunblock. Today, she takes the time to apply
sunscreen and sees her dermatologist
for annual screenings.
LESSONS LEARNED: Mikulski says she’s
taking simple steps to save her life, like
avoiding the sun when it’s harshest.
“The most important thing is that you
can prevent skin cancer. Knowing that,
it’s as easy as putting on a lotion and
wearing a hat,” she says.
EXPERT ADVICE: All skin colour types are
prone to skin cancer. Those with fair skin may
be at higher risk, but many with medium to dark
skin also develop skin cancers.
FREE Skin Self-Exam Guide
For a guide to performing a self-exam, visit the Canadian
Dermatology Association at www.dermatology.ca.
Select “Skin, Hair & Nails,” and then “Skin” and
“Skin Cancer.” Visit the BC Cancer Agency’s sun and
skin safety website at www.SunTips.ca.
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screening
Unexpected Results
A look at the meaning of an ‘abnormal’ cancer screening test
BC Cancer Agency continues to do extensive research
in this area.
In the meantime, continue your regular cancer screening, and know that an abnormal result
shouldn’t immediately be cause for concern. “We want
people to
regularly attend
their screening
appointments—
because even if it
increases the likelihood
of a false alarm, it also
increases the likelihood
that cancer will be
detected earlier,
when it’s most
treatable.”
online
M
ost of us know that cancer screening
is important—the sooner a cancer is
detected, the greater our chances of
survival. And most of us expect to get
normal results after our screening appointment. So
when results come back as “abnormal,” requiring you
to have further tests, it can be a shock that you’re not
prepared to deal with.
“Being recalled for further tests is fairly common,” explains Dr. Andy Coldman, Vice President
of Population Oncology with the BC Cancer Agency.
“About one in 20 women who have a screening
mammogram will have something which warrants
further diagnostic tests.”
Usually, these additional tests rule out cancer.
Some abnormal screening results, however, do lead
to the discovery of cancer, which is the objective of
cancer screening.
“We walk a fine line when it comes to cancer
screening,” Dr. Coldman continues. “We don’t want
to be alarmist, but it’s important for the individual
to go for those follow-up tests. And we want people
to regularly attend their screening appointments—
because even if it increases the likelihood of a false
alarm, it also increases the likelihood that cancer will
be detected earlier, when it’s most treatable. We have
carefully weighed and analyzed the benefit versus
the risk.”
So why do screening tests generate false alarms?
As Dr. Coldman explains, “The screening tests
we have for different cancers are really not very specific for cancer but identify changes correlated with
it. For example, Pap smears can identify changes in
the appearance of cells from the female cervix. These
changes frequently occur in the development of cervical cancer. However, most women with these changes
will actually not go on to develop cervical cancer and
the changes will clear up of their own accord. Thus,
we get a number of false alarms.”
The Holy Grail of screening is to one day develop
tests that are even more sensitive, that would be able
to detect the earliest stages associated with cancer,
while reducing the likelihood of a false alarm. The
Take the Test
Not sure which cancer screening tests are available to
you? Visit www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/Screening/
default.htm to find out more and schedule your
appointment today.
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PREVENTION
Q&A
Preventing Cancer: A Seven-Part Series
No. 5:
Catching
cancer
through
infections
and how to
prevent it
I
n Canada, five to seven per cent of all cancers are caused by infection. Worldwide,
the incidence increases to about 15 to 20 per
cent.
Two types of infections can lead to cancer—
viral and bacterial. Viruses are responsible for
most of them.
About 15 per cent of the worldwide cancer burden is caused by viral infections, including the
second most-frequent type of women’s cancer—
cervical cancer.
Vim & Vigour spoke with Dr. David McLean,
head of the BC Cancer Agency’s Cancer Prevention
Programs, to learn more.
Did You Know?
• The BC Cancer Agency’s cervical screening program is the
online
first and most successful in the world. It was established in 1955
by Dr. David Boyes and in 1960 became free for all B.C. women
over 20 years of age. It has since led to a decline of more than
70 per cent in incidence and mortality from cervical cancer and
remains a model for cancer control.
• B.C. launched
the HPV vaccine
program, free
For more information visit the
for girls from
BC Cancer Agency website at
www.bccancer.ca, click
Grade 6 to
on “Patient/Public Info” and
Grade 9, in 2008.
follow the link to Screening
Programs.
50
Q
How can an infection lead to cancer?
Q
What infections are linked with cancer?
Any type of infection that creates chronic
inflammation, in any organ of our body, can
lead to mutation of those cells. It’s those genetic
changes that increase our cancer risk. Many infections are common and rarely result in cancer—
our bodies can usually control or fight them off.
But when that ability is compromised, cancer
may develop.
The best-known are:
The human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical
cancer
• Most types of HPV are not cancer-causing,
such as the type that can cause warts on hands or
feet. The body often fights off the infection and it
goes away.
• Nearly 100 per cent of cervical cancers are
caused by HPV.
• Some cancers of the throat, esophagus and larynx are caused by HPV, too.
Hepatitis B and C and liver cancer
• The hepatitis virus causes chronic inflammation
of the liver.
• About 80 per cent of all liver cancers are caused
by the hepatitis virus.
Human herpes virus 8 and Kaposi sarcoma
• A defining illness of AIDS, appearing on the
skin, mouth, or in the intestinal or respiratory
tracts.
The Epstein-Barr virus and lymphoid cancers
• One of the most common viruses, responsible
for many of Canada’s infection-caused cancers.
• The cause of infectious mononucleosis, or “kissing disease” among teenagers.
• Can lead to several types of lymphoma.
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Bacterial infections are
treated with antibiotics, but
the key to prevention is early
detection—seeing your doctor
to check out symptoms such
as chronic gastritis or ulcers,
not assuming they are only
caused by stress.
The H.Pylori bacteria and stomach cancer
• Most cases of stomach cancer are caused by this
bacterial infection, not by hereditary causes.
• We don’t know much about it—why some get it
and others don’t.
• It can be detected through a breath test.
• Symptoms are chronic gastritis and stomach
ulcers.
But any cause of chronic inflammation can
increase the risk of developing cancer. For example,
poor dental health can be a cause of oral cancer.
Q
How can we prevent cancers caused by
infections?
Virally induced cancers can be prevented
through screening tests such as the Pap test for
the precancerous changes that might lead to cervical cancer, and through vaccines, such as the
HPV vaccine for cervical cancer, and by public
education.
Hepatitis B and C viruses, transmitted through
blood, are prevented by Canada’s safe blood supply and transfusion system and by not sharing
needles for intravenous drug use.
Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, but the key to prevention is early detection—
seeing your doctor to check out symptoms such
as chronic gastritis or ulcers, not assuming they
are only caused by stress. Vim & Vigour • WI NTER 2010
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planned giving
A Lasting
Create a permanent legacy
with an endowment fund at the
BC Cancer Foundation
Gift
What is an endowment?
An endowment is a special fund where the capital donated to create the fund is maintained for
the long term. Only investment income earned by
the fund each year is used, with a portion going
toward the fund’s designated purpose and a portion being reinvested in the fund itself to ensure
growth over time.
Why establish an
endowment at the BC
Cancer Foundation?
email
• It creates a permanent expression of what is
important to you.
• It creates a lasting and meaningful legacy in
your name or in the name of a loved one.
• It can be targeted to support area(s) of specific
interest to you.
• It is flexible: You or your family and friends can
continue to add to the fund over time.
• It can attract the support of other donors so that
the impact of your contribution is magnified over
time.
• It provides vital and stable long-term support
for cancer research and care.
52
How to Endow?
For more information about establishing a named endowment
fund or about contributing to an existing endowment fund at
the BC Cancer Foundation, contact Sharon Kennedy at
604-877-6160 or [email protected].
To download our free guide to Creating an Endowment
Fund, go to www.bccancerfoundation.com and click
“Ways to Give” and follow the link to “Legacy Giving.”
• You receive an immediate charitable donation
receipt for the total amount of each contribution
made to the fund.
How is an endowment
fund established?
Many people are surprised to learn how easy it
is to create an endowment fund. You can make
your contribution over a period of years, or you
can establish an endowment fund through your
will or other future gifts. Here’s how:
1. To establish an endowment fund now, you
and the BC Cancer Foundation sign a simple
endowment agreement describing the fund, its
purposes and how it will be funded. Your donation is then deposited into the endowment fund.
2. If you would like to establish an endowment
fund with a future gift, the BC Cancer Foundation
can provide you with suggested wording for
your will, or information about establishing an
endowment fund with life insurance or RRSP/
RRIF proceeds.
3. You can also contribute to an existing endowment fund at the BC Cancer Foundation already
set up for specific purposes.
What types of gifts
can be contributed to an
endowment fund?
• Cash or other assets
• A gift in your will
• Retirement funds (RRSP, RRIF)
• Life insurance policy proceeds
• Gift portion of a gift plus annuity
• Remainder interest of a Charitable Remainder
Trust, once received Vim & Vigour • W I N T E R 2 0 1 0
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Planting a Legacy
Gordon Gibson
BC Cancer Foundation donor
CALL
“I have always admired people who plant trees, knowing each seedling
is but a little thing today and will only mature long after we are gone.
But that is the story of the human race—we stand on the shoulders
of those who came before. Translating that to the long human fight
against cancer, that means planting the trees of medical research.
The research of the past enabled my beloved wife, Kilby, to live an
extra five-plus years in robust good health after her first cancer diagnosis. That was a bonus of immeasurable value to her, to me and to our
daughters as they grew up. But then came the end, a time of terrible
sadness so familiar to many.
In the face of great adversity and sorrow, especially when brought
on by forces such as cancer so far beyond our personal understanding and control, it is natural to feel very helpless. You can try to give
comfort; you can seek it for yourself. But what else?
From the dawn of human history people have always looked after
their loved ones. In a relatively recent development that has deeply
enriched our society, people have begun to look after people they don’t
even know (through social programs, for example), including those
yet to be born. When your loved one is gone and beyond your help,
one of the things you can do is help some anonymous future person.
That sentiment, along with the resources of the BC Cancer
Foundation, moved me, with some generous friends of Kilby’s, to start
the Kilby Gibson Endowment for Lymphoma Research. The work
being done in our province on this rapidly growing form of cancer
gives great hope and is worthy of support.
I am not an especially wealthy man and I know I am just planting a little tree,
but I will water and feed it every year for the rest of my life. Kilby had so many
friends, that with their help and that of some others, we can make a forest to
help the researchers. In the nature of things we cannot foresee who may take of
the fruit of these trees or be glad of the shade, but we will know we have done
something good.”
Kilby Gibson (1947-2009)
You Can Have an Impact
To support the Kilby Gibson Endowment
for Lymphoma Research, please contact
Sharon Kennedy at 604-877-6160 or
[email protected].
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IN THE NEWS
Highlights & Happenings
Showcasing People Making a Difference
• 2,252 cyclists from all over B.C. raised an
amazing $9.2 million in the second annual Ride
to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer
Foundation. www.conquercancer.ca
• Friends and family of Matt Jarvis raised more
than $15,000 at the Edgewater Casino to celebrate his recent poker tournament win that
secured his spot in the 2010 World Series of
Poker in Las Vegas.
• The ITM-NSR Model Look North America 2010
• Roche Canada donated $1 million to the BC Cancer
Foundation to expand the BC Cancer Agency’s
world-renowned Tumour Tissue Repository and
its Breast and Gastrointestinal Cancers Outcomes
Research Units.
• Linda
Corscadden, Vice President of the B.C.
Country Music Association and
a cancer survivor, raised more
than $5,000 through her Journey
On fundraiser. Funds will purchase a new chemotherapy chair
at the BC Cancer Agency’s Fraser
Valley Centre.
raised over $70,000 to support the purchase
of a second PET/CT scanner at the BC Cancer
Agency’s Vancouver Centre.
• Kelowna Secondary School Cancer Awareness
Week raised over $42,000 for breast cancer
through a drive-through breakfast, golf tournament and head-shaving event. Since 2001, KSS
students have raised more than $173,000 for the
BC Cancer Foundation.
• The first John Boltz Memorial
Kettle River Run in the town of
Midway, population 620, saw 102
runners and walkers raise $6,000
for clinical trials research at the
BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for the
Southern Interior.
54
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Research Advances
& Awards
• Dressed in their underwear, 925 walkers and
runners raised $552,500 for research into cancers
below the waist at the BC Cancer Foundation’s
fifth annual Underwear Affair.
• Cancer
survivor, fundraiser and co-author
Geri London launched her novel Skin Deep to
help teenagers understand what their moms
are going through when diagnosed with breast
cancer. Partial proceeds will be donated to the
BC Cancer Foundation.
• 1,100 walkers raised $2.4 million in the
Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s
Cancers benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation.
www.endcancer.ca
• Organizers
held a groundbreaking ceremony
for the BC Cancer Agency’s sixth regional cancer
centre—the Centre for the North—set to open in
Prince George in 2012. (See story on page 6.)
• More than 300 participants raised $7,200 in
the inaugural Wohlford’s Beach Volleyball for
Cancer, held at Urban Beach in Vancouver.
• The
Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon
& 5K raised over $26,000 for the BC Cancer
Foundation.
• BC Cancer Agency Genome Sciences Centre researchers became
the first in the world to sequence a patient’s rare tumour to help his
doctors decide on the best possible personalized treatment. (See
story on page 8.)
• Dr. Marco Marra, Director of the Agency’s Genome Sciences
Centre, was awarded the Order of B.C. at Government House
in Victoria.
• A study led by Dr. Hagen Kennecke published in the Journal of
Clinical Oncology revealed that breast cancer subtypes impact survival outcomes. The six subtypes studied each show a specific
pattern of spread when a patient relapses.
• The International Journal of Epidemiology published research from the
Interphone Study Group, which included BC Cancer Agency senior
scientist Mary McBride, and found no increased likelihood of brain
cancer among long-term cell phone users.
• A recent BC Cancer Agency discovery challenges existing scientific
knowledge about what happens to DNA when cells divide. Led by
Dr. Peter Landsdorp and published in Nature, the study shows that
identical copies of chromosomes are not always randomly distributed to the daughter cells.
• Dr. Charles Blake, the Agency’s Vice President, Systemic Therapy
Program, received the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s 2010
Statesman Award for his 20-plus years of extraordinary volunteer
service, dedication and commitment to that organization.
• Agency medical oncology resident Dr. Doran Ksienski and breast
cancer fellow Dr. Rinat Yerulshami received the Novartis Young
Investigator Award.
• Ann Syme, the Agency’s Provincial Leader, Pain and Symptom
Management/Palliative Care, received the BC Hospice Palliative Care
Association’s Michael Downing Research Award for her research on
patients transitioning from acute to palliative care.
• BC Cancer Agency scientists led by William Lockwood, Ph.D., identified a cancer-causing gene, BRF2, specific to squamous lung cell
carcinoma. The study, published in PLoS Medicine, could lead to new
ways to identify and treat this cancer.
• Dr. Marianne Sadar’s team of BC Cancer Agency scientists developed an experimental drug, EPI-001, that shrinks prostate cancer
tumours in the lab. (See story on page 4.)
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9/22/10 11:49:27 AM
Improving
the Odds
A new study predicts Hodgkin
lymphoma patient outcomes
K
nowing whether your cancer treatment will likely
work—or not—is priceless information for both
patient and doctor.
A recent discovery in Hodgkin lymphoma by
scientists at the BC Cancer Agency’s Centre for Lymphoid
Cancer brings that certainty one big step closer.
The research team found that patients with high levels
of a particular type of white blood cell may need more
aggressive treatment to beat the disease, and that those with
lower numbers of the cells could do well with a less-intense
treatment regimen.
They found that the greater the number of these white
cells—called macrophages—the greater the likelihood that
treatment would fail and patients would suffer a relapse. The
high macrophage count was associated with resistance to
treatment. So the macrophage levels could be used to predict
the likelihood of benefit from treatment and the probability a
patient will develop a relapse of their cancer.
CALL
Lymphoma researcher
Christian Steidl
FAST FACTS ON
HODGKIN LYMPHOMA
• Typically affects young adults, but can occur at
any age.
• Men and women are equally susceptible.
• Cause is yet unknown; no effective prevention is
available.
• Once routinely fatal, it is now highly treatable, with
a 75 to 85 per cent cure rate after initial treatment.
• The remaining 15 to 25 per cent require secondary
treatment, usually a bone marrow transplant, which
has a 50 per cent cure rate.
“We haven’t appreciated the important role that macrophages may play in cancer development before now,” says
Christian Steidl, lead author of the study, published in The
New England Journal of Medicine.
“Helping us to predict who may or may not do well with
current treatments is an important discovery,” adds Dr. Randy
Gascoyne, co-Director of the Centre. “It means we can justify recommending more intense treatment for patients with
high macrophage counts, knowing that standard treatment is
likely to fail.”
On the other hand, adds Dr. Joseph Connors, the Centre’s
Clinical Director, “For those who are likely to do well, we
may also be able to reduce the future risk that they will
develop a second cancer, as a complication of too aggressive initial treatment.”
“Perhaps we could give the chemotherapy but drop
the radiation,” he explains. “That would reduce the risk
of certain kinds of second cancers. This is very meaningful, since Hodgkin patients are often very young when
they’re diagnosed.”
Seize a Groundbreaking
Opportunity
The BC Cancer Foundation offers exciting opportunities
to become partners in discovery supporting groundbreaking lymphoma research at the BC Cancer Agency,
including The Angelyc Project. Contact Kirsten Nicholson
to learn more at 604- 877-6226 or email her at
[email protected].
56
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Bosom
Buddies
A woman’s chance of having invasive breast cancer
during her life is about 1 in 8. When caught in its earliest stages,
breast cancer has survival rates of nearly 100 per cent. Schedule your
mammogram today—and don’t forget to remind a friend.
vim&
VV_ PSA_CAN_BreastCancer_2010.indd 11
9/23/10 3:44:23 PM
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9/22/10 11:46:57 AM